I’m debating on starting reloading. I only shoot this caliber and occasionally a 7mm08.


I have been buying ammo from Norma for at times 15$ a box. It performs excellent and exactly like the federal powershock. But I like the performance of accubonds. I was thinking I Could I reload this ammo used brass once I shoot it. I have a couple of cases of the federal and Norma.

I’ve been happy with the bullets performance so far, Should I just keep buying loaded ammo on sale? And not worry about reloading? I hate to Waste all this brass once I shoot it. And the investment in reloading just seems logical in the long run. But I could be wrong.


I know it’s totally different but I load for my Turkey shells. If I were to start for the .308 and .7mm08 What all would I need to get? Is there a simple kit that would be the most cost effective?

Press dies shell holder powder primers bullets scale trimmer reloading manual or 5 that you'll need to read through twice before starting yes all of them. You will shoot more if you reload. Or just keep buying that $15.00 boxes and be happy. As far as cost effective get into a club and split costs with a guy or three and yes you can buy bulk primer powder bullets etc. And save money. For the .308 start with Sierra 168 bthp and Varget powder.

308 is one of the easiest cartridges to reload
There’s a ton of load variations to choose from and this will allow you to make the 308 a multipurpose rifle

No way I would buy all of that stuff to load one or two calibers. It is fun to do but if you like the Norma ammo for shooting and hunting, you would be much much better off just buying the ammo you like at a cheap price! If I could find what I like at that price, I would never reload! Not ever! But that isn’t a reality for me. In todays market, you will spend big $$$ to reload properly!

Single stage press, dies, Varget, primer, and 140gr .284”s/150gr .308”s and you’ll be good.

You have to shoot a lot to save money reloading, but you can make your own when supply gets scarce and you can load whatever bullet and round your gun likes. It’s a trade off. Been reloading since 2008 and there’s no way I’ve recouped my money invested in equipment and supplies, but I can load whenever I want, and what I want.

I handload... but tell me more about this $15 a box 308.ammo...

I load for 7-08 and 308 and have saved a ton of money by doing so in the short time I’ve been doing it. However, if what you’re happy with cost $15/box, keep buying ammo. You won’t come out ahead at that price point.

It's real. If you will keep looking at ammoseek you'll find it around 15.99 sometimes. GREAT ammo for dirt cheap. I even caught the Norma 150 grainers on sale a few months ago for the 7-08 for a little over 18 a box.

BB, in my opinion, if you have a couple of cases of both the federal and norma, you really aren't going to save a lot of money handloading. Components are not cheap. If you just want to get into it for the sake of getting into it, then you might have some fun with it.

Every now and then Norma marks down certain ammo. I’ve bought .308Win, .30-06Sprg, 6mm Creed, 6.5mm Creed, 9mm, 45ACP and 38spcl from them for cheap cheap. Best thing to do is sign up for email alerts from Norma Ammo and you’ll get heads up on what’s for sale and how long the sale lasts. Best part (besides the price) is the Norma brass is as good as it gets.

7-08 and a 120 gr NBT is the bomb on deer out of my Ruger Carbine.

Gundoc just bedded my 308 carbine and added a recoil pad, so I need to tinker with it and see what it likes. It was not a fun gun to shoot off a bench.

I haven't chronied the Norma's but they feel hot. I was going to work up a load for both my 308 and 7-08 but I don't see the need. Both shoot really well.

Depends why you are looking to reload. If you’re looking to save money, no way will you do that. Looking to load super premium ammo, go for it.

I load for my 7mm-08 and to me it is well worth it but I got my setup about 10 or 11 years ago back when everything was easy to find and didnt cost a fortune. Like others have said if your happy with the $15 a box norma ammo I'd stick with it because I think you'd spend way more on loading it vs just buying loaded ammo for that price.

I handload but still boiught a couple cases of the Norma stuff. Dirt cheap and shoots well.

I load 308 and 7mm08 with the same Redding bench rest dies. I just change the bushings.