Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

JHall0518

Private
Minuteman
Nov 18, 2009
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37
Ashland, MO
I recently completed a build with a 700 SPS Tactical in .308 and it is mostly going to be used for paper punchin and maybe eventually some competitions. Well I am trying to get into reloading and the parents are going to get me a couple of things for Christmas but not spend a bunch of money. I dont really know anything about reloading. I did a bunch of searches on here and read everything I could find for beginning reloaders and I couldn't really find what I was looking for, so here are the questions; What is the best book/manual out there? Should I go with the Lee Loader Kit or a Lee single stage press. What weight and brand of bullets should I use? I know the bullet performance varies from gun to gun but I am sure that a ton of you guys have an sps tactical so I wanted to know what works best for you, the barrel is a 1 in 10 twist, I believe. What is your feelings on the Lee powder dippers? What is some quality gunpowder and primers that are not too hard on the wallet? What else am I gonna need? Just please keep in mind that this is on a budget and I know that you get what you pay for. Any and all feedback/help is greatly appreciated.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

The Lee reloading presses are very good for the money and a great way to start out. I think the Lee Anniversary Kit has about everything you'd need to get started. The single stage is the simplest to use at first but you'll have to change the dies for each stage of the reloading. Once you get the locking ring set it's easy to spin the one out and spin in the new one. The dippers would be OK if you are also using a beam scale. Personally I weigh each round for my long range guns, it takes a bit longer but I feel better doing it that way. A RCBS or other brand impact bullet puller is handy if you think you messed up and want to disassemble a few rounds. They are cheap and really handy to have around. If you can swing it a powder measure is nice but not absolutely necessary since the scoops will do same thing to get the powder onto the scale. A powder trickler is really nice to trickle in that wee bit of powder into the pan on the scale to get it just right. Most of us have many reloading manuals, Hornady, Speer and Lyman are great but the lyman is really nice to read to help new reloaders get started. The process for setting up your dies is really easy if you have someone to give you a bit of help the first time. Eventually you might want to look into a case trimmer and deburring tool, maybe hit parents up for that on your birthday. Also a tray to hold your cases in while you prepare them would be handy, they are also inexpensive.

Powder and primes will vary depending on where you can find it.Primers will vary wildly depending on where you find them. I just found 1000 WIN LR at Buckeye Supply in OH for $34.00 but it can go as high as $50.00 in some places. Powder there was $21.95 for most types but can go into the $30.00 at other places. Bullets... I shoot a 7-08 so can't be of help there but reading these forums you'll get an idea of what works and what don't. NO need to reinvent the wheel with all the knowledge on here that have been there and done that already.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

Dial calipers are important as well.

Try to hook up with somebody locally that loads and can help you get started. Alot of manuals have loading tutorials in them. Read as much as you can from known reliable sources.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

RCBS rockchucker kit all the way with a good set of dies and a set of DIGITAL calipers for ease of use no trying to read hash marks just numbers. Press Dies Scale hand priming tool powder despenser and some components and you are off and running to begin with. Keep it simple to start with and as you get more acustomed to reloading then add steps such as triming chamfering deburing flash hole deburring etc. Depending on bullet choice such as a flat base bullet you may need to chamfer the case mouth for bullet seating ease. Get a book like Hornadys newest reloading manual or similar and it will all be spelled out. Lots of knowledge here but it does more good to start loading simple than to read a lot of posts!
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: THUNDERBOLT68</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Go rcbs rockchuker master reloading kit i used one for years before switching to more advance stuff.
</div></div>

Me or my parents dont really have 450 bucks to drop on this stuff! I was thinking more like 150-200
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

stick with the lee kit its great for starting out, get a lee reloading book and read read read. the lee book has alot of info in it to help the 1st timer.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

Goto Midwayusa.com and buy a kit, then if you decide to stick with it..upgrade the things you don't like a little at a time.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

Manual-- Lyman

Kit-- RCBS (opinion may vary)

bullet-- 155 scenars

Powder-- Varget (if you can find)

Read, read, and read some more. Make sure you follow the direction properly. Would be helpful if you can have someone to show you the first tme loading it.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

Hey Josh,This time of year you will find these kits on sale.I have seen the RCBS kit for less that $300 and its a good place to start.I would buy the Lyman book first and read it before spending any more money.Theres lots of opinions on brand selection,if you have anyplace to look like Bass Pro,Sportsmans Warehouse,ect,I would check out the brands and buy what you like.As for help,ask around at your local range and at your local gunshop,shooters are usually among the more friendly folks that you will find.If you can't find any local help,invest a weekend and come to central Ar,I'll help ya!Good Luck, Pete
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!


FWIW, Here is my own personal recommended starters list. However, it is a "buy once - cry once" priced list.

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Just my 2 cents -

Recommended reloading equipment - my opinion on buying the right stuff the first time around.

reloading dies For the .308 Winchester -
Redding Competition Bushing Neck Sizer Die 308 Winchester
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=160954&t=11082005

Forster Ultra Full Length 2-Die Set 308 Winchester (National Match)
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=889455&t=11082005

for depriming all spent brass -
Redding Universal Depriming and Decapping Die Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=597441&t=11082005

Redding Neck Sizer Die Bushing 335 Diameter Titanium Nitride
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=888335&t=11082005

An excellent reloading press that I have found for 99.9% of all the precision rifle reloading operations you'll do.
Forster Co-Ax Single Stage Press
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=265719&t=11082005

a good scale -
Redding #2 Master Magnetic Powder Scale 505 Grain Capacity
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=658771&t=11082005

A VERY good powder measure -
Redding Match Grade 3BR Powder Measure with Universal and Handgun Metering Chamber
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=246394&t=11082005

Lube for case resizing -
Forster High Pressure Lubricant 2 oz
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=300002&t=11082005

various case prep tools -
Forster Chamfer and Deburring Tool
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=364181&t=11082005

Redding Primer Pocket Uniformer Tool Large
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=664266&t=11082005

RCBS Hand Priming Tool
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=329291&t=11082005

RCBS Shellholder #3
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=326468&t=11082005

Redding Case Trimmer w/ Micormeter
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=635693

Redding #5 Powder Trickler
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=487186&t=11082005

RCBS Powder Funnel 22 to 45 Caliber
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=328093&t=11082005

RCBS Pow'r Pull Impact Bullet Puller
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=630146&t=11082005

RCBS Pow'r Pull Impact Bullet Puller Magnum Rifle Chuck Assembly
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=116534&t=11082005

Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler Master Kit with Quick-N-EZ Rotary Media Separator 110 Volt
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=414369

Lyman Turbo Brass Cleaning Media Treated Corn Cob 6 lb "Easy Pour Container"
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=541305

Sierra "5th Edition Rifle and Pistol Manual of Reloading Data" Reloading Manual
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=946494

Sierra Infinity Suite "Infinity Exterior Ballistic Software Version 6 and 5th Edition Manual" CD-ROM
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=415729

Remember to follow the manual and reload carefully and safely.

Good luck and good shooting!




 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

There's 2 things that I can add that have made reloading easier for me.

Imperial application media with dry lube for lubing the inside of your necks without contaminating the powder or primers.It keeps the case necks form stretching so much when the expander ball passes through the neck and makes for easier pull through of the expander too.

Imperial die wax for the outside of your cases.I used to use Hornady 1 lube but it doesn't last very long and the wax lubes the case much better.

Your welcome to PM me if you have any ?

Steve
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please Help!!

There is really no reason to prefer one single stage press over another for .308. I bought a single stage press for $10 once. Just get a press and get to loading.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Josh Hall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What [are] your feelings on the Lee powder dippers? </div></div>
IMO, the dippers are one of Lee's finest products. I'm also partial to the primer-pocket cleaner. Neither has any moving parts. The dippers work best in conjunction with a scale, with which you might choose to pair a powder trickler. Redding's trickler has the desired mass to keep it located. Ohaus makes good scales. Dillon and RCBS market them.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Josh Hall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What [are] your feelings on the Lee powder dippers? </div></div>
IMO, the dippers are one of Lee's finest products. I'm also partial to the primer-pocket cleaner. Neither has any moving parts. The dippers work best in conjunction with a scale, with which you might choose to pair a powder trickler. Redding's trickler has the desired mass to keep it located. Ohaus makes good scales. Dillon and RCBS market them. </div></div>

+100 i like the dippers and a good trickler.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

get the lee starter kit , the one with press , dispenser , scales , primer tool , and a couple of other things.i think it is in the 70 to 80 dollar range.then get a redding die set.i think all of this can be obtained for around the 150 00 range.and you will be able to obtain top notch results with good components , and a little education on the subject.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

Don't get a starter kit from anyone. You will end up with one or two good tools and a bunch of crap.

Each manufacturer has has one or two tools that are truly revolutionary, but the remainder of their "me too" lineup is substandard, i.e most of Lee's inventory.

I suggest you make a list of the tools you'll need, and then ask people for their opinion, i.e. their likes and dislikes, price, features, etc.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 918v</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't get a starter kit from anyone. You will end up with one or two good tools and a bunch of crap.

Each manufacturer has has one or two tools that are truly revolutionary, but the remainder of their "me too" lineup is substandard, i.e most of Lee's inventory.

I suggest you make a list of the tools you'll need, and then ask people for their opinion, i.e. their likes and dislikes, price, features, etc.

</div></div>
+1

You can research tools using the <span style="font-style: italic">Search</span> function that forums provide. Unfortunately, the one on this site ain't too great. Accurate Reloading has a good one.
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

STOP! Hey Josh, before you blow yourself up (ok, you probably wont, but its not worth taking the chance), stop and dont start reloading until you can get someone over the house to show you how its done. It aint rocket science, but reloading based on what you read of the Net can be a good way to lose a finger, eye, or something else. YOu can F it up and if you do, you are going to be in trouble. With reloading, things can be all fine and dandy, then you do one thing different and you are then wondering why you are wearing your bolt in the middle of your forehead!

So, get a buddy that loads to show you the ropes, go slowly, and start out loading known loads, etc till you get the hang of it. Unfortunately, those of us that have been doing it for years take our knowledge for granted and dont recall just how little we knew when we started...that can be dangerous.

Get the in person help first, then get at it and have fun.

John
 
Re: Tons of questions about reloading!! Please He

Hey Josh no great expert here just a year-old newb to reloading but since no one else commented on it, I will offer that the Lee Loader kits are absolutely the cheapest way to jump into loading that I have ever heard of and I couldn't tell any difference in the ammo from my Lee turret press and lee dies. I wouldn't want to just have lee loaders (they only neck size so you will need a FL sizer at some point) but my local gun store has some of these second hand for $15 CAD, and with a $10 lee trimmer, you can be set up to load for a new caliber if you have a scale and calipers already. I bought one so I could load for my buddies .30-06. Along with the lee loader kit I use my regular set up of a cheap digital scale and lee safety powder scale balance beam which together would be probably under $50 bucks and seem accurate enough for me. The balance beam is quite sensitive you can see one or two kernals move the arm but its easier to trickle powder up to weight on the digital and then a quick check on the balance beam. I got my lee turret press for $50 second hand and have no complaints for what paid for it.

Cheers and good luck Josh