Need some input

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2138 by BUILDING MY SASS
Need some input was created by BUILDING MY SASS
OK, I am getting close to starting up my re-loading venture, still have a few more things to get but, I need to start getting my components together so, what would be some good primers for a standard load for the .308.
I am using Lee equipment and dies, they suggest Winchester or CCI. Any ideas or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
BMS...............

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15 years 2 weeks ago - 15 years 2 weeks ago #2140 by zfk55
Replied by zfk55 on topic Re:Need some input
These apply to all reloading setups. Substitute brands where necessary, but its a good start.
www.swissrifles.com/ammo/list.htm
www.swissrifles.com/ammo/reload1.htm

Note that "neck only" sizing works well for some calibers in bolt actions, but the info in the second link shows that the Swiss bolt actions do not successfully allow "neck only" sizing.

Little is cast in stone with reloading and there are plenty of hardcore opinions out there. Just go slow, read the books, ask the questions and be careful.

Pierre


Edited to add: Note , as my son has told me, technology and new available lubes and cleaners (even new powders) has passed me by somewhat. I'm an old school reloader and bullet caster. I'm learning the new stuff from my son. I taught him for quite some time about casting, but now he's teaching me the new product applications. What I do works well for me, but don't hesitate to check the new products that fit your current requirements.

zfk55
Last edit: 15 years 2 weeks ago by zfk55.

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2141 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Need some input
Well being that I am a New Born to the reloading world, I have a lot to learn. My plans are to reload my .308 for my AR-10, for now it will be a surplus and plinking ammo, I will stay with the factory stuff until I get more powder under my belt....LOL, and I will be reloading .45 ACP eventually with a Lee 1000 press. I am planning for now to get the Challenger Breech lock press for my .308.
Midway has them on sale right now, so I figured it is a good time to get it, to learn, and get experience.
I thank you for your input and will do my best to make good use of it, believe me I will have alot more questions in the future........
BMS

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2142 by zfk55
Replied by zfk55 on topic Re:Need some input
Ask and ye shall receive.

zfk55

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2152 by Edge
Replied by Edge on topic Re:Need some input
BMS,

You'll want to full length size for your AR10, otherwise you may have feeding issues.

Winchester brass is pretty good stuff for gas guns. I've never had great luck with LC brass regarding superb accuracy. Others have though, so try everything.

I like Hornady's spray lube, although I will use Dillon lube now and then. Don't mix the two, or any other lube, because I've had cases get stuck in the die when I went from one lube to the other, without cleaning the die out of the other type of lube.

For trimming, I've used the Lee stuff with pretty good success. You can put the base holder in your electric hand drill, then clamp the trimmer to your work bench, along with a chamfer and reamer tool. This speeds the process up a bit, rather than using you hands.
The Dillon motorized trimmer/sizer is awesome, but it's over $200 too.

For good accuracy, I'd try 175 gr. SMK's. I'd also weigh each powder charge. You could get into weighing each bullet and case, but that's up to you. I've gotten away from that, because I'm not shooting bench rest and in most cases just need 1 moa or better shots, which is very achieveable without having to go through all that.

Using Federal 210 match primers has given me better results than other primers. I've also had good luck with just plain 210 primers, when I couldn't find match grade.

Buy a flash hole deburrer/sizer. This will keep all your flash holes the same size. They are fairly inexpensive tool.

Use a good powder, like Varget, BLC-2, or Reloader 15. Some like Vitavourhe powders, but I get just as good of results with RL-15. Sometimes one powder works better than others depending on your area and what your particular rifle likes. I suggest buying at least 5lb jugs. Sometimes you will get inconsistencies from lot to lot, so having more from one lot is better than buying a bunch of 1 lb cans that may be from different runs.

Reloading opens up a whole new world! I enjoy reloading and have fun trying to find that load that will make my gun's shoot the best that they can. Sometimes I find that load right away, and sometimes it takes a while.

Try loading loading a ladder of say 10 rounds. From the load data, start at a load you think will get you the velocity you would like. Lets say 42 gr of Powder. Load one round with 42 grains. The second load with 42.2 gr. The third 42.4 gr. on so forth. DOn't exceed manufacuterers max load. (at least not yet).

Then when you get to the range, start with load 1 and shoot a group at 100 yards. If you can shoot over a chronograph to see how fast your loads are. Aim at the same place each and every time. Don't worry if you are not dead nuts center. We're just looking for group size. After shooting round 1. Check case for overpressure signs. Write down your velocity, if you chrono doesn't keep track or can print. And indicate where on the target shot one went. If you want to run down to the target and mark it, that's fine or just show it on a piece of paper at the bench. Shoot the next round (the 42.2 gr load). Aim at the same spot you did on the first shot. Repeat proceedure from the first string. Check case, check velocity, note bullet hole. Continue this process through all 10 rounds. Eventually what you'll see is a small group of 3 holes touching each other. Lets say this happened with shots 6,7, and 8. The powder charge for each of these was 43.2, 43.4 and 43.6 grains. Now go load more rounds with in this range. Lets say 5 rounds at 43.2, 5 rounds at 43.3, 5 at 43.4, 5 at 43.5, etc. Fire each of the 5 round load groups into their own individual groups. You should find a nice 5 shot group in there somewhere and now you'll have your accuracy load. Let's say the 43.5 gr group gave you the best results. You can then confirm this by loading some more and shooting some more 5 round groups.

After you find a good 100 yard load. Test that same load out to further distances. Shoot another 5 round group at 200 yards, then 300 yards. If you're achieving sub-moa groups at these yardages, then you've found a good load that your rifle likes.

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2154 by zfk55
Replied by zfk55 on topic Re:Need some input
Well, that's about as comprehensive as it gets. Oh, to have young, quick fingers again.
Good schtuff, Edge.
P

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2158 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Need some input
Wow, that is a lot to take in, I guess even at my age there is still alot to learn, I feel like I am in school again, LOL. I guess you could call it Re-loading 101, for me anyway.
There still is a few things I need to get, thanks for your input, the flash hole tool was one of the things I was wondering about.
I have been looking for components, powder-not a problem sort of, bullets-got them on the wish list ready to buy, cases-using my spent ones for now, but the problem is finding primers. The only ones I have found so far is Wolf primers. www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=7276&dir=278|284|737

I have checked all the sources I know for top end primers and all are on BO, this site was given to me by a friend that reloads, he uses them but I am not to hot on Wolf products as of now.
Any ideas on these or where to get some, you can PM me with any sources or sites that you know of, info will be kept for my eyes only.....
Thanks again my brothers of the Black Rifle.....
BMS

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2160 by Edge
Replied by Edge on topic Re:Need some input
There is so much to reloading and I just covered the surface, to get you going on the right foot. I'm still learning, and I've been doing it for 10 to 15 years now. I'm sure you'll find that some of the stuff that we tell you won't work for you and you'll have to find your own way. That's what make this so much fun.

Always take your time. Make sure you are doing everything correctly, because I have ended up with squib loads, because I went too fast. Thank goodness I've never had an overload situation! Overload situations can be avoided if you use enough powder, that in a double charge situation, you're going to have a bunch of powder spilt all over the place and you know right away that you have too much.

As per the primers. The market is still trying to play catch up with primers. Bullets and powder seem to be on the shelves now, but primers are lagging a bit. I figure by the beginning of the year, thing should be back to somewhat normal. I'm already seeing ammo come down in price.

If you can, find some other shooters/reloaders in your area and see if you can get in on group buys. We do this a lot at my club. It save a ton on shipping/hazmat costs.
Wolf primers are good. They work well for just sending lead down range. I have not tried them for accuracy loads and I have not heard of anyone else using them for such. But for just general plinking loads, they work well.

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2161 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Need some input
Hey I want to say thanks again, I might have to pick those up just to get started being I am just going to be building up surplus and plinking ammo to start. I have a wide array of brass ranging from federal classic to Hornady tap, and some Winchester, Remington, and Ultramax, but I think I will keep the Hornady match and Tap brass for better loads once I get to where I can load range rounds......LOL.
As I said, I will have many questions in the future, so I hope I don't get to be a pain in asking the simple questions.
I was always taught, there is no stupid question, except the one you don't ask.
Thanks again and keep it coming, any thoughts or ideas are welcome......
BMS.

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15 years 2 weeks ago #2175 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:Need some input
Just a little up date, got all my stuff together and am getting ready to build the table. I should soon be reloading my first batch.

Here are a couple of pics of what I have so far....

The table,,,,,,,,going to re-design it.
i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad283/BUILDI...105reloading0001.jpg
My gear.....still need a few more things though.
i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad283/BUILDI...105reloading0002.jpg
My dies as of right now, need a couple more..
i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad283/BUILDI...105reloading0004.jpg
and my Holy Grail of reloading, for now anyway.
i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad283/BUILDI...105reloading0005.jpg

Will keep you posted.....BMS

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