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cheaplaughs

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well after buying some reloading equipment 3yrs ago.I finally put the Dillon 550 on a bench.I have no powder primers or bullets yet but I do have some empty brass.i was able to take out the primers which got me fired up.I only have two parts of a 308 set so I will have to buy some more parts.Looking forward to getting this going.:dancingbanana:
 
You had it for 3 years and didn't use it. I was un-packing mine in the truck on the way home.

I am sure you will love the reloading.
 
Congrats. Rifle components are fairly easy to come by now. Seems like everyone has Varget, H4895 etc in stock. Pistol powder is whole other story...
 
update,just made 5 .308 rnds i used 42gn imr 4895 and 168 gn sierra match kings.im trying to match the federal gold match as close as possible.not sure what powder they use though.every night i should make a few then of to the range.
 
cheaplaughs said:
update,just made 5 .308 rnds i used 42gn imr 4895 and 168 gn sierra match kings.im trying to match the federal gold match as close as possible.not sure what powder they use though.every night i should make a few then of to the range.
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You're off to a great start. When making up loads (and this is just me), I'll start off making 5rnds on the low end of the powder weight and increase by 0.5gn to the max recommended. Instead of 5rnds, I'll make up 10rnds with a load around the middle powder weight. The extra 5rnds is what I'll use to sight in the rifle for that particular powder/bullet combo. When I'm shooting, I'll start paying closer attention to the hotter loads to see if there are any high-pressure signs. If I do see any signs, then that's it for that batch of ammo. The remaining hot rounds get pulled apart when I get back home.

If I find a bullet/powder weight combo that groups best, I'll make up another 10-15rnds with that weight to see if it's repeatable/consistent. If so, then I'll start fine tuning going 0.3+/- grains on either side of that powder weight to see if I can improve on the groupings.

Finding the optical bullet/powder combo is the end goal but all the experimenting in between gets you shooting lots. Some folks just want THE end result, I like the journey part. :)
 
Once you have the powder weight established you can start to play with distance off the lands. Start around .020 and increase by .005 a couple of times to see if things tighten up any more. Keep track of max length to work through the mag. as well as ejecting from the chamber.
 
Trinimon said:
You're off to a great start. When making up loads (and this is just me), I'll start off making 5rnds on the low end of the powder weight and increase by 0.5gn to the max recommended. Instead of 5rnds, I'll make up 10rnds with a load around the middle powder weight. The extra 5rnds is what I'll use to sight in the rifle for that particular powder/bullet combo. When I'm shooting, I'll start paying closer attention to the hotter loads to see if there are any high-pressure signs. If I do see any signs, then that's it for that batch of ammo. The remaining hot rounds get pulled apart when I get back home.

If I find a bullet/powder weight combo that groups best, I'll make up another 10-15rnds with that weight to see if it's repeatable/consistent. If so, then I'll start fine tuning going 0.3+/- grains on either side of that powder weight to see if I can improve on the groupings.

Finding the optical bullet/powder combo is the end goal but all the experimenting in between gets you shooting lots. Some folks just want THE end result, I like the journey part. :)
Click to expand...

Exactly how I do it aswell then after I find a good load I start playing with depth after that I then start fine tuning my brass and reloads and checking for concentricity and such. I only go that extensive on my long range guns though. I also have never really tried to replicate a factory round. The beauty of reloading is We can pick our bullets and all components. So I usually try for the best BC bullet I can get when I'm loading precision rounds also keep your barrel twist in mind not all bullets work well in all barrels
 
the cheap way to do it without a bullet comparator is to take an empty casing and resize it. from there you can cut 2 lines parallel to the case down to the top of the shoulder. then barely seat the bullet you plan to use barely into the case. take that and put it into your gun and slowly close the bolt or action then remove it, that will be your max OAL. i would seat it 5 thou deeper so your not into the lands then you can adjust your OAL longer or shorter so the bullet has to jump or is jammed into the lands. you don't have to cut the case, i just found it easier for reusing it with various styles and weights of bullets.

i'm not into rifle a whole lot, so someone correct me if i'm wrong.
 
Spawn-Inc said:
the cheap way to do it without a bullet comparator is to take an empty casing and resize it. from there you can cut 2 lines parallel to the case down to the top of the shoulder. then barely seat the bullet you plan to use barely into the case. take that and put it into your gun and slowly close the bolt or action then remove it, that will be your max OAL. i would seat it 5 thou deeper so your not into the lands then you can adjust your OAL longer or shorter so the bullet has to jump or is jammed into the lands. you don't have to cut the case, i just found it easier for reusing it with various styles and weights of bullets.

i'm not into rifle a whole lot, so someone correct me if i'm wrong.
Click to expand...

That's how I do it, only I use 3 cuts instead of 2:





I got the idea here on CGN, can't remember who, but it's really quite useful.
 
I spent the money on an OAL gauge and bullet comparator insert set. I did save some money though by drilling and tapping my own once fired cases. Having the gear is nice not always possible when first starting the addiction. If you do decide to go that route buy the complete Comparator and insert set. Because as sure hell you will be loading more than one caliber in no time at all. I am loading for seven as we speak for more than one rifle. One more thing meticulous record keeping, labeling, will save much back tracking and head scratching.

It should be mandatory that all first time reloaders have to be photographed seconds after they squeeze off their first reload. :)
 
just made 18 rnds of 416 rigby.i used 245gn gs custom bullets in their hv line,these bullets are banded so i was able to use 95gns of w748 which they tested and recommended.will test them out after i get the brake installed.
 
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