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Reloading newbie, quick questions
#6307027
05/22/16 03:25 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 217
Nivlac
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 217 |
So I've finally decided to start reloading for my .308 rifle in order to achieve consistent accuracy and save money. Due to an awesome rebate and sale price at Cabelas I've decided to get the RCBS starter kit. Anyways, I'm wondering what to look for in dies for my .308...will the standard dies work well for precision shooting or do I need the more expensive "competition" set? I'm not a competitor, I just enjoy target shooting.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/reloading/reloading-dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/535998780/rcbs-reg-rifle-die-sets/731753.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freloading-dies%2Frcbs%2F_%2FN-1113654%2B1000004440%2B4294383537%2FNe-1000004440%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_535998780%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU
http://www.cabelas.com/product/shooting/reloading/reloading-dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/535998780/rcbs-reg-competition-rifle-two-die-sets/731771.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Freloading-dies%2Frcbs%2F_%2FN-1113654%2B1000004440%2B4294383537%2FNe-1000004440%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_535998780%3FWTz_st%3DGuidedNav%26WTz_stype%3DGNU
Also one more question can someone recommend a powder to use. I plan to be shooting 168gr bullets.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6307049
05/22/16 03:50 PM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,022
Bar-D
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,022 |
Standard dies will serve your purpose just fine. All my RCBS dies are the standard set.
People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6307051
05/22/16 03:51 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,100
TackDriver
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 1,100 |
Standard full sizer dies is good enough just for target shooting. I used RCBS dies to start 25 years ago, the more you get hooked into the reloading hobby and punching bugholes then you would need to upgrade to a competition level.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6307054
05/22/16 03:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,074
Cool Mo D
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,074 |
I have always had good results with the standard dies. The comp dies among other things, will let you seat the bullet just off the lands. For the diff in the price I would go with the standard dies, to each his own.With the 168 I would use R12. Other's have their favs also. BTW, I not sure there a lot of savings in reloading today. When I started yes, now not so much.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6307083
05/22/16 04:31 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,109
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,109 |
I like the Redding dies, they have the feature of using a Carbide sizer button, cuts down on lubing necks, really smooth. But the RCBS stuff is great. Get some digital calipers, cheap and you will use them a ton. I love Varget or RL-15 with you chosen bullet weight but there are a TON which will work great!! Lots of knowledge here to help you just be ready for 1000 different answers (opinions) as there are allot of "experts" here too
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6307098
05/22/16 04:48 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416
jdk1985
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 13,416 |
Varget is one of the gold standards for 308.
Instagram @justinkingwoodworking
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6307944
05/23/16 01:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 217
Nivlac
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 217 |
Thanks folks. I'm going to shop around and see if I can find some Varget locally to avoid hazmat fees
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6308068
05/23/16 02:41 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,802
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,802 |
Sometimes Varget can be hard to find, but there are plenty of good powders for 308. One good option is IMR 3031, and since it isn't one of the new 'popular' powders, it's usually easy to find. I use it for the grandson's 308, and accuracy is excellent.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6308388
05/23/16 06:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,052
glocker17
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,052 |
4064 has always been a good 308 powder for 168gr loads.
Last edited by glocker17; 05/23/16 06:35 PM.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6308651
05/23/16 10:40 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,564
Slow Drifter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,564 |
I'll likely get laughed at here, but I'd start off with one of those all-in-one Lee Loader setups. $30.00 and you'll learn a LOT from that little kit. Also Chapters 1-10 of the Lee Reloading manual has a wealth of information whether you use their gear or not. Sure, they hawk their wares here and there, of course, but there's some really good basic information in those pages. Have fun and be safe!
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6308674
05/23/16 10:53 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,109
Buzzsaw
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 34,109 |
Just Kidding, I started with one in 20ga.
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6308727
05/23/16 11:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,189
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,189 |
I blew up a few primers reloading with the Lee -Loader
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6308753
05/23/16 11:50 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,878
Blackout Bill
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,878 |
Read,read and read some more. Welcome to the addiction.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6311150
05/25/16 07:10 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 321
wrknonit
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 321 |
Be careful, be safe and don't get creative with your charges and pressures. Take your time and give lots of attention to details. It'll save you a bunch of problems.
always room for another buddy!
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6312103
05/26/16 01:32 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 217
Nivlac
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 217 |
I'm still getting all my supplies but have been reading up in the meantime. Ya'll are right this is addicting. So much info out there.
Last edited by Nivlac; 05/26/16 02:22 PM.
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Re: Reloading newbie, quick questions
[Re: Nivlac]
#6312610
05/26/16 09:23 PM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,564
Slow Drifter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 5,564 |
It's about as bad as fly fishing.....I alwys find myself stumbling across some new "must have" item for the bench, but continue using the same 30 year old stuff. It's fun, though, and most of the little doo-dads aren't expensive at all. The new stuff that IS pricey, like some of the new brass prep stations, is worth the bank, to me at least.
Last edited by Slow Drifter; 05/26/16 09:24 PM.
"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones." A. Einstein
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