Reloading match 308.. Looking for suggestions

[milotrain]

You don't need a ball mic. You can use a number of different measurement tools to get that measurement.

[liber]

You don't need a ball mic. You can use a number of different measurement tools to get that measurement.

What would you use?

[milotrain]

I use a dial indicator riding on a transfer punch that happens to be almost exaclty the diameter of the neck. The point of the transfer punch sits in the flash hole, the shaft rides through the neck, and by spinning the case I can see how out of round it is. By zeroing the dial indicator on the punch shaft I can see how thick the brass neck is. It's a poor man's Redding neck gauge.


Poor man's version is to measure a bullet's diameter with a regular mic or caliper, seat a dummy bullet, pull the dummy bullet and seat the measured bullet. Then measure the neck diameter with the bullet seated and divide the difference by two. You end up with a pretty close number to what you'd get with a ball mic. Certainly close enough for government work and those who aren't running neckturned chambers.

I wouldn't recommend measuring this way but if you had a good sense of the feel it wouldn't be off terribly.

[hardhead]

I measured the neck using the latter (poor man's method). Didn't realize there were specific tools for the job, but I'm confident my calculations are good enough for now. My measurements come within 001 of what others posted using the Federal brass.

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[mif_slim]

When i first started reloading i used all the goodads... now im KISS with my "match load" with a Lee handloader and a RCBS dies. Heck i throw my powder with a Lee perfect powder measure and still get this at 200 yards with a autoloader:



I think the shooter is still the most important part of the equation. Vickers tactical long range shooter (forgot his name) whose won a good amount of competition said, "if you make 1moa, you are good."

[milotrain]

I think the shooter is still the most important part of the equation. Vickers tactical long range shooter (forgot his name) whose won a good amount of competition said, "if you make 1moa, you are good."

Amen. It's really easy to see when looking at target sizes in the various competitions that the difference between a 1/4MOA rifle and a 1/2MOA rifle isn't that big of a deal but the difference between being able to call a wind change to within 4mph, dope range to within 25 yards, and being able to "hold" the rifle to 1/2-1MOA is Huge.

All bets are off in benchrest though

[TKCastle]

if you have factory ammo using fed cases all you do is measure the neck of the loaded round then subtract the -.002 or .003 and that's your bushing size.

[liber]

I wouldn't recommend measuring this way but if you had a good sense of the feel it wouldn't be off terribly.

I've tried this method and it's not very accurate. Sure, it's accurate within .001"-.002", but the reality is that is not very close on measuring a neck wall.

I picked up a used tube micrometer which works well.

[smoothy8500]

if you have factory ammo using fed cases all you do is measure the neck of the loaded round then subtract the -.002 or .003 and that's your bushing size.

I like it. No re-inventing the wheel necessary....

[hardhead]

I'm ready to start resizing. Screwed die down to the shell holder and backed it off 1/4 turn. I've worked it all the back down to touching the shell holder and can't get the brass to fit in the Lyman headspace guage. The head sticks out about .021. A factory round fits perfect.

I've only loaded 223 prior to this and never had issues using RCBS dies.

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[milotrain]

Could be a number of things but what chamber are you loading for on what rifle? My Lyman .223 gauge is tight as F, there isn't a 223 chamber I have that is that tight. It's great for making factory ammo but terrible for making ammo fitting your rifle.

[hardhead]

Rem 700 XCR in 308..

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[hardhead]

They aren't really that tight inside the Guage, just too long. I don't think I should have to screw that die down any farther, it's already kissing the shell holder.

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[hardhead]

Called Redding; tech support says to screw die down to the shell holder, then lower the ram and screw it down another 1/4 turn. That's probably a bit much, but I'll work it down.

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[mif_slim]

Yeah, i read you backed the die out 1/4 turn? I usually go 1/4 more (in). Back when i first started, i couldnt fogure out why i kept getting stuck cases because i did all my reloads with 1/4 out. Once i figured the issues, ive been dandy since.