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and I can find some brass for you. Get it done!

So with a .308 inbound, I take it I should be looking at reloading then?
Certainly won't be able to afford expensive ammo!

Gundoc wrote:So with a .308 inbound, I take it I should be looking at reloading then?
Certainly won't be able to afford expensive ammo!

depends on how competitive you are, if you just enjoy shooting at 1-600 yrds and are not looking to beat everyone else, then milsurp is still competitively priced, and can be pretty good as well. if you want to neuter flies at 1000 yards then you may wish to reload, although that sort of accuracy doesn't come cheap anytime.

Brass no issue, I've been saving all my fired brass from my TR and my Enfield.

I've been seriously thinking about buying a Lee hand press and seeing how I get on with loading .303" and .308" (to reproduce the NRA-spec RUAG, or at least as close as I can get) to begin with. My main question is, can I store my components and the press outside of secure storage (as I don't have secure home storage - neither do I have anywhere to permanently set up a reloading area) and just assemble ammo on the day I'm going to the range?

Next question, how much does a Lee hand press with the components to reload for 303 and 308 cost?

Gaz,

I have used a Wamadet press, (Helston Gunsmiths), for years to reload rifle (and pistol). You can reload on the dining room table! No clamping required but it does help! The Lee hand tool works but can be a bit hard work when you have a match's worth of ammo to prepare.
All mechanical reloading bits (press, dies, measures etc) are non FAC so keep them under the bed or where ever. Primers, powders and TARGET bullets are not FAC so, again, can be stored sensibly.

I would suggest all reloading stuff is away from prying eyes and fingers for your safety as well as others. The last thing you want is your child going to school saying 'I've been playing with daddies gunpowder' and handing out SMK 155 to all his friends as samples!!

Perhaps a visit to the Phoenix will give you some ideas!!

Good luck

JohnG :cornwall:

Gaz wrote:Brass no issue, I've been saving all my fired brass from my TR and my Enfield.

I've been seriously thinking about buying a Lee hand press and seeing how I get on with loading .303" and .308" (to reproduce the NRA-spec RUAG, or at least as close as I can get) to begin with. My main question is, can I store my components and the press outside of secure storage (as I don't have secure home storage - neither do I have anywhere to permanently set up a reloading area) and just assemble ammo on the day I'm going to the range?

Next question, how much does a Lee hand press with the components to reload for 303 and 308 cost?

Lee RGB dies £18 a set
Lee case conditioning combo kit £10.50 per calibre
Lee hand press £33 or £54 with ramprime and funnel and lee lube

thats enough to get you started, you will want calipers and scales of some sort, cost of that depends on what you can find, you can use the Lee dippers as well as long as you are not trying to push the limits of pressure/velocity.

don't forget, although your arms get a good workout with the Lee hand press, there is no need to do it all in one go, I used to size 100 cases one day, over an hour or 2,whilst watching the TV, then another day prime them, and possibly not charge them and seat the bullet until a couple of days after that. its not a race to see who finishs first.

Is one of the 'starter kits' a good scheme?

Gundoc wrote:Is one of the 'starter kits' a good scheme?

I have no idea, I have seen a lot of people given the advice that you will not use/upgrade a lot of the bits in time, although I have also seen people state that you will only build good ammo with equipment running into hundreds if not thousands of pounds!
the Lee challenger kit at £125 seems pretty comprehensive as a starter kit, I am sure people will have other views, it depends on how much you have to spend, and how much you intend to use it.
you could buy the RCBS kit version at £398, you may even make better ammo with it, or you might decide reloading isn't for you, in which case you can sell it at a knock down on a forum such as this
or, as another thought, look for someone else who is selling second hand razz so many choices

I know loads of guys that have a lee anniversary kit , and all do well with it, for the money , they are hard to beat ..