How to Reload .308 Winchester Ammo in 7 steps

 

With these instructions, you can reload ammunition for the .308 Winchester. Reloading ammunition is important to improve accuracy and save money for shooters. Reloading bullets allows you to experiment a little with the load, seat depth, and weight of the bullet for maximum accuracy for your rifle. The process is simple and easy to remember. Because of the tools I have, it will take me about two minutes per reloaded cartridge. This process can easily be shortened, with more modern equipment. Reloading bullets can improve your accuracy, save money, and have fun. There are many online stores who makes the best reloading press so should choose the right one for you very carefully.

The materials we use when reloading my .308 ammo may be different from the materials used by other people. Therefore, my reloading process will also change. The materials I use are:

• Breech Lock Challenger Press
• .308 Calibrating and Depriming the Template
• Number 2 shell holder
• Premium Sizing Lube
• .308 Case Trimmer
• Chamfer tool
• measuring stick
• Primer Pocket Cleaner
• Case tumbler
• Tumbler Media
• Powder scales
• Fee tables
• Powder dispenser
• Case holder
• .308 cartridge seat cube
• .308 Factory Crimp Die
• Great gun primers
• Gunpowder
• 30 cal balls

The gunpowder I use is Varget from Hodgdon. You should use powder recommended for .308 Winchester. If the powder does not contain loading data for .308, DO NOT use the powder.

Note: The images are arranged in the order from top to bottom and from left to right.

Step 1: size and vent the cartridge

The first step is to size and bleed the cartridge.

1. Install the shell holder.
2. Attach the calibration die to the reloading press.
3. Holding the handle down, screw the die in until it touches the tray holder.
4. Release the handle and screw the die in place an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn.
5. Tighten the locking ring.
6. Lubricator

Tip: Lubricate the inside of the case mouth with a Q-tip.

Caution: Lubricate the case body and only the inside of the case neck. Do not lubricate the outside of the case neck to avoid damaging the case.

7. Place the lubricated housing in the cup holder.
8. Lift the housing into the calibration die.

Note: This step will resize the case and eject the primer from the case.

9. Use a vernier caliper to ensure a maximum case length of 2.015 ".

Note: If the case is longer than 2.015 ", use the case trimmer until no more brass is removed.

10. Clean the primer pocket with the primer pocket cleaner.
11. Chamfer the housing inside and out.

Step 2: clean the cartridge

The next step is cleaning the cartridges.

1. Fill the beaker with medium.
2. Fill the cup with cartridges.
3. Turn on the tumbler.

Note: It is best to repeat steps 1 and 2 with these cartridges in the cup as it will take about an hour for the cup to clean the brass.

4. Remove the boxes from the cup.

Step 3: prime the cartridge

In this step, we will go back to the reloading press to prepare the cases, but you can use a hand primer as well.

1. Insert the cartridge into the cartridge holder.
2. Insert the large rifle primer into the primer lever.
3. Place the housing on the ignition lever.

Note: The primer should sit slightly below the bottom of the cartridge.

Step 4: Calculating the correct charge

In this step, the housing should be dimensioned, depressurized, cleaned, and primed again.

1. Dispense load with powder dispenser.
2. Use the fee tables to calculate the correct fee.

CAUTION: Do not exceed this load as the housing in the weapon can explode. It is recommended to first use a load 10% below the maximum load indicated in the tables and work your way up.

3. Weigh the load with the scales.
4. Set the amount of powder dispensed with the rotary knob on the dispenser.
5. Repeat steps 1, 3, and 4 until the correct load is delivered each time.

Note: For reasons of liability I did not take into account the fee I used. DO NOT USE A CHARGER IN MY PICTURE! This is a random charge, the balance of which will be leveled for demonstration purposes.

Step 5: loading the cartridge

When the correct charge is measured, it is time to start loading the cartridges.

1. Place the bowl under the powder dispenser.
2. Put the powder in the cartridge.
3. Place the cartridge upright in a container or insert the ball immediately.

CAUTION: NEVER try to set the primer any deeper after loading the cartridge. The primer could ignite the powder.

Step 6: seat ball

Now that the cartridge is sized, prepared, and charged, it's time to place the bullet.

1. Insert the ball retainer into the reloading press.
2. Place the loaded cartridge in the cartridge holder.
3. Place a ball on the case mouth.
4. Lift the cartridge with the ball completely into the die.

Note: The ball is now seated and can be adjusted with the adjustment screw on top of the die.

5. Place the ball in the desired location, but do not exceed a total length of 2.810 ".

Note: It is recommended that the ball is inserted to the factory depth.

Step 7: crimping the cartridge

Crimping the cartridge improves the accuracy of the round and the consistency of each shot.

Note: All sleeves must be shortened to the same length for proper crimping, otherwise the die must be adjusted each time.

1. Insert the factory crimping die into the reloading press.
2. Lift the round into the crimping die.
3. Screw-in the die for a good crimp.
4. The cube is now calibrated for all rounds of this length.

CAUTION: Attempts to use excessive crimping will crush the housing.

You have now reloaded .308 Winchester ammunition. Beginners are strongly advised to read the manuals several times before trying to reload them for the first time. Reloading takes time and practice. Reloading, however, saves the shooter money and increases accuracy when done correctly. Once you become more experienced, you can play around with powders, shots, bullet weights, seat depths, and bullet types to increase your accuracy and find out which bullet will fire best with your rifle. Bullet reloading is a fun hobby for all types of shooters.