Match reloading suggestions
Hello, I reload my own match ammo in .308. Here's some pointers on what kinds of tools you should buy. As for components it takes a while for you to find everything that will make your rifle shoot perfectly, personally, I like CCI primers, Hodgdon Varget powder, I shoot a variety of bullets, sierra matchkings, frangible bullets, and 147gr FMJ.
As for tools. I highly recommend RCBS dies, an RCBS single stage press (such as the partner or rock chucker). A scale, a powder thrower, a powder trickler, and a hand priming tool. I would also recommend a lee primer pocket cleaner, lee deburring tool, a set of micrometers (calipers). A lee cutter and lock-stud and the case length guage kit for this caliber.
Dies:
I suggest having a full length rifle die set, this includes the seater and full length sizing die. If you shoot a bolt action rifle I also recommend a neck sizing die, this will size only the neck, improving case life. For semi-autos, the lee factory crimp die is a must. (you will also need a shell holder, again I recommend RCBS).
Press:
This is an area where you can fudge things a little bit. I personally like the RCBS, dillon, lyman, hornady, and I would even go so far as to recommend the Lee classic cast, however avoid the reloader and the lee handloader for .308 unless you like frustration. I saw in the midway catalog that there is a lyman starter kit for $150, it looked fairly complete but it doesn't have the powder thrower. (I just checked) so for this reason I'm recommending the RCBS rock chucker starter kit shown here:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=646599
This kit provides everything you need except for case trimming and dies, shellholder and it's a pretty good deal. (It also doesn't have the powder trickler).
Lee also offers a starter kit for much less. However the lee powder throwers really really really suck, mine always leaked powder, and required a lot of effort to move the powder charge bar.
Procedure:
Size your cases, if they have been fired from your rifle and you're shooting a bolt action, neck size only. Otherwise full length size.
Use the lee primer pocket cleaner to clean out the junk from the bottom of the primer hole.
Tumble the brass (if you choose to) otherwise wipe the case lube off.
Take your micrometer and make sure all of the cases are of uniform length and under the case maximum length. If not trim them using the lee cutter and lockstud.
Prime the cases with the RCBS hand priming tool (RCBS shell holders work best in this tool. Other manufacturers sometimes cause binding and are a pain in the ass to get into the holder) using Large rifle primers.
Set up your powder thrower to throw a charge about .5 grains under your target charge, fill the powder trickler about half way full of powder. Now, set your scale to the charge you desire, throw a charge from your powder thrower, and use the trickler to make sure the charge is exact.
Pour the charge into the case, and seat a bullet. Check the OAL of the cartridge to make sure you're not too long or too short and put it in a box.
If you choose to, you can now put a factory crimp on the case with the lee factory crimp die. I do not recommend using the crimping feature of most bullet seating dies as they often cause the case necks to balloon making it impossible to chamber the round.
Hope this helps!
