reloader for 270 WSM

[BGD]

I am wanting to get setup for reloading on a limited budget for my 270 WSM.

I want to work up loads for shooting up to 500 yards.

I am looking at this kit. Is this press OK?

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-kit

The dies I want are the redding type S bushing dies. I will probably just neck size. I am wondering what bushings to buy. What kind of shell holders will work on this.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/82...eck-sizer-set-270-winchester-short-magnum-wsm


Is there any other things I will need to buy?

Thanks for your advice.

Eric

 

[NCsmitty]

As you stated, on a limited budget the press kit is a decent choice, but be aware that the brass on the WSM and WSSM are thicker than standard cases of 30'06 class brass. That Lee press will take care of anything that you wish to load, but the cast steel press is forever.
The Redding dies are top of the line, but you could save yourself $60 by selecting the Hornady FL dies set, or Lee Pacesetter dies, and the Hornady neck sizing die together. Unless you're shooting match competition, I would pass on the Redding dies. At some point, you will likely use the FL die, especially if you pick up brass fired in another rifle.
The accessories listed on the press kit page is about all you'll need on a budget.


NCsmitty

 

[FROGO207]

I agree with NCsmitty that the dies you want are really much more than needed. I use the Lee dies to load 300 WSM. I use the full length sizer and adjust it to bump the neck back just a touch every time with good results. Brass life is good with my system and the neck splits for me most often than anything else ruining the brass, especially with nickle brass. I had one of those presses without the breech lock bushing a long while ago and it served well for reloading all my stuff till I got a turret style. Yes the cast iron press will be more robust but you decide your price point. I would get a set of calipers along with the other suggestions and my personal thing is clean brass so a tumbler would be good but not a necessity.

The lee dies come with the shellholder included along with some load data from several sources.

 

[BGD]

Thanks,
The reason I was going with the bushing die is to limit working the brass. I think I can use a bushing to set the neck back slightly and not use an expander button on the decaping pin? I thought maybe the brass would last longer. I don't know as I have never done this before. I will be using the brass in only one rifle for now.

 

[FROGO207]

If you get any once fired or new brass it has to be full length sized anyway to start out fitting before fire forming in your chamber. Also after a few uses (3-5 usually) you need to set the shoulder back so the round will fit into the chamber. Just bumping the neck back will not accomplish this. Also the expander button needs to size the neck back out to the correct size or the Lee trimmer will not fit into the neck so you can length size your casings. You have to deprime and size before you length size with the Lee system or you will not get correct lengths. You would have to run the brass through yet again to neck size if you do what you suggest. IMHO just make the neck sizing ball a bit smaller in the first place and you will get more neck tension with less working of the brass. Note you may have to make the Lee length stud smaller in diameter also if you do this. You will get longer case life if you anneal the case necks but this adds a lot of work to the process.

 

[BGD]

Most of my brass is from winchester silvertip ammunition and they are nickle plated. Can they be annealed? I am still in the information gathering stage and I am not sure what I will do yet.

Thanks
Eric

 

[2bfree]

With that press and a 3 die set you will want to order 2 more bushings, it will make life a lot simpler when changing dies. The kit is on sale at Cabelas for 109.

 

[FROGO207]

I have annealed plated brass before and sometimes (less than 10%) the plating will come loose the next loading cycle. I would just look for regular brass in the future and use these plated ones until they fail if they were mine.