Shooting my first reloads.

[darksands]

.308 Win
175Gr SMK
43.5Gr Varget
Federal Match Brass
2.85 COL

Remington 700 5R

Closing the bolt had some resistance so the next batch I am going to go 2.80 COL to see if that helps.

100 yards. I know the rifle can shoot much better groups but I still need to practice.

[huckberry668]

That's some good shooting. 43.5 Varget is a good load for SMK175s. My A3G shoots real well with it too. I used Lapua grass and Wolf primer. Velocity was about 2690fps. what did you get?

[darksands]

I dont have a chrono so I have no idea on velocities. There was a couple guys out there with one and I was about to ask if I can shoot a few to see but they were packing up already.

I was using CCI 200. I couldn't find any BR2 which I was originally planning to use but after reading a few threads it seems like there was little difference between the BR2 and the 200 aside from the BR2 having a harder cup.

[lpspinner]

Congrats! Nice shooting.

[Javi]

Hope my first batch goes as well as yours Good job.

[Antihero47]

If the bolt is meeting resistance its not the over all length of the brass or the COAL with brass seated usually. Its the amount that you have sized the shoulder. If you are meeting a lot of resistance that means you need to push your resizer die down a smidge. You should be able to close the bolt with your thumb and forefinger and only meet resistance on the last inch of closing the bolt downwards. If you have to get on top of the rifle or muscle it then its too much.

If you're going for accuracy, usually you want to size brass so that you meet slight resistance when closing the bolt. Just VERY slight, this ensures that the cartridge has perfect headspace for THAT rifles chamber however it may not be sized enough to close the bolt on a different rifle, keep that in mind. It also keeps brass stretching down and fire forms the cartridges to your chamber for the next reloads. All good things for accuracy.

[Turo]

I was nervous as hell shooting my first reloads, missed the target completely. Glad yours worked out well.

Btw, most people won't let you shoot through their chrony, and of you do, you should have enough cash in your pocket to buy a new one for them then and there in case you hit it. I learned my lesson on that with my first one, got a 9mm hole right through the first sensor.

[darksands]

If the bolt is meeting resistance its not the over all length of the brass or the COAL with brass seated usually. Its the amount that you have sized the shoulder. If you are meeting a lot of resistance that means you need to push your resizer die down a smidge. You should be able to close the bolt with your thumb and forefinger and only meet resistance on the last inch of closing the bolt downwards. If you have to get on top of the rifle or muscle it then its too much.

If you're going for accuracy, usually you want to size brass so that you meet slight resistance when closing the bolt. Just VERY slight, this ensures that the cartridge has perfect headspace for THAT rifles chamber however it may not be sized enough to close the bolt on a different rifle, keep that in mind. It also keeps brass stretching down and fire forms the cartridges to your chamber for the next reloads. All good things for accuracy.

Thank you very much. I adjusted the resizer per RCBS instructions but I will try to push the resizer down a little more. I can see what you are talking about when I look at the brass after resizing. I was able to close the bolt with my thumb and forefinger with slight resistance but never had to muscle it. If it requires muscling I will just not use the round. Again, thank you for the information.

[huckberry668]

You can shoot thru my chrony if we ever bump into each other.

[Darklyte27]

Thus and try the brass itself incthe chamber before loading it. Lucky it didnt hlow up on ya.
Nice group though

If the bolt is meeting resistance its not the over all length of the brass or the COAL with brass seated usually. Its the amount that you have sized the shoulder. If you are meeting a lot of resistance that means you need to push your resizer die down a smidge. You should be able to close the bolt with your thumb and forefinger and only meet resistance on the last inch of closing the bolt downwards. If you have to get on top of the rifle or muscle it then its too much.

If you're going for accuracy, usually you want to size brass so that you meet slight resistance when closing the bolt. Just VERY slight, this ensures that the cartridge has perfect headspace for THAT rifles chamber however it may not be sized enough to close the bolt on a different rifle, keep that in mind. It also keeps brass stretching down and fire forms the cartridges to your chamber for the next reloads. All good things for accuracy.

[darksands]

You can shoot thru my chrony if we ever bump into each other.

Thank you. I will make sure to let you know when I plan to head up to Burro again to see if you will be there or not. Much appreciated.

Thus and try the brass itself incthe chamber before loading it. Lucky it didnt hlow up on ya.
Nice group though

I will try loading just the cartridge in the chamber before loading. Thanks. All the ammo I shot I was able to fully close the bolt with slight resistance. If there was any major resistance I would not even try.

[huckberry668]

I'll be at Burros next Monday from noon to 4pm. I'll be at one of the private ranges. PM me for contact info.

[Darklyte27]

I was responding with my phone, but usually the trick is, with your fired brass, closing the chamber is a bit hard, so you use that brass and resize it not enough, and try it in your chamber, if its still hard to close you lower your sizing die just a hair until its closing with just that bit of resistance. If you know this already then you are good to go.

Also if you get a RCBS Precision Mic. you can see just how long your chamber is with the fired brass and see where your barrels lands and groves start so you know how deep to seat your bullets.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/574297/rcbs-precision-mic-308-winchester?cm_cat=Cart&cm_pla=ProductDesc

[darksands]

The precision mic is something I will invest in. I need to get some more equipment like another shell holder. Its been kinda annoying having to swap shell holders between the press and hand primer. Also need to get a bullet puller.

[Darklyte27]

what are you loading with?