On Wed, 27 Mar 2013 21:36:56 -0500, Richard
wrote:
It IS an interesting question for any shooter, tho.
I have my new cowboy assault rifle to feed. (Eddie Likes!)
So I'm interested in rifle rounds (of the 30.30 Winchester flavor)
How does one get started reloading?
What is the basic equipment requirement?
Obvious mistakes not to make?
Assuming a minimum cost startup.
Buy bullets vs cast?
Gas seals?
Metal work on brass?
Primers?
Assembly?
Lube?
All that stuff?
1. Put the word out that you are looking for a reloading press. Just
about any reloading press...even...cringe..a Lee. (more on this later)
RCBS (check Ebay for examples)
Pacific
Lyman
C&H
Hollywood
and way down at the bottom...Lee
Dies are readily available
If you are going to be reloading thousands of rounds per
sitting...then a progressive such as a Dillion are indicated. But they
really arent necessary for average reloaders and are not for beginners
The 3030 Winchester shoots cast bullets just fine. Cast bullets can
be shot at speeds up to 2000 FPS or a little faster, given a good
clean and crisp rifle barrel and are dirt cheap to make, to prepare
and to keep on hand. Marlins...not so good for cast bullets...if you
have the "microgroove" barrel. The new Ballard barrels shoot cast just
fine.
In fact..the 3030 can be fired with lead bullets at speeds matching
factory jacketed ammo, with some knowledge of what you are doing.
Gas checks..the little bit of metal added to the base of "some"
bullets have gone up in price over the last couple years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gas_check
However..there are a number of really good tools out there today that
use aluminum flashing that make your own gas checks with. Figure $100
for a unit in one caliber, or look at one, and then machine your very
own.
http://www.freechex.net/
http://www.patmarlins.com/
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_6_42/37...aker_Dies.html
Gas checks are used on bullets that are going to be fired at speeds
over 1600 fps (in general in rifles) and the bullet has to be a gas
check type
Many of us out there dont bother using gas checks until we are up to
2000 fps, but it does take some knowledge of what works and what
doesnt work...got an experienced friend around and they can help you.
Now here is a caviat. You MAY get cast bullets to shoot just as
accurately as jacketed bullets. And in fact..you probably will. But it
does take a bit more "fiddly" to get them to shoot as well. There is
a trade off...some big money involved to shoot jacketed bullets..or
little money and a bit more time to get cast to shoot properly.
As for Lee tools....cringe...they are good beginners tools..but sooner
or later..they are going to break. Period. Most can be easily fixed
and very cheaply..but it takes time to order the part, and have it
shipped to you. Shrug.
My RCBS Jr was purchased by me, new in 1977. Its cranked out somewhere
over 2 million rnds since then. No issues. My RockChucker was
purchased in 1980ish..and its cranked out at least that many rounds.
No issues.
My C&H AutoChamp III was used when I bought it in the early
1980s...and its approaching a million rounds. No issues.
My Lyman turret tool has done at least that many rounds. No issues.
Ive had a number of Lee tools and the only ones that are still
around..are the "auto primes"..and Ive broken at least 3 of the
toggles in them over the years. Cost a couple bucks to replace..but
they broke. So I ordered extras the last time.
Figure if you buy new setup..it will cost $450 with a mold, Lee
melting pot, press, RCBS/Lyman lubricator and die, powder measure,
reloading press, shell holder and trays etc etc.
If you haunt gun shows, second hand stores and FRIENDS...you can get
that down to a couple hundred or even less. I bought the entire
reloading setup from a friends widow for $100 and it doubled my
reloading gear. Some of it was better than what I had..and I either
surplused off the lesser quality gear to another shooter, or set up
another station.
Now..if you want to simply try your hand at reloading ..buy a Lee
Loader and a hammer. Order bullets ..jacketed or cast online.
Powder, primers etc etc and you will be set to load your own for well
under $100, total.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc
Its not rocket science at the consumer level.
Gunner