Best 308 Reloading Press Kits
The .308 is a very effective rifle that commands a need for great ammunition. If you are a regular shooter or hunter, you know how costly ammunition can get, especially if you fire a lot of rounds at a time. This is where reloading comes in. Reloading helps you cut your ammo cost by almost half. Reloading ammunition does not only save you money, but it also increases efficiency and accuracy to your ammo. In fact, it might even become a hobby once you start. Commercially produced ammunition has some minute defects that, if you are keen on the accuracy, you will notice they affect your overall accuracy. Handloading means you can closely inspect each and every ammo you produce therefore ensuring accuracy and consistency. The best 308 reloading press kits ensure consistency, accuracy and as earlier stated, SAVES YOU MONEY!
To get started, you need to invest in an equipment. The market has a wide variety of presses and it can feel overwhelming when trying to settle on one. This article has compiled a list of the best 308 reloading press kits to help you decide which one best suits you.
Quick guide
- Best 308 Reloading Press Kit- for beginners- LEE PRECISION Anniversary Challenger Kit II
- Best Budget Reloader: Lee Precision 308 Win Loader
- Best Single Stage Reloading Press: RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press
- Best Budget Turret Reloading Press: Lee Cast Aluminum 4 Hole Turret Press
- Best Budget Progressive Reloading Press: Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press
- Best Progressive Reloading Press: Dillon Precision 16940
What to Look for in the Best 308 Reloading press Kits
Single Stage
This is an ideal press kit for a beginner. It is cheaper compared to the turret or progressive press but still gets the job done albeit slowly. You can only work on one process at a time and since the casing must be removed after every process it is advisable you perform one process in batches. It is time-consuming but that also means you will get high levels of accuracy since you are giving attention to each ammo at a time.
A single-stage press teaches you the fundamentals and basics of reloading before you transition to more advanced kits like the turret press or the progressive press.
Turret Press
A turret press is basically an advanced single-stage press but with a higher price tag. It is the bridge between the single-stage press and the progressive press.
A turret press is ideal for an intermediate shooter or a medium volume shooter. It is much faster than the single-stage press but much slower than the progressive press. At the top of a turret press, is a rotating cylinder where all dies are held from. This makes it possible for you to not remove the case after every process and you don’t need to load in batches like with a single-stage press.
Progressive press
A progressive press is the most expensive press but also the most efficient. You can load over 800 rounds an hour if you have the experience needed to operate a progressive press. This press allows you to perform multiple functions at the same time, therefore, increasing efficiency.
The experience required to successfully operate a progressive press is extensive, combining this with the fact that this press is the most expensive one, you should only get if you are a professional shooter or an experienced reloader.
Best 308 Reloading Press Kits guide
Best 308 Reloading Press Kit- for beginners
LEE PRECISION Anniversary Challenger Kit II
The lee precision anniversary challenger kit II is the ideal press kit for a beginner. As one of the best 308 reloading press kit, this kit comes with an o-frame which guarantees you comfort and visibility while in use. What’s more, this reloading press comes equipped with everything you need to get started on reloading. It is easy to mount the press and it secures easily on your workbench.
It is an affordable press kit that helps you understand the basics of reloading. However, it is not a premium reloading product. It comes with a not-so-easy to use scale and the powder measure is not exactly the best.
Pros:
- An excellent press kit for a beginner.
- Budget-friendly.
- Comes with everything you need to start reloading.
- Easy to use
Cons:
- The reloading process is labor-intensive and slow.
- Accessories are of low quality.
Best Budget Reloader:
Lee Precision 308 Win Loader
If you have the tightest budget and you want to specifically load the 300 win, then the lee precision 308 win loader is the kit for you. In fact, you do not need a reloading press to produce complete ammunition. This is what you get when do not want to commit to investing in a complete reloading kit.
With this kit, reloading is tiresome and takes much longer, but is also very portable. You can comfortably load at the range or during hunting where it is impractical to carry a reloading press kit. It is not only limited to the .308 win, it comes in different caliber varieties. The lee precision 308 win loader helps you cut on ammunition cost while also increasing accuracy.
It is worth mentioning that, it is not recommended for pump and lever action guns and semi-auto guns. T
Pros:
- It is easily portable.
- Affordable.
- Quality ammunition.
Cons:
- The reloading process takes too much time.
- Not recommended for a wide variety of calibers.
- Noisy.
Best Single Stage Reloading Press
RCBS 9356 Rock Chucker Supreme Press
This is one of the best 308 reloading press kits on the market. It is ideal for beginners and experienced loaders. It is built using materials of the highest quality. The solid steel handle features a ball-type grip that is comfortable to handle. With its excellent versatility and strength, its is one of the best single stage reloading presses.
What’s more, by adding a Piggyback-4 you can upgrade this press to a progressive press. It is specially made for bullet swaging, heavy-duty reloading, and case forming.
Best Budget Turret Reloading Press
Lee Cast Aluminum 4 Hole Turret Press
As one of the best 308 reloading press kits, this Lee Cast Aluminum Hole Turret press comes with 4 holes that allows you to fit all dies for the reloading press. It comes with an auto-indexing feature that simplifies the reloading process even further.To utilize this feature, the overall length of your cartridge should be small. This press has a longer stroke to help in reducing the amount of effort you use.
Due to the quality of material used to build this press, it is cheaper than most presses. While some presses are made of cast iron or steel, his press kit is made of aluminum.
Pros:
- An affordable turret press.
- Comes with the auto-indexing feature.
- Increases efficiency and accuracy.
Cons:
- Made with low-quality materials.
- Larger cartridges cannot be loaded.
Best Budget Progressive Reloading Press
Hornady 095100 Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press
This auto-progressive reloading press is one of the best 308 reloading press kits on the market. Hornady really went out with this press. Additionally, it is more on the budget-friendly progressive press with a lot of premium features.
For starters, it comes with the EZJect system which ejects cartridge without jamming while the 5-station bushing system lets you change calibers in a very short period of time. This high-quality press comes with an automatic indexing system, quick-change technology, and a universal case retainer spring. Additionally, an in-built priming system and case-activated powder drop are some of the high-end features.
Progressive presses are ideal for experienced reloaders. They are heavy investments that will frustrate you if you do not know how to operate. From jamming to breaking to things going completely wrong.
Best Progressive Reloading Press
Dillon Precision 16940
This a top-of-the-line progressive press kit that comes with a hefty price tag attached. The quality and great customer service justify the cost.
You can easily load more than 600 rounds per hour with this press kit. Its strong and sturdy construction guarantees durability and increased accuracy. A 5 station loader ensures you can perform multiple reloading functions at a time.
This is a press kit ideal for the experienced reloader who needs a lot of ammunition at a time like a competitive shooter.