How does my list of rifle loading equipment look?

[blockfort]

I'm not concerned about brands, just actual tools. I'm wondering if anything is missing or unnecessary. I have been loading 9mm and 45 for some time now, but rifle rounds will be new to me. I am very mechanically capable, so I'm not worried about working with precise machines.

I'll be loading 308 for precision target shooting.

The items in bold are what I have the most questions about. I'll be fire forming the cases, so I don't think a full length sizing die is necessary. I could go with a neck sizing die only, but I believe the shoulders will grow after a hand full of firings, and I'll need something to bump them back. My top choice at the moment is the Forster Bushing Bump Neck Sizing Die, which sizes the neck with a bushing and bumps the shoulder, but leaves the body unchanged. Another option would be to get a body only die, and a separate bushing neck sizing die. This would be more expensive, and maybe not even more useful, since I can control both settings independently on the Forster die.

Also, should I get a neck trimmer if I'm using Lapua brass? Shouldn't they be pretty uniform? If I do get a neck trimmer, should I get one with a cutting pilot to take out any donut that might have formed on the inside?

• single stage press
• powder measure
• digital scale
• powder trickler
• brass cleaning equipment
• case length trimmer
• case length trimmer shell holder
• deburring tool
• flash hole uniformer
• primer pocket uniformer
• case neck brush
• drill chuck case holder
• priming tool
• case lube
• case lube pad
• shell holding tray (10x10 plastic tray)
• box for loaded rounds (to transport them to the range)
• precision calipers
• bullet seating gage (down the barrel or rod clamp style)
• bullet seating die
• full length sizing die
• body only sizing die
• neck sizing die (bushing type)
• shoulder bump and neck sizing die (bushing type)
• neck turner
• neck turner cutting pilot
• expanding mandrel for neck turn prep

[gottarollwithit]

I think you are over thinking this a bit.

If i were you, i'd start off with the basics and work your way up to the more complicated matters of handloading.

Get a full length sizing die. Even if you use new brass, it might not be a bad idea to run it through just in case. Plus, the die will always be there for you when you reload for other stuff. I'd see what kinda performance you get by just FL sizing first. When you get into the fancy neck sizing and other neck related stuff, you're really trying to dial in your load. Oftentimes you can get pretty good accuracy without doing all of this stuff. I'd forgo neck trimming and sizing for the time being. Plus, if you neck size only, that ammo is sometimes not functional in other guns.


Next thought is... you are reloading for one, and only one precision rifle, right??
Another thing to think about is.... You can be super consistent in your reloading technique, but the performance of your handload will always be at the mercy of your skill level as a shooter and the quality of components that you use.

[blockfort]

I think you are over thinking this a bit.

I'm a mechanical engineer, that's my job

If i were you, i'd start off with the basics and work your way up to the more complicated matters of handloading.

I'll consider that, but I am looking forward to the more complicated stuff. It's a nice way to spend time.

Get a full length sizing die. Even if you use new brass, it might not be a bad idea to run it through just in case. Plus, the die will always be there for you when you reload for other stuff. I'd see what kinda performance you get by just FL sizing first.

How can I know if it's me or the loads?

When you get into the fancy neck sizing and other neck related stuff, you're really trying to dial in your load. Oftentimes you can get pretty good accuracy without doing all of this stuff. I'd forgo neck trimming and sizing for the time being. Plus, if you neck size only, that ammo is sometimes not functional in other guns.

I'll only have one rifle for now. If I get another in the same caliber, I will probably have a set of brass just for it.

Next thought is... you are reloading for one, and only one precision rifle, right??

Another thing to think about is.... You can be super consistent in your reloading technique, but the performance of your handload will always be at the mercy of your skill level as a shooter and the quality of components that you use.

I understand, but same responses as above.

See inline responses above.

[gottarollwithit]

I think we have a bit of a misunderstanding here. What i'm getting at is that oftentimes you can get excellent performance out of FL sized brass. Neck sizing might not gain you anything, yet may limit your ammo to use in your rifle only. I'm not saying never do it, i'm just saying that it might not be the extra effort. Also, while having brass designated to one rifle is doable, it in reality can be a hassle b/c eventually you'll probably have more than one rifle and will be having to separate brass when you hit the range.

And... what i was getting at regarding components and other parameters is that different powders, primers, bullets, brass, crimp, OAL etc can yield different accuracy. For example, i have a 168gr A-max load that can cut sub MOA holes, yet i have an FMJ load that uses all of the same components that can't. My point here is that switching projectiles and changing things like case length, OAL, etc can significantly affect down range performance.
I'm not saying that focusing on neck trimming and sizing is wrong, i'm just trying to impress upon you that it is one of the less significant factors in hand loading.
Another thing to think about is getting a chronograph. If you're going to be really serious about reloading for precision rifles, it's good to know what kinda velocity your load has.

[Munk]

Your case neck will be trimmed down by your trimmer for length.

Your trimming tools, chuck, shell holder and such have some serious redundancy going on in your list.

For your loading tray, grab one of the MTM universal trays. They're cheap, and will hold 50 .308's upright quite well.


To do the best check for uniformity you can, you'll need to FL size your brand new brass, fireform it, then do your neck sizing, then trim to length, then start doing measurements of mass and volume for your brass to find a nice consistent set of them to start using for precision.

Mind you, this type of extreme uniformity and precision will only really matter beyond 300 yards. Under this, and I'd not give a crap about specific case capacities and extreme uniformity. Approximations are good enough for such easy shots.

[blockfort]

Your case neck will be trimmed down by your trimmer for length.

Your trimming tools, chuck, shell holder and such have some serious redundancy going on in your list.

For your loading tray, grab one of the MTM universal trays. They're cheap, and will hold 50 .308's upright quite well.


To do the best check for uniformity you can, you'll need to FL size your brand new brass, fireform it, then do your neck sizing, then trim to length, then start doing measurements of mass and volume for your brass to find a nice consistent set of them to start using for precision.

Mind you, this type of extreme uniformity and precision will only really matter beyond 300 yards. Under this, and I'd not give a crap about specific case capacities and extreme uniformity. Approximations are good enough for such easy shots.

I meant neck turner, not trimmer, sorry, I changed it.

The trimming tools (after my change), chuck and shell holder are not redundant. The case length trimmer does not come with a shell holder, and the one I have for my press does not fit the case trimmer, so I have two. And the drill chuck shell holder is for doing things like burr removal, neck polishing, neck turning eventually, etc. Things where the shell should spin and my tool will be hand held.

I already have a shell tray, maybe the one you mentioned, I forgot the brand. It's gray and a universal type.

And the rest of your post I understand and agree with, I will be going further than 300 yards, so some of my complications will matter.

[the86d]

I have been using a Lyman manual case trimmer, and this morning I just bought a Lee set.

I think I wasted the $100+ on the Lyman bench-mounted case trimmer, when I just got the Lee variant for like $25shipping that can be used with my drill, and looks much easier for .223... at a fraction of the cost, and you can't over-trim with that.

[blockfort]

I think we have a bit of a misunderstanding here. What i'm getting at is that oftentimes you can get excellent performance out of FL sized brass. Neck sizing might not gain you anything, yet may limit your ammo to use in your rifle only. I'm not saying never do it, i'm just saying that it might not be the extra effort. Also, while having brass designated to one rifle is doable, it in reality can be a hassle b/c eventually you'll probably have more than one rifle and will be having to separate brass when you hit the range.

I'll worry about a second rifle and brass set if I get another rifle. My next planned is a different caliber (probably gonna be an 80% black rifle build in 223/5.56). And as for extra effort, for me, it's also extra fun. it's a hobby, like fishermen who tie flies. And it may actually yield more accurate results. Anyway, I am not ordering the neck turner at this time, but I would like to size neck and bodies separately from the start.

And... what i was getting at regarding components and other parameters is that different powders, primers, bullets, brass, crimp, OAL etc can yield different accuracy. For example, i have a 168gr A-max load that can cut sub MOA holes, yet i have an FMJ load that uses all of the same components that can't. My point here is that switching projectiles and changing things like case length, OAL, etc can significantly affect down range performance.

I'm not saying that focusing on neck trimming and sizing is wrong, i'm just trying to impress upon you that it is one of the less significant factors in hand loading.

Another thing to think about is getting a chronograph. If you're going to be really serious about reloading for precision rifles, it's good to know what kinda velocity your load has.

This is also probably true. All those things are important. Everything in the chain is important, some more than others. It will be a long-term adventure in testing.

I'm starting with SMK 155 Palma, and my barrel twist is appropriate for them. I will also try both a heavier and lighter bullet to see how they handle.

[the led farmer]

i don't see on your list anywhere a manual, i know you are using lee equip do you have modern reloading vol.2 from lee??

[blockfort]

No, I have no printed manual, I am using a combination of online resources, hours of reloading videos from Brian Enos, David Tubb, and Richard Franklin, and some long phone calls to Hodgdon, Lee, Sierra, K&M, Midway, and Forster.

With all of the other information available, it seems like a printed manual would be redundant and possibly out of date (but not sure about this, as things have probably not changed much in a long time).

[the led farmer]

as things have probably not changed much in a long time).

you said it! the basics are the basics and if like anything if you don't have good fundamentals the rest is history if you ask me ( and you did )

i recommend modern reloading 2 to you not for the load data, but for the chapters that walk you through the basics of reloading and explains the significance of each step. he also talks about advanced techniques and what you may or may not achieve by doing them (like neck turning and the like)

overall lee's philosophy is pretty much keep it simple and do the simple things really well. it sounds like you are over thinking it like the other poster said and should just master the basics first.

my $0.02

[blockfort]

What would you consider the basics, or more precisely, what should I remove from my list (other than the neck turner, which I won't be ordering until I feel like I need it)?

[the led farmer]

modern reloading second ed

lee collet dies 308