Reloading Setup

[wes.crockett]

Hello all!

Once again, I turn to the best community I know for this information.

I am thinking about getting a reloading setup. I will be interested in reloading .380, .40, and 308 calibers.

I found the Lee Precision Turret Press Kit on Amazon for a pretty good price.

Aside this, and a set of dies for each caliber, what all would I need to start reloading? I think the main round I am interested in to start is the 380 for my AR-10.

I have also heard that there are some things to be looking for/cautious about when reloading for an AR, is this correct?

Can someone point me to the "go to" products for standard range casings, primers, powder, and bullets?

Thank you all,
Wes

[liber]

Aside this, and a set of dies for each caliber, what all would I need to start reloading? I think the main round I am interested in to start is the 380 for my AR-10.

Certainly you must mean the 308 for your AR-10.

I have also heard that there are some things to be looking for/cautious about when reloading for an AR, is this correct?

I haven't heard anything, other than making sure you can fit them in the mag. Since the AR is semi-automatic that is fed from a mag, the rounds need to fit inside the case. As long as you keep the COAL to 2.800" they should fit.

Can someone point me to the "go to" products for standard range casings, primers, powder, and bullets?

Such a wide variety of choices.

I can't comment on the Lee, but I would suggest a RockChucker for an inexpensive single stage. For primers I've used CCI, Federal, and Winchester.

For 308 Powder, look at Varget, IMR-8028 XBR, CFE-223, BL-C2, to name a few popular ones. I've used Varget, H-335, 8028 XBR with success, but not crazy about H-335 in 308. I do like it for 223.

For brass I buy once fired LC Match cases for 308 from kendog4570 here on calguns.

[wes.crockett]

Hah, yeah... 308... not 380.

Basically, the hope would be that I could produce ammo at a cost that is far below what boxed ammo costs for a 308. Currently, it's hard to find 308 at under a buck a round.

[G38xOC]

Analog / Digital Caliper

Case Gage ( optional ) I like to have for all calibers

Reloading Book

and for reloading powders/primers/bullets

theres ton's of good thread about em and good read on sticky

[Paseclipse]

For .308, find out the headspace on your AR-10 first and learn how to dial the resizing die in correctly. When I first started reloading .308 I learned this one the hard way because I followed RCBS's directions on setting their sizing die and it was wrong.

[liber]

Hah, yeah... 308... not 380.

Basically, the hope would be that I could produce ammo at a cost that is far below what boxed ammo costs for a 308. Currently, it's hard to find 308 at under a buck a round.

Yes, you can. I estimate you can produce match grade ammo for about $0.35-$0.50.

EDIT: Don't forget to read Randall's sticky:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=158086

[Enfield47]

The Lee classic cast turret is a great press.you can use it in single stage or auto indexing (for .308 and smaller). The kit can be found at a better price at Titan Reloading http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/l...rret-press-kit.

You'll also want the double disk kit and the rifle charging die. Buy an extra turret for each set of dies and store them in the red round die boxes. The Lee scale leaves a lot to be desired so you'll want to get a new one, the RCBS 505 is a good one, or an electronic scale. I have the Jennings Mac 20 electronic scal http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/je...e-mack-20.html and the RCBS 505, both are very accurate.

[stilly]

Yes, stick with THIS Lee Turret and do NOT get the aluminum one that has a taller red base. I have heard they are not as nice as this iron one that is heavy and works well.

PLUS, it is quite possibly the fastest turret you can get before having to go to a progressive AND for the price and the versatility, it just works well.

It is probably the BEST choice you can make if you are starting out in reloading.

[liber]

The Lee classic cast turret is a great press.you can use it in single stage or auto indexing (for .308 and smaller). The kit can be found at a better price at Titan Reloading http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/l...rret-press-kit.

Wow, that's a pretty good deal.

The RCBS rebate going on right now is not bad either, Midway has the RockChucker kit on sale for $279, and if you add a set of dies in you would push that up over $300 and get a $75 rebate:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

Both of those are decent kits to get started in reloading.

[castgold]

I use a Rock Chucker for 2 .308 rifles, one bolt action and the other an AR type. Redding full length sizing die and seater, manual case trimmer, powered brass prep station, Chargemaster Combo dispenser/scale, case length gauge, ballistic chronograph, rail mounted brass catcher, multiple reloading manuals.