To reload or not?

D

Davie Sprocket

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I have decide to try shooting a couple of .308w rifles. I have a weatherby vangaurd and just purchased a norc m14/305 and I have been split on if I should reload or not. Having talked to some of the other shooters I know who have tried reloading or are currently reloading are split.

Most say just shoot store bought until you get a couple houndred rounds of brass and then reload. That way you know if your gonna stick with the rifle and calibre before comitting to reloading. The other group say just buy the reloading equipment and start loading.

What do you guys think? Should I start reloading or just run some rounds through first? If you do think I should reload what equipment do you recommend? (I know this is the monster question for this forum as everyone has an opinion.)

Thanks
 
I think there are reloaders who do it to save a few bucks and Handloaders who do it to make better ammunition tailored specifically to your rifle and needs.

Guys who keep at it tend to evolve into the latter.
 
Do yourself a favor and reload. you learn so much about ammunition and its a rewarding experience even if you dont save money. i know i haven't $aved but thats because im easily addicted (you could do it a lot cheaper than i do too).
But you asked for advice on what to buy so i say go with RCBS. every reloader i know either uses RCBS, looks at the ground in shame when they tell me about their Lee equipment (im sorry), or reloads a box or two every year or two with their Lee equipment.
Also as far as brass goes, buy new if you possibly can. Preferably NoslerCustom from my limited experience. The cheap stuff (like Remington factory ammo casings) is so squishy I'm scared to use it more than a few times.
my long 2 cents
 
you got an m14 platform, ipso facto, you reload- simple as that- you NEED to tune loads for that rifle unless you are satisfied with 2-3 moa groups- you can only do that by reloading- plus, you may not be able to get 165-168 grain ammo-you can't use 180 unless you're REALLY desperate- also, b/c you have more than 1 rifle,you NEED segregate your brass, and use only THAT brass in THAT RIFLE-you need to treat each gun as a seperate entity- and you'll see different "personalities" emerge as you develop your loads
 
Well, you are most likely going to own more than one rifle in your life, all centerfire rifle calibres are expensive as commercial ammo, and the only part of your reloading investment that is calibre specific are the dies.

So start reloading now and enjoy the experience of making customized ammo for each gun at far less than commercial prices.

Mark
 
People who say you will save money by reloading are lying!.....when you reload you end up shooting more rounds due to load development and our inherent nature to want to tinker and try new bullets, powders, primers....ect... Once you have that special load nailed down you will save money until then you will spend lots but its fun as all heck making your own loads and seeing what small changes can do to your accuracy.
 
Given that you have 2 .308's that are totally different, remember to get a die set that has both neck and full length sizers- your bolt gun will be more accurate with neck sized brass, but your Norc needs full length sizing (and a crimp!) - you'll notice that I didn't mention not reloading, as far as I'm concerned that isn't an option unless you're rich. As far as equipment goes, get some basic stuff to start with - you're not sure if you'll get your money out of high dollar equipment. The Lee stuff is about a quarter the cost of the high end stuff and will get you through the learning phase, while still making better than factory ammo for half the cost. Lee dies are good quality, cheap and widely available, their neck dies are some of the best available at any cost. As far as scales go, I'd suggest an electronic one, the costs have come down enough that a decent one won't break the bank and frankly those balance beam jobs suck. Finally get at least one good reloading manual - you'll need it.
 
yidava25 said:
Do yourself a favor and reload. you learn so much about ammunition and its a rewarding experience even if you dont save money. i know i haven't $aved but thats because im easily addicted (you could do it a lot cheaper than i do too).
But you asked for advice on what to buy so i say go with RCBS. every reloader i know either uses RCBS, looks at the ground in shame when they tell me about their Lee equipment (im sorry), or reloads a box or two every year or two with their Lee equipment.
Also as far as brass goes, buy new if you possibly can. Preferably NoslerCustom from my limited experience. The cheap stuff (like Remington factory ammo casings) is so squishy I'm scared to use it more than a few times.
my long 2 cents
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I disagree on the RCBS comment. I have an RCBS lube pad, powder measure, lube brush, lyman champfer trim tool, Lyman tunbler, Lyman Universal trimer, LEE autoprime, Lee trimmers for every cartridge, a Lee classic cast press(far easier to use than the rockchucker), dillon electronic scale, and dies of every brand. RCBSb dies are my least favourite brand of dies by a country mile. I have also loaded piles of very precise ammunition for a variety of rifles with RP and WW brass, and depending on teh gun and load get anywhere from 4 to a dozen loading.

I advise new handloaders to get a LEE Anniversary kit, the stuff is all servicable and it allows a guy to realy see if this is something he wants to gert into and has only $150 invested. I started that way and replaced most of the stuff with things I really liked, but at the beginning I didn't know any better.
 
Don't start reloading until you don't need to come on a forum and ask whether you should or not.

I reload. I like it for the hobby it is, and for the fact that I can match specific loads to specific guns and uses. But I like doing it. I enjoy the experimenting, the testing, the analysis, the theoretical, even the repetitive "mantra" of reloading itself.

But I really don't think you should start because someone else thinks you should. You will not save money. It will be an expensive hobby, just like your other hobbies.
 
If you would rather have your money, buy two boxes of ammo, make sure your rifles shoot well, and put them away. Reloading is a cheap hobby, especially if you compare it to other manly pursuits, like a quad, or a new truck. But it really pays when you have an inventory of components that you have long forgot where the money came from to pay for them, and I was in Canajun Tire the other day, and 3006 remington ammo was thirty bucks a box.
 
Reloading is a must if you want to shoot centrefire rifles unless you only go through 2 or 3 boxes of ammo per year.
 
Just go to youtube and watch some videos. I decided to reload because I can do ammunition which is scarce and it saves me a ton of money and headaches looking for ammo. Some people are the tinker kind, not me. Many people are using Lee stuff and it is not true that it is garbage, just check youtube and watch the different presses and what people have to say.

I would recommend a progressive 4 hole Lee press, they are selling like hot cakes and are cheap and good.

Don't buy a single stage press unless you have lots of time on hand.
 
martinbns said:
I disagree on the RCBS comment. I have an RCBS lube pad, powder measure, lube brush, lyman champfer trim tool, Lyman tunbler, Lyman Universal trimer, LEE autoprime, Lee trimmers for every cartridge, a Lee classic cast press(far easier to use than the rockchucker), dillon electronic scale, and dies of every brand. RCBSb dies are my least favourite brand of dies by a country mile. I have also loaded piles of very precise ammunition for a variety of rifles with RP and WW brass, and depending on teh gun and load get anywhere from 4 to a dozen loading.

I advise new handloaders to get a LEE Anniversary kit, the stuff is all servicable and it allows a guy to realy see if this is something he wants to gert into and has only $150 invested. I started that way and replaced most of the stuff with things I really liked, but at the beginning I didn't know any better.
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I'm a very novice reloader myself and I only know of 3 or 4 other reloaders so thats how much weight my rcbs comment carries. I have two sets of lee dies (.270 win and .303 brit) and i dislike them strongly. two of my dad's die sets are redding and they are my personal favourite. like i said i think a new reloader will find the experience more enjoyable and easier if they buy good quality, which from my limited experience is rcbs.
 
Everyone is answering honestly on "Reload or not" based on their live experience.
In my experience - reloading is mostly educational and customizing activity.
I would like other perspective to be taken in consideration as well.

There are individual and social circumstances which responsible adult need to take in consideration before commiting to particular activity.

And reloading requires commitments: Time, money, studying, testing, experimenting etc.

Let me give you an example of some circumstances:

*You are single and soon going to be married - do not start reloading.
*You are married and settled but expect kids - do not start reloading.
*You work two jobs and have not time to shave for two weeks - do not start reloading.

Reloading requires lots of time. I (personally) don't have it now. and currently I am buying from the store. When I was younger and had time - I used RCBS (.308) and MEC for my 12 Ga. In fact I still have equipment - but no time to use it.
 
Thanks for the advice, I have the time and money to do some reloading, I have been watching vids on youtbe and looking at starter kits. I am very interested in the recommendations people have on the lee turret press, and the lyman or dillon presses? I got the lyman reloading book today from wholesale sprts, any recommendations on books?

Dave
 
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