.300 Savage Reloading
Big John
his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick search
and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300 Savage.
Is there some other reasonable alternative? I bought out the local
hardware store current stock (3 boxes) for $24.00 each but understand
the next order will be more in the $40 - $50 range. Can't afford a lot
of range practice at that rate!! Suggestions will be appreciated.
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penultimate
> ...
The Lee reloader in 300 Savage is available from Midway
(www.midwayusa.com) and probably other internet sources for less as
well. Do some searching on the internet. Also you may want to
contact Lee directly. I recall that they used to offer 60% off on
blemishes and returns when the gear is gifted to a "new reloader." As
additional sources you might find an old used reloader (probably in
the $5.00 range) on ebay, gunbroker, or auction arms.
I think the old Lee Loaders are terrific and certainly produce
outstanding ammunition.
I suspect his 300 Savage is in a Model 99. Tell him to take care of
and cherish this rifle as it definitely is a goody in addition to
oldie. This is a real prize and certainly all the rifle a good hunter
needs for deer or elk.
Tim Douglass
<watso...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
#My grandson was recently given a .300 Savage and would like to reload
#his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
#Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick search
#and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300 Savage.
#Is there some other reasonable alternative? I bought out the local
#hardware store current stock (3 boxes) for $24.00 each but understand
#the next order will be more in the $40 - $50 range. Can't afford a lot
#of range practice at that rate!! Suggestions will be appreciated.
I'd just buy one of the little Lee Reloader presses (the little "C"
frame one) and a set of regular Lee dies. Not too expensive and will
do the job very well. If the .300 Savage is a lever action you will
probably want to full-length resize, which I don't believe the hand
loader will do anyway.
Tim Douglass
Robert Hankins
of used 300Sav dies. While you are at it, look for some used 30-06 and 32
spec dies as well. You will be doing both your grandson and yourself a favor
in producing better ammo with less effort. You can still use Lee dip
measures if you don't want to spring for a regular powder measure. Load data
is available on line (www.hodgdon.com).
Bob Hankins
sta...@prolynx.com
# My grandson was recently given a .300 Savage and would like to reload
# his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
# Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick search
# and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300 Savage.
# Is there some other reasonable alternative? I bought out the local
# hardware store current stock (3 boxes) for $24.00 each but understand
# the next order will be more in the $40 - $50 range. Can't afford a lot
# of range practice at that rate!! Suggestions will be appreciated.
#
Yeah, handloading is about the only reasonable way to go if you're
going to do any practicing. For less than the new cost of a couple of
boxes of ammo you could get started with Lee equipment if you want
new, haunt the shows for used equipment if you want RCBS or other
brands. Lee makes a small hand press that uses regular dies and shell
holders, runs about $25 on sale. You can get it with a powder funnel,
priming unit and some Lee sizing lube for a little more. Then all you
would need is a die set, some way of weighing powder and components.
Lee did have dies for .300 Savage at one time, they usually come with
a shellholder. Or you can buy the whole set of Lee shellholders
fairly cheaply and you'll be set. If the rifle is a bolt action, all
you'd need to do is neck size. Lever guns and semi-autos will need
full-length sizing, which can't be done with the old Lee Loaders.
IMR4895 works well in .300 Savage, most bullets in the 150-165 gr.
range work well. Figure $20-25 for a pound of powder, $25-30 for a
box of bullets and $3-4 per hundred primers at retail, you might be
able to do better at shows. Depending on your load, you may pay
$35-40/100 loaded rounds, not counting brass costs. The whole works
will fit in a small tool box, my traveling reloading setup.
Another way is to look at the bargain boxes at the shows, the .300
isn't that popular and you may find some old stock somebody wants to
get rid of cheap.
Midway, Natchez, MidSouth are all online outfits where you might be
able to find equipment bargains.
Stan
Alex Cunningham
#"Big John" <watso...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
# My grandson was recently given a .300 Savage and would like to reload
# his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
# Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick search
# and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300 Savage.
# Is there some other reasonable alternative? I bought out the local
# hardware store current stock (3 boxes) for $24.00 each but understand
# the next order will be more in the $40 - $50 range. Can't afford a lot
# of range practice at that rate!! Suggestions will be appreciated.
#
#
Somebody has been fibbing to you. Take a look at the link below.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=410484
--
Cheers!
Alex.C
There are twelve million sheep in Ontario.
Problem is nine million of them think they are people.
Bob Bethune
for your first 50 rounds for $200. After that, it looks to me as
though your cost per round would be something like 75 cents. Since
you're used to the Lee Classic Loader, than which there is nothing
simpler, you obviously are used to getting along without tools that
others might find essential.
Lee Reloader Press , $35.00
Lee Pacesetter die set and powder measure, $36.00
Miscellaneous, $29.00
Total $100.00
Winchester brass, 50 pieces, $25.00
Nosler ballistic tip 180 grain, 50 pieces, $17.00
Powder, your choice, 1 pound, $20.00, good for about 175 rounds
Primers, your choice, 1000, $35.00
Miscellaneous, $28.00
Total, $100.00
This is based on a quick cruise through the Lee Precision website and
the Midway.com websites. With research and ingenuity, I'm sure you can
come up with lots of options on prices, quantities and quality.
Everythings cheaper per unit in bulk, of course.
As I've been working out reloading costs for the calibers I use, I
notice that it pays to reload for quality. You don't save much trying
to imitate inexpensive, low-quality loads. You can save a great deal
if you aim at making your loads comparable in quality to the high-
quality factory loads.
For factory ammunition, if the local hardware store really does plan
to charge $40/box, you can beat that at Midway.com, even with
shipping, I would think.
On Jul 21, 1:24 pm, Big John <watson6...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> ...
-----------------------------------------------------------
Big John
Thanks for the lead!!! It's great! Don't know why I didn't find it on
my Google search, but now we have it.
Yep, it's a Model 99 with a fairly new Leopold 3x-9x scope. I figure
its all he will need for many years to come, and he does indeed take
good care of his guns!! He's also looking forward to inheriting my
Husqvarna .30-06 which I bought new about 50 years ago and has less than
100 rounds through it.
Thanks for the tip!
Big John
Big John
# Look in ebay for a used RCBS or Lyman single stage reloading press and a set
# of used 300Sav dies. While you are at it, look for some used 30-06 and 32
# spec dies as well. You will be doing both your grandson and yourself a favor
# in producing better ammo with less effort. You can still use Lee dip
# measures if you don't want to spring for a regular powder measure. Load data
# is available on line (www.hodgdon.com).
# Bob Hankins
#
OK, thanks! At least I have a good scale he can weigh each shot, if
that's needed.
I don't figure he is going to be "mass producing " any time soon and
that will be good experience.
BJ
Big John
# #"Big John" <watso...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
# # My grandson was recently given a .300 Savage and would like to reload
# # his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
# # Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick search
# # and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300 Savage.
# # Is there some other reasonable alternative? I bought out the local
# # hardware store current stock (3 boxes) for $24.00 each but understand
# # the next order will be more in the $40 - $50 range. Can't afford a lot
# # of range practice at that rate!! Suggestions will be appreciated.
# #
# #
#
# Somebody has been fibbing to you. Take a look at the link below.
# http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=410484
#
Great !! Thanks--
BJ
Long Ranger
limits of the .300 Savage, I highly recommend trying BLC-2 as a powder. It
gets a great deal out of carbine length barrels.
Offbreed
# My grandson was recently given a .300 Savage and would like to reload
# his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
# Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick search
# and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300 Savage.
I like the hand press. It uses normal dies, and stores small.
No knots on the head for messing up the dinner table, too.
chasw
best place to buy Lee equipment. Their Lee Loaders sell for $19. - CW
http://www.fmreloading.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=FMR
________________________________________
"Big John" <watso...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:g62go1$1kd$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu...
> ...
Mike Gaskins
die setup. You really don't need much to start with. If you're
already comfortable measuring powder charges with the scoops (as done
with the Lee Loaders) then you can get started for very, very cheap.
For about $25 from Midway Lee sells a combination press (it's a C-
style aluminum, but it works) along with the reloading manual. For
another $20-25 you can grab a die set, OR, as I do with most of my
dies these days, just hit up E-bay and look around there. A lot of
used die sets can be had for $10-15 that work just fine (and usually
with those you can get RCBS, Hornady/Pacific DuraChrome, Redding,
etc, rather than Lee dies. Lee dies work, and I have a several sets
of them, but when available I do prefer RCBS or Hornady).
You could probably be up and going for under $50.
Mike
C & E
# Alex Cunningham wrote:
# # #"Big John" <watso...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
# # # My grandson was recently given a .300 Savage and would like to reload
# # # his ammunition. I have been reloading my .30-06 and .32 Winchester
# # # Special for years using Lee hand loaders but we have made a quick
# search
# # # and it appears that the Lee loader is not available in the .300
# Savage.
# # # Is there some other reasonable alternative? I bought out the local
# # # hardware store current stock (3 boxes) for $24.00 each but understand
# # # the next order will be more in the $40 - $50 range. Can't afford a lot
# # # of range practice at that rate!! Suggestions will be appreciated.
# # #
# # #
# #
# # Somebody has been fibbing to you. Take a look at the link below.
# #
# # http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=410484
# Great !! Thanks--
#
# BJ
#
Somebody was blowing smoke up your skirt on the ammo prices too. Check
http://www.midwayusa.com/esearch.exe/search?search_keywords=300+Savage&category_selector=653&Click+to+Begin+Search.x=11&Click+to+Begin+Search.y=11&Click+to+Begin+Search=Search_Button
penultimate
> ...
A couple of follow up comments precipitated by slightly off the mark
content in several replies to your original question. Here I note our
poster's situation is one where he wants to get a comparative
youngster into reloading for very little money and with very little
fuss. He also has actual experience using a Lee Loader and obviously
has a favorable impression of that experience.
The other reloading equipment companies never much liked the Lee
Reloader, just because so many that bought one never felt a need to
buy anything else! Just as a guess, actual use of a Lee Loader might
be lacking in those that might imply that reloading with one is
terribly inefficient or results in shoddy ammunition. So, a couple of
comments that I think are in order because I both have a fairly well
equipped and frequently used reloading bench and have used the Lee
Reloader just enough to think I know what I am talking about. I had a
bunch of Lee Reloaders because they came with a box lot of other
vintage reloading gear I purchased at an estate auction and was
getting distinctly innaccurate ammunition with a conventional 7mm Rem
Mag die set (NOT Lee!). One of the Reloaders was 7mm Rem Mag, so,
pretty much for giggles and never expecting much, I tried it.
1. Efficiency of Lee Reloader
Unless dies and stuff for a particular cartridge and bullet are
already set up in my press, I can reload about 20 rounds or less,
start to finish, FASTER with a Lee Reloader. Note that I am finessing
the question of powder measurement. The Lee Reloader is really,
really, faster than a press if I compare use of a dipper for powder to
use of a powder dispenser that must be set adjusted to yield a
calibrated charge as determined by a powder scale. But, assuming a
good reloading bench set-up, and resorting to a "batch loading"
technique, there is little doubt that I can crank out 100 rounds
faster with a press.
So, efficiency-wise, the question really is how much ammo are you
going to reload and is any gain in efficiency (because you are going
to reload a couple of boxes or more at a time or leave everything
already set-up on a bench) worth spending say $150 versus $20. With
"average" but quite good bullets, you can certainly reload 300 Savage
(ignoring Brass cost) for 35 cents a round. With a Lee Reloader you
pay for your gear in less than two boxes of reloads. It should not
escape notice that the difference in equipment cost, especially for a
younster just starting out, is easily the difference between being
able to shoot enoiugh to develop skills and not. Not to mention the
fact everything you need, including a can of powder, bullets, primers,
and a small hammer, easily fits in a shoe box (with a couple of other
small tools most will come to want). You have to be pretty settled in
life before you have space for a dedicated reloading bench.
I wish to emphasize that at the time I was really surprised at how
well the Lee Reloader worked, how quickly it produced ammunition
relative to a set-up at least 10 times as expensive when new, and that
the result in terms of accuracy was plenty good enough for me and the
rifle's intended hunting use. Not many complain about a possibly
better than 1 MOA hunting rifle. So I came to like the Lee Reloader
AFTER having owned and worked with the "good stuff."
2. Accuracy of Result
Once again finessing the question of powder measurement, ALL OF MY
DIRECTLY COMPARATIVE EXPERIENCE (7 MM Rem Mag) speaks against the idea
that a Lee Reloader produces "lower quality" ammunition. Same bullet.
Same powder, powder charge, COL, and primer - sub MOA with the Lee
Reloader. Barely sub 2 MOA with a conventional press and (obviously
defective) die set. And certainly I have never heard anyone that has
actually used a Lee Reloader claim that the accuracy of their
ammunition went up when they used a press and regular dies, let alone
show any data to that effect. I suppose the bench rest crowd might
well make such a claim and have the data to back it up and certainly a
Lee Loader is not immune to being made poorly. But quite frankly, as
much as a 50+ year old Savage 99 in 300 Savage will and should be
shot, I doubt anyone could prove the best (most expensive) reloading
gear in the world was better. Certainly, results with 7mm REM Mag
were plenty good enough for me and I have used the Lee gear for this
cartridge for about 10 years. In total this is maybe 350 rounds.
3. Powder Measurement
Dipping powder, done with care, certainly results in a charge at least
as consistent as you get from a mechanical powder dispenser. The key
weakness of the Lee Reloader is, however, that as it comes you only
have one available powder charge. Safety requires that the volume of
the single included dipper be on the light side. So, if you work only
with the powder measurement tools included, you are probably producing
ammo that has a velocity 3%-5% under a maximum load and that either is
or is not well tuned to the resonance properties of the bullet you
have chosen and your rifle.
But if this is a limitation that needs to be overcome (and for your
average hunter and his typical rifle it probably does not), a powder
scale and some form of adjustable dispenser is required - whether or
not you are using a Lee Reloader. And the point of the Lee Reloader
is that it includes no more or no less than is required to get started
loading pretty darned good ammunition.
I can not help noting that I spent my first 30 or so years reloading
trying to get a "maximum", but still reasonably accurate load. Most
of the last 10 or so reloading years have been aimed at very accurate,
but "reduced" loads for practice. And, as I have come to mature my
understanding of trajectory and what actually kills game, I see little
point to going for maximum velocity. 20 years ago I probably never
would have settled for a sub maximum "dipped charge" per Lee Reloader
recommendations. Today, I know that 100 fps does not mean squat, so
long as accuracy is good.
I'm not trying to talk anybody out of a more sophisticated and
expensive approach to reloading. But I will say that if I was a one
rifle guy that just wanted to save some money on 200 rounds a year or
less, knowing what I know now I see little purpose to owning a press
bolted to a dedicated reloading bench. A Lee Reloader would do. If I
wanted to use premium bullets and tweak my loads to as good as I could
get short of obsession, what I would NOT give up is my PACT dispensing
powder scale. And obviously, you will quickly come to add some
gauging and case prep tools.
The bottom line is that a Lee Reloader is far and away the least
expensive way to get started reloading and that expense is low enough
(< $30 with shipping) to remove for many people what might otherwise
be too high an economic barrier to ever get started. For many, a Lee
Reloader is all that they might need or want, Like many, I spent the
first few years of adult life never owning more than would fit in my
car. Had I not been taught to reload as a kid and been able to return
home to do my reloading (until I was over 30), I might never have
started. The fact that a Lee Reloader reduces your reloading needs
including supplies to the volume of shoe box is not inconsequential.
I would never try to talk anyone our of Nosler Partition bullets,
particularly for elk. I have used them myself for 40 years and have
never had a Partition fail to do the job. At the same time, for
velocities of 2800 fps or less and for deer, I really don't think
there is much, if any, advantage of "premium" (boutique level) bullets
at responsible hunting ranges over a modestly priced, conventional cup
and core soft point. And the accuracy advantage you might gain from
shooting more even 10 cent bulk bullets in practice far outways any
advantage in terminal ballistics of a 60 cent bullet. On a budget,
I'd use the cheaper bullets, assuming they shot with reasonable
accuracy. Only once someone proves they can shoot minute of coffee-
can standing on hind legs am I impressed with their loads and rifle
that might shoot 1/2 MOA off a bench.
Jim
a tinker's darn in a Savage 99. Brass needs to full length resized to
cycle through the action reliably.
Calif Bill
"penultimate" <drw...@cimtel.net> wrote in message
news:g67n88$hek$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu...
> ...
One problem with the hand Lee loader, is it is not recommended for auto
rifle cases. You need a full length resizing die. I use a Lee Loader for
my 357 and 38 reloads, but do not do enough handgun shooting to justify a
press. Shotgun is a different matter.
Offbreed
# "penultimate" <drw...@cimtel.net> wrote in message
# news:g67n88$hek$1...@grapevine.wam.umd.edu...
# > ...
#
# One problem with the hand Lee loader, is it is not recommended for auto
# rifle cases. You need a full length resizing die.
The Lee /hand/ press uses regular dies, it just does not mount on a bench.
penultimate
> ...
Your experience with your rifle/chamber is certainly to be respected
and possibly even a normal expectation given a max load or use of
brass fired in another rifle. And certainly it is conventional wisdom
and advice that ammo for lever actions and semi-auto rifles be full
length resized.
None the less:
1. Our poster has experiece using the reloader with 32 Winchester
(32/20 or 32 Win Special?), almost without doubt in a lever gun.
Obviously, he would not be hunting for a Lee Reloader for another
lever action caliber if this experience was negative.
2. Thousands of Lee Reloaders have been sold in 30/30, an almost
exclusive lever action chambering. Here is a link to 8 (eight)
customer reviews at Midway for this caliber. Not one raises your
complaint.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductreview.exe/GetReviews?productid=543039
3. Probably fewer reloaders have been sold in 300 Savage (almost
exclusively a Model 99 Lever chambering. But here is the single
customer review at Midway, again favorable.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductreview.exe/GetReviews?productid=410484
4. I have never had a problem with my neck sized only reloads in 308
(Lee Collet Die) cycling reliably in my Savage 99. I have not tried
rounds reloaded in a Lee Reloader.
5. I have never had a problem with my partial length sized reloads
(C&H Die, backed off 1/2 turn) in 219 Zipper in a custom chambered
Savage 1899 TD. I have not tried rounds in a Lee Reloader.
The latter two cases are the only ones where I have ever personally
tested conventional wisdom about full length resizing for a lever
action, but added to the rest seem pretty convincing to me. Lee does
warrant customer satisfaction with their products. So it is hard for
me to believe they would offer a product where a huge percentage of
returns might be expected.
12 to 1 would seem to make your point cautionary rather than
definitive.
chasw
full length sizer die, but I don't set the shoulder back. Once a cartridge
has been fired in one of my rifles, its a form fit to the chamber. By
screwing the die down only enough to "kiss" the shoulder, I preserve the
exact headspace dimension but still squeeze the body of the case down a bit,
more than enough to function well in any lever, semi auto or similar action.
All my dies and my Rockchucker press are fitted with Hornady LocknLoad
bushings, which allow me to adjust sizer dies only once, then snap them in
and out with a twist of the wrist.
The first time you adjust your sizer die, put a little ink from a felt tip
pen around the neck of a lubed case. Then gradually screw the FL die in
until it the marks on the neck barely touch the upper edge of the shoulder.
Its a little tricky when you have several rifles in the same caliber, for me
its the .30-06 and 7.62 Russian, but all you have to do is set your sizer to
fit cases fired in the rifle with the shortest headspace. That way they
automatically fit all the others, albeit with a little extra slack in the
chamber. - CW