Reloading 357 mag.

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Been doing just that,stonecoldy But a little more like 4 hours.

I'm finding that out,ArchAngelCD. I checked out the model numbers(aside from the "6") and strangely they have very similar #s. Just the first 2 digits switched.
That's ok,I went over and stole my buddy's shell holder and it works just fine on both primers and,with a little "persuasion",the press,too. This time tomorrow I will have 2 #6 RCBS shell holders. Loading is fun! Looking at buying a used 30-30. My friend says I need one as much as I enjoy reloading.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 30-30 is fun to load for without a doubt. You can load anything from a 110gr bullet to a 170gr bullet in both jacketed and lead. I loaded some great varmint rounds that are more accurate than I am.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

Actually,ArchAngelCD,I have my eye on a 30-06. It's a pump with a scope that seller is asking a little more than I think it's worth. The 30-30 is a very fine gun for sale by a member here and a gun my son-in-law is considering. I wrote the wrong info. Frankly,I'd buy both if I had the cash
As I understand by talking to several experienced rifle owners,the 30-06 is a bit more expensive to reload?

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The 30-06 is a bit more expensive to reload mostly because the bullets will cost you a little more and you are going to use more powder in the 30-06 case than the 30-30. BUT, I wouldn't let the slight difference in cost of reloading the ammo turn you away from any "common" caliber like the 30-06, .308, 30-30, .270, .243 and so on... Any caliber where brass is readily available and has a good selection of bullets on the market will be close in reloading costs.

For example:
Using a 165gr Sierra GameKing bullet, 30-06 ammo costs me ~51 cents a round to reload.

Using a 150gr Hornady bullet designed for the 30-30 it costs me ~38 cents a round to reload for my Marlin 336 Levergun.

Mind you, I'm quoting these prices using current component pricing and availability, not using prices before everything went nuts!

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

...And 3 de-capping pins later...
I don't have a separate crimping die yet so I just used the seating/crimping(roll) die from the RCBS set one process at a time. I seated the bullets without crimping,then removed the seating stem and crimped them. Seems to make more sense to do it one at a time so the bullet is not still moving down while it's also being crimped. Anyway,these cases were all trimmed to length,though the crimp appears to vary a bit,and all the same brand. I've divided all of my brass by brand name,return them to the same case after firing,and dump one case-full at a time into my tumbler drums so they stay together. All in all,it's been quite journey. I'm looking forward to my first rifle so I can get a taste of reloading a more complex round.

 

[Walkalong]

Looking good. You will find that with a little patience you can seat and roll crimp in the same step with bullets that have a good crimp groove or cannelure. (XTP's qualify) Those that do not don't work out so well. The brass needs a groove to roll into while the seating is going on. Doing it in two steps is of course easier to set up and tweak. I do it in two steps in a lot of applications, but not all.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Those rounds you posted above look great!! Looks like you have everything working perfectly now. Did you shoot them yet? Please let us know how well they shoot...

Also, I reload for the 30-06 and it's very satisfying when you shoot 1 MOA or better with ammo you built. You will enjoy reloading rifle ammo, I'm sure.

 

[Ruger GP100 fan]

No,I haven't been to the range yet. Plan to tomorrow. Those were loaded with a 158 HP and 15.5 gr Win 296. Finally got components for 38 sp. I could find load data for so today I loaded some of those and anxious to fire them,too. I used Hornady 110 gr HP with 4.3 (recommended starting load) of Titegroup and can't wait to shoot those,as well. I can reload those for almost nothing. I have plenty of brass,I have CCI 500 primers on hand,$18/100 for lead and a can of Titegroup should last a long time at 4.3 gr/round.

And I really want a rifle!