Randall's "match ammo is too expensive" list.

[DirtRacer151]

Don't ever take anything over reliability.
Reliability is more important than anything else.

I would have thought that YOU, of all people, would understand that.

I do understand that in terms of firearms themselves. I am only really seeing a benefit to ammo reliability in cambering and cycling though. Am i missing something?

[ar15barrels]

I do understand that in terms of firearms themselves. I am only really seeing a benefit to ammo reliability in cambering and cycling though. Am i missing something?

You can't hit something when you are fidgeting with the gun, trying to get a round to chamber...

[DirtRacer151]

You can't hit something when you are fidgeting with the gun, trying to get a round to chamber...

Got it. Thats what i figured. Wait....

Wouldn't i be better off with an auto loader then so it will just chamber my rounds for me?


Im my case it probably wont matter anyway cause im still not going to hit it.

Going to order the FL die set as soon as my credit gets processed at Midway. Any tips for lubing with the Redding dies?

[bombadillo]

Thanks for posting this up Randall. This is great info for us reloading newbs. I've been shooting factory ammo for so long and my wife is finally ok with me getting some reloading stuff to save some money and get more accurate.

[ar15barrels]

Going to order the FL die set as soon as my credit gets processed at Midway. Any tips for lubing with the Redding dies?

Getting the Redding type S full length die and the Comp seater.
Measure some loaded neck diameters and drop down 0.001" and 0.002" on bushing size.
Get Imperial sizing die wax and slide your pointer finger across the tub every other round, then roll the case body between your pointer finger and thumb to distribute the wax on to the case.

[Pthfndr]

Stiff bolt handles once in a great while but not to the point it presented a problem.

I think i'd rather take the benefits of neck sizing over the reliability side of it.

When you are firing from an unusual position, such as from the weak side, barricade, or sling supported position, and the time limit requires you to take an aimed accurate shot almost every second, ease of extraction (reliability) becomes paramount.

It's why most people shooting the tactical rifle game FL size vs neck size.

[5150Marcelo]

Randall, when is your next group buy for powder (varget)?

[ar15barrels]

Randall, when is your next group buy for powder (varget)?

haha, I don't do group buys much anymore.
Ryan just called me this morning to say that H4350 was in stock and I told him to fill up a Hazmat tage and we would split it.
So we ordered 4 jugs, just for the two of us.

If you need some varget, I could probably let loose of an 8lb'r for $150.

[5150Marcelo]

haha, I don't do group buys much anymore.
Ryan just called me this morning to say that H4350 was in stock and I told him to fill up a Hazmat tage and we would split it.
So we ordered 4 jugs, just for the two of us.

If you need some varget, I could probably let loose of an 8lb'r for $150.

sending PM...

Im gonna start loadin up some 22-250 and 223. Tips and info appreciated. LOL

[rksimple]

sending PM...

Im gonna start loadin up some 22-250 and 223. Tips and info appreciated. LOL

I have some Varget for sale. Need to pay off that 4350 lol. I'll PM you.

[wildcard]

I don't even own neck sizing dies and I reload most of my brass about 10X. Shoots pretty accurate too!

Shoot the brass about 3 times and "neck size only" with your FL dies. By that time the brass should be chambering real snug. Turn you FL dies 1/16 turn increments and size until it chambers with just the slightest bit of resistance. Works for me.

I can't get as many loading out of my 338 Lapua brass. 6 Loading and the paper clip tells me I can probably squeeze out another 1 or 2.

[Darklyte27]

randall, whats your suggestion for a mid range *150-500$max* single or progressive press? I got all the S type match dies already but the lee press i have now is a bit slow and has some play. what do ya say?

[ar15barrels]

randall, whats your suggestion for a mid range *150-500$max* single or progressive press? I got all the S type match dies already but the lee press i have now is a bit slow and has some play. what do ya say?

Personally, I use a Lee Classic Cast for most of my single stage sizing now.
It's the only press I own that I did not feel bad about bolting to the bench on my back porch and letting it rust.

After the cases are sized, I am seating bullets with an arbor press.



Since you have to lube cases before sizing and then remove the lube before loading, and then individually weigh your charges, you don't really save any time loading precision rifle ammo on a progressive press.

Now, for blasting grade ammo, a progressive is absolutely the way to go.
Look at a Dillon 550 or 650 with my nod going to the fully setup 650 with a casefeeder.
Of course this blows your $500 budget right out of the water.

For a good single stage press, look at the RCBS Rockchucker or perhaps a Forester Bonanza press.

[DirtRacer151]

Got my Redding Dies today for the .260 and have a question. If im supposed to measure a loaded round and subtract .001" to order the proper bushings then how do i load my first rounds up from virgin brass when im assuming i'll need to run them through the die and the whole brass prep process first?

Will the virgin brass have enough neck tension to get me by for my first loading?

[ar15barrels]

Will the virgin brass have enough neck tension to get me by for my first loading?

The virgin brass will actually have more neck tension than you need.
I run an expander into new cases to open them up slightly and make them round.
I would suggest using either dry lube inside the case necks before you do this, or tumble them to deposit some walnut/corn dust on them.
This will help keep the expander from sticking in the necks.

Your bushing sizer should have come with the expander button installed on the decapping stem and an extra knurled sleeve that replaces the expander for later when you use only the bushing to size the neck.