Reloading Question/Concern

[airwolf3924]

Hello,

I just bought my first Scar 17 today (woot) and bought 500 rds of this: http://www.sgammo.com/product/308-76...zan-ammo-pp321

Im looking forward to seeing how it performs. Ive done alot of reading about reloading and ive picked out some materials that i think will work. But wanted to get the feedback of those more experienced. Here is what im thinking:

(.308)
Brass from the PRVI listed above
or http://www.diamondkbrass.com/.308-WI...cial-1000.html
bullet: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/148...oint-boat-tail
Primer: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/953...h-primers-210m
Powder: I was thinking vargnet. But im reading that it is no longer made? If not, what would you guys recommend?

As for equipment, i know ill be using a single stage press, scale, and tumbler. I know there are other pieces that are necessary and i was hoping you gents may have some links to "buy this naw".

Thanks in advance!

[MarkG35]

Start with reloading manuals.

Varget is still made.It is a very popular powder, thus scarce.

[Fjold]

Varget in still being made.

You'll need dies, brand depends on what you're trying to shoot with them. 99% of shooters will get by with RCBS, Lee, etc. If you want to get into match shooting, take a look at match dies.

A shell holder for the 308 case, Lee dies come with a shell holder. Loading blocks to hold the case being loaded. Case lube. A micrometer or dial indicator for measuring cartridge length. A powder trickler speeds things up as does a powder thrower.

There are lots of other small things like primer pocket reamers/cleaners.

[MarkG35]

You can use the brass from the ammo you purchased but there is better.

[airwolf3924]

Varget in still being made.

You'll need dies, brand depends on what you're trying to shoot with them. 99% of shooters will get by with RCBS, Lee, etc. If you want to get into match shooting, take a look at match dies.

A shell holder for the 308 case, Lee dies come with a shell holder. Loading blocks to hold the case being loaded. Case lube. A micrometer or dial indicator for measuring cartridge length. A powder trickler speeds things up as does a powder thrower.

There are lots of other small things like primer pocket reamers/cleaners.

Would the casing i have chosen be ok with the bullet?

[airwolf3924]

You can use the brass from the ammo you purchased but there is better.

when you say "better" does that mean "more accurate" or "able to reuse more often" ?

[Devilmonkey89]

More consistent. Better neck tension, uniform characteristics I would assume.

[ducky_0811]

All your questions and more can be had in a loading manual. Pick up more than one, the knowledge you learn will be invaluable. First thing I tell someone wanting to start reloading is to read, then read again, and again.

[T19gun04]

All your questions and more can be had in a loading manual. Pick up more than one, the knowledge you learn will be invaluable. First thing I tell someone wanting to start reloading is to read, then read again, and again.

I tend to agree... However I was lucky enough to meet someone that read the manual(s) many of times and was able to teach me valuable and important values.

I do learn from reading but a mentor is 100x

[airwolf3924]

HODGDON POWDER

what you guys think about this?

[jericho89]

Hodgdon powder is the current manufacturing company for hodgn, winchester, anpnd imr powders. They are one of the biggest powder makers. As stated you need to find a few manuals and come up with a recipe that works best for your gun. You will need to do a lot of testing with the powder that you get to see what functions and is the most accurate for your gun. The powder that you use will be the one that you can find available and that has reliable information for in the manuals. One persons best combination may not function or be as accurate in your weapon as it in in theirs. Factory brass is made to function in the widest variety of weopons and is not always made to be the most accurate. Reloading is an art in making your rounds the most reliable and accurate for your specific needs. Just start low and load test rounds until you develop your recipes that work for you.

[airwolf3924]

what brass would u recommend?

[Fjold]

The brass that you have will work fine. By the time that you get to where you can outshoot that brass quality, it will be worn out and you will be buying new brass anyway.

[airwolf3924]

ffs, there was a post that listed everything i needed to buy (thought it was a sticky) and now i cant find it -.-

[ducky_0811]

I tend to agree... However I was lucky enough to meet someone that read the manual(s) many of times and was able to teach me valuable and important values.

I do learn from reading but a mentor is 100x

You bet! If the OP has a friend or somebody that can walk him through the beginnings of it, that's always best. I learned to reload through research and reading as many different manuals and publications as I could but I would certainly second having a knowledgeable experienced person there to help.