Precision .308

[hitman_usmc]

Ok, I've been reading over tons of posts on this subject on multiple forums. Many of the posts say the opposite of the other. Therefore, I've only become more confused.

I've been loading pistol for ipsc for years. Rifle requires a crap load of more work is about the only thing I've learned.

I have a 650 right now that I'd like to use. I see a lot of people mention the Co-ax but I'm not sure I can stay sane using such a slow press. Also, have no experience with a press like the CO-AX. If it's really the only way to go, I guess I'm not completely adverse to it.

Back to the 650. I've seen that most people use two different tool heads to load .308. One for brass prep, and the other for loading. I looks like they usually have a decap die, sizing die, and the dillon electric case trimmer in it (or giraud, not sure which way to go). Not sure about anything else.

The second one has another decapping die, multiple sizing dies (M die, S die, not sure why they use both or what they do differently), a powder funnel to manually dump powder since the dillon one isn't very accurate, and a competition seating die.

Ok, I've started my shopping. I by no means have all the money in the world, but I won't want to skimp on really good equipment either. I was planning on buying a new rifle, but I guess I'll be buying this reloading equipment instead so I should have a decent amount of money.

This is what I have so far, please let me know if you recommend something that will truly help make the process easier/faster/more accurate or let me know if I'm just wasting my money on some of these:

1. Redding type S full length sizing die. It will be mainly for bolt guns. Reg. or small base?

2. Redding competition bushing neck sizing die

3. Lyman M die

4. Redding competition seating die

5. I figure some type of taper/crimp die goes here. What do you recommend?

Still need either giraud or dillon trimmer and a good powder measure. Again, looking for some recommendations here.

Would using the 650 be fine if I manually dumped the charges using something other than the dillon powder measure? If not, the Forster CO-AX will probably be the way I'll go.

Also, do you recommend the rcbs case prep station or something else to get all of those steps done?

Thanks again for the help guys.

[Nessal]

Get the redding body die instead of FL sizing die. Also dump the crimper, you don't need it. You said you're loading for precision. Messing with the neck doesn't sit well with me. The redding seating die is good, i would keep that. I would get a Wilson trimmer instead of the two mentioned above. You're trying to load for precision. What's the rush? Get a SS lee press if you have to.

[Nessal]

Double posted

[LGB Loader]

G.I. Joe... Well played.

Nothing beats my Wilson Trimmer. I bought a Redding 2400 a few spings back and like it as well.

I believe you can get by with a good RockChucker or even the Lee Classic Cast single stage but do invest in good dies.

The Redding Comp set is a great set. Invest in the right size bushings for the neck sizer and use that body die as needed. The Comp Seater is the cat's meow of seater dies and I have had nothing but great success with them. Just take good care of them and maintain them properly.

And Use premium components.

And Hitman, G.I. Joe is right... Slow down and roll 'em right. This isn't plinking ammo we're assembling here.

LGB

[Gunsrruss]

Giraud

Giraud Trimmer

[Jonathan Doe]

For precision loads, I use single stage press, Bonanza Co-Ax, Redding neck or full length size dies depends on the gun (gas gun or bolt gun), Redding or Foster competition seating dies. Obviously I measure every powder charge in a totally prepped brass, seat the bullets to maximum length that I can do safely for each rifle.

[ubet]

I havent used the redding comp set (out of my pay grade), but I do use the normal redding dies for my 308, after I get the ol right, I dont have to measure again the whole loading session.

Two important things, a good powder thrower, AND a redding or rcbs scale. YOU NEED a GOOD scale, do not skimp here, it is the MOST important step to precision loading. Good powder thrower will save you time with the scale, but you need a good scale to get repetitive measures.

[Gunsrruss]

Stuff

After years of trial and error this is what I have left...

Giraud trimmer.....like being in heaven
Pact powder disp. & scale.....again it saves time
I have three press's....only because when they offer them to you for $10 you buy them....Lee pro 1000 (Crap) only use it for sizing and decaping. Dillon 550B because it was given to me. RCBS rock chucker $10 which I use in the house to seat bullets. The 550B is the winner. The powder drop slide bar will get you to within .1 That works for me

[Mikeb]

They learned me to sort the cases for wall thickness runout. The neck turn and trim then fireform and reload. And weigh the charges.
take care
Mike

[Nessal]

After years of trial and error this is what I have left...

Giraud trimmer.....like being in heaven
Pact powder disp. & scale.....again it saves time
I have three press's....only because when they offer them to you for $10 you buy them....Lee pro 1000 (Crap) only use it for sizing and decaping. Dillon 550B because it was given to me. RCBS rock chucker $10 which I use in the house to seat bullets. The 550B is the winner. The powder drop slide bar will get you to within .1 That works for me

Have you checked round to round varience? I personally like doing every step by hand with the least automation as possible when I'm loading for precision. Time isn't a factor. The stuff that you listed seems more geared toward quick reloading rather than "handloads".

[sonnyt650]

easier/faster/more accurate

I think of handloads as varying the load for the rifle however it's intended to be shot, and so to me doesn't always equate to benchrest case prep. I don't believe .308 is highly regarded in the benchrest world anyway so beyond a certain point it's sort of wasted effort.


A Giraud or on-press Dillon trimmer will help for the easier/faster part, but so will a Possum Hollow trimmer and a drill press or metal lathe. It's about having consistent neck tension where a variable length is counter-productive so trimming talks to the accurate and precise part once safety is accounted for. Depending on your dies you may also want to turn necks and use neck bushing dies, but I'd just get conventional dies instead which give consistent neck inner diameter.

As for throws with my Lee Perfect Powder Measure I get good results for H322 and ok results Varget, and the plus/minus 0.1 grains is in the noise compared to my ability to hold. I'd say save the money to shoot more where if you intend to reach out to 600 yards there's only so much handloading will help.

[Gunsrruss]

Bench load

Have you checked round to round varience? I personally like doing every step by hand with the least automation as possible when I'm loading for precision. Time isn't a factor. The stuff that you listed seems more geared toward quick reloading rather than "handloads".

I don't load for bench shooting. I load for the best accuracy I can get in the shortest amount of time. The products I listed will do just that. I am a NRA Master shooter. I don't clean primer pockets or weigh cases or turn the necks, or uniform primer pockets. I do make sure there all the same as far as powder weight and case and bullet length. I do not crimp my loads. I always use match bullets, but only surplus powder. Yes, I said it, surplus powder. The only new powder I bought was IMR 4350 to load 6.5X55 loads for long range

[Fjold]

If you use the Redding S type FL bushing die and adjust it correctly you can get by without trimming cases as often. I'm on my eight reloading of my Lapua brass for my 6.5x284 and have not had to trim any cases.

[killshot44]

Another thing with the Redding S FL bushing die, you're setting neck tension with the bushing - lose the expander ball on the decapping stem. If you're case mouth is deformed, just use a taper punch to straighten it before you resize.
All my neck tension variances and runout disappeared when I removed mine. I love the Redding Comp set. Money well spent.