Long-time shooter, never reloaded, first post

[Nirbhao]

Hi. I've been shooting for 30 years, but never did any reloading whatsoever. I know, lazy and expensive in the long run.

But now we're faced with changing times, and I decided to get started with .308 at a bare minimum.

So far, I have, inbound, an RCBS Rock Chucker, an RCBS Trim Mate, an RCBS Combo Chargemaster, and an RCBS Hand Priming Tool. I already have a brass tumbler and media.

To my knowledge, I need books, dies, lube, components, a good caliper, an OAL gauge, and probably a bench to set it all up on. I know that this isn't everything by far, so I could use some help in rounding out the list.

Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions.

 

[yotehater]

Brass, bullets, powder, loading blocks, loaded ammo boxes like the mtm, logbook, lots of money.
Whoever said reloading would save ya money must have been selling reloading gear

 

[Dub]

you will have fun and learn lots. enjoy!
here is a link for a pretty cool bench kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005SQ365M/?tag=accuratescom-20

here is my version

 

[rkittine]

Depending on how you load and how much you shoot, expensive might be loading compared to factory if factory ammo accuracy is good enough for you and you do not shoot that many rounds.

I started loading in the 60s and even with the prices then saved money. I used $25.00 RCBs Dies (Maybe $45 now) $100 press etc., but now that I have started shooting Bench Rest, with what I have bought, I hope I live a long time to amortize the expense, not even counting the labor.

Good luck and enjoy.

Bob

 

[Nirbhao]

Brass, bullets, powder, loading blocks, loaded ammo boxes like the mtm, logbook, lots of money.
Whoever said reloading would save ya money must have been selling reloading gear

No, I'm pretty sure that it just makes an obsession that much cheaper. I've got full safes to prove that.

Any thoughts on this die set? http://www.midwayusa.com/product/79...n-bushing-3-die-neck-sizer-set-308-winchester

A friend advised against it, as fussing with the neck, according to him, is too much busy work and dicey for "donuting." FWIW, he's a meat shooter. I'm looking to reload for an R700 factory job that I'm most likely going to have rebarreled, although I may pick up a PTR-91 to feed, as well.

 

[yotehater]

Those are great dies. Don't forget the shellholder. And the neck bushings.

 

[Ds1971]

I have been reloading for 30 yrs and I can tell ya that its very addicting. Over the yrs I have added stuff to my setup that makes it easier. From the looks of it you are starting out with some great stuff. I have all the same rcbs equipment that you mentioned you have inbound and you will not be dissappointed. I would also add a chamfer and deburring tool to your list and a bullet puller. As others have mentioned loading manuals and logbooks are very helpful and necessary. When someone asks me how much money they will save by reloading i tell them real quick just find another hobby. Its very enjoyable and for me a big stress reliever. If someone gave me a box of factory loads right now the first thing I would do is pull all the bullets and weigh the powder charges which I have done LOL! It will make you OCD but once you get the right loads and see the results in your groups who cares.Anyhow have fun, good luck and welcome to the addiction.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Those Redding dies are nice, but check out Widden's dies.

 

[SG4247]

Reloading is not a means to save money.

Ive spent right at $10k on reloading equipment and various tools.

How is that possible? Not real sure.

Honestly I dont even like reloading, but I really enjoy shooting, especially 1/4 min guns at long range.

So, for me its a means to an end...shooting!

 

[Nirbhao]

Those are great dies. Don't forget the shellholder. And the neck bushings.

Thanks. Just saw an article on 6mmBR on .308 reloading. Bushings came up.

 

[mac86951]

Don't forget to allow the process to incorporate slowly and enjoy it! I too am an avid reloader and I only shoot to support my reloading hobby.

-Mac

 

[K22]

I began reloading in 1970 primarily to save money because of was a competitive pistol shooter and shot a lot of center fire pistol in those days. Since I was set up with the basic equipment I began reloading rifle, 243 initially. I taught myself from a Lyman manual which I don't recommend. I learned that reloading rifle is a whole different ball game. I made a bunch of mistakes reloading rifle because of misinformation and ignorance. Almost 50 years later I'm still reloading and have learn a lot from bench rest shooters and web sites like this. Now I reload to produce the most accurate precision varmint ammo I can. I can't say I enjoy reloading but it's a necessity to meet my accuracy standards. If possible find a seasoned reloader, preferrably a bench rest or serious target shooter and get them to show you the ropes. It was save a lot of time and money. Good luck and be safe.

 

[jr600yd]

Some reload inorder to shoot more....... Some shoot inorder to reload more.

 

[Shynloco]

Hi. I've been shooting for 30 years, but never did any reloading whatsoever. I know, lazy and expensive in the long run.

But now we're faced with changing times, and I decided to get started with .308 at a bare minimum.

So far, I have, inbound, an RCBS Rock Chucker, an RCBS Trim Mate, an RCBS Combo Chargemaster, and an RCBS Hand Priming Tool. I already have a brass tumbler and media.

To my knowledge, I need books, dies, lube, components, a good caliper, an OAL gauge, and probably a bench to set it all up on. I know that this isn't everything by far, so I could use some help in rounding out the list.



Thanks in advance for your advice and opinions.

Like you, I've been shooting weapons of all sorts for a very long time, dating back to the late 50's. Reloading was something I never did until around 8 yrs ago, mostly because I was busy in the service, raising a family, working and going to school at night. Then a few years later, a friend I met in HS did reloading for himself and me. We later ended up being Shooting Team Partners and he was making up our precision ammo. But after retiring, I developed the desire to start reloading and hooked up with the Benchrest crowd. And it became a hopeless desire for more and more. Now I rarely shoot any ammo (except if I want to go plinking with one of my son's or grandsons) that is store bought.

But it looks like you have compiled an accurate list of tools and items needed. And if I may suggest, figure out what your goals are in reloading and shooting. And buy accordingly. After buying and trying out various manufacturers dies, I settled on Redding Dies as I found them to be the most versatile. More recently, I bought my first Whidden Bushing Die for my .308BR rifle, which is converted from my old Ruger .308 Rifle. And that occurred at the behest of an older friend who shoots long distance competition. But my point is, settle on the Dies you'll use for your particular purposes in shooting (hunting, plinking, competition, etc) and don't waste money like I did. And buy good equipment to finish out your tool box. Most of all be patient, learn and have fun doing it. There is a real feeling of accomplishment when your personal loads better your score(s) downrange. I believe its the challenge of that which keeps me coming back for more and trying to improve my best last score and target. Good luck and have fun.

Alex

 

[Homerange]

Unless you're chasing precision accuracy you can easily obtain better that factory ammo accuracy with the Lee Collet die sets, but it's a shame some don't come the FL die but you can buy a FL die from many sources.

A balance beam scale is missing from you list, you need one to double check the Chargemaster thrown charges.

 

[HTSmith]

+1 on Lee Collet dies.

 

[Rpbump]

Its hard to beat LEE dies and the Lee collet dies are widely used by Precision & Bench Rest reloaders. The number of gadgets you can buy are limitless so aside from buying Lee shell holders and some loading blocks, and reloading manuals you have enough equipment to start. GOOD LUCK I enjoy reloading for accuracy and reccommend the 6br in addition to the 308. The 6br uses less powder, fires bullets ranging from 65 to 108grs (depending on barrel twist), is extremly accurate, and has great barrel life.

Rpbump

 

[hpshooter]

Sooner or later you will most likely stick a case in a sizing die. It is relatively easy to fabricate a removal tool if you have metal working knowledge. It is less frustrating to buy the kit from RCBS or whoever and have it at hand when you do stick a case.

Good case lube applied properly is a lesson that is sometimes forgotten. Everyone has their favorite. You will not go wrong with Imperial applied according to the directions. Most all will work but Imperial will give you a "safety margin" while learning IMHO.

It is at least as addictive as shooting and you will never quite adding things to make the process more precise.

 

[Cujo]

Regarding dies, save yourself some money and get the Lee collet neck sizer along with a Redding body die. The majority of my bushing dies (Redding Type S neck and FL for different calibers) are in their boxes sitting on a bookshelf. So are the multiple nitride bushings that are $25 a pop (you're going to need at least 3 different size bushings per caliber). I get better finished results with a cheap Lee collet and Redding body die.

For seating dies, pick up the Forster ultra micrometer seating die or the Redding competition. They make life a lot easier.

Some other convenient things to have are a Satern aluminum powder funnel, Hornady comparator, Hornady collet bullet puller, Imperial sizing wax, etc.

Just my .02.

 

[CTK]

I have been reloading for less than 2 years. I have saved exactly 0 dollars. I have bought some awesome reloading products and some useless ones.

Most happy with: Frankfort Arsenal bullet puller, RCBS Chargemaster, Satern Powder funnels, Redding bushing and Competition Seating dies, Lyman de-priming die, Sinclair bullet seating depth tool, Hornady die lock rings, RCBS automatic case prep device, RCBS hand priming tool, and Lapua brass.

Less than pleased with: Redding case trimmer, Redding balance scale, Hornady concentricity gauge, Nosler brass, lube pad, Hornady seating depth tool, and the Magnetospeed Sport chronograph. Reloading is going to cost me a fortune. I have bought too much crap. I will never recoup costs but am having fun doing it. Reloading is like tying fishing flies. There is pride of production and technical precision involved. I am learning new reloading skills and information on a regular basis. The vast reloading knowledge that some people have on this site is impressive.