I am trying to get started reloading and I just ordered the "RCBS Reloader Special-5 Explorer Plus Single Stage Press Kit" from Midway. What else do I need to get to be able to load my first 50 bullets?

I have ordered .260 brass, redding premium series 3 die set and 8lbs of h4350. I am still trying to pick my bullets and primers.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/828368/rcbs-reloader-special-5-explorer-plus-single-stage-press-kit

I have read for hours about bullets and trying to pick one to start with is difficult. Can you guys recommend me a bullet to start out reloading with that would be good for hunting pigs, deer, coyote and also be ok for me target shoot out to 800m. I am shooting a tikka CTR 260.

140 A-max is hard to beat!! 140 Berger VLD or Hybrid is also great. If you want a more dedicated hunting bullet, the 129 or 142 Nosler Long Range Accubond is good, or the simple 130 or 140 Accubond. I personally run the 140 Berger VLD Hunting in my 6.5x47 Lapua. Also, the Hornady ELD-M and ELD-X would be great, just hard to find right now.

What Chad said.

In my experience, the Hornady bullets are less picky to make shoot than the Bergers. Secant ogive vs. tangent ogive. Anyways, try to find the lands with a Hornady, then check Mag length. If seated even with the lands, but too long to fit in the mag (most likely the case with a Tikka) then seat them to mag length, and stay there. Starting on the low powder charger, and easing up in .3 gr increments to Max powder charge.

I found some nosler accubond long rang on sale so I ordered a couple boxes along with the nosler manual.

Dang good bullet by all reports.

130gr Swift Scirocco II

jrg

I use the 120 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip over Reloader 17. I like a trajectory as close to my 270 as possible, which I can't do with a 130 or 140 gr bullet. You don't need a 140 gr bullet for whitetail deer. You don't need a high BC bullet inside 300 or 400 yards. And you don't need a match bullet for deer hunting (AMAX).

I did just fine with the 100 gr Ballistic Tip, but found over time that the 120 gr version was more effective on deer and hogs. If not the Nosler bullets, I'd probably go with the 120 gr Sierra Pro Hunter. Certainly the 130 gr Accubond would also do just fine also, though there's a MV deficit, though slight.

Some good ones suggested, the sale on Nosler Accubond LR is hard to pass on right now. Getting good accuracy with them and being a bonded bullet should be great on game.

If you want to try Berger Bullets give the Hybrids a try, they are much less seating depth sensitive than the standard VLD bullets.

I too started very recently reloading with a similar kit, Hornady instead. The only things my kit did not come with that I use very regularly are these inserts onto your calipers to measure the case headspace and bullet ogive.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/479704/...with-comparator
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/231904/...-with-6-inserts

I can't tell you how beneficial they are versus not having them because I had them from the very beginning, at Fireman's suggestion. The first set of reloads all shoot beyond my expectations. I've never shot an honest 5 shot group sub half MOA at over 100 yards before. I just measured with calipers, but i had one that was less than 1 inch at 300 yards. As still a total newb to reloading, I've decided that matching your headspace and ogive dimensions to your specific rifle plays a HUGE part in getting ammo to shoot well.

Thanks Redneck, I got them ordered. Should be here on Tuesday.

I have the same rifle and here is what works good in mine:

44.5 grains H4350
Lapua brass
CCI-BR2 primer
Berger VLD Hunting 130 grain seated .040" from lands

Fairly warm load but shows no over pressure signs with my gun. I started off much lower and worked up to it.

^^Making about 2950 fps MV?

Actually much lower. I'm sure the 20" barrel has a lot to do with it. Average is 2725 fps @ 71deg. I still thought it would have been a little more.

Is that a brand new barrel? Is that virgin brass?

Yes new gun, and new Lapua brass. Some was once fired but when I was using the chronograph I think that was all new brass. Round count on barrel was 50-100 range probably when using the chrono.

Around 200-250 rounds that barrel will speed up. When you set your fired brass back .002" you will gain more velocity there too.

My 260 Rem 24" barrel started making 2850 fps with the same charge as yours. After the barrel got seasoned and the brass got formed it hit 2950.

That's good to know because I have to say I was a little disappointed with the velocity even though it shot great for me. Thanks for the info I will have it broke in before too long. I have been bumping the shoulder .001-.002 on the fired brass.

My pleasure. It's good news though, that the rifle will shoot better the more you shoot it.

But a word of caution, those 130's will end that barrel's life sooner than 140's will.

130's will shoot out the barrel sooner than the 140's? Not really a surprise, since erosion should be slightly greater, but is there a significant barrel life difference?

I have some 140's just haven't tried them yet, mainly because I was worried about low velocities with the 20" barrel.

Are you looking to put holes in paper, or put things down?

A-max, Sierra Matchking are not meant to hunt with. They do not have bonded jacket-cores.

If you want a hunting bullet with an awesome BC and will fly fast, look into 123gr or 129gr Hornady SST's. They were mostly made for the Grendel crowd, but they have really good BC's considering they're hunting pills.

It all depends on how much reach you want, and what energy you need at that range, and how you want the bullet to function once it hits your target.

A-maxes are actually terrific hunting bullets, with a much better BC than an SST. They are one of the best multi-purpose bullets for long range target shooting, as well as a hunting bullet.

SMKs are very good for hog hunting, and many have had good results on whitetail.

I use the below in my Ruger M77 Mk. II 6.5x55mm Swedish Mauser:

Target - 123 grain Sierra HPBT

Hunting - 120 grain Barnes TSX

Then again, it shoots just about anything good. Just some are better than others.