308 Reloading Venture

[27hand]

I was just putting together some . 44mags and saw I have a set of .308 dies and a few hundred cases. I should probably get a decent rifle to shoot the rounds I haven't
reloaded yet. Ha.

[chaos19671]

check out johnny's reloading bench on youtube he's got reviews on scales and electric powder measure. i spent the money on a good Redding powder measure a few years ago you can really dial in the powder drop. https://www.natchezss.com/redding-ma...-chambers.html
once you get it set it throws the same charge every time.

[lts1ow]

So been browsing case gauges, but they will all be set to SAAMI spec correct?

If I want to keep shoulder closest to what my rifle is setup to, I just take fireformed brass and set dies to that?

[bamboomaster]

So been browsing case gauges, but they will all be set to SAAMI spec correct?

If I want to keep shoulder closest to what my rifle is setup to, I just take fireformed brass and set dies to that?

Fire-formed brass from rounds previously shot though your rifle works just fine - all you really have to do is neck-size the brass.

The problem you can run into is that someone gives you 87 cases of spiffy-looking 7.62x51 brass so you're gonna have to do a full-length resize anyways. You'd be surprised how an improperly set-up resizing die or too much wiggle (any wiggle is too much) in your reloading bench can adversely affect your ability to properly resize these 87 cases. Without a case gauge, you really have no way of knowing if the cases have been properly resized.

Some reloaders take it on faith that the press (and the guy working it) has done a perfect job only to later discover that wasn't the "case". I don't make that presumption and have a case gauge for EVERY caliber I reload - which is a lot of case gauges - but no "Oh Sh!t" problems at the range. How much is your time worth fixing follow-on problems???

For bottleneck cartridges, a case gauge also gives you a visual indicator when you may need to trim the case, which some do every five reloads.

I've seen some .30-06 reloaded rounds in Garand clips that better resemble pipe organs due to the variation in case length, bullet seating depth inconsistencies, etc. I think a case gauge would have prevented this disaster...

Nocasegauge2.jpg

[lts1ow]

Should I bother using cheap brass?

[bamboomaster]

If you're thinking of cooking a fabulous dinner, all ingredients count. Depending on who you invite to dinner, they may not know the difference.

But you will, at the range, you'll eventually figure it out.

Same is true if you're attempting to reload to FGMM specs.

You're gonna make more than a few mistakes while learning how to clean, trim, chamfer cases, etc. Better to learn these lessons on mix-master cases instead of the ones you want to punch through the same holes in a target a few 100 yds downrange.

So do your practice on the oddball cases . Just a thought...

JMO....

[deadctr]

Welcome to the world of reloading. "Down the rabbit hole" is a great description of the "world".
#1 be safe
#2 grab more than one reloading guide and read them front to back
#3 be safe
#4 send us a picture of your reloading bench a year from now. ha ha

[Yellowfin]

Get the EGW 7 hole case gauge for .308, stock WAY up on brass, etc. and enjoy!

[GeneCC]

Welcome to the club.

Highly recommend getting one of these. Saves me a lot of time and gives comfort knowing your sizing is good.
Attachment 104410

A Case Gage is cheap and convenient. Cheaper than case ruptures and more convenient than being unable to close the action.

[lts1ow]

So, bought moar crap


Measure a batch of fired brass and got .002 under what headspace min should be for a 308. Any issue or just deal with a tight chamber?