Just a tip get a primer pocket deburring tool. I think Lee has one for about $10. This will cut the burrsout of the inside of the case and give you better powder ignition. I do it on all of my cases and it only has to be done once. I use Winchester brass for reloading if I am buying bulk brass.

Good advice, I think the LEE anniversary kit I got came with one. I hope to re-load a few this weekend. EJ

If you use the Lee scales be very careful. I used one for a couple of years and I always said it could be off .9 grains if you are not careful. Sure enough I loaded some 22-250 with .9 gr too much and that caused a big problem.

Before I could afford scales, I used to use a large thimble to measure powder. Sometimes had to trim the thimble. It limited me to a few loads and powder types. But I was loading what I needed in good shape. With a 30-06 you might need something a little larger than a thinble. When you get your Lee dies, they sometimes come with a powder dipper.

BTW - I think the Lee pistol dies are the best you can get.

Well, I checked it against a pals scale and it seems to be real close to right on. I am going to load some tonight for target shooting. I got some H4350, winchester primers and some hornady 150 grain boat tail FMJ's. I am gonna try to load from 55 to 60 grains and see what works best. I am poor and cannot afford a bunch of different powders so I am gonna roll with it for now. I am looking at loading some for elk. I am contemplating the 18 nosler partition's with about 60 grains. Is this a common recipie? All ideas welcome. EJ

I meant 180grain noslers

Well, I loaded up some 150 grain hornady FMJ's in the 55 grains of 4350 and I am gonna step up 1 grain increments til I get to 60. Any idears?

60 grains has been a Full Throttle load for me witha150 grain bullet. Approach with caution.

Ya know Roskoe, just about the time I think that I got it all rolling, something happens. I have decided to hold off on that 60 grain. I inspected some of my loads and tried to chamber them, I crunched the shoulder down on half of them I loaded. What was this from? I think it might have been too much push on either the bullet seating die or the resizing die. I dont know. I gotta look at this again. Could it have been the crimping die? I am sure it is my fault, I just need to go through it again and see what happened. Fill me in. EJ

I would suggest looking at IMR4831 for your powder if you are just starting out. It is slower than 4350. It works well from 150 grain upand will be nearcase limited at max load. It is hard to significantly overpressure because your at or near case limit with most loads.Greatpowder for getting startedand great performance too.

4831? What kinds of velocity can I get? I realized that I did the wrong thing by buying the 150 grain FMJ's. I should have bought the grain weight and style of bullet I plan on hunting with. With this in mind, will the 4831 work well with a 180 grain bullet? EJ