Where to begin for long range/precision reloading?

[Darryle]

What literature do I need to invest in to begin reloading for long range/precision reloading?

The primary cartridges are 270, 300 & 325 WSM, 6.5 Ackley and not the so long range, 358 Winchester. Rifles, Nosler Custom Shop 270 WSM, McWhorter 6.5 Ackley, Factory Winchester 270 & 325 WSM and Custom 358 Winchesters built on 700 and 70 actions.

I have a new Co-Ax press, Redding competition bushing neck 3 die sets for the 270, 300 & 325 WSM rifles and Redding 358 Winchester deluxe 3 die set, RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 combo dispenser/scale(from shotshell reloading), Starrett digital calipers and micrometers, Wilson chamber gauges for the 325 WSM and 358 Winchester, modified cases for all calibers.

So, with that said, what prep tools, die holders, collars, and everything else I am forgetting do I need to purchase?

I appreciate any advice y'all can give me!

Thanks Darryle

****updated****

 

[L.Sherm]

A RCBS kit is a good place to start, you can add other things as you go.
Only other thing I would invest in is a comparator and a good caliper to learn how to set up your dies properly in my opinion starting out thats right at the top.
Starting out go by the KISS saying.

 

[ButterBean]

A RCBS kit is a good place to start, you can add other things as you go.
Only other thing I would invest in is a comparator and a good caliper to learn how to set up your dies properly in my opinion starting out thats right at the top.
Starting out go by the KISS saying.

X-2, You can do a lot with a little and die set up is the best place to start and stick with KISS

 

[YZ-80]

Well, you're gonna need to know how fast stuff is coming out of the pipe, so get yourself a Magnetospeed if you wanna do it on the cheap. Sounds like you already have some good stuff. I might add a concentricity gage and a ball mic (if you plan on turning necks).

Best,

-YZ

 

[L.Sherm]

Run quality brass and you won't have to worry about turning necks.
Theres alot to learn before you need to cross that bridge

 

[Dmagna]

I think what you are missing is also your definition of long range. My definition is going to be a lot different that many other people, so I think you have to kinda grapple with that idea. Also a ethics standpoint of what is ethical when I comes to "long range hunting", this is most of the time a personal statement such as no shot beyond 600 on game.

At the 500 yard range not much is needed beyond the basics. Now if you plan on killing paper or steel out past your normal hunting ranges I would recommend a rifle that is capable and also try to match as many components to one of your hunting rifles. So the feel and trigger are the same.

 

[DocDoc]

Grab a mentor. If there is a club that does long range shooting nearby, go watch, ask questions, listen and you can probably find someone to help with the loading and the shooting. You will not need so much error to go with the trial.

 

[25WSM]

If you really want to speed up your learning curve on long range loading and shooting then find a club that shoots long range BR and join. Make some friends which is easy at these ranges. Find a mentor. Doing this will get you from 0 to 100mph the fastest. It will save you alot of money too. You really don't need every gadget under the sun to be successful. Just a solid understanding of what needs to be done and how to do it. There are big differences in shooting small groups at distance and making a cold bore first shot hit on an animal. Really can't explain it all in a post. But for the one shot hit you need to learn your guns behavior from the cold bore shot and learn wind reading skills. You can't learn your guns habits till you have a load that shoots good at distance. This needs to be done at distance. Wind reading can be first learned on flags at the range and then take that knowledge to the field and learn how to watch trees and brush. Learn mirage but know that wind much above 6 to 7 mph all looks the same. Also wind can be doing several different things out to distance. So check the wind in several places to the target. At Williamsport 1000 yard range we have 4 big wind socks and they seldom are doing the same thing. Most of the time at least one flag is going opposite. If you live close enough to PA our club does a BR school. They teach you everything you need to know to load for long range and to shoot long range BR. 90% of this knowledge is directly transferable to long range hunting.
So go find a mentor and have fun.
Shep

 

[YZ-80]

Theres alot to learn before you need to cross that bridge

Yeah, Shrem's right. Took me 12 years to start turning necks. Used to turn them in college but now it seems all they do is look away.,,,

 

[Rardoin]

Definitely invest in the best brass, good calipers and comparators so you can measure all the stuff that matters so you can set your dies up properly and find and maintain the correct seating depth. 95% of loading precision ammunition is in finding the true optimum powder charge and optimum seating depth. After that most of the stuff internet shooters would have you perform will not provide results discernible above the noise of other variables. You DO NOT have to turn necks on quality brass to get very precise loads. I've been down that road and have all the best equipment to do so and it collects dust. I shot this in a match yesterday. The 10 ring is 6" and the X ring 3" in diameter. 5-8 mph winds from 4:00 to 5:30. No neck turning/primer pocket uniforming/flash hole deburring/case weight sorting. I did sort cartridges based on seating forces but they all shot pretty much the same. Like it was mentioned above several times...keep it simple. Proper charge and seating depth will make for a happy rifle.

 

[Darryle]

I just want to be prepared for the day that may come for another hunt out west for Antelope, Mule Deer, Coues or Elk. It's been a few years, but I am wanting to give it a go a couple more times before I get to old.

So punching paper will be the majority of the long range for now.

I think I am going to pare down my rifles one more time and a few more factory rifles will be sold off. I have more than enough with the 4 custom rifles to cover 100% of my hunting. I think the K.I.S.S. rule would benefit me there as well.

I work 3rd shift, so y'all have given me plenty to research during my downtime and I appreciate it!

Thanks Darryle

 

[Roninco]

For literature I recommend "Top Grade Ammo" by Glen Zediker. It also has a list of recommended tools etc. based on your budget and goals.

 

[Uncle yib]

What literature do I need to invest in to begin reloading for long range/precision reloading?

The primary cartridges are 270, 300 & 325 WSM, 6.5 Ackley and not the so long range, 358 Winchester. Rifles, Nosler Custom Shop 270 WSM, McWhorter 6.5 Ackley, Factory Winchester 270 & 325 WSM and Custom 358 Winchesters built on 700 and 70 actions.

I have a new Co-Ax press, Redding competition bushing neck 3 die sets for the 270, 300 & 325 WSM rifles and Redding 358 Winchester deluxe 3 die set, RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 combo dispenser/scale(from shotshell reloading), Starrett digital calipers and micrometers, Wilson chamber gauges for the 325 WSM and 358 Winchester, modified cases for all calibers.

So, with that said, what prep tools, die holders, collars, and everything else I am forgetting do I need to purchase?

I appreciate any advice y'all can give me!

Thanks Darryle

****updated****

LYMAN long range reloading manual may help

 

[misterc01]

Throw in a copy of Ryan Cleckner's Long range book. Good advic eon long range shooting overall.