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Posted: 2/7/2009 9:49:07 PM EDT
I plan on picking up supplies to begin reloading when I get my tax money back, along with a few other things.  I'm not looking for anything fancy or fast. I've already decided on the Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit and Lee Deluxe resizing die sets. Am I missing anything else? I know it said in the kit link it included a trimmer, but I didn't see one.
Also I was wondering hoping to find some help starting up a load for my rifle. It's a 24" RRA Varmint in 1:8" twist. My best group has been a .651" 10-shot group @100yds with 75gr Black Hills blue box. I would really like to get it down to the .25"-.5" range. I shoot from 100-300yds mostly, but out to 500-600yds occasionally. I would like to keep the load relatively cheap, or as cheap as my goals will allow. I came up with this. What do you guys think? Hornady Match 75gr HPBT bullets Federal Gold Medal Match primers #205M Hodgdon H322 powder |
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When you buy the kit, along with dies, you'll need the other half of the trimmer set (specific to the caliber your gonna be loading).
Also, pick up a manual (if it's not included in the kit). And, someting to "treat" the military crimped primer pocket with? And, IMHO.......a case gauge? And, calipers (though it could wait)? You might want to call LEE for their advice. Aloha, Mark |
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Your goals are unrealistic:
#1 There is a lot trial and error with reloading, ie YOU HAVE TO WORK UP THE LOADS YOURSELF IN YOUR GUN. What works in one gun may not be safe let alone accurate. This means you get some good reloading manuals and study on how to reload! #2 Accuracy is dependent skill set of the shooter and quality of the ammo tempered by the fire arm in question. #3 The gun may not like the combo's you may load! #4 Factories use powder that is NOT available to reloaders. #5 This is not to say that you can not over time develop a sweet shooting load! |
| As I said I was hoping someone could help provide a starting point or critique the materials I listed. I'm sure someone with experience could help with a good list to start with. And I don't see how .25-.5" groups are THAT unrealistic over time, considering I'm already shooting .6––" 10shot groups. |
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Like others have said. 1st get the book ABCs of reloading.Get some reloading manuals. Read the stickies at the top, due your homework. Work up your load for your gun. Start 10% lower than the
max listing of bullet weight & poweder your using. Work up in increments till you hit your sweet spot, without signs of over pressure, till max. Then post pics of .25-.50 moa or we raise the flag. 
YMMV. Theflag thing is a joke.
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Quoted:
As I said I was hoping someone could help provide a starting point or critique the materials I listed. I'm sure someone with experience could help with a good list to start with. And I don't see how .25-.5" groups are THAT unrealistic over time, considering I'm already shooting .6––" 10shot groups. It's extremely unrealistic. |
| It's extremely unrealistic that I could gain .11" from going to handloads from Black Hills? I somehow think that would be a very realistic goal. Especially considering I plan on getting a riser mount soon, since I see eye relief as my largest problem. And if handloads can't make 1/10" difference in groups I don't see why competition shooters don't just shoot Black Hills. |
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Quoted:
It's extremely unrealistic that I could gain .11" from going to handloads from Black Hills? I somehow think that would be a very realistic goal. Especially considering I plan on getting a riser mount soon, since I see eye relief as my largest problem. And if handloads can't make 1/10" difference in groups I don't see why competition shooters don't just shoot Black Hills. Handloads will certinly make a difference in your groups. But........ Shooting 1/4 inch groups consistantly with any rifle is not an easy chore. It's even harder with a Black Rifle unless it's been really worked over by an expert. Try this little test. Shoot 10 groups of five rounds each, one right after another. Then avg all the groups and see what you come up with. Of all the AR type rifles I have built over the years, I have only owned one that would consistantly shoot in the .5's Avg. That was a 12 twist heavy barrel and I shot Berger 52 grain match bullets in Lapua cases. That gun shot lots of .25 groups but NOT consistantly. |
| I shot 75gr Wolf Gold groups a .75"-.9" consistantly. I've only shot one real group with the Black Hills and that was .651". If I can keep consistantly under .5" I'll be quite happy. All my groups have been 10 shot though. I'll try that method when I get the chance. |
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Quoted:
I plan on picking up supplies to begin reloading when I get my tax money back, along with a few other things. I'm not looking for anything fancy or fast. I've already decided on the Lee Breech Lock Challenger kit and Lee Deluxe resizing die sets. Am I missing anything else? I know it said in the kit link it included a trimmer, but I didn't see one.
Also I was wondering hoping to find some help starting up a load for my rifle. It's a 24" RRA Varmint in 1:8" twist. My best group has been a .651" 10-shot group @100yds with 75gr Black Hills blue box. I would really like to get it down to the .25"-.5" range. I shoot from 100-300yds mostly, but out to 500-600yds occasionally. I would like to keep the load relatively cheap, or as cheap as my goals will allow. I came up with this. What do you guys think? Hornaday Match 75gr HPBT bullets Federal Gold Medal Match primers #205M Hodgdon H322 Varget powder, or RL-15 Fixed your powder choice for you. Good luck with your accuracy goal. You will need high quality reloading tools, and more than just the basics to reach your goal. |
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Quoted:
It's extremely unrealistic that I could gain .11" from going to handloads from Black Hills? I somehow think that would be a very realistic goal. Especially considering I plan on getting a riser mount soon, since I see eye relief as my largest problem. And if handloads can't make 1/10" difference in groups I don't see why competition shooters don't just shoot Black Hills. Yes, it is extremely unrealistic. Try shooting five 10-shot groups in a row under various weather conditions. That is how you gauge accuracy, not by some fluke of a group. My Remmy 700 occasionally delivers .4" groups at 100 yards. It does not mean it's a .4" gun. It's a .75" gun. |
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