Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Im going to be picking up supplies for my first bolt action 308 reloading run.

Being there is soo many different powders out there, it seems most recommend Varget. Is there anything else worth considering?

Also, primer wise what should I be looking at? CCI BR2 primers?

For brass I have some FGMM brass here and if I see a good deal on Lapua or Winchester ( those are the better brands right? )

For bullet I'll be going 175SMK.

Lastly, what's the best or better places to look at reloading prices to compare?

Thanks guys.

 

[oldfatguy]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

First to buy is at least one loading manual. Preferably for the bullet maker you will be loading.

Brass: Lapua is a heck of a lot more consistant than Winchester. Costs more, but worth it.


OFG

 

[lachoneus]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

Powder Valley is a good place to start for powder, primers and bullets. I have had good success with CCI, Winchester, Remington and Federal primers of the standard variety in .308. Varget is a good choice of powder. I have also had good luck in my service rifles with Winchester 748 and Ramshot TAC. I have also had good luck with Winchester brass, but mainly shoot Lake City match brass in .308.

Good luck and good shooting!

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

Ive got the sierra manual, Hornady, Lyman, ABCs of reloading and the Litz book.

Thanks guys. Im guessing large BR2 primers for the 308 brass.. Do they even make 308 brass in small primer?

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

Yes, palma loads in small primer are popular for some.

 

[targaflorio]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

Do you have a press and dies, etc?

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

yes Im set up as far as reloading is. Just looking to cut down costs of the FGMM

 

[judgedelta]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 or H 4895 OR Varget are all .308 good. I haven't found much difference in primers, except the price. If you're going with 175 SMK's, and want to save some money, the pulled bullets are good for practice, or probably for anything out to 600 yds or so. the last I bought were $88 shipped for 500. Brass is whatever you want to spend... Good luck and be safe.

 

[MrOneEyedBoh]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

Yeah Id be interested in the actual data tests between pulled and factory rounds. Do the markings make that much of a difference?

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

always buy 10 times more primers than you think you'll need and 4 times the powder. NOthing sucks more than running out of any of those two during a shortage.
hope this helps.

 

[lachoneus]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MrOneEyedBoh</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah Id be interested in the actual data tests between pulled and factory rounds. Do the markings make that much of a difference? </div></div>

I don't think so, at least for practice loads. Using a friend's Palma rifle, I recently shot two groups at 100 yards using cartridges loaded with 178 grain pulled bullets. Both measured about 1/4 MOA. At longer ranges, the difference between pulled and virgin bullets will very likely be more pronounced, but you can improve your shooting a lot more for a lot less by shooting the pulled units.

 

[Cacciatore]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: judgedelta</div><div class="ubbcode-body">IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 or H 4895 OR Varget are all .308 good. I haven't found much difference in primers, except the price. If you're going with 175 SMK's, and want to save some money, the pulled bullets are good for practice, or probably for anything out to 600 yds or so. the last I bought were $88 shipped for 500. Brass is whatever you want to spend... Good luck and be safe. </div></div>

Those are all great powders to have on the shelf for .308.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: Going to pick up supplies, whats first?

Depends on what your shooting will consist of. I like accurate but for my purposes I dont go nutz on components.
.
I'd recommend:
Varget.....best with temps that vary or can vary greatly
Win. Brass...accurate fairly consistent
Win. Primers...accurate and if u search you'll see they arent THAT different than "match" primers
Bullets....dont shoot past 800 much if i do i have bigger guns soooo...168amax or 168 nosler cc
.
I like midsouth for supplies