Re: im new and was wondering how to hand load ???
OK, now pay attention:
DO not get a single stage press. Save your pennies and go with the blue kit from Dillon, 550B so you can do rifle and pistol.
Yes single stage is fun, but it's slow and painful. I know, I have a Forster and yes it puts out seriously accurate ammo, but the Dillon that I loaded over 500 rounds on in a matter of hours at a friend's was the cat's ass.
BUY the Sierra Reloading Manual, and the Hornady version. Both will offer excellent insight and loads of information(ha ha, real punny)
You will need a solid table, a nice comfy stool, a scale(go digital) a powder measure, primer tool, dies for each load, brass, powder, primers, bullets, die lube, case lube, case cleaner kit, and all the storage boxes for the semi loaded rounds, loaded rounds and empty cases.
For doing only 308, Dillon's 550B interactive shows $1780 for the whole enchilada.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/8/pkg_id/8
For about $600 you can go single stage with the works
Of course there are inexpensive kits that work but if you want solid reliable precision, or superior fast easy loading it might make ya cry up front.
The learning curve is not that bad and once you jump into it, it's really easy. For your 308, a 45gr charge of Varget, 175SMK, 210M primer all stuffed in a Winchester case will go 2700fps from a 26" Remy OEM barrel. Your 20" will go maybe 2550 - 2600fps.
I go in steps with my single stage. I clean all the brass then put it in a bag and spray lube it. I use die wax on my sizing dies. Second step is priming. This I do while watching TV by hand with a lee primer tool, or on the bench with the Forster which is a little easier on the hands.
All primed cases go into a MTM case in lots of 50. Then I powder 50, and finish 50. This way I can go maybe 200 rounds in a few hourse during the evenings of the week nights. On a Saturday 200 rounds start to finish is easy enough. That's two range trips max so you see where it gets you on the slow way.
With the DIllon 550, adn it's changeable tool and die heads, 500 rounds in a matter of hours is fast
