Need advice on reloading 308

[Rover]

I started with the Lee kit, and still use most of it. The scale is fine, it's accurate when checked against other scales and calibrated weights, just not the best out there. The powder measure works pretty well, I'm sure there are better out there, same thing with the press, but for what it costs, I think it's all a great value.

The priming tool is pretty useless. I've started just priming on the press, slower in theory, faster in practice.

Grafs is awesome, it's where I buy most of my reloading stuff, but don't count out eBay. Also look for a local shop that sells loading equipment, they sometimes have an old guy working there who knows everything there is to know about reloading and can really help you out, you can also save a ton of money paying $3/pound more for your powder and primers rather than the hazmat fee.

[minxin]

So would you suggest the lee turret or the 50th anniversary? Price difference is only 5 dollars. Also only one person said a powder and bullet and primer suggestion. What else besides the kit, primers, brass and bullets and powder do I need? Probably a manual for that caliber and a die set. Anything else? id like to buy it all at once.

[stand125]

The LEE classic turret kit is $199.00 where as the 50th anniversary is only about $100.00 so you are looking at something wrong. I assume you are looking at only the turret press and not the kit. Starting out you are better off buying your first components locally in small amounts. You will pay more but why spend 300 bucks on bulk components and then never use them all.

you could probably find someone local to help you out with a few components but looking thru your post you don't seem want anybody to know where you live ( at least a county )

[ExtremeX]

I don’t remember exactly what the Lee kit comes with... but case prep tools may be needed.

Tumbler + Media

Case Trimmer
I use the CTS trimmer for .223 and .308, excellent product.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=587361&highlight=CTS+trimmer

EDIT:
OO YA…
Don’t forget a set of calipers, and a bullet puller too…

[ExtremeX]

On the components, I recommend getting new Lapua brass right out of the gate. It will be consistent and last quite a few loadings if not abused. I recommend CCI primers, Hornaday 168gr AMAX bullets (out to 600 yds, longer ranges mean a different choice). I prefer IMR 4064, but Varget will likely work just as well for you.

Also only one person said a powder and bullet and primer suggestion. What else besides the kit, primers, brass and bullets and powder do I need?

I agree with most of what the other member recommended. I would start with the Hornady 168gr AMAX... try other weights and brands of bullet if you like. Sierra makes good stuff, but it’s generally more expensive too.

I don’t think you NEED to start with brand new Lapua brass... but a few boxes of some Federal GMM ammo, shoot it, and re-use the brass and learn off those cases. Once you get a hang of it, buy the good stuff.

You may want to try Hodgdons BL-2C powder, that’s what I use for .223 and .308, it’s a spherical powder, and meters well through my RCBS Pro 2000 powder measure. If you want to try a short cut extruded I would try the H4895. I find it to be more accurate, but I don’t trickle my powders anymore, it just takes too long, so I stick with ball powders. To be honest I haven’t even tried running it thought my powder measure, some say it works fine.

I’m cool with his pick on primers, I use CCI as well. Large Rifle CCI is what you want for .308

Make sure you start with a min load and work your way up, do your own research, wealth of information on the internet. I get all my load data from the powder manufactures website.

[minxin]

http://m.cabelas.com/cabelas/product/detail.do?itemId=740033&categoryId=&path=

Is this not the turret kit? Is there a different one then? Thanks for all the help extremex. I think it might nr worth getting a press and some other key things as opposed to a kit. Still doing more research.

[M27]

this all day long.

accuracy is all about consistency so measuring tools are very important.

calipers for length and a good scale for charge weight.

[stand125]

http://m.cabelas.com/cabelas/product...egoryId=&path=

Is this not the turret kit? Is there a different one then? Thanks for all the help extremex. I think it might nr worth getting a press and some other key things as opposed to a kit. Still doing more research.

That is not the Lee CLASSIC Turret press kit. I recently found FMRELOADING on the web and they seem to have some great prices.

http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=FMR&Product_Code=90304&Category_Code=Semi-Progressive+Press+Kits

[mroels]

Here was my shopping list when I started loading .223 and what I bought later on or switched out. Most of it I use for .308 too

Equipment
Lee Handpress - upgraded to Lee Turret
Lee die set - upgraded to RCBS competition set (probably overkill for my purposes)
Lee zip trim, trim/chamfer/debur tools, calibre specific trim gauge
Hornady electronic scale (cheap one)
Lee hand priming tool
Rcbs mic kit - calibre specific
Franklin Arsenal Calipers
Rcbs lube pad

The only thing I added was the RCBS uniflow powder measure, which makes a world of difference for me when doing larger batches.



Components for .308
Brass - haven't bought any, just using what I had been saving for the last year
Primers - .308 CCI BR2
Bullets - 168gr amax
Powder - Varget and Ram TAC mostly because they work well with .223


I would recommend the Lee turret because it'll be nice to use auto indexing when just cranking out plinking rounds

[Colt562]

Heres some things to think about

Hornady Bench scale
Bullet puller
Lee zip trip with gauge

I would get the turret, I wish I got one but oh we'll, I'm now looking at getting the lee pro 1000

[Cheap Shot]

I got the lee 50th kit and I haven't had any problems with it. Scale is accurate but very sensitive (measures wind, I'm reloading in the garage). I consider it a great starter kit and you can mix and match most of the pieces from each of the manufacturers. If you find the scale a hassle you can replace it later (I will someday get a digital but am going on year 3 with just what came in the kit). Lube is your friend (I have stuck one already) I was not liking the cream lube in the kit and tried to skip rounds and went to far. I am using spray lube (home made alcohol/lanolin) and haven't stuck another yet. I reload .30-06 in lots of 50 rounds weighing each powder measure (nobody's powder measure is perfect, I set for below what I want and trickle add to the scale pan). I reload 9mm and have found that the 4.8-5.0 that I get to drop out of the powder measure is consistent and works great in the gun. I do 100-200 round lots of the 9mm.

[ExtremeX]

I don’t know why but I’ve never felt like I ever wanted a turret press… then again I’ve never used one.

I still think a single stage press is a must have, regardless of what you have on the bench.

If you really like this hobby, you can always ADD a press to the bench...

If price is a driving factor OP, just start where you want to, but I guarantee you, if you really get into it, that won’t be your last press, regardless of what you get now.

[Multra]

I started on a lee hand press (live in an apartment right now so there isnt too many options.) I am moving to a rental house with a garage in a month and will be getting this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/679...gressive-press . I will probably keep the hand press around to size cases while watching tv or something. Everything you buy will probably remain useful.

[minxin]

I got someone local selling me some new 308 dies from rcbs for 20$ and a rcbs scale the 5.0.2 for 40 and 100 prices of brass for 15. Ill buy a press by itself probably a rcbs or lee single stage and go that route.

[ExtremeX]

Hey OP... Just in case you haven’t bought the press yet...

Palmetto State Armory reloading sale it back with 15% off the press, and free shipping...

The Rock Chucker Kit comes out to $271.99 shipped.... add a few extras like a shell holder and other RCBS item you need anyways to hit $300 and you can get $50 RCBS Mail in rebate.

Work out to $221.99 for the press delivered after rebate + the other items you were going to need anyways...

I couldn’t resist... I ordered myself another single stage.

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/rcbs-rc-supreme-master-kit-9361.html

http://palmettostatearmory.com/index.php/rcbs-shell-holder-3-9203.html