Part 2: Reloading 30-06 With Lee Classic Loader

[donthebodyguard]

What kind of scale are you using?

[kaianuanu]

That last tip about customizing the seating depth to your rifle's chaber was very helpful

[TheVibroplex]

great vid i too am new to this reloading . i have a 270 win witch is a neck dowm 30-06 what i would like to know is do you get your seating depth from the bullet manufactor or the powder manufactor ... this is what i have for bullets 130GR Nosler boat tail ballistic tips (yellow) color coded i have most of the stuff i need to start but a scale and powder funnel :-) my OAL is 3.340 my case OAL 2.540

[saj12100]

I have a question, will you answer it?

[eventer289]

@saj12100 Ask away.

[FLBGAMES]

Whats the point of crimping? i thought that was just for pistol loads so they feed easier? i just started reloading just got to get some powder, scale, calipers, and primers and ill be good to go

[TravisLisonbee]

I have to let everyone know a few things about reloading, Don't and I do mean don't go over what a reloading manual's speck's say for a particular powder and bullet combination, it takes very little powder to produce more pressure than some guns can handle. And don't apply too much pressure to the primer, don't force things along it won't end well.

[boboelmo]

how much money do you save by reloading? i know a 20-round box of .30-06 can cost $18-40 depending on the brand, making cost per round about $.90 to $2. What would you say the average cost per round is for reloading?

[erickitt]

@boboelmo I went ant bought some supplies today at Scheel's across the street from where I work and I calculated the cost at $.37 a round for primer, powder and bullet. (I already have a bunch of leftover brass casings from before so I didn't include that in the price.)

[MLO412]

good job

[dwaynenkerri]

your method is almost right but im 31 and me n my dad has done this my whole time here on earth your doing some things that is very dangerous and to the 308 thing a bigger grain bullet in ether gun 308 or 30-06 is useless all you need is a 168 to kill anything

[eventer289]

@dwaynenkerri Would you mind elaborating as to what you mean is dangerous? Additionally, I don't believe a 30-06 is sufficient to take down some very large game such as an elephant.

[lewiscrew]

@dwaynenkerri

Very intelligent comment.

[miracleboy14]

i have a question: you used 56 grams of gun powder. but say if you buy bullets at the store that are 160 grams of gun powder. wouldnt you use 160 grams of gun powder?

[DylanTSL]

@miracleboy14 The unit of measurement isn't 'grams', it is 'grains'.

The projectile/bullet weighs 160 grains and the amount of gunpwder being put in the cartridge is 56 grains.

A .30-06 is capable of firing bullets weighing anywhere from 130 grains to 220 grains.

[miracleboy14]

@DylanTSL thanks for the reply! and say if i bought original bullets(shell + cartridge), and they were 160 grain and i decided to reload them. should i stick with the factory spec of only using 160 grain?

because to be honest with you i have never seen any bullets for 30-06 under 100 grains of gun powder.

please reply! thank u!

[DylanTSL]

@miracleboy14 I don't have any idea really. I just answered your original question because I could, but I don't know much about reloading or anything like that at all.

From what I understand, most people reload a .30-06 with bullets weighing 165 grains and heavier. The .30-06 has an advantage over the .308 here as it handles heavier projectiles a little easier. The .308 and .30-06 are quite similar when firing bullets weighing up to and including 165 grains.

[Vincerama]

Very nice video! I always wondered how the that little hand loading kit worked! If you are serious about reloading though, get a bench mounted press. You can be just as precise and careful using a single stage press. A powder trickler will make life easier too.

[fadingabel7]

what is the weight of and empty cartridge with the primer in it. im averaging about 208 gr. i reloaded with 47 gr of 4895 using 165gr nosler ballistic tips. when i put the loaded cartridge it weighs 420gr. if u could give me that info id appreciate it

[nofx1091]

Is grains for the powder equivalent to grams?

[dickjohnson474747]

Great video. I always thought that reloading was too complicated and time consuming. That seems very easy. I think I will try this. Thanks Dude

[BrutexxForce]

do you need to compact the powder? or anything like that?

Awsome video, i saw the kit for like $25, thanks for the vid.

[eventer289]

@BrutexxForce No, it doesn't take up all the room in the case. If you shake the casing, you can hear the powder.

[Matunaagah]

The trick you mentioned at the end sounds interesting.

[knoxdeer]

Excellent job with giving detailed instructions. I just started reloading 30.06 with the Lee Classic Relaoding Kit. Thanks again.

[paraglidermx]

How much and were did u get the nice little scale??

[eventer289]

@paraglidermx It was about $20 from midwayusa

[chios1958]

I'm going to start to reload , and you convinced me to get the Lee Classic. Your videos where very detailed and the best for this re loader. Thank you for the information.

[annasajerk]

isnt the little yello thing for putting the powder in? or is it just a scooper?

[freesoulvw]

i just got my loader and I was concerned about finding my chamber lenghth, good thing you threw that last bit of help in the last 10 secs that really helped me out

[brandonhornsby]

Real good videos both prt1 and 2. Thanks for posting.

Been reloading shotgun a long time and getting into metallic wanting to use the Lee classic to start with to best learn metallic reloading.

Have you ever considered the Lee dipper kit? I use them for buffer for buck shot loads, but excellent for single stage measuring. Comes with slip card for almost all major powders with grain:ounce ratio

Again, thanks for posting, good video

[eventer289]

Thanks and you are welcome. I have thought about the dipper kit for handgun loads. I think I may get into reloading .38, and the dipper kit would probably be helpful with that.

[FalseShadowx]

How accurate are the bullets that you make with this Loader? Is there any benefits to using a single stage press instead of this, besides it being much faster? Can you make more accurate bullets or different kinds of rounds with a single stage press? Thanks, great videos.

[eventer289]

There are so many variables there it's hard to say. It depends on the gun, the loading (ie grains of powder and bullet weight), and the shooter. A single or multi stage press is going to be faster and just as good. I've gotten 0.5" groups at 100 meters with the rounds you saw me loading here (165 grain bullet with 56 grains of powder).

[FalseShadowx]

Thank you. That's a pretty good group. Are the dies the only thing not in this kit that you need to reload? (besides bullets, primers and powder)

Also, is there a way to control the exact length of the round when seating the bullet so that you can match it to perfectly engage the rifling on your gun? I really appreciate all of your help.

[eventer289]

Well, the silver thing I am using is the die. It resizes the case and is used to seat the bullet. On the small mallet looking thing that seats the bullet there is a nut that screws up against the end. Adjusting how far down both are screwed up or down adjust the bullet seating depth.

To seat the bullet directly off the lands I take a resized case without powder in it and put the bullet barely in the neck. Then I place it in the gun and push the bolt forward. It will meet the lands of the

[eventer289]

rifling and push the bullet into the correct depth. I take that overall length measurement and subtract 0.1" or so just so it is barely off the lands. Then, I adjust the bullet seating depth accordingly.

[FalseShadowx]

That sounds like a perfect way to do it. Can you then keep the nuts screwed in this position ensuring the next rounds will be seated to that exact length? Thanks again.

I just can't believe you can reload using $25 equipment, everyone I talk to thinks there is a $1000 start up cost.

[eventer289]

Yes, once you set the height and tighten it, it seats the round to the same length given your next case is the same length. To ensure that I resize the case and then use a neck trimmer and then a chamfer tool. To get started you're probably looking at spending around $100 to have the loader and all the supplies.

[FalseShadowx]

If that includes bullets, primers and powder than that doesn't sound bad to me at all. I calculated I could make a decent box of 20 .308 rounds for $8.00. For the loader and some extra stuff for $50.00 I could recoup the cost of the tools from 5 boxes, and they may well be more accurate than the Remington core-lokts I would buy otherwise!

[eventer289]

Yeah exactly. It depends on how much you shoot if you want to buy a more elaborate press or not, but for my shooting purposes the hand loader is just fine since I don't make it to the rifle range more than about once every two months or so. Now, 9mm on the other hand, that's something I wish I had a large setup to do. But, at $11.47 per 50, it's cheaper for me currently just to be buying Winchester White Box FMJ's for the range.

[phil656565]

@eventer289 where did you get the scale?

[akfrankster]

so anyway.....so anyway......so anyway.....so anyway....so anyway.....so anyway.....so anyway

[eventer289]

Thanks

[andy31790]

did you use case lube before seating the bullet, or was it not required

[eventer289]

I just lubed the OUTSIDE of the case before I reformed it. Do not lube the inside of the neck. This is not necessary and might actually cause you so problems.

[crazyboy123252]

so u dont realy need the scale and the calibers just it makes it more prosice

[eventer289]

You need the calipers. You can skimp and get the volumetric scoops to measure your loads, but I would not reload without calipers.

[crazyboy123252]

ok thanks

[crazyboy123252]

is that a gram scale i dont feel like going back to see wat it is lol

[eventer289]

@crazyboy123252

It does grams, ounces, and grains.

[crazyboy123252]

ok thanks i no it was probly a dumb quistin

[walyll0]

so any soft head mallet or hammer will work? i`m trying to buy one currently the (lee reloader that is) is it a decent setup?

[eventer289]

Yes, but if you can find one of those plastic non-marring mallets, I'd get one of those, as it's much easier to get the case into the die. It's a decent setup. You'll be able to get everything done that you need to, but don't expect to be putting out many rounds per hour.

[eventer289]

I just use a tiny bit of gun lube on the outside of the casing.

[darkwonder2222]

Well after looking at your video twice I have decided to purchase a Lee Classic Reloader.... in 30-06 To add to my reloading tools... :o) But I do have a question for you . I was wondering if you need any type of oil when using this type of reloading system?? Most require some type of oil,unless the dies are carbide... Please let me know..Thank You

[RemMan700]

@darkwonder2222 I reload and even started by using one of these dies. When you neck size brass you do not need to use any type of lubricant.. only when FL sizing. You could lightly lube the neck say every 10-15 rounds if you wanted to. It wouldnt hurt anything.

[chakathewolf]

I've been reloading for thirty years and I've never seen a Lee loader in action! Thanks!

Don't crimp if you're just going for accuracy and single-loading rounds.

Careful with that pocket knife cleaning primer pockets. If you scratch the wall of the pocket you may create a channel for gas to escape.

Again, nice video!

[eventer289]

Thanks for the kind comment! I was just using the pocket knife as a temporary fix because the place I buy my supplies from was out of the tool I needed at the time.

[KarlSampson]

excellant video. what is the scale that you used? I need one

[eventer289]

It's a Frankford Arsenal

[joeram2003]

Good Video on reloading....! Thanks.....

[sven071]

I love the clip. I am going to get into this once I get my new rifle

[shaunpisk]

Good clip. I bought one afte watching your videos just to give it a whirl and like it. I bench load with a lyman crusher. I'm a little confused though. Did the Nosler ballistic tip have a cannalure groove? If not, you might have damaged the bullet or "bell squatted" the case. Either way this will effect accuracy. If there is no cannalure groove, do not crimp. I'm guessing you are firing a bolt action too. No need for a crimp. Crimp is good for semi-auto's and tube fed guns. Keep Shooting!

[rockierocko28]

Thanks man. There is not a cannalure groove on the bullet. However, I've found that without giving it a small "crimp" (even though it doesn't have a groove, some of the bullets will spin and aren't tight enough in the neck.

I perfected my loads, and I shot a .30" group at 100 meters.

[Demaiter]

Another tip I found was to measure your loaded round and measure the overall length of your lee die and then say you need to seat the bullet .010 deeper you just twist down your lee die by .010.

Also every bullet design seats differently in depth so record the overall length of your die when you seat the bullet to your desired depth.

With my .30-06 Lee die set at 4.339" using 168 grain .308 Nosler CT Ballistic Tips my loaded rounds come out at 3.340

[alaskaruss1]

Just got into reloading and enjoyed your video. THANKS

[enjoiorange]

i ended up watching both even though i don't own a gun.

[Bum454ss]

Excellent! Just recieved the Lee Loader for fathers day and your video made me a whole lot more comfortable with the whole process. Thanks again,

[eventer289]

No problem. Glad to help!

[wawawewaryan]

Great video thanks!!! Helped

[bennra26008]

very cool thxs

[TroutDoc]

Thank you for posting these 2 vids. Made me nervous to watch you hammer that round, compared to using a press. But it was very cool to watch you load without a press.

[eventer289]

You're very welcome. I was looking for a video like this when I was getting into reloading, and I couldn't find one. I figured this would help some people out.

[wingnut948]

Great vid, eventer289. I just won a Lee Classic Loader (for .30 carbine) on eBay, and haven't received it yet. This gives me a really good d feel for what to expect. Factory loaded 30 carbine is non-existent at this point, so this is the way to go. Thanks!

[888zzz]

What is the name of your scale?

[dreamer874ever]

my first recommend would be a single stage press but if i had to pick a portable reloading kit, i would go with the lee hand press kit which i think it would be much faster compared to the mallet press ur using. i had a frankford arsenal electric scale like yours and a lyman 500 but found my ebay scale $10 was much better. if i was going to develop a new load, i wouldn't crimp and use powder increment of .4 grains. i cant picture myself using that mallet press. ill post my method video later

[eventer289]

Yeah, I'd like to get the hand press kit, but I just don't shoot high enough volume to justify it yet. I didn't do 0.4 grain increments. They were 1 grain increments-54, 55, 56, and 57 grain. I found 56 grain gave me the best results. I was shocked how big of an impact that 1 grain had on my results.

[dreamer874ever]

go lower increment for fine tuning plus oal tuning also helps

exp. 55.6 55.8 56 56.2 56.4 56.6

i personally dont do high volume shooting either but have multiple calibers and dies to work with. i've found best groups at a lower oal according to manual ex. oal 2.73 with a max. 2.75 by sierra. so u could work up or down on oal as well as charge.

[Demaiter]

Yea I bought a powder trickler. Use the cup, flatten it with a business card and then trickle it up to your charge.

[KFrag420]

Thanks for posting, I was looking at one of these kits myself. once you get everything dialed in, how long would it take to load 10 rounds? Keeping in mind that it is precision that is the goal.

[eventer289]

I´d say if you were really moving, you could do 1 round every three minutes. If you just used the Lee Dipper powder measure kit, it wouldn´t take you near as long as using a scale for each charge.

[KFrag420]

Cool, thank you for the quick reply! I'm looking at getting one of these myself, but it seems i waited too long, they're all out of stock most places.