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To: Myrddin

I have a Marlin 1895SS and am thinking about getting started with reloading so I can use the gun to it's full potential, and just to see if I like reloading. I've seen the Lee Anniversary Kit listed for around 70 bucks or so (without dies). Would you recommend this for a beginning reloader, or should I look to spend more on something else?


77 posted on 01/15/2006 9:32:20 PM PST by CFC__VRWC ("Anytime a liberal squeals in outrage, an angel gets its wings!" - gidget7)
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To: CFC__VRWC
I have Lee, RCBS and Dillon presses. My workhorse is the Dillon RL55B. On a budget, I would recommend starting with the RCBS Partner Press. Better quality than any of the Lee presses. Lee dies are just fine as a starter. The expansion die has a "powder through" feature so you can expand and fill in one operation. You'll need a scale. A simple RCBS or Dillon scale (balance beam) style. ALWAYS weigh your powder. The "scoop size" methods are too variable across powder types to be reliable and safe. Lee makes a nice little hand priming tool. Definitely worthwhile for a single press loader. A set of calipers will also be necessary to measure brass and cartridge overall length. A "load" book is highly recommended.

I have a Marlin 1895M "guide gun" in stainless. Essentially the same rifle you have plus the muzzle brake. It is rated for 40,000 CUP max pressure. A 405 gr bullet is about the max size to be able to successfully fill the tubular magazine. I prefer to stick with 300 gr for general use. The Magnum Research BFR (2nd generation) can handle up to 500 gr bullets, but the pressure limit is 31,000 PSI per the gunsmith at Magnum Research.

If you want to put just a little more into the press, an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme will handle pretty much anything you ever want to load. It has a slightly taller frame for the longer brass. It may be long enough to handle 50 BMG if that ever strikes your fancy.

You will also need some "case lube" for the long 45-70 brass. It can get stuck in the resizing die if you don't lube it. The Dillon spray over clean brass on a couple paper towels does the job just fine. After resize/decap, you can wipe the brass dry.

I tend to prefer "carbide" sizing dies. They are much smoother. Hornady "titanium nitride" is also good. On smaller cases, the carbide is smooth and won't bind even without lubrication.

Before you do any reloading, you need to clean the brass. I use a small Dillon vibratory cleaner filled with ground corn cob and a tablespoon of Dillon brass polish. Run overnight for sparking clean, jewelry quality clean. Why bother with that? Dirty, gritty brass will scratch your brand new dies and damage every piece of brass that passes through them after they are scratched. Cleanliness is important.

Buy your powder in a 1 lb can/bottle and primers in lots of 1,000. You'll typically load 100 rounds which translates into one package of primers. A wood or plastic "loading block" is handy to stand up the brass after each pass in the process 1) resize/decap 2) prime 3) "bell" the case mouth 4) weigh the powder and fill the case 5) seat the bullet 6) crimp the bullet.

A precision powder dispenser (RCBS) can be calibrated to drop a precise amount of powder using your scale. That can save time as each charge is weighed out. Fanatics will use an electronic powder dispenser tied to an electronic scale. It dumps exactly the weight requested every time. That's a pricey, but very nice set of accessories for the loader with all the toys.

There is the whirlwind tour. You have a definite getting started cost with reloading. The money savings comes in re-use of brass and labor. The expendables are powder, primers and bullets. Calculate a per round cost vs factory ammo of the same type to get a handle on amortizing your costs. I've reloaded upwards of 150,000 rounds on my equipment. The saving paid for the gear long ago. Besides, its a fun hobby by itself. Put on some good music or a favorite radio talk show and fill the shelves with better quality ammo than you can buy off the shelf.

78 posted on 01/15/2006 10:14:15 PM PST by Myrddin
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