I'm just about to start handloading for the first time and I wonder if someone could help me with these questions:
The RCBS set up I have came with a Speer reloading manual. Naturally all the loading data is for their bullets. There's a note that says something like other manufacturers bullets are not interchangeable. It used to be like that but with modern design there can be differences. (paraphrased).
Is that really true? I'm planning to reload .303 and given how hard it is to find components, I'll have to take whatever brand of bullets I can get. Do I really need to then get a reloading manual from the same manufacturer as the bullets, or is that overkill?
Also, I see that people seem to go back and forth on .311 vs .312 bullets for .303. The Speer manual says 0.311. Assuming I'll have to experiment to get the best accuracy, does that difference in diameter make a difference in terms of safety? My Lee Enfield rifle was unissued and is in mint shape so the bore is probably towards the smaller end. Can you safely experiment with that much variation in bullet diameter without changing anything else?
Thanks!
The RCBS set up I have came with a Speer reloading manual. Naturally all the loading data is for their bullets. There's a note that says something like other manufacturers bullets are not interchangeable. It used to be like that but with modern design there can be differences. (paraphrased).
Is that really true? I'm planning to reload .303 and given how hard it is to find components, I'll have to take whatever brand of bullets I can get. Do I really need to then get a reloading manual from the same manufacturer as the bullets, or is that overkill?
Also, I see that people seem to go back and forth on .311 vs .312 bullets for .303. The Speer manual says 0.311. Assuming I'll have to experiment to get the best accuracy, does that difference in diameter make a difference in terms of safety? My Lee Enfield rifle was unissued and is in mint shape so the bore is probably towards the smaller end. Can you safely experiment with that much variation in bullet diameter without changing anything else?
Thanks!