1st time rifle reloading Q's

[problemchild]

Info on equipment:
POF 308 semi auto rifle (new)
Dillon 650
Dillon carbide dies 308
LC once fired brass .308
Dillon case guage
SMK 175 grain match


So Im a little unsure about this case gauge thing. It has four different levels 2 on each end. One is for the base of the brass and one is for the head. It shows if the brass is "sized correctly".

If it is sized correctly the base will between the two levels which are extremely tiny and in the thousands of an inch. Even with a magnifying glass I can not determine if the brass falls within the two shoulders high/low. I did try loading a dummy round (no powder or primer) and feeding it into the gun which worked OK (I was praying the bolt didn't pound it into the breach and make it a stuck case).

Is there an easier way to determine proper case sizing?

[popeye4]

1. Hornady LNL (formerly Stoney Point) Head n Shoulder Indicator and/or Sinclair bump inserts (this system will do many different cartridges)
2. Redding Case Comparator/Instant Indicator (one cartridge per system)
3. RCBS Precision Mic (one cartridge per system)

BTW, the Dillon carbide dies for rifle are really unnecessary. You still have to lube the cases, the carbide dies just last longer (for those who reload thousands or more rounds). I'll bet you never wear yours out.

I'm not familiar with the POF or its specific needs for brass, but you may want to review Glen Zediker's piece on reloading for the M14 here: http://www.zediker.com/downloads/m14.html. It may not all apply directly, but I'm sure it won't hurt. Unlike bolt guns, gas guns need to have brass fully resized.

I don't use one of those case gauges, but I think it will be easier to read if you have some sort of machinist's straight edge to place across the top. For me (and my bad eyes), if it doesn't have a dial or digital readout, I can't get much use out of it.

[swerv512]

you might want to look into a set of small base dies...
if you're following the directions on your sizing die and truely full length resizing then you should be within spec for your reloads. dies are spec'd to FL size to pretty much any and every factory firearm.

[Sunwolf]

Dillon carbide are small base and you can run your thumb on the back of the case gage and you can feel if it is high or low.

[bohoki]

wow you are really jumping into the deep end starting reloading with .308

being that you have to clean,lube,size,deprime,trim,debur

then run them in your progressive just to prime,charge and seat

i just use the lee rgb dies they resize the brass enough for my m1a

it takes a bit more force than sizing .223 also