Starting Reloading w/ 35 Rem and 270 Win

[TboneD]

Well, I've put it off long enough. I've got plenty of 35 Rem brass and even more .270 Win. Do I go with a Lee or a Hornady kit? Do I visit Reloaders Bench in Mt Juliet or just order stuff online? I'd love to keep my initial costs below that of "of an arm and a leg" so my wife won't be tempted to tell me "Told you so!" Any help or tips would be really appreciate!

Thank you!
Dave

 

[Remi]

I like the Lee dies with the factory crimp die on anything I'm crimping. I order most stuff except powder and primers. I've bought my press, scale, a lot of dies etc all used. It was years ago but I got the rcbs rock chucker kit, a table and 19 sets of dies for $125. I'd keep an eye out local for stuff.

 

[user 14220]

From my own experience Lee equipment has less of a following than Hornady or RCBS stuff. Hornady dies can occasionally be a little tricky to set up. RCBS are easier.
You will receive many comments on what to do so my advice may or may not help.
If I were starting out today first piece I would buy is a RCBS Rockchucker press. Used, or new, doesn't matter. If you don't abuse it it will outlast your grandkids.
You will also need:

Reloading manuals, buy several different brands. The Hornady manual is probably the best on the market.
Case trimmer
Lube pad and lube
Scale
Chamfering tool
Dial caliper capable of going up to 4 inches or so.
Dies and shell holders.
Loading block
Bullet puller.

Other odds and ends can be added as you increase your knowledge. Powder measure, powder trickler, priming tool-either bench mounted or hand held.

If you want some hands on advice you are welcome to visit me and my reloading operation. I'll be happy to share anything I know with you

 

[Billboy]

@Snowwolfe has given you good advice!
A digital powder scale is a nice addition, but the old RCBS beam scale works fine too.
I prefer Hornady "One Shot" spray lube or you can make your own much cheaper (google). Imperial sixing wax will also keep you out of trouble with easy cleanup.
I prefer Redding dies, but RCBS or Hornady work just fine too. Learn about "Partial Full Length Sizing" to make more accurate loads and extend the life of your brass.
A brass tumbler is a good addition too as well as tools to clean your primer pockets.
Nosler, Accurate, Hodgdon/IMR, Barnes, and Alliant all have online load data.

Keep an eye on Midsouth, they often have pretty good deals on reloading equipment.

 

[Remi]

Die set up

 

[EastTNHunter]

RCBS, Hornady, then Lyman dies, in that order for my preferences. You can go to Redding or another higher end die later if you decide to get into the precision shooting after you've learned to walk.

I like the imperial sizing wax.

Balance beam scale. Trickler. SS Calipers. I'd start with the Lee dippers if you want to save some money, but I don't care for cheap powder throwers. Lots of options for case trimming

Cheap chamfer and deburring tool for now, go to a case prep center later if you'd like.

For .270 powder, H4831 (standard or SC) or 4350 (H or I) will be all that you need. I'm not as familiar with 35 Rem, but I'd bet a dime to a donut that 4895, RL7, or I3031 would be great for it. Use the projectiles that you can find, but I like the regular Hornady interlocks for a good quality budget bullet… obviously others will work

 

[Bad habit]

I believe TAC is your huckleberry for .35. Stick with good dies like redding or RCBS. A lot of reloading is about feel. Buy good stuff and it will last you forever.

 

[EastTNHunter]

Forgot to add, Reloaders Bench has a lot of stuff but they are not the cheapest. Don't forget about Academy and Sportsman's Warehouse if you are around them… but I usually just buy online. I saw a couple of members selling 4831 recently

 

[Lost Lake]

It's not as easy to gather supplies these last three years or so. My guess is that you'll have to piece them together where you can. I'd order what you can and check in on local shops whenever you get time.

Hopefully you've got enough primers and powder. That's the hardest stuff to acquire right now.

A buddy got me into reloading about 25 years ago, and he bought me Lee stuff as a gift. I still use it and some RCBS equipment as well. It's all pretty decent.

 

[MUP]

Staying inexpensive I went with Lee loading equipment myself and it's still working fine. I highly recommend the imperial sizing wax tho over any other types, a little extra time to wipe each case but since I switched to it over the spray types I haven't had a stuck case to deal with. Have fun!

 

[Remi]

I use imperial wax on the case body and this for necks

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012768197?pid=614125

 

[Tenntrapper]

When I was loading 35 rem....the 180g speer hotcore over h335 was a good combo.

 

[TboneD]

I really appreciate all the help! Thank you!

So I guess I need to start by sourcing primers. Same for both 35 Rem and 270?

 

[Tenntrapper]

I really appreciate all the help! Thank you!

So I guess I need to start by sourcing primers. Same for both 35 Rem and 270?

Yes...large rifle. A lot of reloaders use large rifle magnum primers for the ball powders.
It's been several years, but I'm thinking the h335 powder is a ball type...

 

[EastTNHunter]

I really appreciate all the help! Thank you!

So I guess I need to start by sourcing primers. Same for both 35 Rem and 270?

@Tenntrapper is right that many people still use mag primers for ball powders, but that is more of an old school rule of thumb that may not apply for the 35 Rem; the case capacity of the 35 is so small that I doubt that I'd buy them special just for that, unless they are easy to come by. It's not a bad thing to do, but I don't know that it is as "necessary" as it was once touted. If it was a larger case capacity then I'd probably do it: once again, @Tenntrapper has been doing this longer than me, and he has experience with the 35 that I don't have, so he may chime in and tell me that I'm off base.

If the Tac powder that @Bad habit mentions is correct then you are in luck… Tac has been one of the most available and affordable powders since the pandemic started. It has been going up in a lot of places lately, but it is really good on 308, 223/5.56, and 6.5G. It is one of the more temp stable ball powders on the market.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Most my stuff is Hornady, but I do have some rcbs dies too. Can't go wrong with Hornady imo. I run imr4350 for my .270 loads.

 

[Gav-n-Tn]

Take a look at the RCBS Rebel master kit. Some argue it should've been called the Rock Crusher's latest update instead of being called Rebel. The kit will be short of all you need but, so are the rest of the kits. I've got Lee, RCBS, Lachmiller, Redding and use Forster die locks. A mixture of additional tools/accessories from all of the above along with Lyman and Hornady. Crap will pop up that you didn't think about and NOT ONE single one of them makes it all. I always advise to shop locally if possible and support your LGS.

 

[Gav-n-Tn]

I'll throw this out there too…. There are a lot of folks who think they're going to reload and save money. THEN…. Realize that's not necessarily true and end up selling it. Look for new and unused presses, equipment and accessories that people are selling. It's kinda like exercise equipment. People buy with intention but don't follow through.

 

[7mm08]

Anyone tried Varget with 35 REM? Because I have about 6-7 pounds of it for my 7mm08.

 

[fairchaser]

You really can't save money by reloading! Not unless the ammo is very hard to get and expensive. But, there is precision and satisfaction to be had when you load your own. Be warned that it is a black hole with no bottom.

I started out with a rcbs kit and upgraded everything except for the press. It's hard to beat that rock chucker. I would look for someone wanting to get out of the reloading business and try to get the basics for a song. You will more than likely upgrade no matter what or get out altogether. It's not for everyone but I personally love doing it.

 

[Tenntrapper]

You really can't save money by reloading! Not unless the ammo is very hard to get and expensive. But, there is precision and satisfaction to be had when you load your own. Be warned that it is a black hole with no bottom.

I started out with a rcbs kit and upgraded everything except for the press. It's hard to beat that rock chucker. I would look for someone wanting to get out of the reloading business and try to get the basics for a song. You will more than likely upgrade no matter what or get out altogether. It's not for everyone but I personally love doing it.

I agree with this. I didn't shoot near as much prior to reloading as I did afterwards. I got into it because of a combo that was not commercially available. It grew from there.
For the last year or so, I've tried desperately to downsize and eventually get out. If I was shooting a common caliber with available ammo...and found something that shot good enough for my needs...I would abandon completely. I will say though that it has allowed me to acquire rifles with hard to find ammo for decent prices. Rifles I never would have tried if I didn't hand load. But....it can be addictive...
I recently acquired a box of bullets that have been discontinued for years....but I didn't have anything to shoot them in. Last night, I ordered a rifle for them. So, for me, I haven't saved a penny. If anything, reloading has cost me a fortune.

Hindsight being 20/20, if I was in your shoes, I would sell the 35 and stock up on 270 ammo. Neither of those are likely bench guns, so you probably don't shoot enough to recoup your investment. Of course, I have no idea how much you actually shoot.

 

[DaveB]

Hmm..Here are the Western Front (Shelby County) we shoot quite a bit. Maybe a lot.

223 and 9 mm mostly. Decapped shot brass numbers say we did over 3,000 223 last year and 5,000 9's.
Loaded coupla hundred each caliber 7-08, 270, 6.8 SPC II, 6.5, and 30/06. Exactly 1200 .308 FMJ 150's.

Keep your eyes open for Shooters World powders. In the 8 pound size the price is pre covid or mighty close. I am very pleased with FPS and consistency or the Tac Rifle (24.5 gr charge). Of note: the Fiocchi primers are showing no issues.

223 55 gr FMJ Armscor are available although I did take most of the last remaining inventory at my favorite spot.

If you want to reload and have more than a few calibers it is a great hobby. Much cheaper than drinkin'.

 

[dogsled]

When I was loading 35 rem....the 180g speer hotcore over h335 was a good combo.

Been loading 35 for a while, 200 gr over h335 or 4064 are my go tos with 200 grain round nose.

 

[TboneD]

Been loading 35 for a while, 200 gr over h335 or 4064 are my go tos with 200 grain round nose.

Sure wish we could buy .358 200 gr Cor-Lokts nowadays. What bullets you loading?

 

[ScLowCountry]

Make sure you get the right 35 bullet! Alot of the 35s are for 35 wheelen velocities

 

[TboneD]

Make sure you get the right 35 bullet! Alot of the 35s are for 35 wheelen velocities

Yes, and that's the problem.

 

[ScLowCountry]

Yes, and that's the problem.

I would load the 200 gr ftx before the interlock. The interlock doesn't expand well at 35 rem velocity. Ask me how I know.


I've never loaded the ftx. Hornday is the only thing you can reliably find in stock


I do remember something for the ftx you may have to trim the case because the bullets are too long. Which is why the brass you find from factory ftx is shorter. Just look into it

 

[ScLowCountry]

If you can find sierras 200 gr 358 pro hunter, I would definitely lose that

 

[TboneD]

I would kiss the 200 gr ftx before the interlock. The interlock doesn't expand well at 35 rem velocity. Ask me how I know.


I've never loaded the ftx. Hornday is the only thing you can reliably find in stock

I prefer to shoot the Hornady at the range. For hunting at the moment I still actually have a decent amount Federal and even a couple boxes of Winchester 200 gr round nose. Very low on my preferred Rem. Cor-lokt but it's a shame I can't find any of the preferred bullets for all the brass I've saved since getting the gun several years ago. Not sure what bullet the Winchester is but the Federal is supposed to be the Sierra Pro Hunter but they're not available, either, and I really have no interest in casting lead to be honest. Really don't want to sell the gun because it's my only lever gun and my favorite to be honest.

 

[TboneD]

If you can find sierras 200 gr 358 pro hunter, I would definitely lose that

Not sure what you mean to lose but I haven't found any of the sierra pro hunters for it.