Brand new to the rifle reloading world

[Jared6868]

Hello. I just recently ordered a custom 300 win mag from a gunsmith buddy. I’m currently waiting for all the parts to arrive and want to get into reloading my own rounds. I’m familiar with reloading shotgun rounds from my youth. I was very involved in sporting clays and tournaments.
But this is an entirely different ballgame and any good reloading books or information would be appreciated. I’m looking to do long range precision shooting and one day some tournaments. Also some hunting.
I just ordered an area 419 zero reloader and looking for Redding dies. Also a match master powder dispenser. Any other recommendations on specific tools I should get?

 

[FLIGHT762]

Read all you can about "Reloading for belted magnums". There are a couple of issues you need to understand.

 

[Jared6868]

Read all you can about "Reloading for belted magnums". There are a couple of issues you need to understand.

I’ll check it out. Thank you for the advice.

 

[Ocean_Dweller]

I pretty much taught myself how to reload by reading a book called "The ABC's of Reloading". It'll take you from beginner to more advanced by teaching you a lot of the methods involved.

As far as equipment, I originally started with all RCBS gear including a Rock Chucker. I still have all my original equipment but about 5 years ago I started using a Forster Co-Ax with either Redding or Forster Bushing Dies. One thing I did notice immediately, is that the runout on my loaded rounds went from .015 to an average of .003.

IMO the most important thing that you could do for yourself is the have the ability to measure every aspect of a loaded round so you know exactly what's going on before and after firing ex, BTO, OAL, Headspace, Jump, ect......

 

[salks]

Spending some time with someone who reloads was a monumental help for me when I started reloading. and yes read everything you can. Plenty of great info on this site as well. There is a bit of a learning curve but the important thing is to not make mistakes that result in blowing your face off or something else catastrophic.

 

[Mauser06]

Biggest question is do you have powder and primers?

Primers are nearly impossible to find at a reasonable price and probably won't be for a year or better. Cci/federal put out a video that basically said till the ammo panic subsides, you won't find primers....going right to loaded ammo.


Most reloading tools and such are getting really scarce. Even a simply shell holder.


Most powders are wiped out too.


Just the perfect storm. Covid sent many into a panic early... Then the election year.


Tough time to be a handloader...especially a new handloader.

 

[HemiPowrd]

Since you went high end on the press, you should look at the Autotrickler v3 kit.

 

[Jared6868]

Since you went high end on the press, you should look at the Autotrickler v3 kit.

My brother and I did. We went with the matchmaster powder dispenser.

 

[Jared6868]

Biggest question is do you have powder and primers?

Primers are nearly impossible to find at a reasonable price and probably won't be for a year or better. Cci/federal put out a video that basically said till the ammo panic subsides, you won't find primers....going right to loaded ammo.


Most reloading tools and such are getting really scarce. Even a simply shell holder.


Most powders are wiped out too.


Just the perfect storm. Covid sent many into a panic early... Then the election year.


Tough time to be a handloader...especially a new handloader.

I have 1000 primers I found. No they weren’t cheap. But at least I have plenty for now. I don’t have powder but a buddy has a few pounds he said he would give me of H4831SC.

 

[Jared6868]

Spending some time with someone who reloads was a monumental help for me when I started reloading. and yes read everything you can. Plenty of great info on this site as well. There is a bit of a learning curve but the important thing is to not make mistakes that result in blowing your face off or something else catastrophic.

I agree 100%. My buddy who is the gunsmith building my rifle also reloads tournament Ammo for himself and several others here.
He is going to help me set it up. Which is great because he ordered same press. He is ordering the dies I need and will show me how to load. And he said he will make enough ammo to find what is best for the rifle.