What a handloaded .308 Win round costs
Several members asked whether reloading for the club’s .308 match rifles is worth it. Here is the cost of one round at current component prices, without the press, dies, scale or time.
Components
| Component | Price | Rounds it covers | Per round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large rifle primers | $109.99 / 1,000 | 1,000 | $0.11/rd |
| Powder | $46.99 / lb | 159 | $0.30/rd |
| 168 gr HPBT bullets | $52.99 / 100 | 100 | $0.53/rd |
| Brass, five loadings | $94.99 / 100 | 500 | $0.19/rd |
A pound of powder is 7,000 grains, which covers about 159 rounds at our charge weight. Use the charge from your powder or bullet maker’s published data, not ours. Brass life depends on the rifle and how hard you size it; five loadings is a cautious guess.
Added up, that is about $1.13 a round, or $22.60 for 20.
Against factory match ammo
| Ammo | Store | Price | Rounds | Per round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our handload, 168gr HPBT | Components only | $22.60 | 20 | $1.13/rd Lowest |
| Prvi Partizan Match 168gr HPBT | Online retailer | $26.99 | 20 | $1.35/rd |
| Hornady Match 168gr ELD | Local shop | $34.99 | 20 | $1.75/rd |
| Federal Gold Medal Match 168gr SMK | Online retailer | $39.99 | 20 | $2.00/rd |
The savings are real but small next to the budget factory match load. Reloading pays off more for members who shoot a lot, or who want a load tuned to one rifle.