Rifle reloading

[chief99]

Currently load only handgun . 380, 38, 40 and 45 . Thinking about trying to load for 30.06 . I know there are more steps in loading for rifle , trimming , lubing , etc. I use a Lee 4 hole turret press for handgun . Should I maybe start with a single stage for rifle . Will only be used for hunting.

 

[jwrowland77]

I know some folks use a turret or progressive for reloading rifle.

I only load rifle on a single stage and do everything in batches...500 resized, then 500 trimmed etc.

 

[zb338]

There is nothing wrong with using your press. It may not be as
automatic as when loading pistol. because you will resize then
trim or whatever. So what? You can use a turret press as a single
stage press any time you wish.

Zeke

 

[joneb]

Bottle necked cartridges will grow in length when full length resized, so they will need trimming. That brass that is being trimmed is being lost somewhere in the case, so case head separation is something to watch for.
Properly lube every case and keep the lube off the shoulder.
I use a single stage press for such cartridges.
A good reloading manual will have a wealth of good info for reloading rifle cartridges.

 

[Clint M]

I have not used a turret press, however I can't imagine you will ever regret purchasing a single stage press to have as a tool. Lee classic cast is a really outstanding press handles depriming cleanly enough which is a big plus in my opinion. I have owned many many single stage presses and still own a few, I recommend the Lee classic cast single stage to anyone who ask about getting a single stage press....lots of bang for the buck even if it is single stage

 

[Arkansas Paul]

As mentioned, you can buy a single stage or you can just disable the auto indexing feature on your Lee and load away.

I did it the opposite of you. We started on rifle stuff, .308 to be exact, so when we switched to pistol stuff we thought it was really easy.

There are more steps, but I like it more actually. It's fun chasing small groups.

 

[David2011]

You'll never regret getting a single stage press and the Lee Classic Cast is a great choice. I have 3 Dillons but still use single stage presses for rifle and small quantity runs of big bore pistol ammo. IMO it's not worth the trouble to set up a progressive for fewer than 100 rounds. If I ever have to replace my RockChucker it will be with a Lee Classic Cast just for the way it handles spent primers.

David

 

[bocefus78]

I recently had to make the exact same decision as you. I started loading 223 as my first rifle caliber. Your lee turret is perfect as it sits. You don't need anything other than a turret, rifle charging die (only if u want to use the powder drop), and dies. Pull the index rod out, and you have a single stage capable of batch loading. You won't use the index feature. Your steps will be:

Lube cases
Size/deprime
Remove from press and trim (get lube off first depending on lube type)
Chamfer and debur if needed
Prime case
Charge case
Seat projo
Crimp (some skip this step including me)
Shoot

 

[Bullseye]

I enjoy reloading rifle cartridges more than pistol and I have about 12 diff die sets and it's about half and half. I do it all on a single stage. I find it to be more interesting figuring out what works best in particular rifles. I am a rookie at it but have been very careful to follow details. I have done about 3500 cartridges in the past year. Mostly pistol but perhaps 600 are rifle loads. I have had no problems and none failed to fire thus far. ( knock on wood ) Lately it has really been coming together nicely what works best.
The pistol loading seems to be more repetitive and I have to discipline myself to pay closer attention ( which I do ) to avoid becoming complacent and let my mind wander. With rifles I find myself more interested in each cartridge and am trickling my last grains to exact weight and seating to consistent OAL and now it is more rewarding when I get out and that load works nicely.

 

[Onewolf]

I reload 99% rifle only and I use a Redding T7 turret press. While I batch process I like the turret because it allows me to keep 7 dies 100% ready to go in seconds.

 

[mdi]

On my old style Lee turret I successful reload 30-06, .308, 30-30, .223/5.56, 303 British, and 7.62x54r. I got my press about 12 years ago and disabled the auto index right away. Didn't like the "semi-progressive" loading and I've been batch loading and hand indexing since. Along with my rifle ammo, I reload 4 revolver calibers and 2 semi-auto calibers, so yep, you can use a turret for rifle ammo...

Basic difference in rifle vs. handgun reloading is case preparation. Also most handgun ammo gets some sort of a crimp, and few rifle cartridges use a crimp (the only rifle ammo I crimp is my 30-30. My Garand 30-06 ammo is not crimped).

 

[jmorris]

Basic difference in rifle vs. handgun reloading is case preparation. Also most handgun ammo gets some sort of a crimp, and few rifle cartridges use a crimp (the only rifle ammo I crimp is my 30-30. My Garand 30-06 ammo is not crimped).

More often than not folks don't "bell" rifle cases to seat bullets so you don't need a crimp to remove the bell after seating.

 

[chief99]

Rifle loading

Thanks for the replies . Think I will invest in a Lee single stage just for rifle ammo .

 

[gamestalker]

If your going to buy a single stage for this, which is a good idea IMO, you may as well go with an RCBS. They're life time warranty and customer service is second to none, it really is some of the best out there. I just sent an old RS3 into RCBS that I bought new in 1984-ish. I managed to wear it out, but RCBS sent me back a brand spanking new RS5, which is the exact same frame as the newer RS5, but with a few nice upgrades.

The threads are steel, it has a nice large ball handle, well designed linkage for better leverage, and it can be converted to a progressive, great little press for the money. I think they go for around $120.

GS

 

[gamestalker]

Duplicate post, well almost.

GS

 

[Clint M]

Not to get into a press war here, several years back someone done a single stage shoot out, Lee classic cast was the winner for the price, and quality of manufacture it was comparable to Forester C0-Ax in quality of manufacture at 1/3 the cost I have both and Lee is worth the $100. This is when RCBS was being shipped in from china, I'm not sure if RCBS changed this as this was several years ago. As mentioned the depriming thru ram feature is a must, and quick lock inserts are available for the Lee cast as well. Just use google to check all the rave reviews on the Lee Classic Cast, and made right here in the USA

 

[ironworkerwill]

I'll 3rd the Lee classic cast. The thing is a beast.

 

[gamestalker]

Having only owned RCBS SS presses, and having only loaded on a Lee a few times, I guess my comparison is probably flawed. And in this respect, a cast iron SS press is certain to be more rigid than the cast aluminum RS5 I would think.

It's all good.

GS

 

[jmorris]

Depends on how they are made, all else being equal that is a good assumption.

 

[Gravedigger56]

You can use a turret press as a single
stage press any time you wish.

Exactly. There is nothing wrong with using a turret press for rifle actually it is much more convenient than using a single stage.

Since all the dies are already mounted and set (powder measure too), you simply have to manually rotate the turret to go to the next step, so basically it is a single stage without the hassle of changing and resetting dies all the time. Really nice thing is when you want to change calibers or go from pistol to rifle it's simply a matter of slapping on another turret that is already set up and ready to go.

 

[tcoz]

theres no need to buy a single stage press to go along with your Lee turret press. Remove the index rod and voila, you have a single stage press perfect for rifle reloading. Put the rod back in and the press indexes perfectly for pistol rounds. I've used mine both ways for thousands of rounds and I love it.

 

[Dudedog]

I load .223 on my Lee "Deluxe" turret. 3 hole, old one.
I have also loaded 7mm Rem mag on it.

I would say start with what you have and if you want or need more accuracy from your ammo a good single stage might help. The turret has a little "slop" as part of the design so it can rotate. Not much but it is there.

Anybody out there want to do a comparision for us?
Same dies, same prep etc, just using a Lee turret vs a single stage and see if there is any measurable difference?

 

[oldreloader]

I have both the Lee Classic Cast and the Lee Classic Turret. They are second to none IMHO.I did have a Rockchucker too but prefer the Classic Cast on personal preference.

 

[gamestalker]

I have 3 SS presses, all RCBS, the RS, RS5 that was exchanged for the RS3 i wore out, and a Rock Chucker. But to hear these claims about the Classic Cast is really changing my opinion. It definitely looks like a pretty mean press, I might have to buy one just because.

BTW, it may seem strange that someone would need more than one SS press, but in my defense, I teach others how to reload, and having multiple presses allows me to sit side by side showing them the process.

GS