sharkbait Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 hi there looking to reload for a 6.5x55, has anybody got ideas where to start, what equipment i need, cost of setting up latest formula book to get, and the savings of reloading against factory ammo. thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 You won't save money reloading! It is the reason most people start to reload - but once you take in to account the cost of the initial setup and then the desire to get even smaller groups and better performance from your loads - it soon works out more expensive! Reloading is a hobby in itself though and one you will come to enjoy - Will you reload to shoot? or shoot to reload? a question you will soon start to ask yourself! Setup cost is going to vary - depending on what kit you buy. Make sure you buy a good set of dies though - I also reload 6,5x55 and have both the Lee collet dies and a Redding Die set - the Lee ones vary rarely get used. Any of the manuals will be a good starting point - Lyman 49th Edition is full of good info and has some good 6,5x55 loads. you can get lots of load data from the powder and bullet manufactures websites though. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blunderbuss Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 You won't save money reloading! It is the reason most people start to reload - but once you take in to account the cost of the initial setup and then the desire to get even smaller groups and better performance from your loads - it soon works out more expensive! Reloading is a hobby in itself though and one you will come to enjoy - Will you reload to shoot? or shoot to reload? a question you will soon start to ask yourself! Setup cost is going to vary - depending on what kit you buy. Make sure you buy a good set of dies though - I also reload 6,5x55 and have both the Lee collet dies and a Redding Die set - the Lee ones vary rarely get used. Any of the manuals will be a good starting point - Lyman 49th Edition is full of good info and has some good 6,5x55 loads. you can get lots of load data from the powder and bullet manufactures websites though. Mike Good advice but I would add that I load for the 6.5 x 55 with Lee dies and after a bit of tweaking I am getting 1/2" to 3/4" 100 yard groups out of a lightweight sporter barrel. A lot of people don't like Lee kit, but it works well for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiLisCer Posted April 15, 2012 Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Good advice but I would add that I load for the 6.5 x 55 with Lee dies and after a bit of tweaking I am getting 1/2" to 3/4" 100 yard groups out of a lightweight sporter barrel. A lot of people don't like Lee kit, but it works well for me. Sorry - not knocking Lee dies - I have a fair amount of Lee kit (And dies in other calibres) - I just prefer to use the Redding dies over the Lee collet ones I have in 6,5x55. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharkbait Posted April 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2012 Sorry - not knocking Lee dies - I have a fair amount of Lee kit (And dies in other calibres) - I just prefer to use the Redding dies over the Lee collet ones I have in 6,5x55. so are the redding dies better than the lee ones if so then why :look: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 I will throw a wrench in the works and say that if you want to get the most out of your rifle then you NEED to reload. The choice of bullets/powders/seating depths etc. enable you to build ammo that is more accurate than anything you can buy. I neck size for all cals and find it improves accuracy as well. If cost is your whole deal shoot factory loads and be happy with 1-1.5" groups. If you would like to see some .5 or less (not necessary--I know) then set yourself up and reload. Depending on your age you could likely recoup your investment over a period of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 I reload for my swede, T3 with a heavy barrel and I am now seeing better and better results as I got the rifle from new and it is now just about run in! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomm Posted April 16, 2012 Report Share Posted April 16, 2012 how long does it take for a rifle to properley bed in? and is there any particular procedure to doing this? thanks Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted April 17, 2012 Report Share Posted April 17, 2012 How long is a bit of string, how many different views can you get on a forum? As long as the groups are tightening, or staying tight, then its all good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 What sort of groups are you after with the rifle and what will the main uses be? I have reloading gear but quite frankly just don't need to use it as the groups my rifle and my previous rifle shot were very acceptable, and the cost of factory rounds is neglible when if your rifle will shoot prvi or Norma (£11.50 and £23 respectively around me) Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 What sort of groups are you after with the rifle and what will the main uses be? I have reloading gear but quite frankly just don't need to use it as the groups my rifle and my previous rifle shot were very acceptable, and the cost of factory rounds is neglible when if your rifle will shoot prvi or Norma (£11.50 and £23 respectively around me) Regards, Gixer Yep your groups need no tweeking but you never said on your post what the rifle was, I'm quessing its a pretty good quality barrel though. Back to the original post, Reloading is cheaper per rnd, though yes you will probably shoot loads more. If your gun shoots as well with ppu as gixer's then maybe not worth it. If you reload you can usually get your bullet allowance bumped up so you can stock up on the vital ingredients and not face the old 'sorry sir,we havent got those in stock but have changed to these' Its a great hobby,though not for all but I love it and you will learn loads about how it all works. Lee dies and press's are plenty good enough for hunting ammo through most hunting rifles, I load 243 and 308 and love the lee kit. I did buy some Redding dies, not that impressed with them and went back to my Lee dies, especially the Collet neck sizing die in both calibres. The only piece of lee kit I could never get on with was the powder scale but all the rest I've had is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aister Posted April 23, 2012 Report Share Posted April 23, 2012 i have a lee set up and get great results with my .223. the cheapest .223 ammo i can get here in shetland is PPU at .60p a pop, i can reload bullets for 34/35p a pop. the most accurate factory ammo was the PPU with 5 shot groups at 3/4". if i weigh the powder out using the lee safety scales (which i hate) i get under 1/2", and using the lee perfect powder measure (which is faster) i get 1/2"-5/8" groups (which i am happy with for all i do). i didnt start reloading to save money but after 550 rounds my kit was paid for when compaired to PPU. hope this helps the OP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 I should add that one of the other reasons I haven't used my reloading gear yet is the worry I get too into it and add another hobby when I barely get time for what I do already! Redgum, sorry - I missed the fact I didn't say the rifle is a sauer 202. Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 I will throw a wrench in the works and say that if you want to get the most out of your rifle then you NEED to reload. The choice of bullets/powders/seating depths etc. enable you to build ammo that is more accurate than anything you can buy. I neck size for all cals and find it improves accuracy as well. If cost is your whole deal shoot factory loads and be happy with 1-1.5" groups. If you would like to see some .5 or less (not necessary--I know) then set yourself up and reload. Depending on your age you could likely recoup your investment over a period of time. In USA you are right, but over here the cost of reloading is higher and the choice of bullets in particular is limited and I would say getting worse as more people are giving up and just buying Privi. I shoot with quite a large group. Nobody reloads any more, ten years ago everybody did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 In USA you are right, but over here the cost of reloading is higher and the choice of bullets in particular is limited and I would say getting worse as more people are giving up and just buying Privi. I shoot with quite a large group. Nobody reloads any more, ten years ago everybody did. I'd also say the "be happy with 1-1.5 groups" isn't really the case now, it's not a major concern on a hunting/sporting rifle as most know but I don't think any of the rifles i've owned (or friends/family) have shot over 1" and they haven't been "top end" rifles by any means - I think factory ammo must have improved leaps and bounds in the last 10 years as I just don't see the problem - maybe a problem finding a brand/type the rifle likes but once you do there's no reason you wouldn't see touching groups... Regards, Gixer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 i have a lee set up and get great results with my .223. the cheapest .223 ammo i can get here in shetland is PPU at .60p a pop, i can reload bullets for 34/35p a pop. the most accurate factory ammo was the PPU with 5 shot groups at 3/4". if i weigh the powder out using the lee safety scales (which i hate) i get under 1/2", and using the lee perfect powder measure (which is faster) i get 1/2"-5/8" groups (which i am happy with for all i do). i didnt start reloading to save money but after 550 rounds my kit was paid for when compaired to PPU. hope this helps the OP Why is PPU so expensive where you are? RRP was £8 a box for .223 just gone up to £9 I believe. If you were paying the proper price for your PPU your reloading costings would come out very differently. I have always reloaded more for pleasure than to save money but the cost of reloading is crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 Why is PPU so expensive where you are? RRP was £8 a box for .223 just gone up to £9 I believe. If you were paying the proper price for your PPU your reloading costings would come out very differently. I have always reloaded more for pleasure than to save money but the cost of reloading is crazy. I pay £11.50/box here too....wish it was £8! it used to be but apparently someone told me the ppu factory burned down and this forced prices up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardo Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 My Steyr hates PPU 6.5x55 unfortunately :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted April 24, 2012 Report Share Posted April 24, 2012 (edited) I pay £11.50/box here too....wish it was £8! it used to be but apparently someone told me the ppu factory burned down and this forced prices up... Thats rubbish whoever told you that is having you on ? Mind you, its not the first time I have heard it said. They had a small explosion its true about a year or so back but thats all. Check out the prices on here, this is where I buy a lot of my ammo from but others are the same, they just don't have websites with prices http://www.peterlawman.co.uk/ammunition This guy is just as cheap, possibly even cheaper. I go to him a lot because he's only a few miles north of Bisley http://www.tfsa.co.uk/index.html While we are an about cheap ammo, this place is about 20 miles north of me http://www.ammo-zone.co.uk/Home.aspx Edited April 25, 2012 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 In USA you are right, but over here the cost of reloading is higher and the choice of bullets in particular is limited and I would say getting worse as more people are giving up and just buying Privi. I shoot with quite a large group. Nobody reloads any more, ten years ago everybody did. Thanks Vince, I wasn't aware of that fact. I knew that a lot of the time fellows would "stock up" when they came over. With our present political climate more and more are starting to reload so they can be assured of obtaining ammo. I have not bought a factory round in ages so apologies to Gixer, the last I shot were not that good. I am into custom bullets, glass bedding, and match barrels--- accuracy is a demanding mistress and one not easily satiated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretta28g Posted April 25, 2012 Report Share Posted April 25, 2012 I have just loaded a batch of test ammo. When i et some dry weather to test em ill report back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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