Need press selection help for magnum rifle reloading

[686shooter]

First time poster, long time lurker (10 years off and on!) here. I'd first like to thank everyone that contributes here, so much great information!

My specific situation: I'm interested in getting into reloading, primarily to reload for my .375 Weatherby Mag and .300 Win Mag, (maybe .223 Rem and assorted pistol rounds at a later date).

After some research, I was interested in the Lee Classic Turret press, so I wouldn't have to change dies out of the press, and also, the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure, so I wouldn't have to hand measure every powder load. But, I don't know if the Pro Auto Disk will dispense enough powder even with the Double Disk kit for the .375. Hodgdon is showing around 70-90 grains on average for these powders, depending on the desired velocity:

Hodgdon H4831
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V
Hodgdon H4350
Hodgdon H414
Hodgdon H380

Does anyone know if the Double Disk kit will dispense enough? If not, is there another direction I could go that automates the powder loading? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Note: I believe Redding is the only manufacturer to still make dies for the 375 Weatherby, if that makes a difference.

For interests' sake, here's the rifles in question, Flaig's built Sako L61R with Douglas Heavy Barrel, and a Long Rifles Inc. built Stiller TAC 300, Barlien Barrel, AI chassis, Timney trigger:





Thanks!

 

[thomas15]

Just about any full size press will work but if I were you I would give the Forrester Co-Ax and the Redding big boss a good long look. Use split rings to make die changes easy.

 

[Rule3]

There is no need to mess with the Lee auto disk or double discs anymore. If using a Lee powder measure you want to look at the Auto Drum.

How many of those bad boys are you going to load? I would think something like the Redding Turret press would be better for large calibers. The LCTP will probably work

https://leeprecision.com/auto-drum-powder-measure.html

 

[686shooter]

Just about any full size press will work but if I were you I would give the Forrester Co-Ax and the Redding big boss a good long look. Use split rings to make die changes easy.

good call on the split rings, hadn't heard of those, thanks.

 

[thomas15]

With the forester you must use split rings

 

[thomas15]

For powder may I suggest you consider a Charge Master or another electronic powder measure?

 

[686shooter]

There is no need to mess with the Lee auto disk or double discs anymore. If using a Lee powder measure you want to look at the Auto Drum.

How many of those bad boys are you going to load? I would think something like the Redding Turret press would be better for large calibers. The LCTP will probably work

https://leeprecision.com/auto-drum-powder-measure.html

Good info - thanks! Looks like to Auto Drum maximum drop is 80 grains, so I might be limited in my powder selection, but that may be my only option for automated powder drop. I don't think Redding has an automated powder drop, but maybe I'm making to big a deal about that. I'd like to load about 50 rounds/week of the magnum stuff and then another 50 of the little stuff, not major production, but I don't have a ton of time, which is why I was looking for a turret with automated powder drop.

 

[686shooter]

For powder may I suggest you consider a Charge Master or another electronic powder measure?

This may sound stupid, but I'd like to avoid having to manually pick up a little measuring cup of powder and pour it into shell casings one at a time. Maybe this is the best method, but it seems slow, and I KNOW I will spill the powder occasionally, which would bother me. If that's the best way, I'll just have to get used to it.

 

[JimKirk]

The RCBS Uniflow will drop up to 110 grains ....

 

[Rule3]

Yes if I was loading something with 7-=90 grains of powder I would be using a manual powder drop like the RCBS

50 rounds in a reloading tray, single stage does not take very long.

Batch loading.

Do all your case prep clean size and trim
prime
charge
seat bullet

With any turret at least all the dies are there and set up.

 

[686shooter]

This is all good info, thanks Gents! So if I was going to do single stage batch loading (lets just look at the 375 for a minute here), I could get one of these press kits:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/998666/rcbs-reloader-special-5-explorer-single-stage-press-kit

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/749997/hornady-lock-n-load-classic-single-stage-press-kit

These dies:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/178991/redding-2-die-set

And a case trimmer and tumbler (or ultrasonic cleaner) and I'd be set up, short of bullets, powder, and primers, correct? Or am I missing something?

Thanks!!!

 

[thomas15]

There is a bunch of ancillary items that are either required or good to have. Have you given any thought as to where you are going to mount your press and perform the tasks required of the handloader?

If I may make a few comments. Kits are fine and you could do much worse than either of the above noted kits. I started with a kit but to my defense I didn't have the foresight to ask anyone for experienced opinions. As my experience has taught me both RCBS and Hornady make good stuff so ether one will work for the rifle rounds you are contemplating. BUT for a little more money this gives you a better (IMHO) press, the same powder measure and a better scale: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

Regardless of which kit you buy there will be some items you will never use or will use once and decide you want something better. So for that reason if you can find someone local that handloads and is willing to show you things it will be of a huge benefit. I think you would do better by buying one item at a time rather than all in a kit. However warning: Handloaders are probably the most brand loyal consumers on the planet so a passionate endorsement of particular product doesn't mean it's right for you.

Most newcomers interested in handloading do so for the sole purpose of saving money. I don't think that is your #1 reason for starting down this rabbit hole. True you will save some money but the outlay for initial expenses will take some time to recoup. Handloading gear is just like anything firearms related, you get what you pay for. A $150.00 handloaders kit will make ammo that goes bang same as a $150.00 rifle goes bang. You may or may not be a $150.00 rifle man I suspect you are not so expect to see some bux leaving your bank account in the future.

As far as the ancillary items go dozens of posters will come along an provide detailed shopping lists or just browse this forum the questions is asked all the time. I say it all the time you need a budget of at least $500.00 to get your little toe wet, more is better as in about $1,000.00 If that doesn't scare you off then with that budget you can set up a nice handloading bench that will stay with you for many years and will easily lend itself to expansion into the world of handloading for handguns using progressive presses.

 

[thomas15]

If I may add one other thing to simply push my post count here to 1000. Like many here I taught myself how to handload my ammo. In all humility I know for certain that I'm relatively good at this hobby, I like to handload and I have a TON of money sitting on my bench and I had a desire to know as much as I can about what we do here. I confess that there are many things I don't know. Most of my experience has been with pistol reloads, different than rifle handloads.

But for personal enrichment I decided that I wanted to become a certified NRA Metallic Reloading Instructor. To get that cert., I first needed to take the basic reloading course. For years I thought that taking that class was a waste of money but I needed to take it so I did. The students experience can depend on the instructor teaching it as there are not minimum equipment or experience levels placed on the instructors.

Anyway, I sucked it up took the class.The instructor I had, had a very well appointed handloading set up with an example of just about every press, powder measure, scale you name it, he has it. He let me tinker with anything I wanted and was very knowledgeable on the subject. So for that reason I no longer think it is a waste of money. True you can buy some nice tackle with the money you spend on the class but I at least got an experience that made it worth the time and entry fee. Offered simply as something to consider.

 

[686shooter]

There is a bunch of ancillary items that are either required or good to have. Have you given any thought as to where you are going to mount your press and perform the tasks required of the handloader?

If I may make a few comments. Kits are fine and you could do much worse than either of the above noted kits. I started with a kit but to my defense I didn't have the foresight to ask anyone for experienced opinions. As my experience has taught me both RCBS and Hornady make good stuff so ether one will work for the rifle rounds you are contemplating. BUT for a little more money this gives you a better (IMHO) press, the same powder measure and a better scale: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

Regardless of which kit you buy there will be some items you will never use or will use once and decide you want something better. So for that reason if you can find someone local that handloads and is willing to show you things it will be of a huge benefit. I think you would do better by buying one item at a time rather than all in a kit. However warning: Handloaders are probably the most brand loyal consumers on the planet so a passionate endorsement of particular product doesn't mean it's right for you.

Most newcomers interested in handloading do so for the sole purpose of saving money. I don't think that is your #1 reason for starting down this rabbit hole. True you will save some money but the outlay for initial expenses will take some time to recoup. Handloading gear is just like anything firearms related, you get what you pay for. A $150.00 handloaders kit will make ammo that goes bang same as a $150.00 rifle goes bang. You may or may not be a $150.00 rifle man I suspect you are not so expect to see some bux leaving your bank account in the future.

As far as the ancillary items go dozens of posters will come along an provide detailed shopping lists or just browse this forum the questions is asked all the time. I say it all the time you need a budget of at least $500.00 to get your little toe wet, more is better as in about $1,000.00 If that doesn't scare you off then with that budget you can set up a nice handloading bench that will stay with you for many years and will easily lend itself to expansion into the world of handloading for handguns using progressive presses.

Great info, thanks! Yes, I do appreciate investment-quality durable goods, but at the same time, I have made a habit of avoiding situations where I may become "upside down" in an investment. (i.e. incase reloading doesn't pan out for me, it would be nice not to have bought $1500 worth of stuff that immediately depreciated 50%) I bought both of the rifles in this thread lightly used at great savings, and I'd like to buy used reloading equipment, but I don't know enough about it to know what I'm looking for yet, and I don't want to wait forever for the perfect thing to pop up.

The biggest thing I'm having a problem with perusing threads here is sorting out the information that's only applicable to pistol/small rifle reloading and magnum rifle reloading. I definitely want to focus on the magnums for the initial setup, as loads for 375 Weatherby are $5/round retail from Weatherby or custom reloaders, which I think I could handload myself for under $2/round in materials.

As far as a bench, I've got a bunch of heavy post oak lumber I had milled from some trees that died on my property, I've had some nice tables made from them, so I thought I'd have a nice reloading table built, too (probably cost $500, or I'll built it myself for basically nothing). Here's some of the tables, this wood is really nice and super heavy:

 

[686shooter]

If I may add one other thing to simply push my post count here to 1000. Like many here I taught myself how to handload my ammo. In all humility I know for certain that I'm relatively good at this hobby, I like to handload and I have a TON of money sitting on my bench and I had a desire to know as much as I can about what we do here. I confess that there are many things I don't know. Most of my experience has been with pistol reloads, different than rifle handloads.

But for personal enrichment I decided that I wanted to become a certified NRA Metallic Reloading Instructor. To get that cert., I first needed to take the basic reloading course. For years I thought that taking that class was a waste of money but I needed to take it so I did. The students experience can depend on the instructor teaching it as there are not minimum equipment or experience levels placed on the instructors.

Anyway, I sucked it up took the class.The instructor I had, had a very well appointed handloading set up with an example of just about every press, powder measure, scale you name it, he has it. He let me tinker with anything I wanted and was very knowledgeable on the subject. So for that reason I no longer think it is a waste of money. True you can buy some nice tackle with the money you spend on the class but I at least got an experience that made it worth the time and entry fee. Offered simply as something to consider.

Good call, I'll look into it. Glad I was here for your millenium!

 

[pic1083]

Here's your dies

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375-WEATHE...771557?hash=item239df28325:g:~4wAAOSw9mpaStQ1

Good Luck

 

[thomas15]

There is a facebook called Reloading Mentors of North America You could consider joining that https://www.facebook.com/groups/178232049587184/

Then keep a listing of handloaders that are willing to mentor others. The list, last updated I think March 21 lists mentors by state and city. Maybe you can find one near you that is willing to show you the ropes? Again just a possibility, I cannot vouch for any particular mentor.

There are several facebooks that have used reloading gear and dies

Finally not trying to tell you how to do things but me personally if I were throwing 80+ grain powder charges I would weigh each one before charging the case.

 

[686shooter]

Here's your dies

https://www.ebay.com/itm/375-WEATHE...771557?hash=item239df28325:g:~4wAAOSw9mpaStQ1

Good Luck

You are a scholar and a gentleman, sir!

 

[686shooter]

There is a facebook called Reloading Mentors of North America You could consider joining that https://www.facebook.com/groups/178232049587184/

Then keep a listing of handloaders that are willing to mentor others. The list, last updated I think March 21 lists mentors by state and city. Maybe you can find one near you that is willing to show you the ropes? Again just a possibility, I cannot vouch for any particular mentor.

There are several facebooks that have used reloading gear and dies

Finally not trying to tell you how to do things but me personally if I were throwing 80+ grain powder charges I would weigh each one before charging the case.

I'm not on facebook, but I'll try to check it out. I'm sure your advice is sound regarding weighing charges, I'll keep it in mind, thanks!

 

[frankmako]

When I load for my match rifles I use a single stage press. I am using the lyman single stage press that I got in 1973. I use the rcbs charge master and/or rcbs uniflow for powder drops. I use a lee hand primer to prime cases. When loading for a rifle I keep it simple and a single stage press has a lot of power to get things done.

 

[rdnktrkr]

I have a LCT and love it for loading pistol and 223 but for my 30-06, 6.5 and 8mm I use it as a single stage and weigh each load. I use a loading block and a funnel to load the powder and the only powder I spill is at the powder dispenser then I seat and crimp the bullets. The nice thing about the LCT is you can set up all the dies once and just change the turrets and you are ready to go for a caliber change. I think with the charges you will be using on the 375w you would want to weigh each charge.

 

[LoonWulf]

I load some big magnums, including the .300 and previously the 7stw.
I would highly recommend weighing all of your changes for either.
I've never had a powder measure that would consistently throw the 60+ grain charges with the big stick powders.
The electronic charge droppers might be a better option, but I've never owned one, and only loaded smaller cartridges on the one I had access to.

Personally for stuff over 70gr my preference is to set my powder measure to drop 1/2 charges, and about 1 grn light. So i pull the handle twice into my scale pan then weigh and add as needed. 50rounds takes me about 1hr start to finish.

That's my only input, plenty of great info in the thread already.....

 

[wmgeorge]

I have had RCBS, Dillon and Lee reloading equipment over the past 30 years. I can tell you this, its not the reloading press that makes accurate rounds nor how much you spend. Its the guy behind the handle. The round loaded on a Lee or the most expensive press and dies you can buy only has one outcome.

Yes for a round that large and important weigh every charge.

 

[Blue68f100]

Dealing with the larger mag cartridges you will want a press that has a lot of leverage. The Redding Boss II and the RCBS Rockchucker come to mind, both have a lifetime warranty. The Redding handles the spent primers better. I would stick to a All Steel press vs the lighter Al ones. The lighter Al ones will work but you will have more flex than a Steel press. With that said the lube you use will have a larger impact than the press. So lubes just work better than others. Learn not to force things, back off add more lube as needed makes it easier.

 

[wmgeorge]

Lee and most others make a cast iron or steel press. Leverage would not be an issue.