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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > Christmas came early.

Christmas came early.

20 Sep 2017
@ 03:30 pm (GMT)

Andrew Murray

I have just been gifted a reloading press. Lee brand with Lee scales and powder thrower. Lee auto primer and case tools (debur tool and primer pocket cleaner. It came from a teacher at the school where I am a chaplain.

It needs dies but I have already ordered a micrometer and various other things. Would like to get the lyman case tool. And Lee

It is a little old but should do the job fine. A nice clean and order the missing parts and I'm on the reloading journey.

Just thought I would share. Some good people out there.

Replies

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21 Sep 2017
@ 09:31 am (GMT)

Martin Taylor

Re: Christmas came early.
Should work in nicely with the Howa 308 Andrew!

Treat it the same as your rifle, step by step and you will have a ball using the info in the reloading book. Don't get baffled by the hob knob BS, keep it simple and consistent.

If you can find a Lee four die set you will cover full sizing & Collet neck sizing with the single purchase.

Have fun
21 Sep 2017
@ 12:13 pm (GMT)

Andrew Murray

Re: Christmas came early.
Hi Marty,

The Lee Ultimate die set looks to be the go. 4 dies brand new for about $90 delivered from ebay.

I re read that post and it has a powder thrower too. I need to measure it out though to see how accurate and consistent it is.

I am quite keen to get going but l I am happy to wait and get the gear first, do it all properly. I have decided to use winchester brass as suggested by Nathan. I asked him the life he gets from his cases and laughed while replying that he has worn out barrels on the same 60 cases. Classic
21 Sep 2017
@ 01:03 pm (GMT)

Tony Potter

Re: Christmas came early.
Hi Andrew.
I did the same when I decided to get into realoading, did alot of reaserch on different brands etc. Also on reloading methods etc. I found that other than realoading manuals there is that much info on the net I wasn't sure what was B/S & what wasn't. Then I stumbled across this site, read all the posts, still do, brought all the books & haven't looked back. I also load for a. 308 Howa with the Lee dies, also have another brand but the Lee loads more concentric ammo by far. Shoots point 4 MOA when I do my part technique wise.
21 Sep 2017
@ 02:29 pm (GMT)

Martin Taylor

Re: Christmas came early.
Nothing wrong with win brass, can get the odd ruffy but generally works very well. We see the same results as my Lapua brass though l find the Lap brass nicer to work with. I trim with basic Lee trimmer.

Use the dipper to ruff in the powder into the scales dish. For example say the supplied dipper is around 42gr or so of 2206H, then using a small amount roll (tickle) a few kernels at a time to my final weight.
Way to much variation from scoop to scoop amounts to load straight out of them when chasing small ES etc.

So follow the steps using the step chart in the back of the book as a check list until your confident, work up through your charges (say ADI), learning & observing what YOUR combination likes.
In the standard spec Howa 308 I'd grab a box of 168 Zmax's, 2206H, Fed 210 primers, 71mm COAL and into it!!
21 Sep 2017
@ 03:02 pm (GMT)

Tony Potter

Re: Christmas came early.
Lol. I'd ditto what Martin said, He just described my components to the letter.
21 Sep 2017
@ 04:16 pm (GMT)

Martin Taylor

Re: Christmas came early.
heeeheee, somethings just work hey Tony.

l haven't had a version of that combo fail to please yet (all within .5 grains of each other), either at the range or in the field.
Thinking back l can recall this fella in NZ offering me of the same advice...........mmmmm
21 Sep 2017
@ 05:10 pm (GMT)

Hamish Gibbs

Re: Christmas came early.
Nice one Andrew, I also have the basic Lee kit, found a useful edition with those scales was a powder trickler, other more acomplished hands have no problems however I found you could almost breath out your nose the wrong way and youll be waiting,,, waiting... waiting. very accurate however. Recently upgraded to ones Nathan recomends in the reloading book, very nice though more luxury than necessity for the volumes I do, great to check weights between the two and get same result though.
21 Sep 2017
@ 06:46 pm (GMT)

Andrew Murray

Re: Christmas came early.
Cheers for the advice guys. Very keen to get it happening. The calipers arrived today. A kincrome set. Digital display and also came with a calibration certificate too. Very nice kit. Picked it up quite cheap.

I had planned on the Z Max gear and ADI 2206H but the primer advice is great I wasn't sure what to do there :)
22 Sep 2017
@ 09:18 pm (GMT)

mark whiteley

Re: Christmas came early.
a good start for you Andrew and what I started off with,
my first lee press lasted a year as I broke it full length sizing 300wm cases, new reloader didn't know when full length sizing you should lube the inside neck, so I upgraded to there classic cast press and have had that for I cant remember how long, my advise on the lee scales is to save a bit and buy some ohaus 505 scales and you will have them for life, I don't trust the lee scales but that's just my opinion I'm quite certain there are others who are very happy with there's, I use kingchrome calipers but not the digital as I got sick of replacing them when they don't work (electronics). I still use the lee powder thrower but throw under and trickle to the right weight, it's not a harrels but good enough for how I use it. I rate the win brass very highly and once prepped properly is as good as any other and with some cases probably better. your choice of dies is good and will work well with the lee press.
this reloading caper is very subjective and you will find out what works and does not, good luck with it
here a target for your z max projie's lol

regards Mark
23 Sep 2017
@ 08:54 am (GMT)

Andrew Murray

Re: Christmas came early.
Haha cheers Mark. That's awesome. I think I may need to get some other scales for sure. Just zeroing the Lee scales was a very long process. But at this point money is tight and I am trying to keep it down as much as possible.
24 Sep 2017
@ 10:57 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: Christmas came early.
What a nice gift Andrew.

Won't be long now and you will have your own home grown loads.

One thing I want you to keep in mind is that provided you follow basic reloading instructions, there is no need to be 'flinchy' when testing your ammo. Being a chaplain, the word faith will have resonance with you. In this instance, have faith in what you are doing so that when you settle down to shoot, you can remain focused on accuracy without undoing the work you have already done. Its a timne when you have to really let go, trust the process and get on with the job. To this end, I would also advise that you make at least 6 rounds of neck sized ammo loaded at 42.5gr 2206h with your win brass just to foul the rifle and to settle yourself. Set your OAL at 71mm (jump will be 2.5 to 3mm). Your rifle will most likely shoot this load inside an inch and without any high pressure issues based on its current head space.
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