newbie reloader ... with questions

[JcBook]

Hey guys I'm just about to get my feet wet with reloading. I plan to reload because I want to shoot a lot, avid hunter, and would like to start shooting in competitions. I'm just going yo start reloading for my Remington 700 in .308 it has a 26" barrel with a 1:12 twist also if it makes a difference it is a heavy barrel (I believe is partly floated) this gun will be with me for all aspects of my habits.

What size primer should I get?
For competition shooting where should I look for high accuracy bullets/loads to start working up? (I don't mind trying 5-30 loads to find the best accuracy I'll shoot'em till I find it)
I'm planning on buying the Lee breechlock Challenger press kit, is that a good choice for starting?

This is an early thanks for your quick and helpful responses.

Thanks Cody

 

[mongoose33]

Start with reading the stickies at the start of this forum.

Then get the ABCs of reloading and read it.

Get a couple of reloading manuals and read them. In those manuals, the types of loads, size of primer, and so on will be listed.

Take this as friendly advice from someone who started reloading 16 months ago.

 

[JcBook]

I've read the ABC's of reloading and hornady's book.

 

[Deavis]

No offense, if you've read those books then you should know the answer to the primer size question and you know where to find loads to start working with in your rifle. You also have an idea of what powder/bullet combinations will yield performance that you are interested in and know how to determine what bullet for your rifle twist rate.

I have no input on the Lee press, they are cheap and the quality is acceptable for the price.

 

[mohunter55]

for you first load, I would follow a manual exactly. Use the exact same powder, primer, case, & bullet that they show. This would most likely be a Standard Large Rifle primer for .308.

 

[JcBook]

I'm sorry I didn't see where it said that the .308 was X primer and as for my other question I want to know what type bullet would be best suited for competition's as the books didn't say hey these bullets here X grain and X make are better for comp and x bisnt. ullet is better for hunting <....>

 

[Mags]

Here you go 168 grain SMK, 46 grains Reloader 15, Federal LR primer, and an OAL of 2.8 start 10 percent off that load and work upo to the 46. Have fun!

 

[bowyer58]

Have fun. Determine how far you want to go. Do you want to be the best or just not embarrass yourself? You've got a good gun but was the barrel broken in correctly? Consistency is everything. If you aren't meticulous and anal retentive you probably won't be great but you can still have more fun than most people should be allowed to have. Oh yeah, there are Sierra bullets and everything else. In your search for the perfect load change powder, change primers, change brass, Sierra (I don't even work for them).

 

[Hesenwine]

The .308 takes a standard Large Rifle primer. Good bullets for accuracy are Sierra Match King, Hornady A-Max, Berger and Barnes. Most manufacturers make very good bullets these days.

I use mostly Sierra 168gr boat tails over Varget for my Savage 112BVSS heavy barrel-it's VERY accurate.

 

[jcwit]

One of the best bullets to start out with I think is the Sierra Match King, they are available from 150 grain to 240 grain. As far as the Lee press, that will get you started, you'll want to up-grade from there. Check out Sinclare International. Powder? VihtaVuori Oy is thought by many to be the best for accuracy.

Check out 6mmbr.com - - lots of accuracy info there.

Don't get discouraged, you're going to be limited to factory class with a factory rifle.

 

[gearheadpyro]

JcBook, Welcome to The High Road!

I actually have the exact same setup as you do, Remington 700, .308, 26" 1:12 twist barrel. I also have the breech lock press.

First, the press. Go ahead and get it. That press is a very good one considering the price. You may want to consider getting the whole breech lock kit so you have all of the neccesary goodies like a scale and priming tools and such.

The .308's use standard large rifle primers. Most brands are very good, although availability is scarce these days. Buy what large rifles you can and they will work. Do not buy large rifle magnum primers, they are much too powerful and are not represented in your load data.

A majority of people that load for .308's prefer IMR 4064, Varget, Win 760, and a few other powder's that slip the mind at the moment. I also use IMR 4320 with good results but it's not as popular for some reason, the IMR 4895 has given me my best groupings. The .308 is not known as a picky cartridge to load for, so a lot of the powders in your reloading manual may give you good results.

I use two different bullets for my .308, the Hornady SST 165 grain for hunting and the 175 grain Sierra Matchking for target shooting. Both bullets will consistently group under .6" in my gun after doing a load development for them in my gun. You will need to develop the load for your gun, so I won't give you things like what powder charge I use. Do not exceed the maximum powder charge in your reloading manual(s). While developing a load make sure to watch out for pressure signs, if you see any stop immediately.

I have a website I have been working on that may help you out with other questions you may have.
http://www.rifles-shooting-reloading.com
Hope it helps.

Poe

 

[45ACPUSER]

Here lets us keep it simple.
First off you need to heed the advice offered up. Read up! Each data source uses a specific brand of brass. This is important! Loads worked up in WW brass might cause trouble in RP or Federal Brass.
But, in the interest of making thing easy.

YOU WANT LAPUA BRASS but WW is okay
YOU WANT REDDING TYPE S Neck Die with 336 bushing with Lapua Brass
Powders
IMR 4895/4064 with Winchester Large Rifle Primers
Varget with CCI BR 2 Primers
RL15 with CCI BR 2 or Federal Gold Medal Match 210 Primers

Best bullet to use....easy Sierra 175gr SMK seated to 2.80" COAL

 

[JcBook]

thanks for all the good information guys very helpful can't wait to start

 

[jcwit]

I think the problem is arrogance, not ignorance.

Lets be nice guys, after all it is Christmas Time.
Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men.

 

[JcBook]

No it is ignorance of my situation where I don't have books at my ready that how bout my parents just split up and I'm still in the process of moving and the Books are packed away and I can't find them. Also lets not mention that I have to work 14 hours a day right now so I do t have time to fond these books I was asking simple questions its OK this is my last post here Poe your website I enjoyed and will vista it often hope you can get your range up and running

 

[jcwit]

No offense, if you've read those books then you should know the answer to the primer size question and you know where to find loads to start working with in your rifle. You also have an idea of what powder/bullet combinations will yield performance that you are interested in and know how to determine what bullet for your rifle twist rate.

I have no input on the Lee press, they are cheap and the quality is acceptable for the price.

I must say Deavis that was really a cool way to welcome a new member to our forum.
Sounds like arrogance and ignorance all rolled into one. BTW thats not calling anyone names those are traits.

 

[Win1892]

Deavis has a point.

 

[jcwit]

This may all be at first glance but after learning more about the situtation it all changes. This looked like a time where a little patience and not jumping to conclusions would have been the better road to follow. It would have taken little if any extra effort to just answer the simple questions and helping the new member out.

Sorta like looking up something in an index and getting the notation "see xyz", then going to xyz and getting a single page to go to.

 

[Art Eatman]

I see it as really low-rent to be arrogant and snarky toward the newbies. It reflects really poorly on THR. Here we are, trying to show the wide world that we're mature adults, and then some arrogant type tries to prove that we're indeed knuckle-dragging Neanderthals.

My advice is to not get my old red neck all lit up and glowing. After all, July of 2010 will be my 60th year of reloading. I'd still rather help a newbie than sneer at him for being inexperienced. Nobody was ever born as an expert on anything.

 

[mongoose33]

I took the advice given as not arrogant or condescending but rather trying to ensure a reality check for a new reloader. I've seen a few newbies who have already loaded 40+ rounds of some recipe they've read on the internet and who have no inkling about working up a load.

So maybe it could have been done differently but I saw it as ensuring someone doesn't go too far too fast.

In the end, we all just want JcBook to keep his eyes, digits, and his life as he explores this wonderful hobby.