Anth6568 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Can you reload on the cheap and still get good results? Looking at getting a .243 set up for the future but don't want to spend loads! I was after making a soft nose 100g like my winchesters that I buy. It's pretty shocking seeing the price of shop bought ammo these days. What sort of cost would it work out to for each round too? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 simple answer is you can reload and save money but the costs to set up to make decent ammo will take a while to recoup. Mine cost me about 50p a round but the reloading kit about another £300 on top of that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saddler Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 simple answer is you can reload and save money but the costs to set up to make decent ammo will take a while to recoup. Mine cost me about 50p a round but the reloading kit about another £300 on top of that. OR you can buy a very capable (but slower to use) Lee Loader, for about £30 - you'll be saving on factory ammo from the get go...plus no longer reliant on what the RFD has in stock or can get from the suppliers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 yup and you don't need to measure assembled rounds, trim or clean the cases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redgum Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Can you reload on the cheap and still get good results? Looking at getting a .243 set up for the future but don't want to spend loads! I was after making a soft nose 100g like my winchesters that I buy. It's pretty shocking seeing the price of shop bought ammo these days. What sort of cost would it work out to for each round too? The simple answer to your question is yes you can reload cheaper ammunition and get as good or better than factory accuracy. Three years ago I asked the same question,you only buy the reloading kit once, I now reload for 243 and 308, the extra calibre only cost extra dies and case length sizer. I always have enough kit for a years supply of the various loads so no supply problems in these times of problematic supplies. On top of that its a very rewarding hobby and a good excuse for some peace and quiet in the shed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 If you want to reload on the cheap then you can a lot worse than a Lee Loader, I have the following cheap reloading setup :- Lee Loader in .223 - £25 S/H Lee scales £20 Ebay digital micrometer £7.50 Various Lee case prep tools £15 It's a little slow and sometimes a little noisy but if you don't shoot a lot of rounds then it really doesn't matter. I'm turning out my slightly downloaded target / rabbit rounds for around £0.30 a bang at the mo and I don't bulk buy supplies. I even made a little video........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Intresting video and quite a simple process with this little tool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Thanks for the tips, some good information there. I like the look of the Lee loader, cheap and cheerful but it will do the job! Can you measure the bullet seating on this loader, and how? I am keeping the Winchester cases as I fire them, so i will save in that area right away. Bullet selection, I like the 100g SP, do you know what type Winchester use? Can any one else recommend a basic set up that will get results, I already have a RSBC 750 scale and Chrono from my shotgun reloading, just after the preperation and loading part equipment etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 It is really easy to measure the OAL, the top part of the tool screws in and out and is held in place by a locking collar. Basically wind it out and measure the OAL with a micrometer and then continue to wind it in until you get the OAL that you want . The Lee Loader produces rounds that are as accurate as a full press etc and if you believe the Lee hype, held some sort of record for 1000 yard grouping or something to that effect. This is the cheapest, most basic reloading set up you can get. It all depends on how many rounds you wish to produce, where you see your reloading going and how much you want to spend. I find a bit of reloading is very relaxing when the family are out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveT Posted June 18, 2013 Report Share Posted June 18, 2013 Do you need any load data beyond that which comes with a lee loader? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Where is the best place to buy a lee loader? I've been looking at them and are quite tempted. I suppose my local gunshop is the right answer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) Where is the best place to buy a lee loader? I've been looking at them and are quite tempted. I suppose my local gunshop is the right answer. Henry Krank sell them for around £25.00 i think. Do you need any load data beyond that which comes with a lee loader? DaveT, If you have any yes, thats very kind. I was looking at the .243 cal if you have any information that would be great? Edited June 19, 2013 by Anth6568 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 19, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 It is really easy to measure the OAL, the top part of the tool screws in and out and is held in place by a locking collar. Basically wind it out and measure the OAL with a micrometer and then continue to wind it in until you get the OAL that you want . The Lee Loader produces rounds that are as accurate as a full press etc and if you believe the Lee hype, held some sort of record for 1000 yard grouping or something to that effect. This is the cheapest, most basic reloading set up you can get. It all depends on how many rounds you wish to produce, where you see your reloading going and how much you want to spend. I find a bit of reloading is very relaxing when the family are out. Totally agree with the relaxing bit!! Thanks for the information on the OAL. Sounds simple enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 If you have never reloaded before then I would suggest that you spend a few hours reading up, watching videos on youtube and buying a reloading manual. Yes the video may make it look simple but what it doesn't show is the steps involved with case prep and you really need a understanding of the mechanics of reloading before going at it full bore as it has the potential to go very very wrong for you and your spectators. When you reload make sure that there are no distractions and concentrate fully on what you are doing. Apart from that it's great fun, Kranks are prob the best place to get it from. Buy the cheap case prep tools at the same time to save postage. BTW a reloading manual will have all the loads you could wants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 (edited) Do you need any load data beyond that which comes with a lee loader? You don't need any more but the Lee data is geared round the American powders which limits your choice. In time you need better powder measuring facilities. With the lee loader you get one scoop and that's it. Good enough to get you started. I have had a lee loader for one of my calibres for over thirty years and still use it. Edited June 20, 2013 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njc110381 Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I use the Hodgdon reloading site for a lot of loads now. Saves buying a book. I'll second what most of the others have suggested though - get lots of info on how to work through the process before you start. The smallest mistake can lead to very serious problems. Don't let that put you off because now I know what I'm doing I could do it with my eyes closed. It's very easy as long as you know the rules. I've shot great groups with ammunition made with a Lee Loader. Yes you do need some extra bits, but case prep tools are very cheap. A Lee safety scale will take care of your charge weights and cost very little. You can clean your brass in a football sock in the washing machine. Some people don't bother cleaning it at all - I didn't for several years and still got good groups! All in all it's easy to spend the £300 that Al4x suggested. I've done it myself and some. But you don't have to spend it to make good ammo, it just makes making good ammo faster. If you're not lobbing loads of rounds down the gun then it doesn't have to be fast. You can make a box of 20 rounds in half an hour or so including all the case preparation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 (edited) Thanks for all the comments, i will look on the Hodgdon site. Edited June 21, 2013 by Anth6568 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 The hogdon site can be pretty on the low side from my experience, it varies massively from the speer reloading book I've got and velocities can be way off. If you are shooting deer with your .243 then it always helps to run loads over a chrono to see what is happening though its highly unlikely you would ever get checked its always nice to know your loads are legal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 No problem, I have a chrono, so I will take that advice on board. I used a similar process loading shotgun carts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtaylor Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 (edited) Edited June 22, 2013 by rtaylor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 What sort of case preparation tools would I need to get me started? Can any one recommend a few brands? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1066 Posted June 22, 2013 Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 I've used the Lee Loaders and got fair results but have you thought about a Lee hand press? So much more versatile than the basic Loader. The Lee hand press accepts standard dies, not just Lee dies, It's easy to use, just the addition of another set of dies to load another calibre, quiet in use etc. No matter how far you get into reloading (it becomes really addictive) the hand press will always have a place unlike the "loader" an the Lee scales, which you may soon outgrow. The hand press is really handy to take to a zeroing session and tweak the seating depths as you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 Makes sense, not considered this type before. Good video too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anth6568 Posted June 22, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 22, 2013 (edited) Makes sense, not considered this type before. Good video too! Edited June 22, 2013 by Anth6568 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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