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Advice for a newbie?
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Honkytonk View Drop Down
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Points: 5190 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 17 2020 at 11:32am
I use a primer tube but only because it came with the press. Buddy picked up a Franklin Hand Primer and it works pretty slick. I try and not touch the primers with my fingers while installing. I used to use surgical gloves but got my system down pretty good. I'm not fussy about primers, usually the hardware store has Remington or Winchester. I stick to one powder for all seven Enfield and use PPU brass, which I reload to a specific rifle. Since I don't shoot as much as some (400 rounds a year?) I tend to load about 200 rounds during the winter as thats how much brass I have, then reload in batches of 20 during the summer. 20 seems to fit my kids Rock Tumbler I stole off her nicely!
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Bear43 View Drop Down
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Points: 3500 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 19 2020 at 7:19pm
Today I picked up a few more items. Stopped at a local store and got a bullet puller, the "whack-a-mole" type, because I know I am going to screw up at some point... I also picked up some cleaning stuff and my first manual. Since I will be starting with Hornady bullets and Frontier brass I got the 10th edition Hornady manual to start with. I have more things I want to get and plan to start loading actual rounds later this spring. Another thing I was thinking about.... Is it worthwhile to pick up a chronograph? I was thinking it would be just to better know how the ammunition is performing but want your opinions too. Next week I plan to order the .30-06 die set and the neck sizing die for .303. I am so very grateful for the help I have already had in this.
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2020 at 8:59am
A simple chrono is a very good idea. They can be a pain to set up, but without the data your kind of driving without a speedometer!
I had the PACT model one for years & it was great! I sold it after I went nutz & bought a Chrony Beta master & printer as part of a deal on "shewtin' stuff"
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Honkytonk View Drop Down
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Points: 5190 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Honkytonk Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2020 at 11:30am
Shamu has a good point. Myself, I've never owned one. I rely on load data for estimated projectile speed. I always felt that a well made hand load (components in proper spec, powder measured accurately) was gonna head down range when I pull the trigger. In the past, I got caught up in the "need for speed" with different calibre's. There is so much load data on the .303 B available, I guess I always felt spending my money on loading components was better spent on making bullets. And spending more time at the range. Again, in my opinion only, the .303B has three popular projectile weights. 150, 174 and 180. Each powder has it's own specific min/max max load for the .303. I spent a lot of time figuring out which combo shoots the best out of each Enfield I own. I'm there now. Satisfied with the groupings I consistently get. Now to shoot, shoot shoot!
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philtno View Drop Down
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Points: 261 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote philtno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2020 at 11:38am
Originally posted by Bear43 Bear43 wrote:

...Next week I plan to order the .30-06 die set and the neck sizing die for .303. I am so very grateful for the help I have already had in this.
Hi Bear,
Just for your info, the .303 collet die (neck sizing only) is apparently not available from Lee Precision...out of stock.  I wanted to buy one for myself and had to go ebay.com to find one.  I haven't checked the other brands.
Cheers
Philtno
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2020 at 12:35pm
The odd thing is that close velocity spreads & shallow SD's do not necessarily automatically indicate an accurate grouping load, just very similar velocities!
There are other factors involved like barrel harmonics as well.
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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britrifles View Drop Down
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Points: 8404 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote britrifles Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 20 2020 at 6:29pm
My experience as well Sham.  The chrono is useful, at one time I thought essential for load development, but if you stick to published data, you can get by fine without it.  
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Bear43 View Drop Down
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Points: 3500 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Bear43 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2020 at 2:52am
I figure just getting started a chrono would help me. My thought is that if I do a batch of ammo and make it the same as the batch before, measuring the velocity should tell me if I actually did it the same. Plus, a basic one is fairly inexpensive.

philtno, a company in the US I am ordering mine from, Midway USA, has the neck sizing die in stock. Unfortunately a lot of these companies don't ship internationally though.
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Shamu View Drop Down
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Points: 20510 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 21 2020 at 7:21am
Good record keeping (Start you logbooks NOW!)
will do that, as will meticulous measuring & checking.
Logbook pages for you to upload & print out.
What you won't know without one is what velocity you get from your rifle.
They're all individuals & so the published data probably wont exactly match your individual results even when you follow exactly & perform precisely.
My 3 L-E's run differently even to each other!
Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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