Reloading for a rifle caliber
I am needing to geet some reloading questions in particular for the 300 WSM. I've reloaded a lot for pistol and semi auto .223. I've never had to trim a case, with it so cheap I reloaded it a few times then threw it out. Anyways, I need to buy a case trimmer, but dont want to spent too much. I've been looking at the RCBS pro for about $60 on auction, but need to know what to get with it. My specific questions are there:
1. What trimmer should I buy?
2. What do I need to buy with the trimmer for this caliber, can I use the regular 30 caliber case holder??
3. Is there an easy way to set the bullet depth without doing it, pulling the bullet and doing it all over again, or will this process hurt the case life or bullet at all.
4. In my die set, the 300wsm came with 2 dies, one for decapping the primer and opening the hole (not sure the specific name) to put the bullet in, but the second one I'm not to sure about I think it seats the bullet and crimps the case.
5. I am using a Dillon 550. I am measuring each load seperately, so I think the 2nd and 3rd stages will be empty on the die holder.
Thanks for your help guys. I've reloaded a lot, but haven't in a couple of years and need to refresh myself, I really appreciate the help!
New gun??? No, honey, I've had it for years.
1. What trimmer should I buy?
2. What do I need to buy with the trimmer for this caliber, can I use the regular 30 caliber case holder??
3. Is there an easy way to set the bullet depth without doing it, pulling the bullet and doing it all over again, or will this process hurt the case life or bullet at all.
4. In my die set, the 300wsm came with 2 dies, one for decapping the primer and opening the hole (not sure the specific name) to put the bullet in, but the second one I'm not to sure about I think it seats the bullet and crimps the case.
5. I am using a Dillon 550. I am measuring each load seperately, so I think the 2nd and 3rd stages will be empty on the die holder.
Thanks for your help guys. I've reloaded a lot, but haven't in a couple of years and need to refresh myself, I really appreciate the help!
New gun??? No, honey, I've had it for years.
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3. Is there an easy way to set the bullet depth without doing it, pulling the bullet and doing it all over again, or will this process hurt the case life or bullet at all.
4. In my die set, the 300wsm came with 2 dies, one for decapping the primer and opening the hole (not sure the specific name) to put the bullet in, but the second one I'm not to sure about I think it seats the bullet and crimps the case.
You don't need to crimp your 300WSM, but the crimping ring is in the second die as you suspect. If you decide to use it, the bullets must have a canalure that lines up with the case mouth.
Set the depriming/SIZING/expanding DIE (the correct name for that part is the "expander ball" BTW) die to just touch the shoulder, pushing it back .001-.002 from it's fired position. Lock it there.
Raise a sized case (no bullet yet) into the SEATING/crimping DIE and screw the die body down until you feel the crimp ring touch the case mouth, than raise it up 1-2 full turns (if your not going to crimp you can lock it in this position), now back off the seating stem until you know the OAL will be to long. Now seat a bullet (if you have primer and powder in it at this time, thats ok), remove and measure. screw the seating stem down a little and run the same case/bullet thru again, remove and re-measure until you get the OAL desired (your sneaking up on the correct length a little at a time this way, with out going to far and having to pull the bullet back out). RCBS seating stems are 20 threads per inch, or .050 per turn (you want to seat another .025 deeper, screw it in 1/2 turn, .012 deeper screw it in 1/4 turn)
If you decide to crimp, at this point you would raise the seating stem back up 8-12 turns, and lower the die body a little at a time until you get the crimp desired, and lock it down. Than run the seating stem down, with your fingers, until you are in firm contact with the bullet and lock it in place.
This is not the "basic book" methiod, but the "advanced reloader" methiod. And it will take you longer to read this, than it will do do it.
I'm not familiar with the "pro" trimmer, but my older RCBS has a "multi size" collet for the case head.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
I prefer the forster trimmer. Have used one for about 8 years and have had no problems so far. Although rcbs, lyman, and any of the other names you hear around reloading will do just fine. The 300wsm case uses a #5 shell holder I believe. I am about to start gearing up to reload the 300wsm my self. As for getting your bullet depth, the sneak method is the one I use. But I set my die with a "test round". That is a case that I have made to use only for seating depth checks. I make 4 cuts down the neck of the case. This will allow the bullet to slide in and out a little easier but it will stay put. Very useful for loading up and chambering then removing and checking with oal guage. The slits will allow the bullet to go into the case when it contacts the lands in the barrel but it wont slide out when I eject the shell. That is as long as I dont get crazy with bolt operation. Same will work for setting seating depth on dies. As long as you are easy on the seating stem, ease it down till it contacts the bullet. remove the bullet from the case. Set it back in and cycle the press. Adjust as needed. It also helps to keep a bullet or two just for calibration use. That way you dont have to worry about the condition of it as much because you wont actually be firing it. I usually try to buy large quantities with the same lot# so this works fine for me. If lot #s change set a couple aside and use them just to be sure. Keep them seperate and jot the lot# on the bag that you keep them in. Hope this helps.
welcome to America...now speak english or get the ****out0 -
bullhauler - that slit neck trick is one of the absolute best reloading tips I've ever seen! Man, what a great, time-saving idea. Thanks for posting it! May I suggest you submit it to the NRA and other places?
hxk - these guys gave you the straight dope.0 -
Hello H,I use the Lyman trimmer.Whether you purchase the manual crank or the electric,it doesn't need any extra shell holder,it adjusts for each shell and it comes with almost all of the pilots you will need,just my 2 cents,thanks for listening,Bob. 0 -
I like the Hornady case trimmer, It uses your shellholder from your press and dies, and come with all the collets
If you ain't got a sesne of humor you got no business bein here!0
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