01-15-2025, 02:39 PM
I've been reloading since a young teen, so 50+ years. I started with a Bonanza CoAx press abd Bonanza Benchrest dies, and an Ohaus powder scale. It was my my father's equipment, and new to him at the time.
I've since owned various presses, brands of dies, powder measures, case trimmers.
These days most of my single stage (rifle) loading is done on an RCBS Rockchucker or a cast iron RCBS Jr. The Rockchucker is heavier built and has compound leverage, so takes less effort for heavy sizing. I use Redding powder measures, have a "universal", "pistol" an "Benchrest", and will most definitely recommend one of the benchrest variety with their anti-backlash micrometers. I still use an RCBS 510 or 1010 scale rather than electronic, and verify zero every time that I use it.
As for dies, knowing that you are specifically loading for that boltgun, I'll suggest that you start with the Lee Collet die set. After about five or six full throttle loads, you'll feel the bolt close a bit more stiffly, so probably a good time to bump the shoulder back. My preference for a full length die set is the Forster with or without the micrometer seater. The micrometer seater really isn't necessary. The FLOATING seating chamber is what sets this die set apart from others. Hornady's are a poor imitation at best.
There are bushing die sets that will allow you to control the amount of sizing of the neck, but the same is accomplished with the Lee Collet die. It simply squeezes the neck around a mandrel rather than squeezing down and then dragging an expander button back through which will add to case stretching.
You will need to trim cases at some point in time. Hornady factory loads seem to need trimmed after the first firing. A WFT chucked in a cordless drill will trim in relationship to the shoulder, and is super quick.
You will need an accurate measuring device, and a dial caliper is adequate.
I still use a standard chamfering tool rather than the VLD variety.
My priming is done on an RCBS bench mounted unit, but hand held units have their merit.
As for powders, see what you have available locally and check online, but keep in mind that shipping requires hazmat fees. I think WW748 is the sleeper between velocity, accuracy, and cleanliness.
Thicker cup primers should eliminate your piercing problem, and F205s or their Match siblings will be good.
I've since owned various presses, brands of dies, powder measures, case trimmers.
These days most of my single stage (rifle) loading is done on an RCBS Rockchucker or a cast iron RCBS Jr. The Rockchucker is heavier built and has compound leverage, so takes less effort for heavy sizing. I use Redding powder measures, have a "universal", "pistol" an "Benchrest", and will most definitely recommend one of the benchrest variety with their anti-backlash micrometers. I still use an RCBS 510 or 1010 scale rather than electronic, and verify zero every time that I use it.
As for dies, knowing that you are specifically loading for that boltgun, I'll suggest that you start with the Lee Collet die set. After about five or six full throttle loads, you'll feel the bolt close a bit more stiffly, so probably a good time to bump the shoulder back. My preference for a full length die set is the Forster with or without the micrometer seater. The micrometer seater really isn't necessary. The FLOATING seating chamber is what sets this die set apart from others. Hornady's are a poor imitation at best.
There are bushing die sets that will allow you to control the amount of sizing of the neck, but the same is accomplished with the Lee Collet die. It simply squeezes the neck around a mandrel rather than squeezing down and then dragging an expander button back through which will add to case stretching.
You will need to trim cases at some point in time. Hornady factory loads seem to need trimmed after the first firing. A WFT chucked in a cordless drill will trim in relationship to the shoulder, and is super quick.
You will need an accurate measuring device, and a dial caliper is adequate.
I still use a standard chamfering tool rather than the VLD variety.
My priming is done on an RCBS bench mounted unit, but hand held units have their merit.
As for powders, see what you have available locally and check online, but keep in mind that shipping requires hazmat fees. I think WW748 is the sleeper between velocity, accuracy, and cleanliness.
Thicker cup primers should eliminate your piercing problem, and F205s or their Match siblings will be good.