I am planning on starting to handload and i have a few questions for anyone out there who wants to respond. First i was looking at buying a dillon progressive reloader, does anyone know how well they work ie ease of use or know of a better product. Also what type of brass, powder ect people have found to be the best to use. I shoot a 7mm rem mag and was thinking about shooting a berger bullet. Also any info on different bullets for a 7mm would be appreciated. thank you for you imput.
I am going to start handloading and need some help/info.
- Thread starter catch-34
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royinidaho
Well-Known Member
Welcome aboard catch-34
Its kind of sad to see a productive member of the general population move into the addictive world of LRH.
The Dillon has several good features. I like that progressive idea and will probably have on in the future.
Hand loading the 7mm RM is most probably the best way to get the best performance out of the cartridge. I would strongly recommend the heavier if not the heaviest of the Berger 284 offerings. If the rifle shoots them well, I'd never look back.
If winchester make brass for it that's what I would use. Other wise Remington brass will work just fine.
Study the manuals and web for loads that you think you would like then go for it.
Good luck.....
Its kind of sad to see a productive member of the general population move into the addictive world of LRH.
The Dillon has several good features. I like that progressive idea and will probably have on in the future.
Hand loading the 7mm RM is most probably the best way to get the best performance out of the cartridge. I would strongly recommend the heavier if not the heaviest of the Berger 284 offerings. If the rifle shoots them well, I'd never look back.
If winchester make brass for it that's what I would use. Other wise Remington brass will work just fine.
Study the manuals and web for loads that you think you would like then go for it.
Good luck.....
Catch-34,
Reloading Press-
if your just getting into reloading, I would go with the RCBS Rock Chucker. The Rock Chucker RCBS press comes with everthing you will need except dies and shell holder. The Dillion press is good too, however, I think for starting out and price, you can't beat the RCBS Rock Chucker.
Brass-
If your going to shoot the 7MM Rem Mag, I would use Norma Brass. If Lapua makes brass for the 7MM Rem Mag, I would look at that brass too.
Powder-
I would look into H4350, H4831, VV-N165, VV-N160, Reloader 22 or 25. I would start with H4350 and H4831 and see how they work.
Bullets-
Berger 180grn VLD, Sierria 168grn MK, Hornady 162grn A-Max. I would try the Hornady 162 A-Max and see how it works and then try the others. Either way, the bullets listed will all work well.
Primers-
Federal 215 Match
Good luck and have fun!
W.
Reloading Press-
if your just getting into reloading, I would go with the RCBS Rock Chucker. The Rock Chucker RCBS press comes with everthing you will need except dies and shell holder. The Dillion press is good too, however, I think for starting out and price, you can't beat the RCBS Rock Chucker.
Brass-
If your going to shoot the 7MM Rem Mag, I would use Norma Brass. If Lapua makes brass for the 7MM Rem Mag, I would look at that brass too.
Powder-
I would look into H4350, H4831, VV-N165, VV-N160, Reloader 22 or 25. I would start with H4350 and H4831 and see how they work.
Bullets-
Berger 180grn VLD, Sierria 168grn MK, Hornady 162grn A-Max. I would try the Hornady 162 A-Max and see how it works and then try the others. Either way, the bullets listed will all work well.
Primers-
Federal 215 Match
Good luck and have fun!
W.
I agree with most of what Wildcat posted.
The best brass for the 7mm RM is RWS but it is very pricey, Lapua doesn't make 7mm mag brass. I have been using Remington brass in my 7mm mags.
I use H4831sc and CCI 250 primers with 162 A-max bullets, my guns seem to prefer it to H4350 but they all have 26" barrels, it may be different in a 24".
James
The best brass for the 7mm RM is RWS but it is very pricey, Lapua doesn't make 7mm mag brass. I have been using Remington brass in my 7mm mags.
I use H4831sc and CCI 250 primers with 162 A-max bullets, my guns seem to prefer it to H4350 but they all have 26" barrels, it may be different in a 24".
James
jamaro
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the site...
One thing that I first did when I got into reloading is I went to YouTube and did a search on reloading stuff...
THERE ARE A TON of videos over there....
Jason
The New Mexico Sportsman updated 2/5/08
One thing that I first did when I got into reloading is I went to YouTube and did a search on reloading stuff...
THERE ARE A TON of videos over there....
Jason
The New Mexico Sportsman updated 2/5/08
Roy said: "Its kind of sad to see a productive member of the general population move into the addictive world of long range hunting."
I would have to say the same for the world of handloading
If you want to load for ultimate accuracy, then you woun't need to get a progressive becuase you will be weighing each load anyway. The thing is that only ball powders volume out consistently IMO. Many guys will just use a powder thrower to load, but I am pretty anal about that suff. Progressive loading will be great for medium range varmint and hunting. However, with that said, you may as well get a press that can accomodate a progressive in the future.
I reccomend the RCBS Rockchucker, a didgital 1000g scale (ballence works good for powder but the didgital will be quicker for sorting brass and bullets and powder), powder thrower, deburring tools, RCBS forster or lyman case trimmer, Lyman case tumbler and a stainless steel calaper accurate to .001", and either a RCBS or a Lee autoprime. This would get you a great start and it just happens to be what I use now.
There is a neverending assortmant of gismos and gadgets to add but you gotta start somewhere. In addition to these tools I now use the COAL guages, Headspace guages, Competition shell holders, RCBS prep center, VLD deburing tool and I would like to make the switch to the bushing style dies.
Good luck and have fun.
I would have to say the same for the world of handloading
If you want to load for ultimate accuracy, then you woun't need to get a progressive becuase you will be weighing each load anyway. The thing is that only ball powders volume out consistently IMO. Many guys will just use a powder thrower to load, but I am pretty anal about that suff. Progressive loading will be great for medium range varmint and hunting. However, with that said, you may as well get a press that can accomodate a progressive in the future.
I reccomend the RCBS Rockchucker, a didgital 1000g scale (ballence works good for powder but the didgital will be quicker for sorting brass and bullets and powder), powder thrower, deburring tools, RCBS forster or lyman case trimmer, Lyman case tumbler and a stainless steel calaper accurate to .001", and either a RCBS or a Lee autoprime. This would get you a great start and it just happens to be what I use now
. There is a neverending assortmant of gismos and gadgets to add but you gotta start somewhere. In addition to these tools I now use the COAL guages, Headspace guages, Competition shell holders, RCBS prep center, VLD deburing tool and I would like to make the switch to the bushing style dies.
Good luck and have fun.
