Just loaded my first few ever!!!

[Ontario Gunner]

Well after securing all the equipment(rcbs everything) needed to reload my own rifle bullets,, and after reading several reloading manuals and watched a few videos over the last month..

This afternoon after double checking everything,, I finally loaded my first 5 bullets.

The first firearm im loading for is a brand new ruger hawkeye in 257 roberts. Im loading new remington brass,, winchester primers and starting a series of different weight powder loads with imr 4350, and 100 grain sierra gamekings. Ive got a few other bullets to use as well(hornady interlocks and barnes tsx's both in 100 grain) and Ill be picking up a couple other powders this week.

Couple questions..

Is it a bad idea to load different bullets with same charge weight at the same time?

Is it a bad idea to load at the longest length advised in all the manuals right at the get go?

Whats the best way to determine how far the bullets are sitting from the start of the rifling?

Any way I can speed up the process of weighing powder? Im using the rcbs 505 scale and double checking with a cheapo digital scale I have.

 

[ultimate_monkey]

congrads! the first loaded round is always a great feeling!

1) in your manuals they will give bullet types /weights each one may have a different min/max charge to use, its better to keep them seperate if u can, but like i said check ur manual if all the bullet types are the same weight with the same start charge ur good to go

2) the longest C.O.A.L is fine to start, as long as the CASE isnt longer then what it should be most manuals will give you a trim lenth (ex a .223 max case is 1.760" but should be trimed to 1.750")

3) we in the same boat on this one haha

4) not really no, for a beginner is better to weigh every load, the powder thrower from rcbs is accurate to .1gn BUT the art of repetition is your friend here, when u move the handle up/down if you tap harder or lighter or not at all can make a bug differance in how the powder settles so untill youve got that down, weigh every load..

or buy an rcbs chargemaster 1500 combo

 

[frank derbyshire]

khkhkjh

 

[Ontario Gunner]

Was fairly straight forward.. Ive read 4 manuals though So I have a fairly good idea. Just take your time and double check everything.

Im starting too think I picked one of the worst calibres too start off with though... There are SAMMI load charts and +P loads for this calibre. My gun is +P capable,, but its a little bit cunfusing on how heavy powder loads I can load into this round.. What I loaded is mid range in one book,, and below minimum in another.. I think I should have started with my 06 or 308. BUT I really really want too shoot this gun!

 

[thump_rrr]

just got a lee package myself but have not got it set up. Does anyone know any good relaoding manuals that are on line in PDF or doc file.or video too.

glad to hear you were successful, was it very hard or pretty straight forward?

check out iraqveteran8888 on youtube. He has a great series on reloading using a Lee single stage press.

 

[Ron AKA]

1. Is it a bad idea to load different bullets with same charge weight at the same time?
2. Is it a bad idea to load at the longest length advised in all the manuals right at the get go?
3. Whats the best way to determine how far the bullets are sitting from the start of the rifling?
4. Any way I can speed up the process of weighing powder? Im using the rcbs 505 scale and double checking with a cheapo digital scale I have.

1. No problem as long as the loads are recommended in a credible manual.
2. That length is just to ensure the loads fit a standard magazine, and is not a bad choice. See next question for more detail.
3. Take one of your fired and neck sized only cases, and cut one slot in the axial direction through the neck and shoulder. Fit a bullet so it just goes into the neck. Chamber it and very carefully withdraw it. Measure the overall length. Do this several times until you get a consistent number. Mark that bullet. This number with this bullet is a measure to the lands. Increase it, to cause a jam, and decrease for a jump. 0.005" jump is not a bad place to start. Using this specific bullet use your seating die to seat it long. Keep seating it deeper and measuring each time until you get your measurement corrected for jam or jump. Lock your die there and load the rest of the same bullets. Or save this dummy load and use it to set your die each loading. You will have to save one for every different bullet type, as the shape of the bullet makes a big difference.
4. Yes, forget about the cheap digital scale. If anything you should be using the RCBS balance beam scale to check the digital, not the other way around. To speed things up I would suggest buying a Lee Perfect Powder Measure. You set it to throw loads about 0.2 grains light, and dump them into your 505 powder pan. Then use a powder trickler to top up the pan to the exact weight.

I find bullets to be the most critical component. For accuracy I would rate Berger as the best, with Sierra as a close second. Barnes would be my last choice. For hunting I like the Nosler Partition, and again rate the Barnes last. Copper is a poor material to make bullets from. I am not an environmentalist, and have no aversion to lead.

 

[dead meat]

Welcome to the reloading club, it`s very satisfying to shoot your own loads. The info Ron AKA gave will get you on the right track. I use a different approach but i had a different teacher 40 years ago. Keep the 505 scale, i believe it`s the same as Ohaus, good stuff. Paid $29.95 for mine a long time ago still works like new.