Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles need some general reloading knowledge please

I started reloading in 1973, I bought a co-worker who was going thru a divorce entire reloading set-up all of it was RCBS. For the first several years I was kind of an RCBS snob, all my equipment had to be green. Over the years I have owned a variety of equipment from most of the manufacturers, all of it was purchased used never paying more than 50% of retail. My current presses are Ponsness Warren, I like their metallic presses since seeing their debut/demo at a SHOT show in the early 80's. My dies are a mix, I like the sliding sleeve in the Hornady seating dies and my sizers are RCBS and Redding. I have owned both balance beam and electronic digital scales, currently I am using an Ohaus 10-10 and doubt I will change. Nearly all my brass either comes from the classifieds here on the 'Fire, ocassionally from factory ammo, jacketed bullets are purchased here too. I put together a deal with a bullet casting outfit here in state where they were willing to give me their absolute lowest price. I had to buy 100K bullets but I could mix and match any and all of their offerings, they shipped in USPS Priority Mail boxes to help keep shipping cost as low as possible. The 100K bullets were split amoung co-workers and reloading friends and everyone was pleased with the deal. Hope you find some useful tips here, you are about to become involved in a very interesting hobby. One last thought, to save money as far as reloading manuals I buy used at gun shows, here and on eBay, I also borrow from reloader buddies. I have ring binders dedicated to each caliber and copy loading data from the manuals and insert into these binders along with test targets and load notes on a spreadsheet that I've developed.

Like a lot of people, I started out with a Lee Loader, in my case a Target Model (no longer made), a balance beam scale, and a manual. Everything fit in a cardboard box. Now, there are some nice presses that can be used without mounting on a bench, or clamped to one when you can do so. Bench or not, you need a flat stable surface for your scale, and enough room to work conveniently. Another space-saving option is one of the pedestals that give a solid base for your press but are portable. I have my old Rockchucker mounted on one and use it mostly for seating handgun loads.

Most manuals have sections on subject like choosing components, pressure, case prep, etc; enough to get you off to a safe start. I'd recommend you also buy a book on reloading like Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" that will go more deeply into things. The more you read up, the better. Go slow with your purchases (and your loads!) while you learn and stay with a basic approach until you get familiar with the fundamentals. Pick the cartridge you shoot most, and work with that until you get your act together.

Don't forget to protect those eyeballs.

Research the equipment you would like to have. Then buy what you think you need. But once and cry once. Don’t penny pench. If you do you will forever be upgrading your equipment. It will then in the long run cost you double. Hasbeen

Excellent advice.

In addition to reading manuals, there are MANY excellent videos on youtube. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Hasbeen is giving good advice. Us old people know!!!

Whitearrow, I have been loading for the 7mm-08 since 1991. My favorite load for the 139 Hornady bullet is the Ken Waters load, 43.0 grains of WW-748. That load has shot well in every 7mm-08 rifle I have owned, and I have owned five. 47 grains of WW-760 works well, too, as does 46 grains of Ramshot Big Game. I can spare a Nosler reloading manual, so if you need one, PM me.

All the advice above is good. I recommend an electronic scale over a beam scale.

I can no longer recommend this place. Do your own due diligence.