beckerhead said:
I can't really go over $300 (at one time) at all, and that is pushing it to be honest. How involved? I want to build better than what I buy, my .25-06 regularly shoots sub 1/4" with factory fodder, my .308 hovers around 1" even with UMC, as a matter of fact my best group with that rifle was shot with UMC 150's at a tidy 3/8", and my 30/30 well I can always stay within 2" and usually a little better, but I want to be able to use better bullets than most factory loads have, since hogs are on my menu, maybe a barnes, or nosler partition? So basically I want to be able to build more consistent loads for the bench, and better hammers for the beasts of the earth.
This makes it a lot simpler..there are 2 kits I would recommend to get...
1) Hornady Lock and Load classic...
2) Lyman Orange Crusher Expert kit...
There are differences in the 2 and simalarities...as for what you get...some of the trade offs come in ease of usage...with the Lock and Load bushings..also...the Lyman kit comes with a case trimmer...which is a nice one...not great...but nice...and will work ...with the Hornady you will have to get a trimmer...there are various ones on the market from the little lee hand trimmer...up to the electric type..all of them will work..but again..ease of usage and your time will dictate what you need..
For your $300 dollars...if you are wanting to include all your dies...you won't be getting the very best dies out there..yes..you can get some pretty cheap Lee dies sets...but..they are not
my choice of dies for several reasons...my choice of dies are as follows..
1) Forster....
2) Redding
3) RCBS
4) Hornady
These dies give me the consistancy I expect from my reloads...and of late have come to only use Redding and Forster...they aren't cheap...but most quality products aren't...Both RCBS and Hornady...will for a fee cut a fully custom die for your chambers..all you have to do..is send them a few fired cases...
Case priming is usually done best by hand...so you can have a better feel of the primer seating...Lee makes a good one...as does RCBS...and the others...$15.00 up...this is one item I do advise you to get..
Next up is manuals...they aren't cheap either...if you only use 1 type of bullet...start with that manufactures reloading manual...then expand it out to emcompass all of them as money permits...the Hornady kit comes with their 2 book set...Lymans has their reference...I would suggest the Nosler #5...The Sierra #5...The Lyman #48 ...and the Speer #13...in that order...these have a ton of information and helpful hints and tons of loading data for you to use..Another one to find at a-lot of news stands...is the Hodgdons Annual magazine...if you use their powders...you'll certainly want to look through it ...
Mac