The build is back from the gunsmith, where do I go from here? This is my first wildcat build so have some questions. I don't mind spending money to buy equipment/tools, however the budget is not unlimited. I do not believe in buying things twice because "I" didn't do my homework before making the purchase. I did the build on a Ruger 77, tang safety in .270 Ackley Improved. I'm planning on hunting (300-500 yards) and fun precision shooting at the range. Looking for help figuring out where to go from here.
I am certainly not new to reloading and have all the basic equipment for reloading, just do not have any experience reloading for a wildcat cartridge. What I do have: a good set of dial calipers, Hornady/Sinclair case OAL tool to measure shoulder bump, Hornady/Sinclair tool to measure COAL to measure bullet distance from lands, a Forster neck turning tool for the Original Foster case trimmer, two precision reloading manuals, and a Hornady concentricity tool where the jury is out with the concentricity tool. I have around 200 cases of once fired Federal brass and a good assortment of .270 bullets. And...lastly I do have glass and mounts.
I know that I am going to need dies. I did a thread on the Forum already as to what to get for dies, but still undecided because there are lots of options making a decision a bit confusing. From what I gathered from replies to the thread it appears that I ought to buy certain dies, from different makers, to get certain reloading operations done when reloading; micrometer seat dies/collet dies/non-mandrel dies. I am thinking hydroform dies to get the shoulders out. From all of the posts that I have read and from personal experience I know that good dies are key to precision reloading.
I'd just like to get opinions/input on reader's/reloader's experiences with their first-time builds, what they encountered, and what/how they went about getting what they needed for their build; good and bad. Any information is appreciated.
I am certainly not new to reloading and have all the basic equipment for reloading, just do not have any experience reloading for a wildcat cartridge. What I do have: a good set of dial calipers, Hornady/Sinclair case OAL tool to measure shoulder bump, Hornady/Sinclair tool to measure COAL to measure bullet distance from lands, a Forster neck turning tool for the Original Foster case trimmer, two precision reloading manuals, and a Hornady concentricity tool where the jury is out with the concentricity tool. I have around 200 cases of once fired Federal brass and a good assortment of .270 bullets. And...lastly I do have glass and mounts.
I know that I am going to need dies. I did a thread on the Forum already as to what to get for dies, but still undecided because there are lots of options making a decision a bit confusing. From what I gathered from replies to the thread it appears that I ought to buy certain dies, from different makers, to get certain reloading operations done when reloading; micrometer seat dies/collet dies/non-mandrel dies. I am thinking hydroform dies to get the shoulders out. From all of the posts that I have read and from personal experience I know that good dies are key to precision reloading.
I'd just like to get opinions/input on reader's/reloader's experiences with their first-time builds, what they encountered, and what/how they went about getting what they needed for their build; good and bad. Any information is appreciated.
