Just ordered a target model lee loader, any advice?

[isaaccarlson]

I just ordered one of these in 22-250. Reloading kits are getting expensive and seem to have crappier stuff in them as time goes on. A couple of friends have offered the use of their reloading presses, but I wanted something to fiddle with at home. I got it for under $100 and it looks pretty nice in the pictures. I have heard good things about them from quite a few people.

Does anyone have any tips? It seems pretty straight forward, and I am very mechanical.

 

[cdherman]

Get a good reloading manual. Hornady, RCBS, Speer, Lyman, Lee. Not Berger. Not Nosler. (IMHO). Read it. Ask questions about stuff you don't understand. "Tips" is like a whirlpool sucking you under. But I'll give you one anyway. Start with quality brass. But really, a perusal of a good manual will avoid lots of pretty dumb questions. And using the search engine when you have a question is appreciated. (google will give you hits across the internet).

 

[isaaccarlson]

I have the digital sierra manual. I don't know how it compares to the others.

I have some brass already, and some bullets. No powder. I have been trying to find something temp stable, since we get 100+* temp swings here. Not that I hunt on the edges of that range, but I have been out hunting on days cold enough to freeze whiskey. (I don't drink)

powder is scarce around here, so I am keeping my eyes open wherever I go.

 

[243winxb]

This one? Works, but soon or later brass will need FL resized as you increase the powder charge to normal amounts.

 

[cdherman]

Sierra is a decent manual. Not always the most up to date. But if you have it, then read it. Like 243winxb points out, you need to understand the basics, like needing to resize brass, basics of understanding what constitutes a dangerous pressure sign, basics like trimming brass back after it stretches (and why that could ultimately kill you if you don't). etc ect

I am not 'splaining stuff like that. Your assignment is to read the manual carefully first, load some rounds, and then start asking questions. Following the guidance of any decent reloading manual will produce safe cartridges. We argue endlessly here how to make them faster and more accurate..... And deadly too. Master SAFE first.

I know, I sound like I'm lecturing you. Guess I am. Sorry. But there are no "tips" for a beginning reloader really. Aside from read read read read....

 

[ARlife4me]

I have a lee manual and it isn't informative at all. It's very generic. I agree that berger and Nosler lacks info and sierra is better than the 2. Hornady, Lyman, Speer, Barnes, Swift and Norma works for me, but I've been loading since '84. I have no claim on being an expert, but a professional in the cartridges I load.

 

[isaaccarlson]

That's the kit.

Yep, I read it. I have been learning about reloading for about a year now, just soaking up information.

My plan is to prep all the brass and be ready to load it. I'm not obsessed with speed. I just want an accurate load that moves along at a pretty good pace. I'm not looking to roast my barrel or destroy brass in 2-3 firings. I like to be economical and efficient while getting the job done right. I'd be happy with a 55gr doing 3600+ fps.

 

[ARlife4me]

That's the kit.

Yep, I read it. I have been learning about reloading for about a year now, just soaking up information.

My plan is to prep all the brass and be ready to load it. I'm not obsessed with speed. I just want an accurate load that moves along at a pretty good pace. I'm not looking to roast my barrel or destroy brass in 2-3 firings. I like to be economical and efficient while getting the job done right. I'd be happy with a 55gr doing 3600+ fps.

Hopefully not off the internet?. Speed is not you friend when new to reloading! Here's a thought/suggestion, take 1 case and seat the bullet at xxxx c.o.a.l. without primer and powder. Get a function test to make sure it's a 100% go before loading several. Check for any dings, dents, abnormal scratches other than what the ejector, extractor and/or chamber does on the completed round. Maybe load 5 and safety test.

 

[isaaccarlson]

I don't plan on going to 3600 fps right away. I will start with the dipper loads that the kit suggests, around 3200fps if I remember right. I will work up as I feel comfortable.

 

[243winxb]

The kit inside neck reams the brass while held in the die. This allowed the bullets to be seated with little effort.
Bullets will become to loose if the neck is ever reamed a 2nd time.

The hold on tne bullet is light. Best to single load rounds into the chamber or check for bullet movement by chambering & extracting a few rounds.

The dipper mostly provides light powder charges. The light charges keep brass from needing FL sizing sooner.

 

[skipglo]

I just ordered one of these in 22-250. Reloading kits are getting expensive and seem to have crappier stuff in them as time goes on. A couple of friends have offered the use of their reloading presses, but I wanted something to fiddle with at home. I got it for under $100 and it looks pretty nice in the pictures. I have heard good things about them from quite a few people.

Does anyone have any tips? It seems pretty straight forward, and I am very mechanical.

YOU TUBE, YOU TUBE, YOU TUBE!

 

[isaaccarlson]

I have been looking on youtube, but have not found anyone using the target model.

Good to know abour the reaming. Thanks.

 

[SSgt G Cody]

If I were you, I'd stick to the 50-55gn bullets, and loads that group well and are very consistent, and velocities in the 3300-34050fps range, for best overall results. Only with much experience shoud you go higher in speed!

 

[ARlife4me]

If I were you, I'd stick to the 50-55gn bullets, and loads that group well and are very consistent, and velocities in the 3300-34050fps range, for best overall results. Only with much experience shoud you go higher in speed!

34,050 seems a bit excessive! 1 could only hope! Mistakes is only a female steak on the grill?