Re: New to reload, need input on gear.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The press I'm looking at is the Forster Co Ax. I plan to load only .308, to work up a load for my GAP, and once found, reload it consistently. Please, what else will I need? Dies suggestions, primers, brass, etc.. Basically hold my hand and guide me.</div></div>
I have a Forster Coax and a G.A. Precision 308. Good choices, love them both!
If you don't already have brass, try Lapua. It takes less processing and is just more precise than many of the others. I had 500 new Winchester which aren't bad but the flash holes are stamped and need to be deburred inside and out and they needed to be checked for length and chamfered, etc. You won't have as much of that with Lapua.
Another thing I didn't see mentioned is a OAL gauge and a comparator. If you want to find the best load, you will probably also want to tweak the jump to see if it makes a difference as well.
My GAP chamber is a match chamber. I don' know if every one that GAP builds is or not but if so, they are tighter than a normal 308. I am assuming you have a 308 Win. Normal 308 Win dies are too large. You need to order a "match" 308 full length die. I use the Forester one. I use the Lee collet neck die for about four or five shots each case and then they start getting a little tight and I run them back through the full length die again. Neck sizing doesn't over work the brass and it lasts longer that way plus your round is fire formed to your chamber giving a little more accuracy. Again, be careful, I am assuming also that you have a bolt gun. Neck sizing far an auto-loader is not the safest thing to do from a slam fire point of view.
I use the Forster, Ultra Micrometer Seater Die. Redding and some others make fine precision dies also. With this type you can tweak the length down to exactly where you want it.
Another piece that I love for helping produce accurate loads and do it as quickly as possible is the RCBS Charge Master Combo. I used to use a Harrell's measure and then check and adjust the charge on a good electronic scale. Holy Crap! you can miss dinner doing that. If you can afford it, I'm betting you would love one. The wife should know that they make perfect xmas presents also.
There is a hell of a laundry list of of tools and equipment that you can and probably will get over the years. Some are: tumbler, possibly with the stainless media or a ultrasonic cleaner, you'll need an annealer after shooting the same brass several times, a crony to check your loads, concentricity gauge to check for run-out, which if you use Lapua brass, Forster press and good dies, you will not have much run-out anyway. The list goes on and on and so does the fun of trying to get your rifle, your loads and your self in the best possible condition to shoot tiny little groups in way far off places.
Safety first but enjoy the hell out of it too!
David
