This section is for reloading and ammunition only, all loads found in here are used strictly at your own risk, if in doubt ask again.
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should treated as suspect and not used.
Forum rules
All handloading data posted on Full-Bore UK from 23/2/2021 must reference the published pressure tested data it was sourced from, posts without such verification will be removed.
Any existing data without such a reference should be treated as suspect and not used.
Use reloading information posted here at your own risk. This forum (http://www.full-bore.co.uk) is not responsible for any property damage or personal injury as a consequence of using reloading data posted here, the information is individual members findings and observations only. Always verify the load data and be absolutely sure your firearm can handle the load, especially older ones. If in doubt start low and work your way up.
Meaty wrote:Martin,
Just a couple of observations from a fairly new reloader (about 4 ish years now) who started with a Anniversary kit and is also on a budget.
Some Lee stuff is good and some not so good! I would advise you to get some RCBS 502 or 505 scales as the Lee ones aren't up to much (I can give you some Lee scales foc if you want to try them out)
Cheap electronic scales, and some more expensive ones, can fluctuate and can be susceptible to draughts, interference etc so are probably not a good idea for beginners.
The cast aluminium press in the kit has done me proud since I have had it but I have recently brought the cast iron one and it is so much better (I had to upgrade because the dies for my Martini-Henry are a 1 1/4" and wouldnt fit in the ally press)
Lee Deluxe dies seem really good for the money and I have never had any issues with them although I now use a Forster seating die for my proven loads. Some testing I did with precision ground vee blocks and good quality dti's found very little bullet runout, as low as 1.5 thou on the 308's which is good enough for me and better than the RCBS that I tried for a while.
I did break the handle on the hand primer, as have a few other people on here, but both Lee and Midway UK sent foc replacements within a couple of days so I cant complain. I think that was more down to the PPU primers being slightly oversize and a change to Federal 210M's put an end to that gripe.
Over time I have replaced various bits that were in the kit ie the chamfer tool and the primer pocket cleaner but the ones supplied are adequate for the job.
ps The 8mm Mauser brass that I sent you is Berdan primed so unless you have a special tool for removing the primers/crimp and chamfering the pocket it wont be a lot of cop for reloading-sorry if this has burst your bubble a bit but I thought that you were going to use it to make dummy rounds or such like. It might be worth buying some off the shelf PPU ammunition as once it has gone bang you will have a stock of half decent brass that is easily resized and reloadable.
pps. There are a lot of reloading snobs out there who wont have Lee gear in the house/cave so I am just off to ready myself for the ensuing onslaught of grief that no-doubt will head my way
Thanks Ian for your experience's with the LEE kit.
It's good to find that quite a few people who bought them starting out and are still using them! I know along the way I'm going to find a few better things that work for me but as for a basic kit to get me started I think I can't go wrong (ish)!!
The gear you sent was great mate and the cases I'll put to one side but I will manage to get a tool at some point to reload them! The clips work fine. I'm happy!!
Something that I do not think that has been asked is why are you thinking of re loading or more accurately what do you want to gain from it?
I would say that people start for one of two reasons, to save money or to make more accurate ammunition.
If you are in the to save money camp then the Lee kit will get you going and will get you making ammunition that will get on target.
Should you be looking to make more accurate ammunition, then Beware - There be Dragons etc.
This is a very addictive part of the sport and is a hobby in it self which has it's own expenses and needs more time than you might realise. Many of us spend more time re loading than shooting.
Because of the precise nature of making precision ammunition, say for F Class, Target or long range work, you need to be looking at buying quality gear from day one. I still use a LEE press but the rest of my kit is individually purchased.
Similar to golf and fishing, there is always a new bit of kit that is capable of making more accurate ammunition which will have you believing that it is a must have.
If I could go back to when good ammunition was £50 for 100, I would not be re loading. I now resent the money, time and effort spent in this venture.
Another question that you need to ask yourself is how many rounds of ammunition are you likely to be getting through. For most a single stage press will be ample, but for some they need something a bit faster and go for a progressive or turret set up.
I would not recommend anyone buys any manufacturers "kit". I won't sell kits to customers. All the companies have there good and not so good products. For instance the Lee scales are a disaster even if they are accurate, which I have never found them to be so, the flailing around that they do will soon irritate the sh!te out of you. Good scales are The safety check when handloading. There are products that I will not sell to people, if they really want it then they will need to go somewhere else, the Lee scales is one of those products.
The best thing to do is hook up with someone who has been loading for a while and has the usual embarrassment of kit and try the stuff out, we all have our own peccadilloes and some things that suits one doesn't suit another, its just a shame that some of this based on fashion and snobbery. Once you have some experience then you can make better purchase and acquisition decisions. Kits are very attractive to the tyro as they seem to do them job however most people find the not all the parts do the job equally well and end up spending more shortly down the line.
The best research you can do is hands on, your own experience is the best judge of the equipment for you. Also hooking up with a mentor also means that you have support, knowledge and experience to help you get started.
Kits will get you going but do not see them as having the value they first appear to have as you will end up spending more to get the different tools that you feel will serve you better to get the same result.
Come on Bambi get some
Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad
Something that I do not think that has been asked is why are you thinking of re loading or more accurately what do you want to gain from it?
I would say that people start for one of two reasons, to save money or to make more accurate ammunition.
If you are in the to save money camp then the Lee kit will get you going and will get you making ammunition that will get on target.
Should you be looking to make more accurate ammunition, then Beware - There be Dragons etc.
This is a very addictive part of the sport and is a hobby in it self which has it's own expenses and needs more time than you might realise. Many of us spend more time re loading than shooting.
Because of the precise nature of making precision ammunition, say for F Class, Target or long range work, you need to be looking at buying quality gear from day one. I still use a LEE press but the rest of my kit is individually purchased.
Similar to golf and fishing, there is always a new bit of kit that is capable of making more accurate ammunition which will have you believing that it is a must have.
If I could go back to when good ammunition was £50 for 100, I would not be re loading. I now resent the money, time and effort spent in this venture.
Another question that you need to ask yourself is how many rounds of ammunition are you likely to be getting through. For most a single stage press will be ample, but for some they need something a bit faster and go for a progressive or turret set up.
Good luck,
DM
Hello DM
Thanks for asking. I'm going to reload just really to save a bit of money and I hate waste. I know to its going to cost on start up but that will pan out!
I was using some cheap 145g rounds last year out to 600yds but over that I was using 155g out to 1000yds. It was a pain really so I'm just putting 155g though both my rifles which makes life simple at all distances.
It's just tipping me over the edge a bit for the price of .308 at club prices of 75p each!
While I'm doing .308 I may as well do 8mm even though I won't be shooting the Mauser a great deal. Maybe a 100 rounds every couple of months of the 8mm and around 200 of the .308!
I've got a lot of HPS .308 cases and PPU 8mm for the Mauser so it's a start!
dromia wrote:I would not recommend anyone buys any manufacturers "kit". I won't sell kits to customers. All the companies have there good and not so good products. For instance the Lee scales are a disaster even if they are accurate, which I have never found them to be so, the flailing around that they do will soon irritate the sh!te out of you. Good scales are The safety check when handloading. There are products that I will not sell to people, if they really want it then they will need to go somewhere else, the Lee scales is one of those products.
The best thing to do is hook up with someone who has been loading for a while and has the usual embarrassment of kit and try the stuff out, we all have our own peccadilloes and some things that suits one doesn't suit another, its just a shame that some of this based on fashion and snobbery. Once you have some experience then you can make better purchase and acquisition decisions. Kits are very attractive to the tyro as they seem to do them job however most people find the not all the parts do the job equally well and end up spending more shortly down the line.
The best research you can do is hands on, your own experience is the best judge of the equipment for you. Also hooking up with a mentor also means that you have support, knowledge and experience to help you get started.
Kits will get you going but do not see them as having the value they first appear to have as you will end up spending more to get the different tools that you feel will serve you better to get the same result.
I know what you mean Dromia!
There will be I'm sure something in any kit which doesn't perform as well as it should and from your experience the LEE scales are one of the those things!
Our club is thinking of doing reloads on site which would be great to learn while waiting for your detail. I would like to keep my budget to £150 be it new or second hand and just getting as much info before going ahead as I'm totally new to this side of the sport.
I strongly advise that you try and get a mentor, maybe there is someone on here near to you who would take you under their wing and show you the ropes and let get a feel for the kit.
Second hand is a good way of getting proper kit at a reasonable price, also depending on the exchange rate the USA shooting forum Swap and S|ells can be a good source of bargains, that is where a lot of my kit came form.
And please whatever you choose to do get a set of decent scales, your life and those of others depends on properly made hand loads. There are set of good Redding scales up for grabs on our for sale forum at the moment. I also think that £150 will not meet your needs, it may buy you a kit but it will still not meet your short to medium term needs and will end up spending more. Perhaps taking some time to buy as items come along and funds allow, especially if you can get handloading with someone else's equipment and tutelage, is a better and more measured way to get set up.
Come on Bambi get some
Imperial Good Metric Bad
Analogue Good Digital Bad
dromia wrote:I strongly advise that you try and get a mentor, maybe there is someone on here near to you who would take you under their wing and show you the ropes and let get a feel for the kit.
Second hand is a good way of getting proper kit at a reasonable price, also depending on the exchange rate the USA shooting forum Swap and S|ells can be a good source of bargains, that is where a lot of my kit came form.
And please whatever you choose to do get a set of decent scales, your life and those of others depends on properly made hand loads. There are set of good Redding scales up for grabs on our for sale forum at the moment. I also think that £150 will not meet your needs, it may buy you a kit but it will still not meet your short to medium term needs and will end up spending more. Perhaps taking some time to buy as items come along and funds allow, especially if you can get handloading with someone else's equipment and tutelage, is a better and more measured way to get set up.
Agreed Dromia
Safety to me and others is of upmost importance!
I don't want any problems what so ever when it comes to reloading. I'm going to wait till the show and have a good look at some gear.
