About to reload for .308 :) advice needed!

[IM_Lugger]

I just got a Rem. SPS Tactical on the weekend so I guess it's time to spend more money and get set up to reload for this caliber

I only reload for handgun so if rifle reloading is any different it would be news to me. I'm going to go with LEE dies for a couple reasons, but was wounding what set I should get RGB, 3 set, deluxe? do I need a full length sizer?

Bullets: would Winchester bulk be the best choice, cost wise?

Also (important one) what POWDER would you guys recommend? what works well from a 20" barrel , be (somewhat) economical but doesn't burn as hot as titegroup?


ps: the gun will be used to target shooting 99% of the time.

 

[Lefty Dick]

Winchester bulks will get you going, but your likely to find that other brands of bullets will surpass them in the consistancy and therefore accuracy department.

As for powders there is a host that work well in the 308, stuff like 4895, Varget, 4064, RL 15, 4007SC, 4320, and a heap of others will all work.

Try a bit of good reading from manuals, and or surfing of the web for a good indication of what may work.

Good luck

 

[Katana]

Once you have fire formed your brass in your rifle I don't think you will need a full length sizer, a neck sizer is all you need.
If your going to do any kind of target shooting, Winchester bulk is not going to get you accuracy. You going to have to find some Match Grade bullet. It's going to cost more but you will get consistence and accuracy.

 

[kyjelly44]

my loads that work for me (only tested @100yards)have been with varget and IMR 4895.i was shooting 167gr lapua with lapua brass.it is with the same remington sps.i did 3 loads of each powder and all 3 were .75 or less moa.had a few 1moa

 

[Starscream]

1) I'd get the deluxe set; having all 4 dies around is handy, especially if you're going to buy once fired brass or go with another rifle.

2) It'll depend on availability of bullets. For Calgary you actually save money shooting Sierra Match Kings because they come in bulk packs that shave off a bit of money (random Remington bullets cost the same if not more then Sierra match kings here, and SMKs cost less if you buy in packs of 500).

3) There's a host of powders that will work for 308. I've only used IMR 4895 so far because I shoot out of a norc M305 but it works very well. Buy a pound of as many different powders as you can afford and experiment is the best thing I can recommend, every rifle is going to be different about tastes.

 

[Craig67]

Get the Deluxe Die set. You will need to FLRS your cases around the 6th reload. Other wise just neck size.

I like Varget, CCI BR2 primers and Hornady 178 gr Amax bullets. Bulk bullets are OK for just plinking but if you want the rifle to shoot to its potential, you want match grade bullets.

 

[303carbine]

Once you have fire formed your brass in your rifle I don't think you will need a full length sizer, a neck sizer is all you need.
If your going to do any kind of target shooting, Winchester bulk is not going to get you accuracy. You going to have to find some Match Grade bullet. It's going to cost more but you will get consistence and accuracy.

What a pile of crap to say to a new reloader. You will need a FL sizer once the brass has expanded enough to where it won't chamber properly.The neck sizer will work, but eventually the brass will need a full length resize.
Winchester bulk bullets shoot well under an in in my Remington .308, so there is another myth busted about bulk bullets not shooting accurately. Match bullets may or may not shoot accurately in your rifle, it all depends what the rifle likes, not what super delux brand name is on the box. The .308 is quite easy to reload for and will give accuracy with a lot of different powders, primers and bullet weights. It's just a matter of trying what works best in your rifle. 150 grain and 165 grain will cover most of the hunting needs for black bear and deer sized game.

 

[pockets]

Ramshot TAC, RL15, RL17, winchester 748. Buy a good supply of federal match primers, lee deluxe die set, and good brass (lapua, norma) or be willing to do more prep/sorting with your winchester brass. For bullets, find the best deal on sierra, hornady, nosler match in the grain weight you want to use.

 

[Boomer]

I dislike the advice to neck size only, regardless of application. The rounds need to chamber easily, and having to fight with the bolt handle because the shoulder was not bumped back is not the answer. Start with the resizer a full turn above contact with the shell holder, then turn it down incrementally a quarter turn at a time until a fired casing will chamber easily. If the casing chambers easily when the die is a full turn out, then turn it out another full turn and repeat the process.

Being a handloader for pistol cartridges you might appreciate using ball powder to extruded powders as ball meters so well. You could use Win 748 with lighter bullets and Win 760 or H-380 for heavier. The high loading density of ball powder is a real advantage should you wish to load long for caliber bullets in the short case. I've had good success with 760 and 200 gr Sierra MKs. You might also consider Hodgdon's Hybrid 100V, which sort of blends the advantages of both extruded and ball powder and is suitable for use with heavier bullets in the .308.

Bulk bullets are fine for what they are, but don't expect match grade accuracy with them. Having said that, not long ago I fired 3 consecutive 5 shot MOA 300 yard groups with 180 gr Remington PSP flat base bulk bullets in my .30/06.