Thread: Any Hawke's Bay reloaders open to having an apprentice?

"Even the Redding die sets the shoulder back 0.012" "

Wow, that's a lot.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

"Even the Redding die sets the shoulder back 0.012" "

Wow, that's a lot.

The T3 chambers are pretty tight and a good match for the Lapua brass so it is the US specs that are at fault. The chambers for the M77 and M38 are longer so the shorter Lyman die set the shoulders on these back 0.022"! That's about a third of the firing pin protrusion.
GPM.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

The T3 chambers are pretty tight and a good match for the Lapua brass so it is the US specs that are at fault. The chambers for the M77 and M38 are longer so the shorter Lyman die set the shoulders on these back 0.022"! That's about a third of the firing pin protrusion.
GPM.

Wow. And I thought I was going bad when I discovered my 223 had 0.009". More like 0.004" now. Near enough lol

SAFA 95 were are you based in Hawkesbay?

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

@safa95
Here's a list. But everyone will have an opinion.
Should get you on track.


You need:
Reloading Manual/Instructions.
Powder load data. (On line)
Press. "O" type or solid "C" type
Solid bench or table to mount press
Dies. "Lee RGB" are cheap & cheerful
Shell holder(s).
Case lube. (grease or STP works)
Beam balance/Scale.
Powder scoops/dippers. (diy)
Trickler. (diy)
Powder funnel.
Priming tool. (often on press)
Loading block(s) (diy)
Vernier caliper. (Cheapy is OK)

Later:

Case trimming tool. (Lee)
Case chamfering tool(s) (diy)
Primer pocket cleaner. (diy)
Powder thrower/measure.

Great thread. Wouldn't get one like this in AU

You need lotsa moolah. LOL. Bottomless unfathomable abyss called enjoyment... or frustration.The toys are endless. Give me a bell if you want a demo.

Originally Posted by TeRei

You need lotsa moolah. LOL. Bottomless unfathomable abyss called enjoyment... or frustration.The toys are endless. Give me a bell if you want a demo.

Not necessarily. Can be done on a low budget.

@Hmans - Havelock North is home, but travel a fair bit

@TeRei yip, it's cost a bit more than expected initially, but satisfaction for OCD / Data-nerd is worth it so far... am thankful (very thankful) for some quality quidance from a komatua. :-)

Have followed @Oldbloke list, and shopped around for quality components where it matters, and relied on DIY kiwi no-8 wire tools where it hasn't mattered too much (ie: home-made depromer, 4x2 for a loading block, deburrer/chamber tool DIY, etc)... has been good fun. Satisfaction (now that baseline data is showing a picture), is achieving some decent load/accuracy with projectiles that are 20+grain more than the rifles prefered factory ammo. Next "game" is replicating the factory load that the rifle likes.

Originally Posted by safa95

Have followed @Oldbloke list, and shopped around for quality components where it matters, and relied on DIY kiwi no-8 wire tools where it hasn't mattered too much (ie: home-made depromer, 4x2 for a loading block, deburrer/chamber tool DIY, etc)... has been good fun. Satisfaction (now that baseline data is showing a picture), is achieving some decent load/accuracy with projectiles that are 20+grain more than the rifles prefered factory ammo. Next "game" is replicating the factory load that the rifle likes.

@safa95

You did some DIY. Goodonya.
Did you buy new or used?
What do you think was the total cost?

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

@safa95

You did some DIY. Goodonya.
Did you buy new or used?
What do you think was the total cost?

A combination of new & used. I think about $500-600 for the gear (+consumables).

More than I would have expected. But some gear like presses and scales can be expensive new.