Lee Loader Kit .303 British

Thank you all for the good advice.  I'm fully aware of the risks and, as I said to Stanforth in my reply, I apply those very strict rules...and my wife knows that I need to be left alone when I'm reloading.  I'm reloading with the basic Lee Loader with the exception that I'm using a scale so the amount of banging the hammer forces me to lock all doors or do that when the wife goesline dancing Haha. I'm also going through every step for 50 or 100 round at the time so when I'm decaping I'm going through the whole batch and only progress to the next step only when I'm done with decaping..., same when preparing my loads etc... also I never drink and drive, same when my Old Boy or ammunition are around.  At this stage, I just reload 303's...so no risks to mismatch powders or loads... but who knows, I can see myself acquiring a 30-30 or a 30-06 one day.  That day I might need a refresher on those advices 😉

A horror story for you.

Thanks a lot for the tip, Shamu 👍

Its thin & already moved in the crimp area. The trick is to not over do it. You're only tying to "break " the sharp edge, not create any kind of taper. Light pressure & a 1/2 turn should be fine.

Thanks for the tip, Shamu 

Fantastic!!

Shamu wrote: Dairy Farmer. (he's actually making a couple of minor errors BTW) Here's a video of it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TAHq2zKqS0

If you are going to get a scale use it as the only method of charging the case. As you use the dipper to put powder into the scale you will see that each time you get a difference. Add or remove powder from the pan as needed. I am sure that you will be more happy with the results than just using the dipper.

As far as reloading is concerned, your main challenge it to get the charge right for YOUR rifle with the bullet you are using. Yes there are other factors that will affect accuracy and safety (case length, case type, primer, seating depth, crimp, ......) but, by far, the powder charge is the most important thing when reloading. That is why there are starting loads and maximum loads.

Always start at the starting load, which, I stand to be corrected, is normally 10% lower than the safest load for the average barrel.

But be warned, a significantly under charged load can be more dangerous than an overload as there is a chance of detonation of the powder, rather than a exponential burning of the powder.

But don't let all this bother you too much. The one golden rule of reloading is to be consistently safe what ever you do. Remember this and, baring a faulty firearm, you will be fine.

Here is a quick break down of the basic reloading process:

Make sure cases are clean so that you can inspect cases for damage or abnormalities. Set aside anything that doesn't look like the rest.
Lube and resize cases.
Inspect cases again.
Insert new primer.
Insert powder charge.
Insert bullet.
Inspect cases again. Check for any damage from the reloading process and check for consistence (i.e. overall length).
Test your rounds. Remember you are looking for consistently safe reloads. (i.e. no signs of pressure, damage, and grouping).

For anyone who is interested I am putting together a detailed, simple reloading tutorial and hope to post it in the reloading part of the forum soon.