Reloading .308 for precision

[GeoffLinder]

Buy this book, no better handbook available on precision reloading practices.

http://www.zediker.com/books/handloading/hlmain.html

[17+1]

Ok guys,

I have been reloading now for about 2 years and have made decent pistol (9mm, 45acp) and rifle (.233 and .308) rounds.

I decided to get into the long range precision game and purchased a Remington 5r to maybe shoot F-Class or other similar matches out to 600+ yards.

So I need to step up my game and am looking to make "match grade" ammo.

Ill be using a 168 gr Sierra HPBT Matchking projectile and will probably pickup some Lapua brass.

I am currently using the basic RCBS 308 dies with full length sizer and seater.

Is there any good books on advanced reloading and making the "perfect" round for your rifle?

Also look for input on some equipment, I will be using a single Stage rock chucker for assemble but obviously need more to make more consistent rounds to work up a pet load.

I know its a lot of info im asking for so any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

That Guy

You'd be better going to the 175 for longer ranges. I've taken 168's to 800 yards in my service rifles...that's about as far as I'd try to sling them though.

Don't need to FL resize every firing with that Remington...I only FL resize for my gas operated rifles. Can probably get away with neck sizing only for that bolt gun. I use small bases dies for my AR because sometimes the cases fail to fully chamber unless I bump the shoulder back as far as possible.

Rock chucker is a good press, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get rid of it.

[huckberry668]

Not necessarily. What you want is to minimize working of the brass, as I am sure you know. Controlling neck tension is what is important, but if you set up a full length die correctly to bump back the shoulder .001-.002'' then you will have a much smoother feeding round with no loss of accuracy. Every reloader needs a headspace gauge to correctly set up a sizing die.

A bushing full length die is the best of both worlds. The bushing minimizes working on the neck and only bumping the shoulder back a couple .001'' does not work the brass much at all.

The OP said:"'perfect' round for your rifle". I figure fire formed brass would be as close to 'perfect' fit as they come. so I suggested a neck sizing. I do try to bump it back a couple of thousandths when FL size my brass. Hard to do with some dies tho.

I hate trimming all the time. I found that the brass won't 'grow' or 'stretch' nearly as much as full length sizing if you only neck size it. Neck sizing saves me some trouble.

[RugerNo1]

The OP said:"'perfect' round for your rifle". I figure fire formed brass would be as close to 'perfect' fit as they come. so I suggested a neck sizing. I do try to bump it back a couple of thousandths when FL size my brass. Hard to do with some dies tho.

I hate trimming all the time. I found that the brass won't 'grow' or 'stretch' nearly as much as full length sizing if you only neck size it. Neck sizing saves me some trouble.

Agreed, I hate trimming. And, you are correct, just neck sizing is easier. But, if one is not careful they could end up with brass that is not in spec with their chamber (Sh*t happens).

I recently shot a Palma match (800, 900, 1000 yards) with my 6.5 Lapua. I only had half of my brass sized with a neck size only (borrowed neck die) and the other half was sized with a FL/bushing die (that arrived the day before the match). At each range I did not notice the difference between sizing techniques. But, I can say that the FL sized brass did feed easier. When you are on the clock in a match, confindence in your rifle feeding is paramount because you have more important things to worry about (wind, fundamentals, etc.). Since the OP mentioned F-class I thought he may want to be aware of this.

If one wants a "perfect" match to their chamber. They need custom dies made from a casting of their rifle's chamber.

By the way, I am not intending to pick on anyone. Just having some discourse to help out the curious. We have differing techniques. I am stating mine so more than one option is presented.

[Maltese Falcon]

Lots of good advice here....thanks to all.

I just ordered a PACT combo dispenser / scale. Will be ready soon.

.

[caliacp]

I decided to get into the long range precision game and purchased a Remington 5r to maybe shoot F-Class or other similar matches out to 600+ yards.
I know its a lot of info im asking for so any advice is greatly appreciated!!!

That Guy

I just bought my first precision rifle and it's also a Remington 5r. Since Ur a 5r owner can you yell me Ur experience with the rifle cause there's little info on it.

[huckberry668]

By the way, I am not intending to pick on anyone. Just having some discourse to help out the curious. We have differing techniques. I am stating mine so more than one option is presented.

Nah, you're good and your points are all valid and excellent. I do practice them too. It's a healthy discussion.