I think I started backwards

[billc]

I have finally start getting stuff for reloading. Have always heard how hard it is to get bullets and powder so when I found some of the stuff I want I grabbed it. I have not bought the press or any other tools I may need but they are always around. Thought the bullets and powder would be a good start.

Have not found fed 215 primers yet so may need to look at another that will work for the 257 and 300. Maybe a cci primer

So far only did bullets for the 257 but powders that will work with the 257 and the 300 win mag .Found rl 22 , imr 7828.

 

[Divernhunter]

Better to get 215 for the Weatherby especially. CCI/Win will work in the win mag.
Depending on bullet choices I can give you the data I have on them and others. I test for hunting so I want speed with accuracy. PM me with your email and I can scan them to you if you want.

 

[Clayton]

You're gonna like "rolling your own". You've made a good start. I'm a big believer in RCBS tools & CCI Primers. I know, everyone has their favorites, but they've never let me down.

Enjoy your new found addiction.

 

[Rob404]

If your shooting 257 Weatherby I can also supply some load data on 100gr bullets, I have to wait til spring here in Minnesota to start loading 117s

 

[Buckdog]

hey Bill you helped me with Africa info so I owe you some reloading help. I have loaded for 300 mags for many yrs so PM me and ican give you some tips. 1st tip buy a rcbs kit best value for the money and competiton dies for both calibers. RL22 and H1000 best powder for 300s dump the 7828 too slow. cci primers are fine fed match primers best if you can get them. rem or win brass is fine for hunting for the money, yes there are more uniform brass but not worth extra dollars for hunting. 300s like close to max loads and bullets close to the lands. so there ya go have fun.

 

[billc]

wow thanks guys. You can send me any info that will help to capwe6@aol.com. Tim better known as tarbe on here did some handloads for me already but he did them at basic levels since he was in texas and I am in PA. They worked great and he did the 257 with 72 grains of 7828 for 100 ttsx. he did not have rl22 but said that would work well.

I am looking at the rcbs kit to start. My biggest challenge seems to be primers as the fed primers never seem to be in stock. I have used cci in my son inline muzzlerloader so thought they maybe worth a try just need to find out which is closest to the fed primers.

I think it will be a great new hobby for me and my son.

 

[billc]

hey Bill you helped me with Africa info so I owe you some reloading help. I have loaded for 300 mags for many yrs so PM me and ican give you some tips. 1st tip buy a rcbs kit best value for the money and competiton dies for both calibers. RL22 and H1000 best powder for 300s dump the 7828 too slow. cci primers are fine fed match primers best if you can get them. rem or win brass is fine for hunting for the money, yes there are more uniform brass but not worth extra dollars for hunting. 300s like close to max loads and bullets close to the lands. so there ya go have fun.

Thanks buckdog I will look for some h1000 to add to the fun.

 

[Shootist43]

You are correct, no 215 Federal primers around Midway has Large Rifle Magnum Primers from Winchester, CCI and Remington. Once you get into it, reloading can be a lot of fun. I get a lot more satisfaction out of hunting when I'm using my own ammo. Since you are "new" to reloading I'd suggest that you purchase "The Practical Guide to Reloading" by Nathan Foster. You can only find it online. Christmas is coming and this would be a great "Stocking Stuffer." I've been reloading for well over 30 years, this book is by far the most informative I've ever read.

HAVE FUN!!!

 

[Royal27]

For supplies Bill I look at the following.

Powdervalleyinc.com (@tarbe gave me that one) and then ammoseek.com.

Remember that with the hazmat fee you have to buy a decent amount to break even with buying locally, but it gives you options.

I just looked and although there aren't any federal 215 primers available there are others, so if you're dieing to get smarted, go for it!

 

[CAustin]

Let me know how all this goes bill. I'm thinking about doing this myself.

 

[billc]

Let me know how all this goes bill. I'm thinking about doing this myself.

Charlie I will for sure.

Guys it is amazing at all the help everyone has offered and I thank you all. I will now start to make up a list and see what I will pick up to start having some fun with the new hobby.
This site is more then African hunting and again shows how many good people are here.

 

[sandman0921]

Another good source out there for reloaders and buyers of ammunition for that matter, is:

www.gunbot.net

The website supplies "Near Real Time Tracking" of several vendors for ammunition as well as reloading supplies (cases, bullets, powder, and primers). You can sign up for an account and then set parameters such as price per round, etc. to alert you to specific items you are looking for.....

During the reloading "crunch" of the past few years, I was able to score some very sought after powder and primers.



I echo Royal 27 in that Powder Valley is good. Also Graf and Sons, Midsouth Shooter's Supply, Butch's, and Brunos.

Another good one in my neck of the woods for powder and primers at least is Reloading Unlimited (https://reloadingunlimited.com)

A good resource for beginner reloaders is a book entitled, "The ABC's of Reloading" by Chevalier. I read that book cover to cover a few times when I was starting out several years ago. Most reloading manuals have good primers in the beginning to give you the basic concepts behind reloading. Pick up 1 or 2 from the big names like Nosler, Hornady, Norma, Speer, etc. They are good resources for sure.

For my 257 Weatherby, I use IMR 7828 SSC and a 110 grain Nosler Accubond. Make sure that you shoot well constructed bullets in the 257 Weatherby as those bullets are going down-range lightning fast. Not as big a problem past 100 yds, but in the off chance you get a close shot at less than 100 yds, a standard "cup and core" bullet will have a very good chance of exploding on impact. It will cause a nasty wound, but may not penetrate sufficiently. Lots of "blood-shot " meat as well......

 

[sandman0921]

Have not found fed 215 primers yet

It appears that the vendor Reloading Unlimited (https://reloadingunlimited.com) has Federal 215 primers in stock. No Fed 215 Gold Match primers, but the "regular" 215's. I've ordered from them before and have always been satisfied. Their prices aren't the cheapest, but when your options are limited......

 

[Shawn.54]

I want to add that components are the more expensive part of reloading the press and associated equipment will cost you less with every round you load to the point where it has no effect on cost per round.
With that said when I started it was a shoestring budget and I got a Lee kit it then cost $89 on sale had a hand primer, powder measure, scale, funnel, and a single stage press.
Plan was to upgrade to better equipment when funds were available well it's 20 years later and all of the Lee stuff is still there except the scale which only got replaced because it was hard to set with my big fingers. The powder measure is still there it's all plastic and feels cheap but it does its job better than any I have used even with extruded powder I plan to buy 2 more so I can leave them set for 3 most used loads. Priming tool has been fixed due to ware from use. I have added tools to make things easier but have run the basic kit and have had no issues. Loading and testing has almost become more fun than hunting. Almost

Good luck pay attention to detail and happy shooting.
Shawn
With reloading in most cases premium bullets can be used and still be cheaper than factory loads with non premium bullets.

 

[Shawn.54]

What part of pa are you from there are a couple of places in the Cambria county area to get powder at rock bottom prices. CAC Associates in Ebensburg is the best.

 

[Scott Slough]

Glad all you OCD folks are out there loading their own ammunition ... equally glad us ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) folks can still buy ammunition online from Doubletap and stay safe ... I ordered myself some 235 g softs for my new to me .375 H&H magnum so I can get a little field time in the deer/hog woods with the new rifle.

 

[billc]

What part of pa are you from there are a couple of places in the Cambria county area to get powder at rock bottom prices. CAC Associates in Ebensburg is the best.

I am on the east side of Pa in Allentown. Thanks for all the info.


Thanks everyone who has added more info. I will let everyone know how I make out but it will be after the new year at this point but have a good start thanks to all of you guys on here

 

[Clayton]

So you're gonna put us on HOLD?

 

[billc]

So you're gonna put us on HOLD?

Sorry to say on hold for just a little. I have a lot of info to go over then the holidays so not rushing in to the loading part till after the new year. Have the plan of buying the stuff I need over the next month though.

 

[JimP]

Things are getting a little bit scary. I walked into a Sportsman's Warehouse in Utah over the Thanksgiving holiday and to my surprise they had full shelves of powder and primers, they were a little bit short on the bullets that I wanted but after the last few years I'll accept that. I also went to another store that had full shelves of powder, primers, and bullets so I got what I needed.

So hopefully over the next 3 1/2 years the hoarders will leave a few thing on the shelves for the rest of us to enjoy.