reloading 308
- Thread starter martinjozwa
- Start date
If you're buring 40+ rounds of .308 per trip to the range and its something you want to do often (once or more a month) I would definitely say its worth reloading. I'm sure a lot of people shoot less than that and reload.
You can load up a match grade .308 round for about $.75.
Bullet: $.45
Powder: $.20
Primer: $.04
Brass: $.06 <----- depends what you paid and how many loads you get, with a bolt action and reasonable loads they should last 10 or so, perhaps a little less, perhaps more
To start I would get the RCBS rockchuker supreme kit. It goes for about $400 and has almost everything you need to get started. All I would add right away are a set of calipers ($30 canadian tire), your dies, a case trimmer and a powder trickler.
You can load up a match grade .308 round for about $.75.
Bullet: $.45
Powder: $.20
Primer: $.04
Brass: $.06 <----- depends what you paid and how many loads you get, with a bolt action and reasonable loads they should last 10 or so, perhaps a little less, perhaps more
To start I would get the RCBS rockchuker supreme kit. It goes for about $400 and has almost everything you need to get started. All I would add right away are a set of calipers ($30 canadian tire), your dies, a case trimmer and a powder trickler.
Plus, it's a great hobby, especially if you're the sort who likes to do precise things and see the results of your efforts and experiments.
When I start getting stressed out or pissed off at the world, I head for the gun room and start sizing brass.
When I start getting stressed out or pissed off at the world, I head for the gun room and start sizing brass.
"...goes for about $400..." Depending on where you buy.
"...Is it worth to reload if I am paying $1 plus a round..." Yep, but you won't be paying that much if you don't use match grade or 'premium' bullets. You'll be using ammo that is tailored for your rifle.
Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading.
When you get that far, think 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064 or Varget and regular large rifle primers. The cartridge loves the bullet weight and they'll kill any game you care to hunt.
"...Is it worth to reload if I am paying $1 plus a round..." Yep, but you won't be paying that much if you don't use match grade or 'premium' bullets. You'll be using ammo that is tailored for your rifle.
Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading.
When you get that far, think 165 grain hunting bullets with IMR4064 or Varget and regular large rifle primers. The cartridge loves the bullet weight and they'll kill any game you care to hunt.
You did not mention what kind of shooting you do or rifle.
Target shooting benefits by finding out what load (powder, bullet and over all length) your rifle likes.
If you are a hunter, you can develop ana ccurate laod with a hunting bullet and develop a simiar load with a cheaper bullt for practice and plinking.
If you are a plinker, you can load cheap military surplus bullets and cast lead bullets.
For laoding 308 a heavy duty press like a Rockchucker is over-kill. I have one, but only use it for 50 cal.
For most 308 loading I use a simple single stage press. I have severl benches and they each have several presses. I use the Lee el-cheapo single stage press for seating bullets in match ammo. It has all the leverage needed for sizing 308 brass.
You would not be making a mistake buying one. There are better single stage presses, and one of them would be fine too.
Target shooting benefits by finding out what load (powder, bullet and over all length) your rifle likes.
If you are a hunter, you can develop ana ccurate laod with a hunting bullet and develop a simiar load with a cheaper bullt for practice and plinking.
If you are a plinker, you can load cheap military surplus bullets and cast lead bullets.
For laoding 308 a heavy duty press like a Rockchucker is over-kill. I have one, but only use it for 50 cal.
For most 308 loading I use a simple single stage press. I have severl benches and they each have several presses. I use the Lee el-cheapo single stage press for seating bullets in match ammo. It has all the leverage needed for sizing 308 brass.
You would not be making a mistake buying one. There are better single stage presses, and one of them would be fine too.
I'd put my money into good reloading equip., the two top ones are the Forster Co-ax and the Rockchucker(RCBS), reloading can save you money if you buy in bulk or are opportunistic. Cast bullets can save you alot of money, esp. if you're only shooting at paper, you can buy .30 cal. gc bullets for about .15 ea. and you only need 20 or so grains of powder, cost of a loaded round is .29 cents or so. Even bulk Remington J-word bullets can save you some money, either way it is also an interesting hobby on it's own!!
I'm just in this a couple of months. I think reloading goes to improve ones understanding of whats happening when you pull the trigger, improves your shooting and is just generally a great pastime. I think you might ending up spending more money than you did on factory ammo for at least the first little while.
As mentioned you can experiment with different loads for your chosen calibres. Once you have the basic equipment as far as experimenting with published loads goes then the world is your lobster.
But I reckon you could use it just to save money.
PS. The Lee Challenger is strong enough to handle the operations I perfrom while oading for 308 and 243 but better quality presses exist if you feel you require it.
As mentioned you can experiment with different loads for your chosen calibres. Once you have the basic equipment as far as experimenting with published loads goes then the world is your lobster.
But I reckon you could use it just to save money.
PS. The Lee Challenger is strong enough to handle the operations I perfrom while oading for 308 and 243 but better quality presses exist if you feel you require it.
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ill see, maybe i can pick up a used kit of somebody
110 grain bullets are not a good choice for a 30 calibre rifle. They are so light, compared to their diameter, that speed falls off drastically. They are affected much more by wind, than the heavier 30 calibres and they are usually not very accurate.
150 grain is about the lightest weight in a 30 calibre that is fairly efficient, and a 165 or so, is better for most purposes.
150 grain is about the lightest weight in a 30 calibre that is fairly efficient, and a 165 or so, is better for most purposes.
For fun on a reactive target, try the 170 grain bullets designed for a 30-30 and load them full steam in a 30-06. A galon can of water almost goes into orbit! Full of milk it would be a good U tube subject.
I haven't tried the 150 grain 30-30 type, maybe they would be even better.
I haven't tried the 150 grain 30-30 type, maybe they would be even better.
