spready Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Im just about to get myself a .243 and would ideally like to get into reloading myself. can you recommend all the bits I'll need to load .243 for foxes, I've read up and done abit of searching on google, but there are so many different bits and bobs, just wondered what id really need. also what bullet head, cases and powder, also where is the best place to buy online? looking to take onboard all advice given ...thanks in advance guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Buy a reloading book first and spend some time reading it. I find the Lee one good because it has lots of pictures. Henry Krank are pretty good for equipment,but you'll need to visit a shop for expanding bullets as these have to be face to face sale. Powder and primers can be bought over the net,but they will be dispatched via special carriage which isnt cheap. http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=index Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) As said, the first place to start is by watching youtube clips, reading forums and getting a copy of a reloading manual, I also have the Lee version which is good for beginners as it explains things. Next thing you need to decide is are you going to reload 20 rounds at a time or 200 as this will influence your equipment choice. I started off with a Lee Loader than will allow you to learn but still produce pin pont ammo. You can get set up with this and the few other bits you need for around £40. With the loader the only other things you need are a mallet, case lube and a .243 case trimmer. Perfect for 20 cases at a time. http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_181_474&products_id=1716 After that I bought myself a Lee hand press, autoprime and a powder dispenser and now reload 200 round at a time with ease and pack all the kit into a box at the end, keeps the Mrs happy. It's best to buy your powder and primers from your local shop as hazmat postage is rediculously expensive. You'll have to buy your expanding bullets locally as well as that has to be face to face . I find Kranks pretty good for reloading stuff and their 4.00 postage is a bargain if buying plenty. Edited January 25, 2016 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spready Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 Thanks for the advice, ill order a lee manual and give it a good read. seen some tool, just woulnt mind running it past you guys... http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/lee-loader-reloading-system , that looks like a hand tool? would it be better to spend abit more and get a bench style press? also you say i have to buy expanding ammo instore, would the type I'm able to buy mail order be ok , mainly for foxes really , only asking as my main problem is i don't think i have a RFD local to me that sells reloading spares (Farnborough in hampshire) , so would have to do it all online Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 25, 2016 Report Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) That's the same tool I put in my post, it's cheaper in Kranks. I found mine excellent in .223 and it gives you the chance to learn the ropes doing things manually. For £30 you can't go wrong and to see if reloading is for you. If you are only reloading 20 - 50 cases it's ideal. See my video here when I'd just started reloading using the Lee Loader.......forgive the lump hammer.....always use a rubber\plastic mallet - Maybe someone from around your locality to point you in the right direction of an RFD. Can Maskills not order things in for you or Portsmouth Gun Centre if that's close? If you only make a pack of rounds a month there is no point spending out...also have a look at the Lee handpress for something slightly more advanced. It's the same round here with an hour drive the norm to a shop I'd give custom to. Edited January 25, 2016 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted January 27, 2016 Report Share Posted January 27, 2016 (edited) You have some good RFDs near Farnborough Andy Allwood is very good and will show you everything you need to know http://www.tfsa.co.uk/reloading.htm Ian at ITL is also very good http://www.itlshootingsupplies.co.uk/index.htm Plus you have Fultons at Bisley and the NRA Armoury plus all the dealers who have trade stands at Bisley when the shows and comps are on Edited January 27, 2016 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spready Posted January 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Thanks for the advice guys, bought a few bits to get me started , don't know if its all correct but seems to be what most people are using when hand loading .243, these are... Lee Classic loader .243 Lee Case length Gauge & shell holder .243 Lee Auto Primer XR hand loader Lee Primer pocket tool Lee Loading manual V2 Rubber Hammer Bought 100 PPP 100 grain , so will use the brass from that, what primers do you recommend? also what V max heads (or similar) and powder do you recommend for general purpose foxing round? Do you think i should invest in digital verier and digital scales? Sorry for all the questions , just wanna make sure i have all the right bits to get started Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bang bang birdy Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Yes get some scales and veriers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spready Posted January 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Any particular ones? so many to choose from... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) I bought a set of digital calipers from eBay for about 8 or 9 quid, they look similar to the far more expensive ones at work and give the same reading...... I would not recommend getting a cheap digital scale, others may disagree. I use the Lee safety powder scale which for twenty odd quid is accurate and in my opinion easy to use. Yes the dampi g could be better and it could be easier to zero but it doesn't cost £90 to £100. http://www.henrykrank.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=164_181_507&products_id=2052 Edited January 29, 2016 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spready Posted January 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Think I will get a set of the Lee scales then! Few people have recommend them to me! Is there anything else that's not on the list you think I'll need to get started? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sitsinhedges Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 I use the Lee scale to check my digital ones. It's very good for the money albeit a little slow compared to the cheap digitals but for reloading centrefire probably a better bet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) You could get yourself a set of Lee dippers which could speed up measuring the powder for around a tenner or splash the cash for a Lee perfect powder measure (23.50) A Lee funnel is a good bit of kit for putting powder in the case, although you can do it on the Loader i prefer to see all the powder go in. A set of loading trays is a good idea to keep empty cases on side and powdered cases to the other side.....save a mix up. Lee case lube, I found a light coating eased the effort required to hammer the case into the Loader. MTM rounds box Kinetic hammer for when you mess up Edited January 29, 2016 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) Tip with the Loader, make sure that the bullet seating end is wound right out before you seat your first bullet and gradually screw it down until you get the length you desire. Obviously posting some pictures of your virgin rounds is manditory....... Edited January 29, 2016 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spready Posted January 29, 2016 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 Thanks for the advice , i did wonder how you set the correct bullet seating, lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Livefast123 Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) No probs, if it prevents another ****** moment! I'd get yourself a decent wood base or the Mrs LAST SEASON Next catalogue to dampen the noise from the mallet. BTW turning your head away when your about to pull the bang lever on your first reload is completely normal! :-) Edited January 29, 2016 by Livefast123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 (edited) I have for sale a Lee Safety Scale (new in box), RCBS Trickler with the magnetic base upgrade thing (as new in box). In the sales section. I'll chuck in a new Lee case lube too. The Lee book is £19.99 from Sportsman Gun Centre, I bought mine from Amazon like a doofus and paid forty quid. It's a great starter book as it explains the process and what to look for in detail. Edited January 29, 2016 by mick miller Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mick miller Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 I'd also recommend a Satern aluminium funnel, caliber specific. That Lee funnel is okay but I found that the static meant I always had to tap the funnel to clear the powder, invariably some would spill out and it never seemed to fit any caliber particularly well. I gave mine away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imperfection Posted January 29, 2016 Report Share Posted January 29, 2016 but I found that the static meant I always had to tap the funnel to clear the powder, Quick tip to remove static from plastic. Get a small bowl of water and add a little fabric conditioner. Dunk the funnel several times and allow to air dry. No idea why it works,but it does.One of them little tips i learnt a few years ago while browsing the net. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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