.308 reloading

[HBchevelle68]

I will be purchasing my my first long range rifle within the next couple weeks (remington 700 XCR tactical long range) as the title of the thread suggests it will be in .308. Just out of curiousity, would it be benficial to reload? I understand it takes time and money to start but I think I would actually enjoy reloading. Anyways my question for you all is what are the REAL BENEFITS. Such as cost savings, quality of ammo, will it allow me to shoot better groups? long range?

I am new so be gentle

Thanks all!!

[HBchevelle68]

beneficial*

[damndave]

If you want long range, you will want to shoot match ammo. For some, 1moa is "good enough", but out of a good precision rifle, you should be aiming for sub .5 moa.

Paying $1-$1.50 per round is just too much for most people. You will be able to load better than FGMM for about $0.40 a round assuming you already have brass. Yes it is a big initial investment, but if you are shooting match rifle rounds, it will pay for itself in no time.

After reloading for about 6 months now, I feel ripped off paying for commercial ammo

[ronas]

quality of ammo

The quality of the ammo you load can be superb and can match your rifle more precisely.

[HBchevelle68]

Well thank you guys for the input. I have been lookin at different reloading setups and was just curious if you guys have a certain setup that you would recommend?

Thanks!

[BigBronco]

Your budget and moa goals have a lot to say about the equipment you decide on. First good shooting skill + more $$$ = tighter groups.

[Bhobbs]

I have the Lee Challenger kit. It was about $100 but I would recommend a new scale and priming tool. My Lee hand primer exploded in half after less than 100 cases. It requires bushings that you screw your dies in. It comes with 3 but if you reload more than 1 cartridge you will need more.

[Sonnypie]

There is only one way to get the absolute most accuracy from your choice,
Reloading.
When you reload, you control each aspect of the components.
The two most obvious is the bullets and the powder weight (and type.)
How accurate you want to be depends on what you put into each round.
I'm real picky, so each powder load gets weighed to absolute accuracy, less than 1/10th of a grain.
I spot check my bullets weight and usually find them dead on.
I have a certain primer I use in my "recipe".
And I go so far as to check for off center flash holes in the primer pockets.

If you take the time to be absolutely meticulous in your reloading, and you develop a perfect load for your firearm, your repeat accuracy is more guaranteed.
I prefer a single station press, and do batch steps. That means what happens to one case, happens to each in that batch (usually 100's).
Powder measures can mis-throw at times. Hence, weigh each powder load.

Sure, it takes time. But how about putting 5 shots through the same hole.
Pretty sweet, huh?

Reloading is your only way of controlling every aspect of your ammunition.

Enjoy your new rifle!

[thai562]

Lee Challenger are at a great price.

[Jonathan Doe]

This was from my Remington 700 XCR with my reloads (the black rectangular paste is 3/4"X1"):

[Sunwolf]

Get the Lee classic cast press.Handles larger calibers better than the Challenger.

[rumblebee]

Yes....realoding is worth it, if you have the time and patience. BTW, that XCR is a very nice rifle...bought one about 1 1/2 ago and it's a great rifle.

I will be purchasing my my first long range rifle within the next couple weeks (remington 700 XCR tactical long range) as the title of the thread suggests it will be in .308. Just out of curiousity, would it be benficial to reload? I understand it takes time and money to start but I think I would actually enjoy reloading. Anyways my question for you all is what are the REAL BENEFITS. Such as cost savings, quality of ammo, will it allow me to shoot better groups? long range?

I am new so be gentle

Thanks all!!

topgun7...those are real nice groups. #2...wow...if you don't mind what was your load on that (just curious)? I'm trying to develope loads for this rifle right now. Of course, same model different game for loads, I understand.

This was from my Remington 700 XCR with my reloads (the black rectangular paste is 3/4"X1"):

[Jonathan Doe]

topgun7...those are real nice groups. #2...wow...if you don't mind what was your load on that (just curious)? I'm trying to develope loads for this rifle right now. Of course, same model different game for loads, I understand.

The load was:

Sierra 168 HPBT, 41.8grains of IMR4064, Wolf large rifle primer, prepped Federal brass, the bullet seated .010" from the rifling. Usually works very well for me.

[rumblebee]

Thank you! It's a good baseline....now if I could only get that grouping, I'd be a happy camper

The load was:

Sierra 168 HPBT, 41.8grains of IMR4064, Wolf large rifle primer, prepped Federal brass, the bullet seated .010" from the rifling. Usually works very well for me.

[JTROKS]

Very beneficial.