Calipers.
Scale.
Large rifle primers.
IMR powder.
.303 bullets if they have them (which I think they don't, in which case I'll go on-line).
I could get all of this online, but I want to chat with the guy at the store. I like doing business with local guys when I can.
UPDATE 26 May 2012 17:57: Powder and primers, check. No scale, calipers, or bullets. Still, progress!
You don't want .303 bullets if you are loading for an Enfield, you want .311 bullets (or better yet, Hornady's excellent .312).
ReplyDeleteHere's a post I did a while back on .303 reloading:
http://lagniappeslair.blogspot.com/2011/04/they-joys-and-benefits-of-cartridge.html
Hit me back in my comments section if you want the powder loading. I use IMR 4895 for my best loads but I have a recipe around somewhere for IMR 3031 as well.
If nothing else, get your primers and powder locally. If it has to be shipped you get socked with a hazmat fee. (MidwayUSA is asking $18, plus $27.50 hazmat fee, plus $10 shipping to send me a bottle of Unique.) I believe the fee is per order, so it might be worth it to get a large quantity or do a group buy. But for just a pound or two your local dealer earns his markup.
ReplyDeletewatch the cases for signs of headspace failure. rear lockup guns like the Enfield and Winchester '94's don't support the brass sufficiently and the brass then stretches like rubber bands needing mucho trimming. if you have a #4 rifle you can look on the bolt head for a number between 0 and 4. 0 represents the original bolt and as the headspace loosens you simply replace the head until #4 when you will need a new bolt.
ReplyDeleteI hear the sound of a hook sinking deeper...
ReplyDeleteMidway USA for bullets of other than .308/.223/9mm.
Popped in to mention that the bullet is .311" diameter. So why is it a .303 British? One might as well ask why all those revolvers are called .38s.
ReplyDeleteMurphy, that's awesome.
ReplyDeleteDave, IIRC you've mentioned this before, which is why I went local. Man, they had a lot of powders (and actually a lot of primers).
Critter, I probably need to add a trimmer to my shopping list. This is one of the reasons that I want to use light loads.
Carteach0, I don't know who to blame more, you or ASM826.
ASM826, ditto.
;-)
Oops, sorry for the repeat boss.
ReplyDeleteIt has been my limited experience that those small, cheap digital scales are not suitable for weighing powder charges. They sometimes fail to return exactly to zero. A beam type scale will be much more consistent so long as it is away from drafts and breezes, gravity being quite regular in most places.
ReplyDeleteAlong that line, get good calipers and micrometers, from top names like Mitutoyo. I am very disappointed in Starrett's recent stuff. My favorite dial caliper was made by Helios, and I think MSC sells them. Anyway, don't cheap out on measuring instruments, especially scales.
ReplyDeleteI probably need to add a more shapely to my record. This is one of the factors that I want to use lighting plenty.
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It has been my restricted experience that those small, inexpensive electronic machines are not appropriate for considering powdered ingredients costs.
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