Reloading for Dummies true beginners books , which to choose ?

[Evanguy]

really you need a

- basic single stage press (any brand)
- 2 die set (probably just Lee)
- shell holder for 308
- a hand primer or some type of priming method, personally i just use the primer system from a old lee loader i have
- scoops or scale for power measuring, scoops aren't very accurate, but would make safe ammo that shoots. balance beam is slow, i like ds-750
- a case chamfer/deburring tool
- a case trimmer, not need right away but will be useful in the long run
- Canadian tire electronic calibers
- case lube

or

just need a lee loader and start there, good for making 20 rounds or less at a time
and a mallet

then you will also need

brass
primers
power
bullets

308 has so many recipes out there you will be able to find multiple of any combo of components you have,

as you get into it more and start low and work up yo will be able to substitute components for others and know the outcome,

all my stuff is a mix of LEE, Hornady and RCBS. i also have a foster case trimmer. basically everything works together you don't need to be brand specific

You can use Winchester brass in an rbcs shell holder in a Hornady press with lee dies and Barnes bullets with hodgdons power

 

[Irons78]

You guys make it sound like it's easy as making scrambled eggs.
I'm very excited to start this journey after waiting so long to do it.

I'm glad I chose 308, sounds like it was a good choice.

I'm going to dive into reading some parts if the books that were graciously provided by 4nt20 and once one of my rifles get sold I'll order up some equipment.

308 is a great cal due to the huge range of bullet types and powders that do well.

I started with the most recent Lyman manual, but truly learned from a reloading mentor…..all the questions the book couldn’t answer, my mentor did.

Reloading gear is a deep rabbit hole (and pricy). I started with very basic kit, went overboard with all the precision upgrades, and at the end of the day reverted back to using the tried and true basic gear lol. Lee hand press is by far my favourite piece for neck sizing, decapping, seating. A lot of the pricy gear sits in a tote these days.

Feel free to Pm with any questions, would be glad to help out a new reloader. I might even have some spare kit for you to get started.

 

[DGY]

I started with all Lee stuff, and it is all good! I have since added some dies mainly used ones as I got into other calibers, and I can tell you I think the Lee are still my favorite ones, Lee pace setter 3 die set are great imo!
I didn’t like the Lee scale that came with my kit so bought an other one an older RCBS 10/10 I believe. Oh and I also upgraded the priming tool to RCBS as well!
Be careful, be focus, cause mistakes happens and it will happen!
Trim your bras, double check everything!

 

[Bubba Yugga]

Beware the combination bullet seating and crimping dies. They are not beginner friendly at all. They love to buckle cases,
I like the Lee Ultimate 4 die set for .308 that has a full sizer, collet neck sizer, bullet seater, and crimper.
My favourite process is to start with a Lee Universal decapping die, Redding 75155 Body Sizer, then Lee's Collet Sizer.
That way you avoid the negatives of the expander ball in the full length sizer.
If you're ever faced with an incipient stuck case, you can drop a quarter inch steel rod down the middle of the body sizer and tap on it while applying a lowering force on the press lever.