reloading rifle

[chief99]

Been reloading about 4 years . 38, 40 and 45's . This is a very addictive hobby. I shoot to reload , not reload to shoot . Am thinking about starting to reload for my rifle , Remington 700 BDL 30.06 . Will be reloading mainly for hunting. Have learned a great deal from my manuals but just as much or more from being a member of this forum. My question is this . How much of a transition is there from reloading for handguns and reloading for rifles.

 

[Skyshot]

For me, loading for rifles is much easier and much more satisfying.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree.
One less die to fool with adjusting.

Be warned that unlike the carbide handgun dies you are used to.

You MUST use case lube when sizing bottleneck rifle cases.

rc

 

[jmr40]

My big game rifles are the only ones I load for. I can justify the time spent with the money saved. But more important to me the better quality of the ammo. I just buy 223 and handgun ammo. When I factor in the time spent I figure I come out better to just look for good deals and buy loaded ammo in bulk for plinking and buy a few boxes of premium ammo for serious work.

 

[nettlle]

Rifle brass has to be trimmed every now and then.

 

[witchhunter]

You must lube the case, not the neck and trim for length every so often. What you will find is that you can load for YOUR rifle. You can make very accurate ammo. Plus it is a cost savings for most calibers, especially if you have a Weatherby caliber or any H&H.

 

[lightman]

Theres a little difference but not anything that you can't deal with. The other posters have about covered it, but I'll try to list a few things.

1. You will have to lube rifle brass, the few calibers of bottleneck rifle calibers that offer carbide dies are for wear resistance, not to skip the lube.

2. Adjusting the sizing die is different, as bottleneck cases headspace on the shoulder.

3. Bottleneck cases stretch more than straight wall cases and will need trimming occasionally.

4. For the most part, you will be using 2 dies other than 3 dies, and seldom ever need to crimp a bottleneck case. The exceptions are usually cartridges fired in tubular magazines or very heavy recoiling cartridges.

I'm probably missing something, but this covers most of the differences.

 

[bangswitch]

Also get used to the idea that a pound of powder won't go nearly as far.

 

[MRH]

Case life will depend on how hot your loads are. With very mild cast lead loads, my case life has, so far, been indefinite. (I'm still using WWII brass) Heavier load life varies for me from around 5-8 or so. I usually trim 3 times before tossing. When a couple in a batch need trimming, I trim all of them. Really hot loads, not recommended in 06, may only get a very fews rounds out of them.

If you stay in the e.g. 150gr loads at about 2750, you may get better accuracy as well as long case life.

Mike

 

[TimSr]

Biggest difference for me to figure out was to not crimp rifle ammo.

 

[DR915]

I have been loading for two years. I would say jump from shot shells to pistol, is about the same as pistol to rifle. One less die but more thing to do. Trimming is the part I dislike the most. You really don't have to trim pistol brass very often, if at all in most cases. Rifle you do have to check and if you are shooting for accuracy, most of the time you will trim. But I am like you, I like to reload....just don't care for trimming. You should be fine moving from pistol to rifle, just ask questions when you need too.

 

[joem1945]

"Trimming is the part I dislike the most."

This depends on what type of trimmer you have or want. I don't mind trimming but I'm set up for it.

 

[DR915]

I have the Lyman prep center with an attachment to hook up lee hand trimmer. It works but slow.

 

[SmokingFrye]

The best part for rifle re-loading is that you can slow down and enjoy the precision in the process. I only load about 20 rounds per sitting but that's enough each time for me. Oh, and if you don't lube the cases, especially the necks, it'll be a frustrating transition. Good luck, brother.

 

[gamestalker]

Bottle neck is where it's at for me. Don't misunderstand me, I love reloading anything, but there's just something about punching a single ragged hole at 100 or 200 yds., with a projectile traveling 3000+ fps, and that I assembled. Kind of hard for handgun to keep pace with that.

GS

 

[Garrobo]

Reloading handgun

ammo is a drudge. Reloading rifle ammo is an art. Also, reloading rifle ammo will save you a heck of a lot of money if you are firing the large calibers like I do which includes the .375 H&H, the .416 Remington and the .458 Ackley.

 

[chief99]

Thanks for all the replies . Was really helpful. Been reading my manuals. Takes more time with lubing and the trimming but like Gamestalker said , nothing like punching a hole in a target at 200 yds. with a bullet you assembled. Thanks , going to try it.

 

[bbbb_hog]

Does anyone use and have a good load for 25wssm with 85gr, 100 gr, 115gr. Using IMR 4350