What's needed to obtain hunting accuracy in reloading??

[Boisedoc]

With the interest of my two sons (11 and 12yo) I have delved into the realm of longer range rifles. I was previously a bow hunter. I am building a 6.5 PRC and managed to win a 6.5 CM and plan to buy another 6.5 CM for my sons.

I would like to learn reloading techniques, well because I just want to. Kind of like tying my own flies for trout. Anyway, i am looking for the best accuracy "within reason." 1/2 MOA would be great but I don't care to spend hours trying to go from 1/2 MOA to 1/4 MOA as for me it won't matter: these will be hunting rifles for elk and deer.

What do I NEED to get started? What are some WANTS that would make things easier? What is just freaking excessive?

I have an RCBS rockchucker that i bought last christmas on sale.

6.5 PRC dies are currently being made by Hornady and RCBS although I understand there may be some issues with properly seating the 143 grain ELDX bullet that I'd like to shoot in the RCBS.

6.5 CM is everywhere so I was looking at a Redding Type S set.

Can I use Hornady brass?? Especially since I will likely buy a few boxes of precision hunter ammo.
Do I need a neck sizing mandrel or can I just use the expander ball on the FL sizing die?
How important is concentricity (lack of runout?)
Do I need a brass case trimmer?
Do I need to go to a gunsmith and have a custom OAL guage made from fired brass? (I saw a tool made by Sinclair that looked good)
Any other questions that would stem from pure ignorance?

thanks,

Kendall

 

[Zen Archery]

There are a TON of great resources out there. Since your kids are interested. I would spend a couple of evenings with them watching YouTube videos. If they haven't been taken down yet.

Kids use it all the time to learn anyways.

You're gonna find out there are a lot of personality types when it comes to reloading. THE OCD/Type A, the sloppy but close enough. Precision vs hunter.

But the more you navigate through the videos you'll see a constant "everyone does at least this as a minimal."

Reloading is a fun learning hobby. I can say I started off OCD Type A. Then turned to the dark side of 1MOA is good enough for my hunting.

 

[Barrelnut]

Read a good book. The Hornady Reloaders Guide is excellent. Don't get fancy at first.

Yes you can use the Hornady brass from fired factory ammo.
Yes, you will need a brass trimmer.
Yes, you can just use the expander ball on the FL die.
Don't worry about the other stuff (Don't get fancy at first)

The Reloaders guide will explain all of the tools you need and what you need them for.

You can teach yourself. Especially the basics. Then hit YouTube for more basic clarity. Then just ask us about all of the head scratching stuff.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[dmoon]

To add to what Barrelnut said, you will at least need a decent set of calipers as well. I would personally get the Sinclair OAL measuring set too, or they sell a Hornady version on Midway as well. I would get a couple of reloading books and read them both/all and go from there.

As a type A person I'd like to welcome you to the rabbit hole

 

[BJH]

The BIG number 1 point to reloading is SAFETY!!! Be careful and make sure you are teaching those boys to be careful, and triple check every step you do! I agree with the reloading manual suggestion. They give some great information on the basics and talk about each cartridge contained therein. All of the reloading manuals i have give a brief description and history of each cartridge that is a lot of fun to read about IMO. Don't over think it. Be very skeptical and wary of any and all information posted on Youtube and opinion based stuff on the internet. This website has some great info and a LOT of people who are great resources for information. But, there is a crazy amount of misguided info out there that can confuse you very quickly, and possibly end up with someone getting hurt. So make sure to verify any and all information and load data very carefully. Buy the best components you can afford and make sure that you stay consistent with each piece. And again, stay SAFE and have fun!

 

[Boisedoc]

Thanks everyone. I read the intro piece in the hornady handbook last night and have watched a few videos by a fellow in North Idaho. I think I have a sense of where to start. Going to get some 6.5 CM dies and some powder. Have primers that work for both cartridges. Have some PRC brass but need some CM. We will see.

 

[Barrelnut]

Thanks everyone. I read the intro piece in the hornady handbook last night and have watched a few videos by a fellow in North Idaho. I think I have a sense of where to start. Going to get some 6.5 CM dies and some powder. Have primers that work for both cartridges. Have some PRC brass but need some CM. We will see.

I think the most exciting time in handloading is firing that first round you make yourself. Have fun.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I think the most exciting time in handloading is firing that first round you make yourself. Have fun.

...just wait for that first good group...then the OCD starts.

Just like that one good golf swing...

 

[Methinks]

Thanks everyone. I read the intro piece in the hornady handbook last night and have watched a few videos by a fellow in North Idaho. I think I have a sense of where to start. Going to get some 6.5 CM dies and some powder. Have primers that work for both cartridges. Have some PRC brass but need some CM. We will see.

Pretty sure that fella was Sam Millard, he is very sharp.

 

[Canhunter35]

With my 308 I have a variety of federal/Remington brass(I've thrown out the imperial brass) I consistently achieve 1/2 Moa groups and have an es between 20-30, if i shoot enough at 1/2 mile I will get about 7-10" vertical spread. When I use my lapua brass the group tightens up to say 3/8 Moa, and es tightens up to 5-7" vertical at that distance. Depends what you want, but as you wear a barrel in you can always upgrade components and tweak a load. I'm a believer that proper load development goes farther than endless case prep.
I've bought neck sizing dies, now I use fl dies on everything but belted mags it seems to work well on those.
I've found the 6.5cm really easy to load for much like a 308. Both of which are easier to work with then some of the more exotic cartridges

 

[scott63]

Also, assuming from your user ID you're in or near Boise, Sportsmans Warehouse in my area has a reloading class once a month, maybe yours does too. Might be worth while if they do...

 

[just country]

morning, barrelnut has great experience in the art of hand loading.
youtube has great info on the art of reloading. go to the internet. get
the best info to read and learn. I have been reloading 40yrs. still
do not know everything. the members of this site that answer
members questions have vast amounts of knowledge and experience.
read, read, read some more. shoot, shoot shoot. have fun.
reloading is a polished art. gbot tum

 

[Deputy819]

+1 for Sam Millard and Panhandle Precision. He's got some VERY informative videos......AND a cat that seems to have an interest in reloading as well.

 

[Remmy700]

Love to see people getting into reloading. To me personally I like reloading as much if not more than shooting. There is something about making your loads and testing them and seeing things that you are doing as you get better improving not only your shooting but your reloading practices. As mentioned above, start simple and upgrade things along the way. Keep reading the forums and asking questions. Of all the sites I have been on this is one of the best with people being willing to share their information and years of knowledge and experience. If you need any help or have any questions shoot me a message and I will give you my cell and I will be glad help anyway I can. I am no professional. However, I have spent lots of money on the wrong things which later down the road showed me what is important and what is not in reloading. Name is Dan and pleasure to meet you brother, welcome to LRH.
You seem to have the press on lock down, that is a fine press and I made some fantastic reloads on one for many years. 2nd, Hornady brass is just fine, just remember brass prep is your friend some brands of brass just take more prep than others. 3rd, a good set of calipers will be your best friend. 4th, your loads are only as accurate as your powder scale so ensure to get a good quality scale. 5th, even if you got the best of everything if you don't setup dies the right way it will erase your hard work. 6th, good quality trimmer. You will learn more about the little things as you start the process. I have learned to keep a notebook on my reloading bench and I write down everything, this will help you go back and find suspects if a certain load ain't shooting good anymore.