Thread: A few 308 questions.

Originally Posted by LMcNab

Update folks, have settled on a load that zeroed about an inch higher than the factory load I have been and will continue to use for deer, at least until they run out. I had a brief concern about some slightly flattened primers, but a quick consultation with Mr Micky Duck and some testing revealed that I was bumping the shoulder too much, so turned the sizing die to just touching the shell holder and the problem went away.
46 grains of Imr 4166, 130 grain speer hollow points and a federal magnum primer. I haven't chronographed it, dont think I will as like I already said, its for sub 300 yard culling. I took a wee handful out last night and went 6 goats for 6 shots, all bang, flop shots. Happy boy.

Some economics
1lb of powder = 7000 grains (or so the internet tells me)
7000 / 46 = 152
$89 / 152 = 59c per round

$68 / 100 projectiles = 68c

$16 (I think) / 100 primers = 16c

Brass = saved up = free

59+68+16= $1.43 + my time, which has no value because I was enjoying myself.

My last lot of ammo I supplied to the guys was Federal blue box, at just under $3 a round, or I could get FMJ at $1.50, so Im pretty happy with how it stacks up. I can convince myself that in 200 rounds, I will have paid off the second hand gear I bought!
Thanks again to everyone who helped out.

Just bear in mind that brass is consumable, you can do things to help extend it's working life, like annealing (NZ made Annealing Made Perfect Machine, perfect way to crash your reloading budget and cause civil disharmony , or more reasonably, a cheap gas blowtorch and some good judgement).

Furthermore, some people get really anal about brass prep (think primer pocket uniforming, neck turning etc.) but I find most of the people who do that don't shoot worth a damn because they spend too much time online, at the reloading bench and when they finally get round to shooting, it's only for the purpose of 'load development' and they chase their tails because they can't hold a good three or five shot group in the first place!

Federal ammo and brass is fine, some people will turn their noses up at it but I've taken plenty goats and deer with them and they had no complaints!