reloading for 308 bolt gun 20"

[Tacit Blue]

I was wondering what is the preferred method? Seems like most people use the Classic Lee reloader with the scooper, which is around 30.00 bucks or so.


I got plenty of .308 brass from ammo I've shot. Just wondering if I should be looking at time consuming handloaders or a progressive?


I know the saying is usually it's not cheaper than buying factory match ammo, just that you'll shoot more? I guess that's true if you buy a progressive vs a Classic lee handloader since that is so cheap lol. I don't imagine the overhead on the Classic being too much. Then you figure powder, primers, Sierra match bullets. So it adds up..

[CSACANNONEER]

No, most people do not use a Classic Lee Loader and most people do not use a scoop either. For a bottle necked cartridge, I prefer and strongly recommend a single stage press. Then again, I think that no matter how many progressive presses one has, there should always be a single state press or two on the bench. Take a class or two before you buy anything. Don't take a class from a shop that is offering to sell you supplies, it will end up being a class in marketing instead of reloading. The time "loading" is only a fraction of the time it is going to take you to load your brass. A quality trimmer is going to be your best bang for the buck. I could go on all day. Just remember that the cost of a press isn't a big deal in the grand scene of reloading. A quality single stage press can cost more than a progressive.

[MrElectric03]

Are you looking to load .308 plinking ammo or match ammo?

For match ammo you can really tailor your loads by reloading yourself. However it's not hard to spend a bunch of money on different tools and toys.

Many guys like the lee equipment. I've never used it so can't comment on it. I use a rcbs rockchucker for loading my bolt gun ammo, I process it on my Dillon xl650 just to save time.

[robert101]

You will get varying opinions because we may have different perspectives on shooting accuracy and time management related to the sport. My idea of precision is about 1 MOA. I can achieve that level of precision on a progressive press with cheap bullets so I choose to load my 308 on a Dillon 550b. I do have a single stage but I want to cut my reloading time down so I use a progressive. Others attempting sub-MOA precision may want single stage presses and more accurate powder measuring.

[Tacit Blue]

No, most people do not use a Classic Lee Loader and most people do not use a scoop either. For a bottle necked cartridge, I prefer and strongly recommend a single stage press. Then again, I think that no matter how many progressive presses one has, there should always be a single state press or two on the bench. Take a class or two before you buy anything. Don't take a class from a shop that is offering to sell you supplies, it will end up being a class in marketing instead of reloading. The time "loading" is only a fraction of the time it is going to take you to load your brass. A quality trimmer is going to be your best bang for the buck. I could go on all day. Just remember that the cost of a press isn't a big deal in the grand scene of reloading. A quality single stage press can cost more than a progressive.

Understood. I was told by someone you should weigh it out if you want to be precise. I agree, taking a class would be the best bet. Better to learn hands on and get feed back on the " dos and donts".


I'd be reloading for a 20" Howa 1500, I'm looking for loads that I would consider " match grade" ammo. Obviously, I'll have to learn and develop a load.

Are you looking to load .308 plinking ammo or match ammo?

For match ammo you can really tailor your loads by reloading yourself. However it's not hard to spend a bunch of money on different tools and toys.

Many guys like the lee equipment. I've never used it so can't comment on it. I use a rcbs rockchucker for loading my bolt gun ammo, I process it on my Dillon xl650 just to save time.

[huckberry668]

I have a setup that I used when I lived in a pigeon coop & had no place for a bench mount press. All my reloading stuff fit into a plastic storage box. I'd sit in front of the TV and process brass in between my night shift baby feedings. I still use it at the range to develop loads.

1. A Lee Hand Press $37
2. A small pocket electronic digital scale with a cover. $60
3. a set of Lee Deluxe dies $34, the scoop from Lee actually comes in handy. I used Forster die rings to lock the die setting down so I can change the dies w/o changing the sizing or seating depth.
4. RCBS powder measure and a trickler. optional
5. 1lb cans of powders, primer, lube pad...
6. caliper $21, headspace gauge .400 $10, bullet comparators $30, for precision seating and sizing.

All the reloading tools for less than $200. You can load 100 rounds of Fed GM comparable ammo for $70 in components (sans brass). Compare to buying 100 rounds of Fed GM ammo for $120.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have a setup that I used when I lived in a pigeon coop & had no place for a bench mount press. All my reloading stuff fit into a plastic storage box. I'd sit in front of the TV and process brass in between my night shift baby feedings. I still use it at the range to develop loads.

1. A Lee Hand Press $37
2. A small pocket electronic digital scale with a cover. $60
3. a set of Lee Deluxe dies $34, the scoop from Lee actually comes in handy. I used Forster die rings to lock the die setting down so I can change the dies w/o changing the sizing or seating depth.
4. RCBS powder measure and a trickler. optional
5. 1lb cans of powders, primer, lube pad...
6. caliper $21, headspace gauge .400 $10, bullet comparators $30, for precision seating and sizing.

All the reloading tools for less than $200. You can load 100 rounds of Fed GM comparable ammo for $70 in components (sans brass). Compare to buying 100 rounds of Fed GM ammo for $120.

I have many presses and love my Lee hand press for certain things. Since you didn't list a trimmer, how did you trim your brass to keep it a safe OAL to shoot?

[davek8s]

I'm getting ready to start loading 308. I have a Dillon SDB for loading pistols but I use my Lee single stage press for loading rifles. I generally only load high end rifle ammo. I use match head stamp brass, I weigh my bullets and group them by weight and a trickle my powder to the exact weight.

I'm a big fan of loading rifles on a single stage press. Maybe one day I'll upgrade to a 650, but for now I'm happy with my Lee.

[Tacit Blue]

How does this look guys. Has a trimmer, scale etc. 100 bucks on Amazon.

http://leeprecision.com/50th-anniversary-breech-lock-challenger-kit.html

[CSACANNONEER]

How does this look guys. Has a trimmer, scale etc. 100 bucks on Amazon.


http://leeprecision.com/50th-anniver...enger-kit.html

That'll do you well to start with one exception, toss that scale and get a better one. You'll still need a set of dies and a shell holder. Lee dies aren't the best but, they do work and, they come with a shell holder.

[davek8s]

How does this look guys. Has a trimmer, scale etc. 100 bucks on Amazon.


http://leeprecision.com/50th-anniver...enger-kit.html

That was my first set up. I still use most of it. 2 things to upgrade though. 1 get a digital scale because the one they give you sucks. 2 get auto disk powder thrower it will save you a lot of time.

Other than you'll be good to go

[huckberry668]

I have many presses and love my Lee hand press for certain things. Since you didn't list a trimmer, how did you trim your brass to keep it a safe OAL to shoot?

You're right. I did forget to include trimmer and debur tool. I did have a RCBS collet type hand cranked trimmer in the box. I don't use it at the range tho. Typically at the range I neck size the once or twice fired brass and had no need to trim them. Now I keep a couple of WFT in the box in case I need to full length size them.

During the baby feeding years, I shot mostly straight wall handguns calibers. I couldn't find more than a couple of hours for rifle shooting.

[tanks]

For my rifle rounds I use a Dillon 550B, but I use it like a single stage. I re-size, deprime on the press. Then, I trim and deburr. I use a Forster priming tool to prime all the cases. Once done I use the RCBS chargemaster to individually measure powder for each case, back to the machine to seat the bullet while the chargemaster is disbursing the next load.

One reason I use the Dillon is that I do not have to adjust the dies as each caliber has its own head.

[stand125]

The lee hand loader makes great bolt action ammo and the included dipper throws the perfect charge of imr 4895 for 150gr fmj bullet. I take mine with me shooting incase I shoot up all my ammo I make on my turret press and feel like shooting more. It takes about 45 seconds to make a round after you get the hang of it. Money very well spent

[JMP]

308, go with a single stage. Once you are set up, it isn't that time consuming and your ammo will likely be better.