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I was thinking of getting into reloading .308 rounds for my 700 sps tactical. Can anyone tell me how much or what I would need to buy (tooling, books and etc.) to get started? I have done a bunch of 9mm and 45 before at my friends house. He has done any rifle rounds before. If anyone has first hand knowledge of this, I would really appreciate getting steared straight from a fellow CalGunner, thanks a bunch.
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We have a forum for that (Ammo and Reloading) and they have a good intro sticky there:
Good luck! -
Around $800 or so to start. The rest is up to you.
I'd start with a RCBS Rockchucker kit and the appropriate die/shellholder (I like the Competitive series) I've loaded ten's of thousands of rounds on my single stage, it just takes time. You'll also need to buy a tumbler and media.
Powder and primers.
calipers for measuring OAL (the less expensive electronic are fine)
a neck prepping tool
The error in the mechanical scale is essentially the same as an electronic so there's no advantage to electronic.
Start simple and don't make a lot of rounds for working up rifle loads. I usually only make 5-10 rounds of each powder weight for load workup then after I've established my loads I'll load 100 or so rounds.
You will make mistakes to don't be in a hurry. When in doubt - do it over.Spreading the WORD according to COLT. and Smith, Wesson, Ruger, HK, Sig, High Standard, Browning
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my set up was about 300, then powder (which is hard to find) bullets (which is hard to find) and primers (which is hard to find) not to mention the brass if you don't already have some.sigpicComment
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reloading
Well it depends on how much you shoot .?Do you shoot once a week or once a month.?Are you loading for a semi or bolt gun only.Are you plan on doing both pistol and rifle loads.?The cheapest is a single stage press .With all the books , tumbler, dies ,scale,brass,primers, bullets,powder and assorted hand tools.I say about $1300 to $1600 bucks to start fresh.That is buying bulk bullets ,bulk powder ,brass, primer.etc.When I meant by bulk is 500 bullet boxes at 4 at time and 8lb powder tubs and 3000 primers at a time.It gets cheaper after the first 200 to 400 rounds.If you plan on shooting a lot ,then get a progressive reloader.I have 2 dillion square deals for 45 acp 9mm 357 and 44mag.1 dillion 650 for .308 ,3006.And a single stage for shotgun loads.And I stiill buy bulk rifle ammo like 5.56 and .308 .I shoot about 2 times a week.Comment
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Cost me about 300 to start loading 223 with an entry level lee kitComment
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Your a little late in the game, reloading supplies are sold out or gouged just as bad as ammo right now
Don't buy 8lbs of powder until you find a powder you like.
The Hornady delux Kit is decent and they will give you free bullets with purchase. Rockchucker + Hornady LNL bushing conversion is also very nice since the press is a little heavier it might be even considered better. But it will cost more once you add the LNL conversion and no free bullets.
I don't have a lee press but I'm sure they are fine too, just keep in mind the other parts as well, good scale, priming tools, chamfer and deburr tool, powder drops and accessories for it (micrometer is really nice), I think this is where the lee kits are not quite as IMO, but they should get the job done. You will also want a case trimmer etc so look into these before you invest as well. For example the Hornady trimmer is good for the money but requires hornady shell holders, which is also what you would use for the press. I prefer to prime using my press, and I don't know the priming / depriming mechanism for the Lee, the hornadys single stage is ok, but it's an add on, the progressive primer seating mechanism is awesome
The Hornady LNL book is a very good book too, but its always good to buy more than one and cross reference. I have noticed some significant difference in load data between my Lyman and Hornady Books.
You also might want to look into the RCBS Pres prime/deprime, I don't know how it works or if it is better / worse than the others.
For Dies so far I like Hornady and Redding, My RCBS work, but they are nothing special, and although Lee work for some they have caused my friend some headaches. I do love the Lee universal decapping die though.
Hornady Dies + addition of a micrometer are very close to the cost of Redding National Match dies for bullet seating. I would jsut invest in some nice Redding Type-S dies for your bolt gun though.Last edited by Justintoxicated; 02-20-2013, 1:43 PM.Comment
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When buying components, buy online and buy in bulk if you can (1k bullets, 5k primers, or 8lbs powders at least).
I've been a Sierra brand whore at first cause everyone told me it's the bee's knees, but lately I've started using Nosler or Hornady A-Max (155-178gr range) with very similar result and slightly cheaper (more practice).
Get regular Large Rifle Primers. After using BR primers and Regular primers. I can't tell much different.
Get some decent powder (Varget, RE-15, 8208XBR, CFE223) in 8lb jugs. I've try them all, and as long as they are loaded to similar pressure, I can't tell much difference in precision. For me, the amount of powder have more effect than the kind of powder you use. You can develop a great load with most powders.
In the end, my handloads are much better then me (sub MOA with decent load and on a solid rest). Me behind the rifle it's anyone's guess (damn you 4th or 5th shoot).
Good luck and enjoy you new hobby!Comment
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Last edited by ar15barrels; 02-20-2013, 6:39 PM.Randall Rausch
AR work: www.ar15barrels.com
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Barrel, sight and trigger work on most pistols and shotguns.
Most work performed while-you-wait.Comment
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Wow, u guys are soo awesome. Thank u all for your time and I appreciate your suggestions.Comment
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