Barrels

[Incitatus]

A little local shop had 3 barrels in like new condition.  I haggled a bit and ended up with

32/20 Win
7-30 Waters
.445 Super Magnum (magna ported)

for $450 or $150/barrel, all in.

I figure I will finally be dragged kicking and screaming into reloading.  In any event, for the price, they seemed like a good deal. 

That brings the total in about 2 years to 12.

[shot1]

That seems to be about the going rate for used barrels. When getting into reloading it pays off in the long run to get top quality equipment. About the only thing that Lee makes that I would recommend is their dies are pretty good and their priming tool is great. You would be better off with RCBS, Lyman, or Redding for everything else. I am speaking from over 30 years of experience.

[Junior1942]

That seems to be about the going rate for used barrels. When getting into reloading it pays off in the long run to get top quality equipment. About the only thing that Lee makes that I would recommend is their dies are pretty good and their priming tool is great. You would be better off with RCBS, Lyman, or Redding for everything else. I am speaking from over 30 years of experience.

Obviously, you haven't experienced a Lee Classic Cast press.  It's worth twice + what they charge for it.   Another dandy is the Lee Hand Press.  How 'bout the Lee Whack-it Loader?  The Lee push-through cast bullet sizers and Lee Liquid Alox lube have revolutionized cast bullet sizing & lubrication. 

[I make oil]

2nd on the Lee Classic Cast I have one and it is a GREAT press.  Especially for the money.

[Incitatus]

What is the scoop on these calibers?  The 445 seems interesting.  Are the others sort of curiosities?

Also, if you could only own one (1) reloading book what would it be? 

[Keith L]

I sure like my 7-30 Waters.  Low recoil, accurate, and does a great job on whitetails.

[Ladobe]

I've had all three as Contender pistol barrels.

I agree, the 7-30 Waters is a great cartridge for multiple uses.   Developed for lever guns, but like many cartridges designed for other platforms it does even better in TC's with a wider range of bullets than can be used than in a tube feed firearm.   Excellent choice for deer hunting.  Factory ammo available without reloading.

The 32-20 has its places too, another lever gun cartridge.   Long ago it was in use  in revolvers for law enforcement.   Great for small game, IMSHA, and ammo is available.   I shot IMSHA with an old Colt Police Positive Special 32-20 years ago, and from about 3 decades before that for small game hunting.   The TC barrel was used for same.

The 445 Super Mag was developed for IMSHA.   It could be called a 44MAG on steroids, but you can shoot 44MAG and 44 Special in the same chamber.   So it has about the same uses as the 44MAG.   Ammo is also available for it.

Of the three in TC pistola's I got the most use out of the 32-20.   Had too many others that equaled or exceeded the other two, but the 32-20 was a good companion to the 32-40 Win barrel I also had.

HTH,

Larry

[Czech_too]

Of the three mentioned, I only have the 32-20, three of 'um.  It is one of my favorites.