How cheap can you reload 308?

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AaronL

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So heres my situation, wanted a fun 762x39 rifle for short range plinking. SKS's just are not my thing, so the Norinco M305A caught my eye. But its also in 308....which could be pretty fun over the 762x39, as well as at a cost above it. Cheapest I found with a bit of looking around is $0.60/round.
I do reload a bit, wondering how cheap others are loading 308 for and what components??
762x39 would be easier (except for the corrosive part) but 308 would just be fun!
Cheers
 
What is this 308 ammo being used for? Hunting? Precision or long range shooting? Informal shooting at large appliances? Explain that and somebody can help you.
 
Runs me about 56 cents per round to reload using Campro 147 gr bullets at 25 cents each, average about the same for powder and 6 cents for Federal match grade primers in factory Federal AE brass. Using Hornady V-Max or A-max bullets bumps that up another 25 - 30 cents per. Not huge savings but still fun for the usual reasons.
 
Definately more informal shooting at large appliances lol Could always buy better components for more precision handloads but at this point just a fun short range plinker (or blammer really)
 
I have a like new m305a with a rail and upgraded op rod guide I want to get rid off. Thing seriously has under 40 rounds fired non corrosive! Shot it one day took it home cleaned everything put in the upgrades took it back out wouldn't cycle after the first round fired that day didnt bother to mess with it just shot my 858's got home realized I somehow turned the gas system off haha that was last spring had been sitting ever since sadly. Pic is before rail install sitting with my .308 version

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Campro bullet (.25ce)
Dominion 4064 powder (.18ce)
EE 1x brass (.25ce each, load them 6 times ~ .04ce per firing)
Dominion primer (.04ce)
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$0.51ce each / 20rnds = $10.20 (+taxes and any shipping costs)
 
Hirtenberger surplus is my go to for plinking ammo. It costs me 77 cents each after shipping and taxes. I could load it a little cheaper, 60 cents or so after all shipping and taxes with components like the guys above mentioned, but my reloading equipment and process is a little too time consuming to be worthwhile for saving 20 cents.

I can make great accurate hunting ammo for 0.87 with 165gr Hornady SST and good target loads for 0.80 with Hornady 155gr BTHP. That's including shipping and taxes too. That's what I feed my m305.
 
At what distance do you plink. If you can enjoy plinking at 50 yards, buy DRG 165 gr. cast lead, gas checked bullets and launch them (cheaply) with 15 gr of shotgun powder.

I do not know if cast bullets are compatible with the gas port of a M14.
 
As a rule of thumb, handloading saves you the cost of brass. While this is not entirely true, unless all your brass is range pickups, brass that costs $1.50 new, is down to 15 cents after 10 reloads, if it lasts that long. If your loads are hot, the primer pockets will expand long before the brass sees 10 reloads, and inexpensive brass is unlikely to go 5. Cast bullet loads, that are propelled with a pinch of pistol powder, create low pressure, and the primer pockets will last indefinitely, and this results in very cheap shooting. Annealing case necks, and swaging primer pockets can improve the life of your brass, but every additional step adds time to the loading process. With top quality brass, the primer pockets last a bit longer, flash hole are usually cleaner, being drilled rather than stabbed, the brass is factory annealed, and there is usually less prep work prior to loading. So even though Lapua, RWS, or Norma brass seems expensive at the outset, it may actually prove less expensive than Winchester, Federal, or Remington over its useful lifespan. Previ might well be the best value rifle brass we have today.
 
fugeddaboutit. You do not reload to save money. You will shoot more, the ammunition you reload will be far more accurate than anything you can buy unless the gun Gods happen to be smiling their continence down upon you. You will be able to custom tailor your loads as you lean more. Oh and by the way buy a gun safe yur gonna need it.
 
Bringing up this thread after almost 3 years. Things changed. Price on 308 ammo is up. However, I don't see any much shortage of it. Steel cased goes for around 80 cents before tax. Brass cased varies from $1 to $3 but the average is about $1.20. However powder and primers are also up. With the cheapest Campro bullets I can't see the cost of reloading is anything cheaper than 75 cents assuming the brass is re-used 10 times. What is your own math on this these days?
 
about 3 years ago Cabela's had a black friday sale on 8 lbs of Varget.... think it was 1/3 off regular prices at that time. I am still using my old inventories of powder, primers, and projectiles.

For my Sierra 200 MKs (2nd generation) my cost is $1.12 /round and that is not including my cost of Lapua brass (amortized over its expected life)

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You don’t need to pay off the reloading equipment.
Only the difference on value between the purchase and what is worth when you sell it.
With Dillon equipment - you don’t loose much - with other brand - maybe you loose a bit more.
Quality keep it’s value.

Go figure the price of Federal Match ammo ..if you can find it...$60 for 20... for $60 I make 100 precision reloads.
Will cost me $240 + taxes to shoot that much every week end. It’s a no brainer that it’s worth reloading.

If you consider other calibers - it’s even more obvious 45/70, 6 BR, 6.5/284, 6.5 x 47, 338 Lapua..at $100 a box of 20...it is even more clear.. some caliber are just that..reloading propositions. If you talk choice of bullets and precision .. you are not in the ball game if you do not reload.
 
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