handloading .308 what all do i need

[Glockman85]

Im finding out very quickly .308 ammunition is expensive so thought I would find out what all i needed to start hand loading.

• I thought about buying the Lee hand press kit for .308 its about 30.00$
• CCI large rifle primers 1000 for about 30.00
• Bullets 100 for about 55.00
• Powder??
• Brass??

I have about 200 rounds at the moment of match grade ammo. I thought i would start with saving the brass from those first. Where do i find brass other than that? What powder and where do i buy it? I will not be loading in large quantities or any other caliber.

If anyone could offer any advice i would appreciate it!
thanks

 

[Mitch Rapp]

Right now...... Luck



In all seriousness bullets and powder will be hard to find, as well as primers. Brass can be hard to find, but not as much as the others. Gunbroker usually has people selling brass that they don't plan to reload, I have some friends who hunt with a .308 so I get brass from them as well. Match bullets for .308 are next to impossible to find right now, so if you find some, let me know. Powder can be bought online, but there's an extra charge. I don't know which OKC stores carry reloading stuff, but I know Bass Pro carries all the components, just a bit higher than some places. If you have 200 rounds of Factory match, shoot that while trying to find powder, primers, and bullets, I load in 100 round lots, and brass will last for 8-12 reloads typically so you have enough brass for easily a couple thousand rounds through your gun if it's decent brass.

Here's a good place top start, and I load with the Lee hand press, so don't let people tell you it isn't going to work. Are you referring to the Hand Press, or the Lee Loader for .308? I have used both with good result, but would recommend a few things if you are talking about the Lee Loader

http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php?/topic/11351-good-308-load-to-get-started-with/

 

[Glockman85]

Hey Kevin thanks again for all your help! I guess all the hoarders have got to this stuff as well! I was thinking about the classic lee loader kit. Saw someone use it on youtube and it looked easy enough. Midway has some match bullets coming in supposedly first part of April and also primers. No backorder though so gonna have to be on the ball. I'm not set on anything specific really just want to get started. Saw some brass on I think it was tactical brass 500 pieces for like 139. Is that a good deal? I got about 200-300 bucks so hopefully that will be enough to get started. Where is it to find powder online?

 

[brandt9913]

Tom. I get most of my rifle reloading components from Gene Sears in El Reno. They have a website that you can check availability of items. I believe you can also order online and pick up in store to save the shipping and hazmat fee. I use RE-15 or Varget powders to reload 308.

http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/

 

[Mitch Rapp]

The Lee Loader is fine, but I would suggest you get a powder scale and a case length trimmer. The dippers are consistent enough for general purpose loads, but for precision loads, I always want to weigh them all, and the brass will stretch and need to be trimmed for maximum consistency. I used a Lee Loader for a while when I was getting started and never had any issues.

If you have the spare change though, here is what I currently use.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/665540/lee-breech-lock-hand-press

And here are the scale and trimmer I use.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/712103/lee-safety-magnetic-powder-scale-100-grain-capacity

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

 

[Glockman85]

Thanks Phillip looks like a good source here locally! Appreciate it

 

[oldglock]

I also started with a 30-06 Lee loader. It worked and got me started into loading for the best quality ammo that can be assembled.
This, more than cost savings, is probably the reason most guys load for rifles. In other words to develop the best possible loads for a given rifle.
I suspect a bunch, maybe most, reloaders started with the Lee loader.
The Lee loader comes with a powder dipper. The information with the loader will give you the average grains the loader should dip for a particular powder. This will determine your powder choices. Read and follow the instructions re: getting consistent powder dips.
Generally, the loads in the Lee information are pretty tame so that different dip methods, powder lots, other variables, etc. will still be within acceptable pressure limits.
Despite the current artificial component shortage, you should be able to find a suitable powder and primers locally. This avoids the huge relative cost involved with shipping a small quantity of powder/primers. H&H gets primers, powder, and projectiles in periodically. The prices are a little high but it is what it is. Same with Heartland outdoors-it comes and goes. Gene Sears Supply will also be a good source to check and their prices are a little lower. Projectiles can be shipped reasonably so put yourself on the to be notified list for what you want at Midway, Grafs, Natchez, etc.
Hopfully, this will become a new hobby and you will want to expand your equipment and skill to produce ammo far superior to anything you buy over the counter.

 

[Glockman85]

Thanks everyone for your advice! Hopefully I can round up some components to get going! If anyone just has a huge supply and wants to sale some let me know or I have some 9mm and .22lr ammo I could trade. Thanks again though

 

[OUshooter]

Varget is a great 308 powder. Problem is that it is great for lots of others as well.

IMR 4064 can be had locally, but I'm not sharing. hehe

There are lots of powder bullet combos that will work for 308 but it all comes down to what your 308 likes. If accuracy is your goal then honestly right now you are hosed. If plinking and shooting are your goal then you might be ok, if you can find bullets.

As with any reloading, especially rifle, get a good gauge. You can load the best components but if the shoulder doesn't work for you gun then it doesn't make much difference.

BTW is this auto or bolt?

 

[Glockman85]

Haha thanks oushooter I didn't figure anyone would want to share...can't blame ya! It's a bolt.

 

[oldglock]

Tom
As of right now, Midway has Sierra 168 gr matchking available at $32 per hundred. This may last a few minutes or hours but they won't be there long.

 

[Glockman85]

Thanks got a couple hundred! Now just need powder and primers.

 

[Glockman85]

ive got just short of 3k large rifle magnum primers if you can use those.

thanks but I'm trying to sell the 200 bullets I bought and forget reloading for the time being. Maybe when all this nonsense blows over and I can find all components and loading equipment I will try reloading. Thanks again!