Tweet
So I reloaded 20 rounds of .308 today. Used AR-Comp because the recipes called for several less grains than Varget, so I figured I'd go with the stuff that will go farther. Holy hell, I didn't realize larger caliber shells/dies were more finicky with lube. I ALMOST got a case stuck and I DID get the stupid decapping pin stuck in one of the cases. I had to destroy the case but the pin came out no problem. Reset the pin and torqued it down really tight, got more generous with the lube on the cases and everything went really well.
I loaded 20 cartridges altogether, in batches of 5. Started off with the starting load of 37.3 grains (took Alliant's data and subtracted 10% like they suggested to get the starting load data). Second batch went up to 38 grains, then 38.5 grains, and finished on 39 grains. Can't wait to see how they go...the starting loads are just to see how the rifle functions with cycling and locking the bolt back, etc. Just going to load one at a time.
It was a real pain in the *** getting everything set up on this particular caliber, but once everything got dialed in, it went beautifully.
Then on to metering the powder. I have the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I had been using it with Varget for .223 plinker loads. It was metering 26.5 grains of the stuff perfectly. Well, I kept getting very inconsistent throws with the AR-Comp. No matter what I'd do, it would vary by up to 4 or 5 grains! I was getting kind of worked up and frustrated, checked the scale and it was accurate (double checked it against my beam scale, everything matched up). So then I thought it was the powder measure...I had almost given up when I noticed something...the powder was taking longer to drop than with Varget. As in you throw the arm up...then actually wait a couple seconds, before pulling it back down. Once I got that technique down, it was throwing perfect consistent loads again.
Moral of the story is...take your time, become intimate with your equipment, remain patient, and don't make stupid newbie mistakes like I did. I'm posting this hoping someone will read this, maybe get a laugh, and not make the same mistakes! Hopefully I made them so you don't have to.
Have fun and be safe!
I loaded 20 cartridges altogether, in batches of 5. Started off with the starting load of 37.3 grains (took Alliant's data and subtracted 10% like they suggested to get the starting load data). Second batch went up to 38 grains, then 38.5 grains, and finished on 39 grains. Can't wait to see how they go...the starting loads are just to see how the rifle functions with cycling and locking the bolt back, etc. Just going to load one at a time.
It was a real pain in the *** getting everything set up on this particular caliber, but once everything got dialed in, it went beautifully.
Then on to metering the powder. I have the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. I had been using it with Varget for .223 plinker loads. It was metering 26.5 grains of the stuff perfectly. Well, I kept getting very inconsistent throws with the AR-Comp. No matter what I'd do, it would vary by up to 4 or 5 grains! I was getting kind of worked up and frustrated, checked the scale and it was accurate (double checked it against my beam scale, everything matched up). So then I thought it was the powder measure...I had almost given up when I noticed something...the powder was taking longer to drop than with Varget. As in you throw the arm up...then actually wait a couple seconds, before pulling it back down. Once I got that technique down, it was throwing perfect consistent loads again.
Moral of the story is...take your time, become intimate with your equipment, remain patient, and don't make stupid newbie mistakes like I did. I'm posting this hoping someone will read this, maybe get a laugh, and not make the same mistakes! Hopefully I made them so you don't have to.
Have fun and be safe!
Comment