Bolt Action Reloading

[kmr007]

[JackEllis]

Every rifle and every barrel is different. If your existing AR-10 loads aren't at the top of the recommended powder charge range, shoot a few in the bolt rifle and look for pressure signs.

I have a pair of .223s. One is a Tikka T3 lite with a faster twist 20" sporter barrel and the other is a Howa 1500 with a varmint barrel and a slower twist. It so happens brass gets sized the same for both and they both shoot identical loads about the same, with the Howa being slightly more consistent (smaller groups). However I still test every load I make for one rifle in the other to make sure there won't be any surprises.

Others can chime in on any differences between bolt and semi-auto rifles but I know for a fact that crimping bolt action rounds is not necessary and you may have a little more OAL to work with in a bolt rifle.

[divingin]

Depends on what you're trying to do.

For the most part, AR ammo and bolt rifle ammo is just that - ammo. Largely interchangeable (assuming it's reloaded within SAAMI specs.)

With an AR, you need the charge to fall within a window that will cycle the action; there's isn't a need for that with a bolt gun, so you have a little more latitude there.

However, one of the benefits of reloading is that you can tune your ammo to your rifle. In that respect, there will be some things that you can do differently loading for a bolt gun that could cause problems with a semi-auto. Loading longer than a magazine would allow, neck sizing vs full length sizing, light powder charge, probably several others. Not saying you need to do any of these, nor that they do any good. You get to decide that for yourself.

All the components you have will work fine for bolt action ammo. You can start with the same ammo you use in your AR and make changes as you figure out what you want to accomplish.

[kmr007]

I figured there shouldnt be that much of a difference in either semi or bolt action. I do full length sizing on all my brass, gauge it, and trim if required.

[Divernhunter]

the actual loading process will be the same. You may want to use different powders/bullets but not needed. You do not need to crimp but if you want to you can.

[kmr007]

I usually don’t crimp unless there’s a cannelure

[stevec223]

I would first try out your 308 semi loads in your new bolt gun... They may surprise you with their accuracy... At least you will know where they shoot,, and you can sight your new scope in with them...At least you will be on the paper for your new loads... Win-Win....
Cheers...

[smoothy8500]

Both IMR4895 and Varget do very well with 168's and bolt actions. I'm guessing your IMR load in the AR10 is somewhere around 40.5 to-42.0 grains? That will work pretty well in your bolt gun.

[rg1]

Some semi's have long chambers while factory bolt actions typically have only .002 to .004" headspace. Just make sure your brass sizing pushes the shouders back enough to chamber in your bolt rifle. I load 300 Blackout for two AR's then bought a Ruger Ranch Rifle and my loaded BLK ammo barely chamber in the Ranch bolt rifle.

[RandyD]

The primary difference in reloading for bolt action rifles v. semi-auto rifles is that you can size the case for the chamber when reloading for a bolt action rifle, and a bolt action rifle will handle both low and high-velocity ammo.

[kmr007]

Both IMR4895 and Varget do very well with 168's and bolt actions. I'm guessing your IMR load in the AR10 is somewhere around 40.5 to-42.0 grains? That will work pretty well in your bolt gun.

41.5 actually

[fguffey]

Some semi's have long chambers while factory bolt actions typically have only .002 to .004" headspace.

There has to be a way to assure yourself the case is properly sized. In the perfect world the difference in length between a minimum length/full length sized case and the chamber is .005". That gives us minimum length/full length sized cases, the go-gage length chamber and the no-go gage length chamber. If I had one gage it would be the field reject length gage.

Using the field gage is not an easy task, many years ago there was a row that almost broke apart our society at an arsenal (Truthful James). They just settled on calling each other tacky names.

F. Guffey

[smoothy8500]

Sounds like you have the fundamentals, just be aware as others mentioned of the possible chamber variations between the AR and bolt rifles. The AR can be more forgiving in loading a resized cartridge that's a little "fat", so be sure that a sized (unloaded) case will chamber properly in your bolt rifle.

[kmr007]

Sounds like you have the fundamentals, just be aware as others mentioned of the possible chamber variations between the AR and bolt rifles. The AR can be more forgiving in loading a resized cartridge that's a little "fat", so be sure that a sized (unloaded) case will chamber properly in your bolt rifle.

[RandyD]

In making a dummy round, you want to start with a case that is slightly oversized so that the bolt does not easily close, then incrementally resize the case until the bolt easily closes, then for a semi-auto you want that case to be sized an additional .003 to .005".