I wanna start

[AN_OLD_LADY]

So I was contemplating the price of .308 ammunition, when I decided it may be cheaper to reload. Can somebody tell me how much per round it costs (and if it involves buying in bulk, how much of an investment)?

What tools do you guys use?

What are those tools for?

[flyingirish04]

um...probably too lengthy of an answer for a post on a forum to help with.

I would recommend going to the nearest sporting good store to start out.

[f3rr37]

Depends... are you loading for just plinking or for long distance shooting?

Here are the components I'm using:
Powder: IMR 4064 (~$0.14/round) - 1lbs
Primers: CCI BR2 (~$0.045/round) - 1,000
Bullets: Sierra MatchKing 175gr HPBT (~$0.28/round) -100
Brass: Lapua ($0.70/round) <-- lets say you load them each 5 times, that brings you down to ~$0.14/round) - 100
Total: $0.61/round

So if you reused your brass, you're looking at... about $0.61/round for match grade ammo. And you can load it even cheaper than that. Lapua brass is spendy, you can get some other stuff (lower quality) for about $0.30 less.

Everything but the powder you can get cheaper if you're just planning on plinking and not worried about making the shots count.

[jmz5]

And it gets even cheaper if you load for accuracy, because the cost is roughly the same whether you load plonkers or super duper accurate loads.

[flyingirish04]

or listen to fuzzy... :p

Seriously though if you want to know what the 'tools are for'? You probably want help getting started that is hands on.

[jmz5]

Once you get the basic tools and equipment, we can be of more help to specific questions.
But first I would definitely recommend picking up a copy of the ABC's of Reloading.

Its a great book for anyone who wants to reload.

[Rapier1772]

This does NOT count start up costs like press & accessories, dies, lube, tumbler, trimmer, scale. That is a huge expense that you will have to figure out what you want & how much you want to spend.
And unless you are going to load up a lot, over long term or special loads it isn't worth it.

But I have a price breakdown on some of my loads - all assuming 1x brass.
30-06 (pretty close to .308) hunting loads - store bought ~$2/round. reloads ~$.50/round
.44 Mag - store bought are about $.80/round where reloaded $.35/round
For the subsonics I am loading up for the 5.7 it is working out to be about $.22/round

[MrSlippyFist]

I'm hoping to break even in a couple years.

[jmz5]

Fortunately, I started out with a used press, so I am sure I broke even about a year ago, but it's going to change when I get my self a progressive for my end of the year winter holiday gift.

[Rapier1772]

Oh, and don't forget it is a time investment as well. You can use this hobby to help keep you out of trouble! :laugh: Even with a progressive it is still a time consuming project. Be sure to consider any family, kids, work, party/social life that will be effected by you hovering over a workbench for hours

[fatherfoof]

Figure on the screw up factor for the first few attempts. We all lost brass, deformed bullets and dumped powder all over until things made sense. Savings don't come for awhile, but you can fine tune ammo exactly to what you want. That 308 can take a cwazy wabbit or a moose depending on the load.

[flyingirish04]

I wouldn't hunt moose with a 308. It can be done, but I prefer a 30-06 at least. And I have hit a rabbit with a 308, not pretty :laugh:

[carsfor]

All very good answers follow the advice mostly from jmz5 because it is very good to read, I also bought that book and it definitely is a great starting point. sincerely, Carsfor

[Rapier1772]

I wouldn't hunt moose with a 308. It can be done, but I prefer a 30-06 at least. And I have hit a rabbit with a 308, not pretty :laugh:

I've hit a rabbit with a 30-06 - that was funny! It may be cruel but you can't help but laugh when a piece or two go flying at that high of an arc. And yes, there was still enough left for stew

[AN_OLD_LADY]

Exactly what I'm looking for *points at 743 1337 f3rr37*, I'll have to check out that book too jmz. I have an uncle who reloads a lot, and I was going to ask him if he would let me use his equipment to kind of learn the ropes with an old hand watching over my shoulder.

[Rapier1772]

So you wanted US to crunch all the numbers for YOU? WTF? Lazy old lady! :laugh: :p

I have an Excell spreadsheet that I made up to do the same thing if you want it. Just have to input your own numbers if they are different and adjust the links to the other pages as needed. For the unknown prices you could just look up associated prices on Graff's or Midway.

PM me your email, I'll send it. If any one else wants to see it they can send me their email as well.

[CenCalSplicer]

A buddy and I reload our .308's and we came up with this recipe:

175 gn SMK HPBT
45 grns of reloader15
Winchester large rifle primer or CCI 200

We are getting 1.5" groups at 300 yds out of 3 different guns.
Remy 700
2 308 LR's

I have been very impressed with this load.

Average muzzle velocity from the Remy 700 was 2700fps and 2662 out of the 308LR's.

Fuzzy's prices for each reload are accurate. Lapau brass is the best IMHO and you get what you pay for. I am using Winchester brass and have been pulling my 150 gn and 180 gn bullets and replacing the bullets and powder. Initial start up costs are always the biggest investment. After that it gets easier especially once you get comfortable prepping the brass, measuring each load and getting bullet depth set.

Best of luck and safety first!!!

[bayhawk2]

I use to reload.Gave all my stuff to my cousin many years back.
Just got out of it due to lack of interest.Now I'm starting back.
Just to let you know if it is cheaper?No.That is a myth.
If you get everything new,as I did?It will take a long time to break even.
You have to shoot often.Very often to even do that.I would say
unless you are a heavy shooter,or into acuracy you'ed be better off buying
factory.

[f3rr37]

I use to reload.Gave all my stuff to my cousin many years back.
Just got out of it due to lack of interest.Now I'm starting back.
Just to let you know if it is cheaper?No.That is a myth.
If you get everything new,as I did?It will take a long time to break even.
You have to shoot often.Very often to even do that.I would say
unless you are a heavy shooter,or into acuracy you'ed be better off buying
factory.

But if FEELS cheaper! :laugh:

[jmz5]

It was a major plus to have a reloading setup when I bought my 6.5x284. I think at the time there were only two factory loads available for it.

[Dave O]

The benefits of reloading seem to me to be the quality time I can spend with myself and the satisfaction that I know what amount of consistincy has gone into each round(Accuracy). I spent at least five hours today trying to get the 5.7 re-loads to specs. I am certain I could have come out ahead If I had gone to Walmart and been a greeter.... but i listened to some loud Bluegrass music and really had a nice time.