Thread: How cheap are your .308 reloads?

How cheap can you get your reloads done when including powder/primer/projectile?

Looking at getting into the reloading game as it goes hand in hand with precision shooting, and the excuse "it works out cheaper" to the missus.

I'll be able to get quality Norma brass through the local club as I can get good deals on the .308 training ammo they have and use the once fired brass (from my own rifles chamber) as reload material.

I don't do a lot of 308 so don't get bulk prices, but 150gr soft point loads work out about $1.10 at the moment. That is excluding brass.

I would point out there is a difference between "more economical" and "cheaper". reloading will become more economical but that wont mean it is cheaper. Your cost per round will come down providing better value (Economy) but it does this by volume.

It is economical to buy in bulk (eg 1000 rounds at a discount) but that will cost more than a few packets....

As for cost of reloading....

500grms powder (1 pound bottle) $80 ish (at about 44gr per load that is enough for about 160 rounds = 50c per round)
Primers around $10 per 100 (About 10c each)
Projectiles are $70 ish per 100 depending on what you want (70c per round)

So cost would be in the area of $1.30 per round for precision ammo. Greater value can be had by purchasing greater volumes (1000 primers instead of 100, 4kg powder instead of 500grams and 1000 projectiles instead of 100s)

About 5 years ago when I was NRA shooting it used to be approximatly 90c per round, not including brass, when buying components through the club.

They're not using the Lapua projectiles anymore and am unsure what projectiles they are supplying and at what price. Worth looking into though.

Gadgetmans estimate is pretty close depending on projectile would be much higher if you choose a flash one. Currently Im buying powder 2206h and 2208 through farmlands for $55 compared to the h&f down the roads $80. It might be a local thing though as the president of the local deerstalkers works there.

Depends if you take into account the cost of press, scales, dies, case trimmer, flash hole uniformed.... Dare I go on

What?!! Farmlands sell powder?

Originally Posted by Savage1

About 5 years ago when I was NRA shooting it used to be approximatly 90c per round, not including brass, when buying components through the club.

They're not using the Lapua projectiles anymore and am unsure what projectiles they are supplying and at what price. Worth looking into though.

Firstly, you cant buy the 1/4 to 1/2moa you can gain by handloading to match the gun, unless plain lucky.

Currently there are 3 options for 155gr via NRA. Nosslers, cheapest, great for <=900yds and low wind very forgiving on OAL. I use competiton lapua brass and 45.5gr 2208 they just love 500~800yds. For 1000yds I have to use the HBCs because of their better BC so I am around 1300fps at 1000yds (Nosslers will be sub-sonic so wont register every time on the etgts) . Again with lapua brass and 45.5gr 2208 (and there are gen2 solid point HBCs coming in). While the HBCs are better BC they are a bit more picky on seating depth. I think you can still get Lapua projectiles but they cost way more than the first two and the HBCs are as good or better. Based on current costs then 90cents is a pretty accurate cost per round. NB Watch the grains on the HBCs as at 46grains there are signs of compression of the powder.

There is a cheaper powder becoming available (780? i cant recall) but I have not looked at it yet until I am sure its a long term supply thing. Also buying in 4kgs reduces the cost again.
So based on my calcs I worked out the reloading kit would pay for itself in 3 seasons of 1200 rounds per season. However it was also 1 hour's round trip for me to the club's reloading room for which I allowed $6 in petrol in that payback cost.

I have mostly Lee kit and its fine to start with buying a better press later on. I use Lee throwers each one set for the load / gun and then I dont alter them. At $50 each you can buy 2 or 3 for the price of a "better" one but never have to waste time adjusting. The Lee beam scale is great and again a lot cheaper then anything else. I use Lee dies except for seating the HBC as then I use a hornady die with a amax insert to suit the ogive better.

After this point you can start to get anal retentive on brass preparation but you can buy these "extra" bits as you go along. My wife who hates guns has no idea how many reloading extras she's bought me for Xmas over the years, LOL.

Try this calulator

https://www.dillonprecision.com/calculator.html

Originally Posted by Gibo

What?!! Farmlands sell powder?

Milk powder, washing powder so why not.

yeah that's a thought xmas....more reloading gifts from my loving wife........

I reload for a few mates in a few different calibers. In 308 it’s $130.00 for 100 rounds and is one of the easiest cals to reload for accuracy with minimal fuss, 1/2 MOA in 3 guns using 150gr SST’s and 165gr Sierra game king’s.

Norma brass, 150sst, 44.5 2206H. I think I'm about $1.30 a squeeze.

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Suggest checking amount of powder you can fit in a case if you are changing brands. Water capacity is different with some. I use Winchester cases .308. Couldn't get more at the Sika show so the ADI rep at Steve's Wholesale site stated ADI the same capacity as Winchester so bought 50. Primed them at home and used same 2206 load which comes about 1/3 to 1/2 way up the neck using drop tube on Winchester cases but the ADI were full to the top of the neck. My normal loads are not hot or compressed with 125 grain projectile but the ADI certainly would be.

cast projectiles, not the same as jacket pills but bloody cheap