Want to Get Into Loading/Reloading

[Airgator0470]

Good thing to know before I tried set up for that.

Any brand you recommend and/or kits that are available with most or all of these tools?

Is this considered a "hang fire" (which I have seen numerous times while running belt-feds) or is this something that is so minute that you can't actually observe? Would it do any good to dump a casing and measure in your own modern powder and make a consistent batch?

Yeah, I did a ton of research on that today. Know of anyway to gauge a bore to see what tolerance it will allow?

And you know I love my projects more than a single black female with 8 illegitimate babies.

Yes... while not a well recognized "hang fire"... but a delay discernible enough that lets you know it happened.

As far as brand name for tools... Hornady, Dillon, and RCBS are front runners... 90% of my gear is RCBS. IMO their CS is second to one. You're welcome out ANYTIME I'm up that way... I can talk shop (reloading) for hours...

As far as the bore goes, any good gunsmith should be able to "slug" your barrel to find the tightest overall measurement... you can do it actually by using a wood dowel to drive a lead slug through the bore (chamber to muzzle) and then measure the slug with a caliper. As far as the deviation in bore diameter throughout the entire bore, having it air gauged would tell you but I have no idea who or where you could get it done... or if you could. As you drive a slug down the barrel you might even detect larger areas in the bore just based off resistance.

[ironhead7544]

so theoretically; remove the bolt, place lead round into chamber, and tap dowel with hammer until round exits muzzle, then measure from groove to groove. The average number being the average bore tolerance, excluding points of lesser resistance. I think that's pretty damn doable. You've got my email, hit me up next time you come this way and have some time, I'll definitely take you up on that!

Slugging the bore is fairly simple but you need the right equipment. Hammering a lead slug the wrong way can damage the bore.

I have been using the slugs from Lead Bullet Technologies. They are specially designed for that purpose. Works easily and can tell you more about bore size and condition. Cost a bit but is worth it.

Proper size bullets are available for the 7.62x54. They are the same as the 303 British, .312. Match bullets are available, too.

I have been loading since 1972 and am always glad to help someone get started. It is easy enough to do but has to be done properly.

Ask here and I will try to answer any questions.