What do I need?

[rabbit killer]

I want to get into reloading for my 25-06 but I have no idea where to start really I was hoping someone could help me out with a list of what I need or is there any decent kits that have exactly what I need?? Thanks

[neutron619]

Depends on a lot of factors. Can you tell us:

 

1. roughly how many rounds you want to load / fire a year?

2. whether you're simply after one good round to use on everything or whether you want a light bullet round and a heavy bullet round etc.

3. whether you're likely to want to reload for other calibres too?

4. how much money you have to spend?

 

I can send you a list of stuff I've sent to other people in the past when they've asked me what they need if you PM me with your email address. I wrote it all out for a mate a few months back with all the details about why you might or might not need this bit of kit and that - should be enough there for you to make your own decision. You're welcome to a copy of that if you think it would help - but it's a bit big to put in a post here.

 

Still - the questions above will answer what kind of basic set up you need - i.e. whether you should geta Lee Loader or a press, what sort of dies you'll need, etc. - and help other people give better suggestions as well.

Edited February 6, 2015 by neutron619

[seeker]

The 2 best basic to nearly a guru manuals are probably Lee Reloading or Lyman Reloading Handbook 49thEd. A good all-in 1 box kit is the Lee Challenger kit...after that your wallets your limit and most of the big names do a starter kit. Don't ignore the for sale section,there are good value pre-loved (lusted??) set ups to be found.

Depending where you're based there may be a helpful Supplier locally. their stock of powders, bullets etc may influence your choices and most of the powder and bullet maker's post load data on their web sites.

 

Lurking around here are some very informative posters, just double check any info ... its your fingers etc.

Edited February 6, 2015 by seeker

[MAB1954]

Don't know if this will help but this is what I did.

 

I was already set up to load shotshell so had a beam balance. I asked around the gunshops and got a s/h Lee press for £20. Then got dies and case prep stuff from Kranks plus 2 manuals a Lee and a Hornady. I had plenty of once fired cases saved up so just got powder, primers and bullets locally. That's it just the basic's.

[zx10mike]

imo find a mentor and the internet is your friend. if you just want to make ammo a basic kit is fine .if your the sort of guy who is going to chase accuracy buy quality first time out.if your passing leicester and want to build a few your welcome or pm if you get stuck.

you will be glad you started it pal but it can be a tad addictive and just as good a hoby as pulling the trigger.

mike

 

and to answer your question

press

dies

primer seater

champher de burr tool

scales

powder primers bullets

safe starting point for a good powder to suit the cal and bullet

norman clarkes do a one cal one book if not then a good manual

Edited February 7, 2015 by zx10mike

[LeadWasp]

I believe slower burning powders are better 4831 and 4350 and the like.

24" to 26" barrels with about a 40 fps drop per inch lost I think. Always bugs me that there are loads of short 25-06's out there for sale but then again practical considerations concerning long barrels come in.

 

Country Sports in Newton Abbot have a great range of bullets advertised - mainly Sierras but a good spread of weights up to 117gr. So if you travel with work or like a jaunt to Devon on your hols next to Hannams they seem to have one of the best ranges I've found.

 

Donaldsons in Milton Keynes stock a decent selection of factory - they might be worth a buzz for components too.

 

Just out of interest what rifle have you got - and also what barrel length?

 

cheers

Edited February 15, 2015 by LeadWasp

[mick miller]

I've got a almost full tub of IMR 4350 here if you opt for that powder, can probably meet you half way.