I am thinking of starting to reload .308 ammo and could use some wisdom of the been there and done that.

I don't know a thing about reloading rifle ammo but I have grown up reloading shotgun shells.

What equipment would you recommend?

How much of an initial investment will it be?

How much $ does it save to reload percentage wise?

How much ammo will I reload before it pays for the equipment?

What are soem good .308 loads you would recommend?

All guidance is appreciated.

You need a
press $50 to $150
dies $20 to $ 40
priming tool $25
deburring tool $10
scales $50 to $300
powder funnel $5
reloading manual $30
bullets ,brass ,primers ,powder
Ammo that cost $22 a box I can load for $6 without buying the brass..

Thank you

Will a scale that weighs out to a tenth of a gram work or how accurate does it need to be?

The info is much appreciated..

I am surprised that noone else has offered any adice with so many views on this.


Posted this on a fishin site too and got a whole bunch of people helping me out.

Thanks again WILDBOAR.

1/10th of a grain is close enough in this horseshoe game...

I bought a used RCBS press in a box, new dies, 243 & 8mm, New Lee priming tool, with the used press I got a deburring tool, lube pad, lube, brushes, older RCBS 5-0-5 powder scales and a uniflow powder measure.
A couple of out dated reloading manuals and some other odds and ends were included. I like Lyman and Sierra reloading manuals then Speer, Hornaday and Hodgdon Powders which cover, IMR and Winchester powders...

Don't forget the dial calipers, or digital if that's your preference.



Jay

i got a Lee aniversery reloading kit when I was 16 and paid for it the same week I bought the kit,dies,calipers & components; at the time I was shooting federal premium and I loaded 10-12 boxes of ammo and paid for every thing the first week in savings.


I dont know how much the aniversery kit is now but im sure its still cheap...Comes with every thing you need except components,dies and calipers.....10 years later I still have that press and it works good as ever.

even comes with how to manual complete with load data!

If you live near denton ill teach you on my equipment. then youll kinda get the hang of it, and know what you need.

Everything said so far is true.
I started handloading to save money,that was a long time ago.
It has turned into a hobby that I really enjoy.
I think now days you have to look at it as a hobby because the startup cost can be high.Rcbs and other offer kits but you will need other things to go with it.Primers,powder,brass and bullets have gone up a lot the last year or so.If you know someone who handloads it would be good for them to show you how.
You asked about loads for a 308, I've loaded for the 308 a lot,I've used IMR3031,IMR4064,Accurate2520,and Varget with good results.Now I use Varget mostly and for hunting 150GR Hornady bullets.My present load is 46GRS Varget CCI200 primers Winchester brass and 150GR Hornady SP bullets.Start a little lower on your powder charge and work up.
Ebay has some handloading stuff with some good prices.Check retail stores and online to get an idea at the cost. You will always be adding things once you get started.
Good luck.

Here is the kit I was talking about; get this kit, a set of .308dies and a set of calipers all at the same web sight then all you need are the components.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=121744

Look at every thing this kit includes and its the best buy by far! I still use all the original press and other tools that came in mine 10+years ago....and never a problem.

Last time I went to a public range with a buddy we picked up 200+ .308cases in 5 minutes, then all you gotta buy is powder,bullets and primers.

i good way to figure loading ammo is this

If you have to buy cases figure about 50% cost of buying factory, if you have or get cases for free then ammo will cost you roughly 30% of factory.

Read that in guns and ammo the other day

Awesome.

Thanks guys.

Great info.

I live in the Katy area and wouldn't mind learning the ropes from someone or possibly buying a few of someones personal .308 loads to try through my gun and cut down experimentation time.

Koenig,

Denton is a little far ,but I appreciate the offer. I used to know some people named Koenig that lived in Olmito TX. Any relation?

Well, I live in Katy, but don't load for a .308. If you buy the powder, bullets, primers and brass I got the equipment to show ya the ropes. We can set-up the dies and work up a few loads for you to test at the range. I enjoy this part!! It's like a secret recipe that everyone wants. Have over 25yrs experience reloading.

I have another buddy that wants to learn how to load for his .223, .25-06 and .300WSM someday. He's just never seems to have the time. It takes time to learn and it isn't a fast hobby to learn. There are too many things that can go wrong when you're in a hurry and it's not worth it.

I personally would never use someone elses reloads in my rifles. Again, too many things can go wrong and you could be injured from their mistake. The bullet seating could also be too far out and cause very high pressures. Don't do it!

The only thing I can add is get a good reloading book and start reading.It looks like a few are willing to help you and if I were you I would take them up on that offer. I also agree with Texas Proud on using another persons recipe unless you are willing to drop that load a few grains and work up to that specified load.
Good luck and happy reloading.

Yep,,

I am gonn take up Texas proud on his offer if he will let me.

He is near me. I went to Bass pro today and priced things. Now I just neeed to get past the holiday and go get the stuff.

Ya'll are great

thanks

You're more than welcome to come here for a leason Matteo. Advised another buddy about the time frame and hope the both of you will be able to come over at the same time. Nothin' like shootin' the bull while learnin' a thing or two.

Awesome thanks for your generousity.
I will take you up on that

You can buy a kit with all of the above included except your dies. Try Ebay. I would definitely get a Reloading Manual. I have the Speer/RCBS book, that will walk you through everything. I have a Nosler #6 Edition and an older version since I load mostly Nosler bullets, to get their input on loads.

Buy good stuff the first time around. You won't be sorry. Lee stuff will get you by, but it's not as well made as the others and if you break something you will pay to get it fixed. Buy RCBS, Forster, Redding, Hornady, or Dillon stuff and the manufacturers will take good care of you. And if you decide you want out of reloading you'll get most of your money back. There are some good tools offered by Lee, but stick with the other manufacturers on presses, dies, trimmers, and powder measures.

1/10 grain is all you can get for accuracy anyway. grams is a totally different measurement and will not go over well when you start loading . make sure you dont buy one of those scales on ebay that are .2 grain accurate. try to find a good balance beam scale to start off with, and spend the money on a good press. RCBS is what i have for single stage and hornady for my progressive. learn the ins and outs before trying to load in bulk because you will quickly become overwhelmed with the equipment rather than enjoy the time at the bench. take your time and most reloading manuals will take you step by step through the whole process, which isn't that hard. the devil is in the details, though, and attention to detail is the second most important thing next to safety.

Remember! this is another hobby and not an offshoot of shooting. it's as addictive as bowhunting!

101 steps to reloading
http://www.alliantpowder.com/getting_started/why_reload/default.aspx

Thanks for the link!

Matt I also live in Katy. I re-load for my 7 mag and my 25-06. Just bought a 22-250 and will start reloading here in a few weeks. You are more than welcome to come by and learn. I was in BPS today myself looking at dies for my 22-250

About $38 for RCBS dies.

You'll love that caliber........I do!! Along w/ the 25-06....I do also!!

RCBS is quality Reloading and priced reasonably.

I think RCBS is the tops for single stage.

I may have missed someone's comment in this thread, but I would get a scale specifically for reloading: reading grains and accurate to within +/- .1 grain.