Thread: How cheap are your .308 reloads?

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.