New to reloading

[WG Taxidermist]

Ok my daughter has bought me a new reloder for my birthday which is a couple weeks off but since I'm new to this what all do I need to buy for it? I plan on starting with trying to load some 308's so what will I need?

[JCodd]

What did she buy you? A kit? Just a press?


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[WG Taxidermist]

What did she buy you? A kit? Just a press?


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Its the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit.

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[JCodd]

https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/10129 ... gKrbvD_BwE

If this is the kit you’ll need a trimmer and dies. Die sets are interchangeable among brands unless you get into some old stuff. She’ll holders are the same, but they’re all numbered different. I personally feel the scale that comes in that kit is junk. It’s not even a good paper weight. I prefer a good balance beam. You’ll also need calipers unless your kit has it. I do have a trimmer I’d like sell but no pressure on you. If you have any questions please ask.


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[WG Taxidermist]

Thanks! When I get it and see what all it has I may get back with you on the trimmer.

[JCodd]

Thanks! When I get it and see what all it has I may get back with you on the trimmer.

when you get it send a picture of all the contents. When I looked online there were 2-3 kits and they were all a bit different. That’ll help determine what you really need. Dies, powder, primers and bullets will be the biggest things that I know you’ll need. Eventually you’ll want a tumbler. But it’s not necessarily needed. You’ll find you like certain things and you’ll upgrade others. I started out with a lee kit and turned out great ammo with it but now I have a pieced together setup.


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[WG Taxidermist]

That's another question I have. What kind of powder and primers and all do you guys recommend?

[JCodd]

If you’re loading 308 I like varget, AA2520, and w748. I’ve used imr4064 and didn’t get the best results. Varget is possibly the most widely used and popular and what I used most. I like cci primers. Standard large rifle #200. Cases don’t matter so much but keep all the headstamp the same. Lapua is probably the top of the line. Starline is nice for the money. Hornady is overrated for the cost. Peterson is said to be high quality but I’ve never used any.


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[JCodd]

Bullets are a toss up. I personally have had trouble getting most of hornadys offerings to shoot good. Sierra bullets shoot great but they’re getting pricey. I buy mostly nosler seconds. But I have had some ballistic tips that wouldn’t shoot good in my rifle. Barnes bullets are nice but pricey. Berger bullets shoot great but can be picky.


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[WG Taxidermist]

Sounds like I've got a lot to learn and a lot of trial and error ahead of me. Lol!

[JCodd]

Like I said, ask if you’re unsure on something.


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[WG Taxidermist]

Will do. Thanks!

[MUP]

I'll second the Nosler 2nds. Go to shootersproshop.com as they deal exclusively with Nosler ends and blems. IMO the 150 gr bullet is a great all around bullet weight. I shoot 150 NAB's (Nosler Accubonds) in my 06 and have gotten .750 MOA at 100 yds with them. Varget is the standby powder for the .308 as I recall as well, very popular and nets solid results from most .308's. Also, read, read, read! Buy a good loading manual or 3! But like JC said, if you have any questions just ask and we'll try to help. It's a very rewarding hobby!

[MUP]

Have you had a chance to start loading yet buddy?

[Tngrizzly_]

Watching and learning

[Wiley]

Sounds like I've got a lot to learn and a lot of trial and error ahead of me. Lol!

I see that you're in Hardin County. I can spare some powder and primers to get you started. My lease is east of Savannah and I'm up there a good bit hunting and some during the off season to check on things/bushhog, etc. Next time I go up I'll take a pound of powder and 100 primers and at least have them at my cabin and we can figure things out from there.

[WG Taxidermist]

Sounds like I've got a lot to learn and a lot of trial and error ahead of me. Lol!

I see that you're in Hardin County. I can spare some powder and primers to get you started. My lease is east of Savannah and I'm up there a good bit hunting and some during the off season to check on things/bushhog, etc. Next time I go up I'll take a pound of powder and 100 primers and at least have them at my cabin and we can figure things out from there.

That would be awesome!! I got everything setup and when I went to buy powder and such there was none to buy so I've never got to use it.

[Wiley]

Do you have brass and boolits? I can spare a few of those as well. I have some Speer flat base Spitzer in 165gr and several pieces of once fired brass in several different brands. I'll sort it by headstamp and bring it along........ I'm spoiled on Lapua brass and will never use the other stuff

[Jethro]

I would recommend some reloading books.

[WG Taxidermist]

I would recommend some reloading books.

I do actually have a couple of those.

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