The Long Range Precision Shooting Thread

[doc_ricketts]

Originally Posted by pilot

That's the hard way to do it. Lee sells a real press for about the same money.

No, it is the easy and precision way to do it. I have had a full set of quality RCBS presses, etc., but the Lee hand press gives you a better feel about such things as neck sizing and bullet seating than you can get with a bench mounted press. I wouldn't do it any other way after years of using bench mounted presses and powder droppers. Most powder droppers are not as accurate as just simply using a dipper and carefully and consistently sliding off the top of the powder with a credit card. The only way to do it more accurately is to use a balance on each load.

[doc_ricketts]

Duplicate post, deleted.

[buildit]

All you guys talking reloads, I can't wait for Cabella's new store in Columbus to open this Spring. Would the 45-70gov't round be a good one to start with for reloading or is a smaller round better for beginners?

[Bigfeet428]

The mechanics of handloading is pretty much the same no matter what caliber. In my opinion a 45-70 would be fine. Just pay attention load safely and have fun.

[KeithinSC]

Originally Posted by buildit

All you guys talking reloads, I can't wait for Cabella's new store in Columbus to open this Spring. Would the 45-70gov't round be a good one to start with for reloading or is a smaller round better for beginners?

I started with .35 remington, then soon added .308, .40, .45 Easy.
.380 is a pain in the ass.

Big brass is a lot easier. 45-70 should be good to start with. Get a reloading bible and watch that you don't double charge. Keep an eye on your overall length.
Addictive hobby. I can go to the shop just for a little while, then when I look at the clock, 4 hrs are gone

[buildit]

Thanks guys. At this point I'd be happy to load 45-70 and then add .38, .30 cal, .303 brit and 9mm dies as I get experienced.

[Bigfeet428]

Originally Posted by KeithinSC

Addictive hobby. I can go to the shop just for a little while, then when I look at the clock, 4 hrs are gone

I feel your pain. I think most of my brass is currently loaded so it's time to go shoot. Aw shucks!

[doc_ricketts]

Originally Posted by buildit

All you guys talking reloads, I can't wait for Cabella's new store in Columbus to open this Spring. Would the 45-70gov't round be a good one to start with for reloading or is a smaller round better for beginners?

The 45/70 is one of the easiest cartidges to reload for. The other easiest IMHO is the .45LC. The bigger and straighter (simpler) the cartridge the more robust the brass and easier to tailor loads for. I use pretty light loads of 34 gr of IMR4198 in my 45/70 which puts 405 gr lead cast bullets with no gas check out the barrel of my Guide Gun at about 1500 fps. Nothing like the feel of that big cartridge in your hands when reloading and shooting.

[inline4]

.45-70... I have done some BPCR with my 1872 Remington Rolling Block. One shoot was held at 1000 yds, my tang sight was maxed out. We shot from a hilltop over the trees to another hiltop.

We normally had buff silhouettes at various random distances to about 700 yds. it's a hoot. Easy to reload.

[corsair4360]

For old timers and newbies on reloading: Powder charging the case(s) is one place for caution; do not get a double charge of powder in the case. Use a powder that you can easily check the approximate powder charge visually. A load that is more than 50% of the case volume makes that easy since it will overflow the case mouth and provide a clear visual signal something is amiss. I like to use a loading block, and after charging visually compare the powder column height in each case to the others under bright light.

I am VERY careful with pistol reloading for that reason, weighing each case before segregating them into groups, and weighing them after the bullet is seated to validate that they have powder and are not double charges. The hand that could have been injured may have been yours. My pistol load is 6 grains of powder and a 230 grain bullet, and it is hard to visually check.

Nitrocellulose powder has tremendous energy and can injure you if the load is not safe.

[Lab-Kid]

My little Savage has proved to be quite adequate in my first foray into shooting beyond 200 yards.

A lot of fun:

[Signal]

Originally Posted by Lab-Kid

My little Savage has proved to be quite adequate in my first foray into shooting beyond 200 yards.

A lot of fun:

Nice

Cant expect any better than that

[tslewisz]

Originally Posted by Lab-Kid

My little Savage has proved to be quite adequate in my first foray into shooting beyond 200 yards.

A lot of fun:

What model? "Savage P.C."?

[Lab-Kid]

Originally Posted by tslewisz

What model? "Savage P.C."?

Precision Carbine, from a few pages back:

[pilot]

Were you shooting that off the bipod or some other rest?