Since you reload you have the opportunity to shoot lead bullets at reduced velocities. In this way you can bring your cost per round down to almost (I said almost) what it costs you to reload 5.56 with a jacketed bullet. For instance, I reload for my Mosin Nagant. The cartridge is 7.62x54R. Similar to the .308 (7.62x51) in size. I load it with a 200gr LRN bullet over 21.5gr of IMR4198 with a large rifle primer.

Cost:
Bullet = $0.15
Powder = $0.11
Primer = $0.04

Not including the case cost I spend about 30 cents per round. That is about the same price as bulk commercial 5.56 ammo. And this round goes about 1,400 fps and has about the same amount of recoil as the 5.56. Only it really rings our gongs pretty good! It's just fine for the 100yd range we are limited to. You can also choose to shoot reduced jacketed loads where the bullet would cost around 30 to 35 cents and the powder at 28-32gr of H4895 to start at around 16 cents would net you around 50-55 cents per round. I see prices around $1 per round for commercial ammo here on island. You might be able to do better, I don't know. But if you really want a 30 caliber rifle you could justify the additional ammo costs by shooting reduced and lead topped loads.

Just a suggestion.

Since you reload you have the opportunity to shoot lead bullets at reduced velocities. In this way you can bring your cost per round down to almost (I said almost) what it costs you to reload 5.56 with a jacketed bullet. For instance, I reload for my Mosin Nagant. The cartridge is 7.62x54R. Similar to the .308 (7.62x51) in size. I load it with a 200gr LRN bullet over 21.5gr of IMR4198 with a large rifle primer.

Cost:
Bullet = $0.15
Powder = $0.11
Primer = $0.04

Not including the case cost I spend about 30 cents per round. That is about the same price as bulk commercial 5.56 ammo. And this round goes about 1,400 fps and has about the same amount of recoil as the 5.56. Only it really rings our gongs pretty good! It's just fine for the 100yd range we are limited to. You can also choose to shoot reduced jacketed loads where the bullet would cost around 30 to 35 cents and the powder at 28-32gr of H4895 to start at around 16 cents would net you around 50-55 cents per round. I see prices around $1 per round for commercial ammo here on island. You might be able to do better, I don't know. But if you really want a 30 caliber rifle you could justify the additional ammo costs by shooting reduced and lead topped loads.

Just a suggestion.

Definitely, if I do get a .308 reloading is an absolute must to keep the cost of shooting as economical as possible.  Thank you for the cost breakdown - saves me spreadsheet time! 

http://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html

A childhood mentor reminds me that: "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true"

I think I just climaxed....

http://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html

A childhood mentor reminds me that: "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true"

...
Mr. Spock 1967 episode "Amok Time".
Classic Star Trek!

Am I vegan lol that's a good I got more than a few pounds to lose to be considered vegan! 

Nah I just don't think I can kill an animal - punks who choke, hurt, scare old ladies on the other hand maybe a different story! 

By the way if you anymore of them uncooked lamb chops - cook'em up and I'll bring the mint jelly!

Maybe some smoked meat instead. 

Sorry, not busting on you, I just have a difficult time with the fact that people will eat meat from a store, but are not willing to harvest their own, or worse those meat eating types that might even be against hunting.  That one really chaps me.  I am not saying that you are against hunting either.....but I am digressing a bit on this one.     

Getting back to the topic here a little bit.....

I have a friend who has an RAR in .308. And it is pretty darn accurate with his handloads considering he hasn't developed a load for the gun and with commercial ammo. But being that it is a hunting style rifle and not a target style, the barrel heats up after only 3 or 4 rounds (maybe 5) and POA starts changing because of it. Just something to consider if you are not going for a target barrel.

Maybe some smoked meat instead. 

Sorry, not busting on you, I just have a difficult time with the fact that people will eat meat from a store, but are not willing to harvest their own, or worse those meat eating types that might even be against hunting.  That one really chaps me.  I am not saying that you are against hunting either.....but I am digressing a bit on this one.   

no worry about it!   I just too fricken lazy to harvest my own meat or hang out in the woods to shoot an animal, gut it, pack it and drag it back to the car.  sorry, I respect those who want and can do it.

plus every time i think of shooting an animal i see of the eyes of my dog.

on the otherhand i may get a bb gun and go plinking mongooses on the golf courses.

 

 

Getting back to the topic here a little bit.....

I have a friend who has an RAR in .308. And it is pretty darn accurate with his handloads considering he hasn't developed a load for the gun and with commercial ammo. But being that it is a hunting style rifle and not a target style, the barrel heats up after only 3 or 4 rounds (maybe 5) and POA starts changing because of it. Just something to consider if you are not going for a target barrel.

is it a high priced RAR .308 or entry level rifle - still havent decided what .308 to consider or even to buy a .308 - for sure, I agree with bushido's advice and shoot the crap of what I have now and get proficient with what I have.

 
 

Maybe check this one out.

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=22744.0

Although I personally enjoy the 243 cartridge.

Maybe check this one out.

https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=22744.0

Although I personally enjoy the 243 cartridge.

Thank you - been looking at it - still deciding what to do -

is it a high priced RAR .308 or entry level rifle - still havent decided what .308 to consider or even to buy a .308 - for sure, I agree with bushido's advice and shoot the crap of what I have now and get proficient with what I have.

 

I don't know. I didn't know there were different levels of the RAR. I happen to agree with Bushido's advice. I only started shooting 30 caliber rifles myself in the last 5 or 6 years. Before that pretty much every caliber I owned started with a 2. 

There's always the 17 HMR.
It's a 22 on steroids. 1/2 the bullet weight, twice the velocity.
Good friggin' fun. 

Of course that's the exact opposite direction of the 30 cal. And can't reload as it's rimfire.
But it's good friggin' fun for target shooting.

There's always the 17 HMR.
It's a 22 on steroids. 1/2 the bullet weight, twice the velocity.
Good friggin' fun. 

Of course that's the exact opposite direction of the 30 cal. And can't reload as it's rimfire.
But it's good friggin' fun for target shooting.

watching some youtube on the 17 HMR - those ground hogs were taking grinds   

http://www.ruger.com/products/precisionRifle/models.html

A childhood mentor reminds me that: "After a time, you may find that having is not so pleasing a thing after all as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true"

My co-worker is looking into one of these. They've been getting really good reviews on the internet

There's always the 17 HMR.
It's a 22 on steroids. 1/2 the bullet weight, twice the velocity.
Good friggin' fun. 

Of course that's the exact opposite direction of the 30 cal. And can't reload as it's rimfire.
But it's good friggin' fun for target shooting.

I thought about 17HMR but ammo price isn't that much different than bulk .223 and 17s are finicky to certain brands from what I've read. If we had prairie dog fields in HI, I would definitely look into .204s.