Randall's "match ammo is too expensive" list.

[ar15barrels]

I wrote this for the precision rifle forum, but it's probably worth posting here too.

It's inevitable that new precision rifle shooters will want to start reloading soon after they get into our sport.

I have worked up two lists, one high-end and one low-end.
This is the complete setup of tools you would need to reload match grade 308 ammo at a significant savings over purchasing federal or black hills match ammo.

It's quite common to see match grade ammo selling for $1.50 a round.
It's also quite common to be able to reload your own for less than $0.50 a round.
That's $1 a round savings.
It's quite easy to pay off the reloading equipment when you are saving $1 a round.

All of this is from Midway, but better pricing is probably available on some items if you shop around.
Even better deals can be had by purchasing good used equipment or watching ebay.

First, the good stuff:

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Product #: 217655

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press 122.99
Product #: 513567

Redding Competition Shellholder Set #1 (308 Winchester) 42.99
Product #: 525874

Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set 308 Winchester 129.99
Product #: 271533

RCBS Precision Mic 308 Winchester $39.99
Product #: 574297

Imperial Case Sizing Wax 2 oz 6.49
Product #: 519525

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Product #: 414369

Possum Hollow Kwick Case Trimmer 308 Winchester 20.49
Product #: 155172

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Product #: 119190

Possum Hollow Chamfer and Deburring Tool Power Adapter 9.99
Product #: 295771

L.E. Wilson Chamfer and Deburring Tool 13.49
Product #: 789334

RCBS Hand Priming Tool $36.49
Product #: 329291

RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale and Dispenser Combo 110 Volt 319.99
Product #: 772151

Lyman Electronic Scale Powder Funnel Pan 6.09
Product #: 118739

Grand total of about $860 plus shipping.

You don't have to buy top-end equipment to make good ammo.
The equipment below will still make good ammo, it will just take more time to get it done.

Now, the economy stuff:

Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Softcover 19.99
Product #: 217655

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit $104.99
Product #: 121744

Kit Includes:
Lee Challenger Reloading Press
Lee Auto Prime.
Lee Auto Prime Shellholder Set of 11.
Lee Cutter and Lock Stud.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure.
Lee Chamfer Tool.
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
Lee Safety Powder Scale.
Lee Powder funnel.
2 oz Tube Lee Resizing Case Lube.

Redding Type S Match Bushing 2-Die Set 308 Winchester $129.99
Product #: 271533

RCBS Shellholder #3 (308 Winchester) $6.89
Product #: 326468

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Product #: 414369

RCBS Powder Trickler $13.49
Product #: 317787

Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 308 Winchester $4.49
Product #: 271467

Smith & Wesson Dial Caliper 4" Stainless Steel $19.99
Product #: 119190

Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gage / Comparator $29.99
Product #: 479704

Grand total of about $400 plus shipping.

I have a very strong opinion that the very best quality dies are a strict requirement to make the very best quality ammo.
That's why you see those expensive dies in both lists.

In addition to each of these lists, you will need a neck sizing bushing.
The size can't be determined until you figure out what brass you will be using.
These bushings run around $10-$15.
Then you need powder, primers, brass and bullets.
Start saving ALL your brass NOW, even if you don't think reloading is for you.
As you progress in your shooting addiction, reloading is just part of the game.

[rulas41]

should be sticky

[30Cal]

Good list.

I don't agree with your viewpoint on dies. I've owned Pacific, Herters, Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Dillon, and Lyman. In all that, maybe two sets have been high end flavors. With one exception, all have been able to deliver at least the same level as factory match. I do like a micrometer on top of the seating die though, because it makes setting up faster.

I prefer a decent beam scale to any electronic one. I've use the Lee Safety Scale and would recommend staying away from it.

Buy good match bullets if you expect match accuracy. Always buy components in bulk.

[ar15barrels]

I don't agree with your viewpoint on dies. I've owned Pacific, Herters, Lee, RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Dillon, and Lyman. In all that, maybe two sets have been high end flavors. With one exception, all have been able to deliver at least the same level as factory match. I do like a micrometer on top of the seating die though, because it makes setting up faster.

Like I said, this was written for the precision rifle crowd.
We are trying to exceed "factory match" accuracy as much as we can.
Standard dies are certainly capable of making great ammo, but for the utmost precision, it's hard to beat a straight-line seater like benchresters use.
That's why I recommended the high-end dies.

[cyphr02]

nice overview

I've considered reloading myself, have you crunched the numbers to see how many rounds it would take being made before the set pays for itself?

Can those dies also be used in a turret press?

[ar15barrels]

I've considered reloading myself, have you crunched the numbers to see how many rounds it would take being made before the set pays for itself?

Can those dies also be used in a turret press?

At $1 a round savings, it's easy to see how many rounds it takes to pay off the equipment.
The savings is even more per round if you participate in group buys and buy in larger quantities.

With some small exceptions, reloading dies and presses are all 7/8-14 thread.
You can interchange almost any brand of dies into almost any press.

[StraightShooter]

I've considered reloading myself, have you crunched the numbers to see how many rounds it would take being made before the set pays for itself?

Can those dies also be used in a turret press?

Well like Randall said (and is 100% true) you will save about $1 per round. Over the past 7 months I have fired over 1000 rounds so thats about $1000 saved. I reload on a really cheap press (from a lee anniversary kit) with standard rcbs dies and I am doing quite well in the accuracy department. Therefore I have paid for my equipment many times over in a ver short amount of time. I do however shoot more than the average plinker.

Nice write up by the way Randall.

[4thSeal]

**** that manual trimming / deburring ****... dump all that manual stuff

add a Giraurd to the good stuff...

Nitride Bushings

Tumber w/ Media

Redding Competition Bullet Seater

Also going to need Hornady OAL Guage and Modified Case

Hornady Bullet Comparator Body / Inserts

Hornady Headspace guage bushings / Comparator

[ar15barrels]

Tumber w/ Media

Redding Competition Bullet Seater

Also going to need Hornady OAL Guage and Modified Case

Hornady Bullet Comparator Body / Inserts

Hornady Headspace guage bushings / Comparator

It's a beginners kit, that's why there's no giraud.
The list has a power trimmer with the addition of a hand drill.

As for everything else you listed, it's all covered in both lists, thanks for actually reading the post.

[264charlie]

Thank you Randall, very helpful

[fusionstar]

FYI the

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit 73.99
Product #: 414369

is a total piece of crap. Burned the motor in less than 40 hours of usage with 2 hour each tumble.
The bucket sifter throws media outside because it does not come with a lid.

[hamster]

Thanks for the post! I'm buying most of the stuff you put on the list... actually pretty much all of the stuff on the budget list minus the dies and tumbler. I just want to try it out with some cheap dies, and get the expensive ones if/when I get addicted, and I dont shoot enough rounds a month (yet) where cleaning the brass by hand wouldn't be faster than having a tumbler. Again, thanks for the list. I'll post how my loads come out.

[ar15barrels]

Thanks for the post! I'm buying most of the stuff you put on the list... actually pretty much all of the stuff on the budget list minus the dies and tumbler. I just want to try it out with some cheap dies, and get the expensive ones if/when I get addicted, and I dont shoot enough rounds a month (yet) where cleaning the brass by hand wouldn't be faster than having a tumbler. Again, thanks for the list. I'll post how my loads come out.

Don't go too cheap on the dies.
I would recommend you get RCBS or basic redding 2 die set.
Either should be able to be obtained for around $30 new or $20 used.

[scr83jp]

www.bivwak.com this site needs to be checked occasionally for Nosler .308 & .223 custom competition hpbt bullets going up for bid !

[264charlie]

Randall, any reason why you picked the Redding over the Forster dies?