Wow. These Groups.

[Mosin-Marauder]

This is the result of my 1941 Izhevsk 91/30 at 75 yards on its 200 yard sight setting with 180 grain Winchester SPs. If you remember from my last post it was a 2" group at 50 yards. Discounting the obvious flyer( I got hit in the nose and pulled the last shot) it is a 1 1/2" group. At a longer distance no less. I am extremely satisfied. I almost gave up on this rifle too.

Now to the questions I need to ask.

Since I plan to start hand loading for this rifle, should I start off with 180 grain .308 diameter bullets first?

Next, what powder should I use? 4064 is what I plan on using, if I could get some, I'd use Hodgdon Varget. But I haven't seen any (ever).

Next, Lee hand press, anyone use them to reload for their Mosin? And the Lee Powder Dippers? How precise are they? Have you had good success with them? (Whichever you use?)

Lastly, anything you folks think I could improve upon? Anything at all?

Thank you for your help, and your opinions are welcomed and appreciated.

[zeebill]

I don't reload so I can't really help you other than to say the heading for this post is kind of misleading and that might be why you have no replies. Maybe a different heading for this post would get you more help? Bill

[Ironnewt]

I've always used powder measure rather than a Lee "dipper" and I weigh every tenth charge, even with my Dillon 550. I'd slug the barrel and use an appropriately sized bullet, either cast or jacketed. I'd think about a gas check on a cast bullet (Boolit)

[bunkysdad]

No to the hand press. You will just irritate yourself. Besides a Lee single stage press is only a little more money. A Lee starter set and a set of dies will run you about 150.00 or slightly less. It'll have a scale too. The dippers are good, good meaning consistent enough and safe because they tend to drop a amount that is on the safe side. Here is the deal. You are a guy that is concerned about small tight groups. A hand press and die set is great for entering the hobby cheap and making ammo that is plinking quality. You will upgrade anyway, or never use the equipment so might as well just get the press. As for the bullets, you need to use the bullet listed in your reload data.

[Gunowner99]

Not too shabby.

[docbob]

I enjoy shooting the Lyman bullet 314299 (gas check) that I cast fairly hard, loaded on top of 16.0 grains of 2400 powder. This is considered "the load" by many cast bullet shooters for cartridges of this size. I size the bullet to .311" diameter for most of my rifles.

[Mosin-Marauder]

That starter kit is tempting. I think I will get that. It's not too much more and you get a lot more stuff. Thanks for telling me about that, bunkysdad.

[bunkysdad]

Titanreloading.com is sometimes hard to beat on pricing. :-)