Help Re-Loading .308 / 7.62x51

Rem700WIN

Rem700WIN

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I have been convinced to start reloading...

After much comparison, I decided on the 'RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit'. Can anyone give me a reason why I should NOT buy this kit?

Most die sets I see advertised are in 2's and 3's but I have read/watched a few guides that suggest a 4 die set;
- Full Length Re-sizing Die

- Neck Sizing Die

- Bullet Seating Die

- Factory Crimp Die

Do I need all 4 dies? Or just the neck sizing & bullet seating?


Right now my order is looking something like the below. Please suggest changes or add things to it.

- RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit;
Press
Scale
Priming Tool (although I will probably use the press for that)
Powder Measure
Lube & Pad
De-burring Tool
(a few other accessories)

- RCBS Powder Trickler

- RCBS Advanced Powder Measure Stand

- RCBS .308 Full-Length Die Set (x2 dies included)

- RCBS #3 Shell Holder (I believe this is for .308/7.62x51)


MATERIALS; I will branch out after testing factory rounds. but for now...

Cases - I plan to use me 7.62x51 Aguila cases that I've been saving. Any reason I shouldn't?

Bullets - I'm hoping to grab some FMJ BT Sierra Match Kings in 168gr. Any other suggestions incase I struggle to get these through my supplier?

Powder - IMR 4064 or Hodgdon Varget smokeless powder. Do I need to know any more than that?

Primers - Are some primers really that much better than others or can I just take the cheapest my supplier can get me?



Again, please make any suggestion you think would help.

Thanks very much! Very excited to begin reloading and shrink my groups!

p.s. I have the tumbler and media situation sorted (I think).
 
I have the same kit, and I’ve only ever used the 308, 2 die set.

You’ll want a set of calipers as well.

CCI primers are going cheap right now and they’re good primers.
Tenda,Western metal, usually has best prices.

Get some spare decapping pins and a stuck case removal tool.

And a brass trimmer.

Your kit will come with a book, it’s all you’ll need.
And yes, you’ll want a trickler for stick powder, unless accuracy means nothing to you.
And and and ... lol
 
Last edited:
You just need the two die FL set. IMR4064 is a great choice of powder. For me, a powder trickler is useless. The only other thing you are missing is something to trim your brass to length; the Lee Case Length Gauge & Cutter and Lock Stud in a cordless drill is a fast, cheap and easy solution. You may wish to spring for the Lee Cutter with Ball Grip as well (cheap). Caliper is a must to confirm OAL. Don't be discourged by all this. It's easy and safe to make quality ammo if you follow the steps.

- RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit;
Press
Scale
Priming Tool (although I will probably use the press for that) Get the priming tool, you will get it once you get accustomed with the process
Powder Measure (Yes)
Lube & Pad (Yes)
De-burring Tool (Yes)
 
Good initial plan and the RCBS kit is great, OP!

Quick question - you didn't mention your intended application, but 7.62x51 suggests a semi-auto.

If it's a bolt-action rifle, then I suggest you start with full-length re-sizing and some conservative loads from a trusted reloading manual (or Hodgdon Reloading website). I would start with Varget powder as it's a good all-around performer. You can get into neck sizing and other stuff later.

If it's a semi-auto, then always full-length size, and a factory crimp die is a good idea. There are a wide variety of powders - Varget and H4895 are good choices.

Always use thick-cut primers (I use CCI) in a semi-auto to reduce slam-fire risk. No Winchester or Federal (others may say otherwise).

You'll need a (digital) micrometer - I use one of the basic Canadian Tire ones and it's accurate and consistent. To measure Cartridge Overall Length for bullet seating, and for measuring the length of fired cases (critical for safety in semi-autos).

Once you want to load a bolt gun for accuracy, Hornady's bullet comparator gives you a more consistent reading as it reads from a constant reference point on the bullet ogive.

You'll want a dry or wet tumbler at some point to clean cases - more important for a semi-auto (more carbon fouling) - I wipe my bolt gun cases and get 2 loads out of them before tumbling. I use stainless steel pins / wet tumbling.

Hope this helps - keep asking questions on CGN - an amazing amount of knowledge here!
 
For all my Semi auto rifles I put the cases through a case gauge after sizing, lets you check if the shoulder was set back far enough and
if the case needs trimming.
 
M1-Garand said:
For all my Semi auto rifles I put the cases through a case gauge after sizing, lets you check if the shoulder was set back far enough and
if the case needs trimming.
Click to expand...

Forgot that - great addition to the list. The Wilson case gauges let you know right away if the round will chamber...I have them for every semi-auto caliber I reload for, and for my .50 BMG bolt guns!
 
Also - the following is my favourite introductory step-by-step guide (remove the space after the h - not a hotlink as posted)...gives a great overview of the process!

h ttp://rcbs.com/Resources/Introduction-to-Handloading/Step-by-Step-Reloading.aspx
 
Based upon your previous posts, you are loading for a single bolt action rifle, and trying to get precision. If this is the case a neck sizing die, FL die, and seating die are the way to go. You generally use the neck sizing die (easy!, no lube mess), but will revert to the FL die after several reloads as the cases become tight in the chamber.
 
The only thing I will add to what the other great advice was given is to ensure you have a sturdy work bench, and a Cartridge/case tray, if it's not included in your kit. Aswell x2 on reloading manuals, I'd recommend Lymans 50th as it gives a good introduction to reloading, you can never have too many manuals,
Have fun! You'll be hooked!
 
Thanks everyone for the input. Yes, this reloading is intended for my 700P in .308.

This is getting to be on the expensive side, and I would like to keep it down close to necessity at the moment and add more later. Do I have to have Neck Sizing Die, Stuck Case Remover, Reloading Case Length/ Headspace Guage
, and Cutter and Lock Stud?


Current list...

RCBS:
$603 - Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit

$13 - #3 Shell Holder

$34.47 - Large Decapping Pins x50

$39.99 - Advanced Powder Measure Stand

$34.99 - Powder Trickler

$57.00 .308 Full Length Die Set




$29.12 - Neiko Digital Caliper



$11.15 Lee Precision Cutter and Lock Stud

$32.00 Lyman Reloading Case Length/ Headspace Guage

$29.99 - RCBS Stuck Case Remover




Primers - CCI Primers

Bullets - FMJ BT Sierra Match Kings in 168gr

Powder - Varget


Thanks again everyone!
 
the Aguila brass is pretty good but being military spec it has less case capacity so reduce the powder loads by at least 0.5grains
also you'll need a primer pocket crimp remover for this brass.
 
Rem700WIN said:
Thanks everyone for the input. Yes, this reloading is intended for my 700P in .308.

This is getting to be on the expensive side, and I would like to keep it down close to necessity at the moment and add more later. Do I have to have Neck Sizing Die, Stuck Case Remover, Reloading Case Length/ Headspace Guage
, and Cutter and Lock Stud?


Current list...

RCBS:
$603 - Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit

$13 - #3 Shell Holder

$34.47 - Large Decapping Pins x50

$39.99 - Advanced Powder Measure Stand

$34.99 - Powder Trickler

$57.00 .308 Full Length Die Set




$29.12 - Neiko Digital Caliper



$11.15 Lee Precision Cutter and Lock Stud

$32.00 Lyman Reloading Case Length/ Headspace Guage

$29.99 - RCBS Stuck Case Remover




Primers - CCI Primers

Bullets - FMJ BT Sierra Match Kings in 168gr

Powder - Varget


Thanks again everyone!
Click to expand...

A couple of quick comments on your list:
- you don't need $34 worth of decapping pins - you may bend 1 or 2 at first (usually because the stem with the decap pin and resizing ball is loose in the die and not screwed in tightly enough to allow it to reman centered so the pin goes through the flash hole) - pick up a 5-pack, or skip it and ask on CGN for someone to drop a few in an envelope to you if you break one.

- the powder trickler is a "nice to have" but not absolutely necessary - you can trickle a few grains by hand to start. I went right to a Chargemaster 1500 dispenser and never looked back.

- $30 stuck case remover - you may stick a case - usually because you forgot to lubricate the case body (except the shoulder area which can cause hydraulic dents) - but you could hold off until you need one (the caveat being you'll have to stop reloading and order or borrow one if you do stick a case). I have one that sits unused in its wrapper as I have been fortunate enough not to stick a case that I couldn't unstick by some other means.

- I would start with full-length sizing for now, and leave neck sizing for later.

- I would also start with some non-crimped brass to avoid having to buy a primer pocket crimp remover. Some basic federal blue-box ammo has reasonable brass that isn't crimped, or spend $1/case for Lapua brass and you'll never regret it. You could even start with range pick brass - preferably fired from a bolt-action gun so it doesn't require as much re-sizing effort to set the shoulder back as much. Lots of guys show up at my range with factory ammo, shoot 20-30 rounds of factory ammo, then dump it in the brass bucket!

Reloading pays back relatively quickly not only in cost savings, but in the quality of ammo you produce and the resulting accuracy, etc. As you progress, you will likely need a chronograph to help with load development, then there are all of the specialized tools that come later - concentricity gauges, neck turning tools, annealers, etc...but I digress!
 
Also - $603 sounds high for the RCBS kit. Consider ordering from the US, as reloading tools (but not components such as brass, primers, projectiles, etc.) are exportable and not covered by the ITAR regulations. This kit retails at Cabela's USA for $339 - which is $434 Canadian (plus shipping and taxes at the border). I'm fortunate to live in a border town, but a bit of shopping around may save some $$$.

SFRC (site sponsor) has this kit on their website for $479 + HST but out of stock right now...with one of Ryan's 15% off sales, this would save you $100+ as well over the $603 you mentioned.
 
Brownells has for $309

Prophet River has em for $450, they may have a free shipping/ no tax sale coming up.
You could call them and ask
 
legi0n - Thanks for the heads up!

FirearmsEnthusiast - Thanks for the comments to thin out my order a bit for now (I will probably end up ordering the rest of this stuff next month). Very useful. I just saw the packs they seemed to have come in. I will see if I can grab a smaller pack of decapping pins.

Brianma65 - Will check those out if my supplier can't do me a good enough deal. Thank you.


I literally have hundreds of Aguila cases just sitting at home waiting. Is de-crimping bad? As I was looking at some videos and it seems like a pretty easy process and even if I bought the tool it would save me some money for now, and I would only have to do it once per case, right?
 
Get that RCBS kit, it’s what I started with 4 years ago.
Buy a trimmer ,you’ll need it.
RCBS 2 die set , is all you’ll need.
You can crimp and neck size with them, if you feel the need.
The EE should have lots.

If you get a stuck case, Canadian tire has what you need,to remove it.

That’s it,that’ll get you going.
 
My 2 cents...

Assuming from your post you are loading rifle ( not shotshell or handgun at this point)


Most 2-die sets are good its full length. Some semis like to have a crimp die for better loading but most bolt rifles don't care. I've only ever used a 2-die set for .308

While many kits seem to have lots of good things, not everything in the kit is useful. The quality items you need are the press (heavier the better for full size rifle vs handgun cases), A good analog scale, unless you want to spend multiple hundred dollars for electronic charging system. A good set of analog calipers, again stay away from electronic stuff unless you carry lots of batteries.

Must have, quality items:

Press
Scale
calipers /micrometer
dies

Useful small items (under 30 bucks):

Case trimmer
powder dribbler
primer pocket cleaners/reamers
charge funnel
cartridge trays (50 cases)
case deburring tool
Case lube pad and Lube


Advanced items ( extra cash)

case tumbler/pans/screens
electronic powder measuring devices
motorized brass trimmers
bullet remover ( impact or collet)
 
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