question on reloading 308 win

[hundy]

Hello, I have been reloading for long time. mostly pistol cartridges, the only rifle cartridges I reload are 223.
I am ordering the dies for 308win. My question is, I have quite a bit of IMI 7.62x51 cases. Can I reload these to 308win specs? I use these in a LR-308 rifle with a 308win barrel. I was not sure, I know the 308 are made to use higher pressure, but if I am not mistaken the 7.62's have thicker brass. Sounds like it would work, but just some clarification before I try it.

Thank you

Jay

[NorCalFocus]

Yup they'll work just fine. Just make sure to run a pressure ladder test and work up to what charge works good for your rifle, brass, bullet, and powder.

[baih777]

That brass will work. But you should be using these primers.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1301152162/cci-762mm-nato-spec-military-primers-34

I have used regular LRP by mistake and they worked ok. But i always use the military primers to be safe.

The military primers prevent slam fires when you close the bolt.

[popeye4]

The "military brass is thicker" guidance is not necessarily so. I've got Lake City brass that holds more water than commercial Winchester brass. As with any new load, start low and work up. It isn't just the brass that affects pressure; bullet seating depth and jump to lands also has an impact.

If you're loading for an auto loader, I'd recommend using a small base die to resize. Standard dies don't resize all the way to the case base. Is the IMI brass new or once-fired? A lot of surplus once-fired .308 brass was fired in machine guns, and can be significantly out of spec size wise.

[robert101]

Those are fine to reload to Winchester 308 specs. Remember there are no 7.62X51MM dies. So, when you fire the round it is sized to your chamber. When you reload it, it is sized to your dies. Of course depending how far you push the shoulder back.

[crazychinaman]

You can use any primer in semi autos except M-1A and M-1 Garands.Those use heavy duty primers as listed baih777.I use CCI ,Winchester and federal.Sierra 168 and178 and Varget or Benchmark or 4895.

[baih777]

If your shooting at angeles, pickup one of these at the reloading store.

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/23851

When i am resizing, i check cases at random.

[mif_slim]

I used some mil brass that holds a ton of volume... I'm thinking from a SAW of some type. It's walls are so expanded you can literally see it. Works great and shoots sub-MOA...its the only brass I have in stock for my 308 so, I can't vouch for other brands.

[knucklehead0202]

The "military brass is thicker" guidance is not necessarily so. I've got Lake City brass that holds more water than commercial Winchester brass. As with any new load, start low and work up. It isn't just the brass that affects pressure; bullet seating depth and jump to lands also has an impact.

If you're loading for an auto loader, I'd recommend using a small base die to resize. Standard dies don't resize all the way to the case base. Is the IMI brass new or once-fired? A lot of surplus once-fired .308 brass was fired in machine guns, and can be significantly out of spec size wise.

^^^This. And as far as primers go, you're unlikely to have any issue with regular large rifle primers. The military primers can occasionally case issues with guns that strike too light as well.

.308 autoloaders can be funny about ammo so small-base resizing is a pretty good idea. Found this out in my handloads that shot great in my brother's FAL, but sometimes didn't like to chamber in my MAS 49/56. Chambers are different in different rifles but even in one autoloader, at the very least a full-length resize is in order.