What I use

[TnHunter]

I use the Following.
Lee Classic Press(Single Stage)
Lee Pacesetter Dies
Lee Saftey Scale
Lee Powder Measure Scoops
Lyman Case Lube Kit w/pad
Frankford Arsenal Tumbler w/ Rotery Media Kit
Frankford Arsenal Caliper and Micrometer
Lee Case Trimmer
Lyman Powder Trickler
Lee Auto Prime

I use these because I like them. Plain and simple. Are they the best, probably not. But they are in my budget, and they work just fine. If you are new to reloading and are concerned about the cost, remember. You don't have to have top of the line to do a good job.
Buy what you can afford. It is all good.

Charles

[bubbawitha4570]

Here's a listing of what I use:

RCBS 4X4 progressive press
RCBS JR3 single stage press
Lee Reloader press (c-frame)
some RCBS dies
some Lee dies
Dillon powder measurer
Cabelas brass tumbler
Midway rotary brass/media separator
Midway bullet puller
RCBS lubrisizer
Lee melting pot
Mountain Molds bullet mold
Midway plastic boxes for most bullet storage
MTM boxes for range use at buffalo shoots
Brass Plus pistol bullets for cheaper shooting
Hornady pistol bullets for "official" use
Starline brass when purchasing new brass
RCBS motorized trimming unit
Forster in/out chamfering tools
Hornady, Lee, Hodgdon loading manuals; with various other sources
RCBS powder measurers
Lee hand prime
Midway caliper
RCBS case lube pad
Dillon/Sagebrush spray on case lube

and a whole room devoted to the art.

You really need to get into this, Doc. I just put out 100 rounds of 38 spec in under 20 minutes last night. And they are loaded to MY specifications, not something that a machine has pushed out. And also, I just enjoy it. That is my relaxation time. And even my boys are starting to want to do some of the things that I let them.

And these have been collected over many years of usage/need. Normally I've just purchased things as I've needed them. The only press that I bought new was the Lee, and that came with the reloading manual.

[DocHolladay]

Well, I am thinking about starting to "roll my own" .270 ammo, as it is getting hard to find the factory loaded Hornady ammo that my .270 loves so much. I will probably contact them and see what the specs on it are so that I can reproduce it as best as I can. If I had a gun vise, I can almost bet that it would feed them in the same hole. I have tried several different places to buy it and it seems that Hornady cant keep up with the demand. Nobody has it. Now all I need to do is find what I did with that empty box of Hornady brass I kept.

[bubbawitha4570]

I see just what you mean by the Hornady is hard to get. I usually use the Midway site as a guide for the availablility of products, and out of 7 different loads for the .270, they only had 8 boxes.

wow. They were taking backorders though.

As far as getting a Manufacturing company to give you specs on the ammo they load (exact components) other than velocities and bullet weight, good luck. You might be cable to figure out the powder, but talking to someone who really knows the ins and outs of powder (and what ones the major companies use) would be the best bet.

[DocHolladay]

I was thinking more of how deep I should seat the bullet in the brass to get the same results. I can figure out the powder by shooting the loads until I get the same results. Maybe they will tell me that at least, maybe not. Never hurts to ask anyway.

[TnHunter]

Just remember Doc, there is a min. and a max. for seating. Too deep and the pressures get too high, too shallow, wont chamber proper;y.

You'll figure it out. Good Luck. Again, sorry I could'nt get it for ya.

Charles

[DocHolladay]

No biggie. I guess I should have bought more than 1 box at a time when he had it(my usual place to get it). I just didnt expect a company to not make enough ammo. You would think that a company would try and accomodate a high volume of orders by making enough to keep up with the demand.

[bubbawitha4570]

If you have one loaded factory shell left, the seating depth of the bullet isn't hard to get at all. You can use this shell to set your seating die.

I'd be more concerned with getting the correct powder type and then the correct weight without having to get multiple powders.

[DocHolladay]

Thats why you get the big bucks, Bubba. I never would have thought of that. Thanks for the tip.

[bubbawitha4570]

Uh, yuh....when you send me that big paycheck let me know! ;D

[jasonjennings]

doc, you could also use a bullet puller to pull the bullet and then measure the powder charge, you could also see what kind of powder it is, extruded, ball etc. and then compare it to your reloading manual for a close starting point. First measure the overall length, pull the bullet, mesure the powder, measure the overall case length. this sould be very close. I doubt that hornady will give you the exact data from their factory loads.

[DocHolladay]

I sent them an email the other night and they responded. They sent me a few pages from their reloading manual. It was pretty nice of them to do that, but they didnt circle the one that was closest to thier 140SST loads. I guess when you put "Team Hornady member" after you name, it helps.. Thanks for the info Jason.

[jasonjennings]

What part of the team are you? Do you think that they would be interested in seeing the HPSS?

[DocHolladay]

I am just a random member. It is something you sign up for at their website to get new info. and updates. I also received a Team Hornady sticker and a Team Hornady patch. Pretty nice of them to send that out. I can email them and see for you, though.

[jasonjennings]

Thanks Doc!