Hypothetical, 308, 6.5 Grendel, 1st list?

[Stinky Coyote]

So let’s say you only run 6.5 Grendel and 308 in house and have been saving brass for a long time thinking about one day when other pursuits caught up and parenting time eases....and you were to put a list together of what to get for reloading?

Always stocked on cases of Hornady factory eldm ammo and don’t mind pedestrian speeds, and no need for high volume reloading in short amount of time, simple and manual works for say 1000 rounds a year combined although I suspect the Grendel reloading would jump considerably more than the 308, would be nice to push it a bit to catch up to 308 speeds. Only really interested in 2 bullets being the 123 and 168 eldm both similar bc.

What gear, what powders (would any work for both?) would kick the party off? Think green af and just getting started but never really need more, big fan of buy once cry once quality but also minimalist and simple.

I’m getting close and really enjoying my shoot days more and more. Also wanna be able to teach the crew and use my setups and the rounds will add up there, especially Grendel.

 

[RME]

I don't load 6.5 G but there's lots of powders that will work for both. You can compare powders here https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/

Varget is pretty tough to beat all around but at it's current prices they can choke on it. Especially for getting started, the older tech powders will work just fine. I've shot tons of AA2520 and it works well in everything I've shot it in. It's basically a ball version of 4895. AA2230 and H335 are good general purpose powders too.

I'd get an 8# jug of whatever powder you choose that way you can load and shoot as you need without stressing over the cost of 1 lbers and/or constantly looking for more. Believe me, you don't want to be doing that during shortages. Scrounging around trying to find anything you can with everyone else that didn't plan ahead isn't fun.

Since you're trying to keep things simple, maybe look into getting 308 brass with small rifle primers that way you only have to stock one primer and buy it in 5K quantities for the same reasons.

 

[shmtastic]

Simple single stage press, dies for both calibers, I like the Frankfort arsenal hand primer kit, kit to clean brass, probably want to wet tumble if the kiddos are still in the napping age, odds and ends like chamfer/debur tool (I started with a cheap Lee one, any will do for the beginning stages and aren't expensive) a standard sized tray to hold prepped brass and you'll be doing well.

Primers are as easy or hard as you want to make it. Standard small and large rifle primers will work, may want small rifle Magnum primers for the G

Powder will be what you want to focus on. There's plenty of powders for 308 and probably every single combo has been tried, so look at your Grendel and see what can be used in both. CFE223 looks good for both in the newest lyman, 748, BL-C2, Varget would be your best bet but pricey.

Good luck!