Ok, having done far too much lurking on several of these forums, and only getting myself more and more confused, I decided I should finally post my own questions in hopes of getting a complete answer. This will be kind of lengthy, so I apologize in advance.
Background: I am fairly new shooter and even newer to reloading. I have only reloaded 9mm thus far, but I have a 25-06 bolt action that I would like to start reloading for as well. I have an RCBS Rockchucker press and most of the basics (scale, calipers, hand primer, etc).
It will be used mostly for hunting varmint and deer, with the obvious paper shooting in between. I have no desire to shoot crazy distances for insanely tight groups. I don't want to get overly fussy with the process, I don't like the sound of things like turning brass, buying expensive brass, measuring and sorting each bullet, sorting different headstamps, etc. I would like ammo that is relatively easy to make, doesn't need to be babied to keep bullets from getting pushed in or falling out, brass I can use as many times as possible, and as accurate or better than factory ammo. I know, I know...not asking for much at all, right?
Let me just lay out what process and tools I think I should use to reload for the 25-06, ask a few questions, and then you guys can tell me if I'm on the right track or way off base. I know there is a lot of brand loyalty in this game, but I'm hoping we can avoid most of the back and forth in that regard!
1. Trim case if necessary
2. Deprime and reprime.
3. If this is previously fired brass (not my rifle), or has been fired several times by me, run cases through Redding Body Die.
4. Neck size using Lee collet neck sizing die.
5. Powder charge
6. Seat bullet using dead length seating die that comes with Lee collet.
7. Light crimp with Lee factory crimp die, but this would be optional, mainly if I didn't think the bullet was being held tightly enough from neck sizing alone.
8. Shoot
9. Repeat
Does this seem mostly right?
I've noticed there is a lot of contention over neck/full body sizing, so I guess I should ask: based on my desired results is it even necessary or should I just be staying in my depth by using a standard die set?
I chose body die instead of regular full length resizing because I had read in several places that it can jack up the neck which you are trying to avoid for neck sizing...sound reasonable?
I know there are better seating dies (and better dies of each kind I listed), but given financial restrictions, I'm trying to do the best I can with what I can afford. And again, I'm not trying to set any records here.
I know there is also debate over crimping, but honestly I think I would be most comfortable with a bit of crimp just for safety. Also, since I'd rather not try to seat the bullet near/against the lands as some seem to do with neck sizing, wouldn't some crimp help compensate for that pressure loss?
I know this is a lot of stuff, probably too much for one post, but I keep finding such fragmented information that I wanted to try getting it all at once! Sorry again for the length, and thanks in advance to all who take the time to read and respond!
Background: I am fairly new shooter and even newer to reloading. I have only reloaded 9mm thus far, but I have a 25-06 bolt action that I would like to start reloading for as well. I have an RCBS Rockchucker press and most of the basics (scale, calipers, hand primer, etc).
It will be used mostly for hunting varmint and deer, with the obvious paper shooting in between. I have no desire to shoot crazy distances for insanely tight groups. I don't want to get overly fussy with the process, I don't like the sound of things like turning brass, buying expensive brass, measuring and sorting each bullet, sorting different headstamps, etc. I would like ammo that is relatively easy to make, doesn't need to be babied to keep bullets from getting pushed in or falling out, brass I can use as many times as possible, and as accurate or better than factory ammo. I know, I know...not asking for much at all, right?
Let me just lay out what process and tools I think I should use to reload for the 25-06, ask a few questions, and then you guys can tell me if I'm on the right track or way off base. I know there is a lot of brand loyalty in this game, but I'm hoping we can avoid most of the back and forth in that regard!
1. Trim case if necessary
2. Deprime and reprime.
3. If this is previously fired brass (not my rifle), or has been fired several times by me, run cases through Redding Body Die.
4. Neck size using Lee collet neck sizing die.
5. Powder charge
6. Seat bullet using dead length seating die that comes with Lee collet.
7. Light crimp with Lee factory crimp die, but this would be optional, mainly if I didn't think the bullet was being held tightly enough from neck sizing alone.
8. Shoot
9. Repeat
Does this seem mostly right?
I've noticed there is a lot of contention over neck/full body sizing, so I guess I should ask: based on my desired results is it even necessary or should I just be staying in my depth by using a standard die set?
I chose body die instead of regular full length resizing because I had read in several places that it can jack up the neck which you are trying to avoid for neck sizing...sound reasonable?
I know there are better seating dies (and better dies of each kind I listed), but given financial restrictions, I'm trying to do the best I can with what I can afford. And again, I'm not trying to set any records here.
I know there is also debate over crimping, but honestly I think I would be most comfortable with a bit of crimp just for safety. Also, since I'd rather not try to seat the bullet near/against the lands as some seem to do with neck sizing, wouldn't some crimp help compensate for that pressure loss?
I know this is a lot of stuff, probably too much for one post, but I keep finding such fragmented information that I wanted to try getting it all at once! Sorry again for the length, and thanks in advance to all who take the time to read and respond!
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