Need to purchase everything for reloading...
 

Okay, like I have said before, one thing leads to another...

I have no experience with reloading. I want to purchase all the equipment, supplies, and references now so I can learn the techniques while my 300 Whisper is being built. I like to buy quality tools and will spend more (within reason) to get quality if it is justified. The only research I have done so far is to read through the descriptions of the reloading supplies in the Midway catalog I just received. What is the best "bang for the buck" in presses, scales, case trimmers, etc...

I use my grass airstrip behind my house as a shooting range. I have a metal table that I built, leveled, and tied to the ground with screw in anchors to shoot from. I also have an adjustable shooting vise, moveable target out to 400 yards, chronograph, and exterior ballistics software on my laptop. I have considered reloading before, but have always found factory ammunition that patterns well in my weapons.

For this 300 Whisper project, I am mainly wanting to be able to vary the powder charge to get into the optimum subsonic window with my particular weapon.

Any and all advice will be appreciated...

I would suggest taking a serious look at the RCBS starter kit:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=133068

It includes just about everything you need to get started. Just add dies, shell holder and your trypical reloading componets and you would be set to go... The Manual is also an excellent tutorial that teaches you everything you need to know...

I have one of these kits and I have had it for about 15-years now... I have upgraded a few tools over the years but all of the tools work fine and I still have everything that came with the original kit.

I will check that out...

I just got off the phone with a friend that reloads who is going to demonstrate his equipment to me. He was trying to explain to me how his 4-stage press works.

I don't know if there is a source for the preformed brass or not, but I would like to start out by buying the preformed brass and just playing with powder charges.

There are lots of options. You can get started with a Lee Anniversary set for $70. I started with this one:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=646599
It's a little sturdier then the one QB suggested and it's on sale right now so it's just as cheap. You need to be very careful, it's highly addictive. I started with a the single stage RockChucker kit. Now I've got it, a turret press, 2 progressive presses, and 2 shotgun presses. Started with a six foot long bench and had to make another to go with it. Keith Davis sells reformed brass on this site. If you plan on reforming brass, you need a real solid press to do it like the one in the link I posted or the one QB did. One of the real cheap ones won't stand up to it very well.

Redding Dies....These work fine for me....
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=655379

Of course you will need a shell holder....maybe two of these if you use a hand priming tool.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=426142

Hand priming tool...so you can sit in front of the TV with the family, prime cases and not piss off the wife by "hiding in the basement"
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=329291

I started with one of RCBS starter kits and still use it. With 300 whisper I don't load a high volume of cases, so a single stage press works for me. The RCBS press has a ability to prime cases, however find it kinda slow.

A couple of years ago I went and got a digital scale that attaches to a powder dispenser, which is kinda nice. Just type in how much powder and hit the "dispense" button and it will put a powder charge right into the scale. It beats trying to adjust the conventional mechanical dispensers, each time you change a load.

Before you buy anything, look at the Dillon RL550B. I have one and I love it! It is a progressive press. It's a little more expensive that the other items that were listed but I guarantee YOU WILL NOT REGRET GETTING THE DILLON. I tried single stage, but that doesn't work too well for any kind of quantity shooting. The Dillon is SIMPLE. They rarely have problems and if they do or you just need assistance, customer service is great.

Unless you are on a really tight budget, get a Dillon.

J

Redding Die Set...
 

You apparently use the same Reddding dies in the above link for 300 Whisper and 300 Fireball. Is there not enough difference in 300 Whisper and 300 Fireball to warrant a different die set? Will the ammunition for one function in the other?

Thumbs up for Dillon...
 

My friend that is helping me get started in reloading has a pre-RL550B Dillon that is more than 10 years old but still going strong. Even though the main motivation for buying this equipment is for this one weapon, I expect to start playing with my other calibers. As someone else mentioned, this may get addicting.:eek:

Keith Davis...
 

Right now I have a case of fear of the unknown. The only part that scares me about this process is reforming the brass. I am going to contact Mr. Davis and see if he still has brass available.

As far as I know, 300/221 and 300 Fireball are exactly the same.... which is virtually 300 whisper. I think there maybe a some neck thickness difference between 300 whisper and 300 fireball, just from the way SSK uses 221 fireball brass to form. I am no expert, by any means so maybe someone else will chim in.

I use 223 cases in the redding die and have no trouble.