Looking to break into the world of reloading…right now, I am looking to load only .308. What do I need to get going and what’s a good research tool to read up on to get a little more versed in the world of reloading.
Thanks in advance
Watching youtube videos is a fast way to absorb a lot of information on reloading. As for what you need to get I would recommend piecing together your own kit after you do enough research to determine what you need to get started. Most people start out with a single stage press which is always nice to have if you decide to ever upgrade to a turret or progressive press, as a lot of people will still resize their rifle brass on a single stage press. Dillon has a reputation for making the highest quality products, and LEE has a reputation for making bang for the buck products. Other quality brands would be RCBS and Hornady.
Awesome, thank you much!!
+1 for building your own starter kit.
There is a lot of stuff out there for loading that is specialized, and even more that is a waste of money, GA Jared is spot on about figuring out what you think you need. Once you do post it and we can give you feedback.
For example: Redding type S Competition seating dies are really nice dies, about the best non-custom seating die available that can run in a press. That said, they are also a lot of $ that you don’t need to spend unless you want precision loaads
Sometimes Cabelas puts there rockchucker kit on sale for a pretty good price,you will still need more things but its a good bang for the buck so far.
RCBS has a rebate program going on right now unless it’s expired in the last week.
I’ve yet to see a starter kit that has everything one needs and nothing one doesn’t. There are some good ones though.
A good reloading shop will help set you up right. They live and die by repeat component business, not by overselling equipment setups. The good shops that is.
Like with selecting a rifle or other kit, mission dictates gear. A volume reloader needs different equipment than does a precision reloader.
Figure out how much and what kind of .308 you’re loading as a starting point.
Guys,
This is all great info, thanks much. So based on the little bit of research I’ve done, here is what I think I need.
Single stage press
Media tumbler
Media roller
Die(s) - seat projectile and remove primer/resize case
Set of hand tools to remove burrs
Digital Scale
Powder dispenser
And, can someone give me the technical terms for these items?
You can do without the media roller, I’ve never used one. You’re also going to need a case trimmer at some point. I use the WFT and that’s probably as cheap as I would go with that. The more you spend on case prep tools the less you’re going to hate case prep, have to find your own balance there.
Nobody mentioned it yet, reloading manual(s). First several chapters will lead you through what you need to know, hows & whys. I suggest Sierra & Hornady for starters.
This doesn’t tell us much. .308 for precision? or Ball ammo to feed an M1A or SCAR or some such?
Those are two wildly different scenarios to me.
No m80 through your 5R’s? 
One time Pappabear (when he had his LMT MWS) was slinging some Import M80 bad clone that shot 6MOA. And at 300 yards, the bullet trace in the spotting scope made it look like he was shooting with his eyes closed. It was painful.
Two years ago I worked with a young man that wanted to get into reloading. Read several reloading manuals and watched U tube videos.
He picked up a lee set for http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-breech-lock-challenger-press-kit Plus dies powder bullets he has been reloading 9mm and just started 223 reloading.
I recommended this set for the low cost and to see if you really get into this hobby.
hey Mark
Good point - would like to work into some .308 loads for precision as well as do some loading for my semi auto 308. I have a Rem700 as well as an LMT MWS - so really the possibilities are endless…
The Lee progressive kits are nice because you can set them up as single stage while you’re learning, and turn them into progressives when you are ready. They can be a bit prickly about initial setup, but there are great YouTube vids that can help with that as well.
Sent from 80ms in the future
Much peace
Jimmy
Good calipers are a must.
I started with the RCBS Rockchucker Kit, to which I would add a dial caliper (metal, not plastic), Case Trimmer and a Powder Trickler. I looked on Midway, and the Rebate mentioned above is still showing up. I prefer Redding and RCBS dies. I have been working with a Lee Progressive a friend bought, the powder measure sucks, the “instructions” Lee provides suck. It’s a good thing there are YouTube videos to watch. Yes, we are just about ready to produce, but if you can afford it, go Dillon.
+1 for the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit. Works great.
oh the options are endless.
Can’t go wrong with the Rockchucker for beginning reloading. If you are loading for an AR you are going to be full length resizing anyway.
Go Dillion if you are going to be loading lots of ammo
For precision go with the forster coax and either forster or redding dies
for a bolt gun and precision reloading you can even go with Wilson hand dies and an arbor press
all the accessories work with all of your different systems. priming tools the choices are endless, case prep tools take your pick, trimmers I hate trimming I use the Giraud, case cleaning regular tumbler wet tumbler or ultrasonic, scales and powder measures, calipers, lots of stuff
like most things if you buy quality you will be better satisfied with your results and you won’t be having to upgrade. The rockchucker will always have its uses though no matter which way you go. If you find that reloading is not for you your investment will be less.
I agree for precision a Forester Co-Ax press and Forester Dies, especially their Ultra Micrometer Seater Dies.