starting to reload .308 help

[Porter24]

Just got my .308 ready to make some hand loads with it. I use a 2 die set for my .223 is that all I need for the .308?

also its a 1x10 twist and anyone post some links to good deals on bullets for that twist, ive never purchased bullets from a retailer always from the classifieds. ive been told 175g and up.

 

[roggom]

It really depends on your end goal. If you just want to plink, ring steel and roll some close range deer ammo, a standard two die set will get the job done. Some LC brass and 175 pulls and you can be shooting for a while on the cheap. Beyond that you will have to do some reading to understand why you would need any of the other die types and tools. Just to much info to put into one thread.

For the 1:10 the 175-208 should stabilize fine, as well as the 155 Lapua scenar (long bearing surface)

 

[Porter24]

what exactly is the difference in the pulls as opposed to new in package and are they any different to reload

 

[Porter24]

ill also just be shooting steel for the majority of my shooting.

 

[308Gunner]

The pulls are just that they are bullets that have been pulled out of loaded rounds. Look in the for sale section and also @ graf & sons for seconds, they will work fine for steel and once you get ready buy some Sierra or Berger ect

 

[Graham]

starting to reload .308 help

Just got my .308 ready to make some hand loads with it. I use a 2 die set for my .223 is that all I need for the .308

You will need .308 caliber dies for your .308.

 

[rduckwor]

A two die set will get you started, but beware, the insanity and financial depletion will soon follow as you become hooked.

 

[roggom]

The reason I suggested pulls is you can find them sometimes for approx $20 per 100, 147 gr pulls as well (if not cheaper). Ringing steel out to 500-800 is lots of fun and sub moa out to 500 is achievable. The standard die set will work your brass more (if you are using a full length die), but hell its surplus, get into a annealing regiment and it will last a while. The only other tool that I would suggest picking up is a cartridge headspace guage, this way you set your shoulder bump correctly.

I just see so many guys get all wrapped up in an attempt for benchrest groups from stock rifles. All of that is good, especially if you are getting paid to pull the trigger (competition, etc), or if you are shooting ELR.

I see nothing wrong with 1 or .75 moa for steel, especially if your goal is to have fun.

 

[Porter24]

Do you just mean a caliper to measure cases length ect....

 

[roggom]

The caliper alone wil give you case oal. This is important for trimming. Here is why


Internal Ballistics - Hornady Manufacturing, Inc



The headspace guage will measure case head to datum so you push the shoulder enough to chamber a round, but not so much as to over stretch the brass. This way you can properly adjust you sizing die for each case type you use. The Hornady headspace guage attaches to a caliper.

 

[velillen]

The reason I suggested pulls is you can find them sometimes for approx $20 per 100, 147 gr pulls as well (if not cheaper). Ringing steel out to 500-800 is lots of fun and sub moa out to 500 is achievable. The standard die set will work your brass more (if you are using a full length die), but hell its surplus, get into a annealing regiment and it will last a while. The only other tool that I would suggest picking up is a cartridge headspace guage, this way you set your shoulder bump correctly.

I just see so many guys get all wrapped up in an attempt for benchrest groups from stock rifles. All of that is good, especially if you are getting paid to pull the trigger (competition, etc), or if you are shooting ELR.

I see nothing wrong with 1 or .75 moa for steel, especially if your goal is to have fun.

I have to agree with roggom. Except on the bullet cost if you wait and shop around you can get good deals. Powder Valley has 175gr bullets (listed as maj. manufacturer....they are SMK's) for ~.23 cents each. 116 (plus shipping) for 500 of them. I have used these and also the ones listed as "grafs 175gr seconds" (both are SMK's as far as i can tell) and both shoot subMOA. Would work great in any rifle until you hit the point where you are shooting a consistent sub .5MOA IMO. Even the 147 pulls i got were more along the lines of 10 bucks per 100. Might have been a lucky find though and i believe i got them from grafs. Just have to wait and watch for deals!