reloading questions

[308sc]

Hi,

I'm looking for new dies for 8mm Mauser, and .308 Winchester. Being that there are so many brands out there which would you suggest.

Also does anyone know where to get some cheap powder and bullets for loading the rounds listed above? I don;t like spending $20+ dollars on 1lb of powder when all i do is plink alot.

Any Suggestions,

Ryan

 

[lgbloader]

I like Redding dies for rifle and use them exclusively for that. It really depends on your shooting and what type of weapon/firearm you reloading for. Bolt or Gas, and also what kind of loading tools you have, especially press wise. Some people use Lee and they are happy with the result. RCBS, and others as well. If you are starting off, I would say start with what dies you want and learn the process. Once you have some experience under your belt, you can decide if you want to upgrade to Redding or stick with what you have. Like I said, I have been loading for some time now, but I am sure that there are people out there with Lee dies that could load circles around me and my Redding dies. It really starts with the hands that operate the tools, Mate.

If you are looking for good deals powder wise, Powder Valley has the best IMO but you need to buy in bulk. Otherwise, You're gonna get nailed for $20 - $25 bucks at your local mom & Pop shop.

Same thing with Bullets.

Good luck, Mate.

 

[Walkalong]

Forster is another good choice for Rifle dies.

 

[308sc]

I have a Lee single stage press, it was all that I could afford at the time (im 15). I was the one that got my dad into guns, so therefor before he was into them I had a very very limited budget. I like the lee single stage press, it is well made, but some of the accessories that came with it are not of the best quality, but It works for a first kit.

I also like RCBS but I could not afford it when I was looking into reloading. But I have upgraded some of my components to RCBS (powder trickler)

I eventually would like to upgrade my press to a Dillion or RCBS...etc....because I don't know about ya'll but I don't like reloading i just like to shoot, so anything that allows me to do so on a budget is what I do.


I'll check out redding and forster dies though

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Just a notch under Redding and Forster quality are Hornady dies, IMHO. They have a similar sliding alignment sleeve on the seater that helps align the bullet with the neck prior to insertion. And Hornady has a lot lower price.

You might want to try your hand at neck-sizing, since you have bolt guns for both. Lee collet neck sizing dies are hard to beat for that, but I don't care for their seating dies.

The RCBS X-sizer die is also good for resizing, since it eliminates the need to trim brass (assuming it is within spec to begin with).

Andy

 

[308sc]

alright i'll probably go with Hornady

 

[Steve C]

If loading for one bolt action rifle, the Lee set with the collet neck sizing die is great for 8mm Mauser rifles. The .308 deluxe die set by Lee has both a conventional full length sizing die and a collet neck sizing die.

 

[Steve in PA]

Don't reload .308, but I do reload .30/06 and 8mm Mauser. I own about 20 different caliber dies.....all are RCBS.

 

[Rico567]

Discussions about dies don't tend to be as partisan as those about presses, but people seem to have their favorites. I don't; I've used Lyman, RCBS, Dillon, Redding, and Lee dies over the years, and they all work well. I now buy only Lee, because their price is significantly less.

 

[BeJaRa]

I have a set of RCBS dies and they are ok but I love my lee dies, cheap easy to use and make accurate ammo (at least the ammo and rifles are more accurate than I am)

 

[ForneyRider]

I have RCBS 8x57 die set: full-length resizer die, bullet seater die with roll crimp. Works great, they are borrowed.

I have been buying Lee Deluxe die sets for rifle, pistol. The Lee Deluxe Rifle Set does not include a crimp. But they give you a full-length sizer die, a neck sizer die, bullet seater die, load data, a dipper, and a shell holder.

RCBS and Redding offer very high-end, but you can read all over the internet that the "affordable" Lee can load ammo that is just as accurate.

The RCBS dies have a huge nut on them that caused issue with my Lee breech lock press. But I made due, and the loads came out all right.

Buy in bulk, buy local.

I like Varget for 8x57, but it was $22/1lb. I think you can get 4lb and 8lb containers for Varget. Midway has Varget for 136$/8lb.
BL-C(2) was original powder for military. It is 19$/1lb or 129$/8lb.

CCI, Wolf, Magtech primers run cheaper than Federal. Buy in bulk for these, 5k or 10k.