My first reloads today - .308

[d0wnShifT]

Just wanted to share my first reloads thanks to all the information that I have learned here. I bought a Hornady LNL press used from a fellow Calgunner and all the tools to reload .308, .223, 30-06, 9mm, and 45acp. This is my first attempt on .308 for my Savage 10 fcp-k. Tomorrow is going to be sighting in and ladder test.

Rifle: Savage 10 fcp-k .308 1-10 twist
Powder: Varget - ladder from 41 - 44.5gr
Bullets: 168gr SMK
Primers: CCI LRP 200
Brass: Mixed Headstamp,95% LC and 5% Federal
COAL: 2.810"


I'll have a chrono to help with the results as well. Any words of advice?

[tiller]

When doing a ladder tes make sure you have all the same headstamp... Especially 308 you need to make sure your using commercial or NATO because of the pressure rating of the brass( don't know how to word that right)
also try dropping down to .3 grains instead of .5 you could miss a sweet spot between them...

[d0wnShifT]

When doing a ladder tes make sure you have all the same headstamp... Especially 308 you need to make sure your using commercial or NATO because of the pressure rating of the brass( don't know how to word that right)
also try dropping down to .3 grains instead of .5 you could miss a sweet spot between them...

Thanks for the info. I didn't have enough LC for the test... only 3 or 4 are not LC though. If results are inconclusive i'll move down to .3 difference.. It's all an experiment at this point..


One other problem I have is the bullets are a little tight to get into battery. I know it's not a COAL issue because there is about a .020" jump from the bullet to the lands. I think it might be a Full length size problem although I had the Hornady die touching the shellplate when I resized these rounds.

[d0wnShifT]

Did you measure your chamber? Did you measure OAL from the ogive, not the tip of the bullet? Did you set your shoulder back .002-.003? Did you full length resize?

Your rounds should just drop into the chamber with the barrel pointed down, and just rattle around and settle in.

I took a case and bullet and loaded it as long as possible to measure setback after chambering. From that I got around 2.830" OAL. Sorry no way to measure to the ogive yet.

I full length resized with my Hornady dies and set up as called for in the manual, ie. sizing die screwed down to the shell plate.


The cartridges are getting a little easier to chamber too. Might be because it's a brand new gun.. it's all lubed and cleaned as well.

[ihasacookie]

I can spare a few LC NATO once fired fully prepped/primed (CCI200) brass if you ever make it down to the south bay.

[russt]

A lot of times you have to screw die down another 1/4 turn give or take down past contact with shell holder and have the press cam over to bump the shoulder back. Simple contact with shell holder may not be enough. Invest in a hornady headspace gage.

[SmokeWagon]

A lot of times you have to screw die down another 1/4 turn give or take down past contact with shell holder and have the press cam over to bump the shoulder back. Simple contact with shell holder may not be enough. Invest in a hornady headspace gage.

This is very sound advise. I have the same rifle and had the same issue. New Savage 10 series rifles seems to have very tight chambers. Mine was even stiff loading factory ammo so I knew it wasn't just my reloads. They will loosen up a bit after use though so be patient. As above when setting your FL sizing die you want to kiss the shell holder with the ram fully up and then lower the ram and turn the die in another 1/4-1/2 turn beyond to insure that the case gets fully sized.

[J-cat]

If they loosen up, you have a problem. Headspace isn't supposed to change over time.

[Multra]

At this stage I wouldnt really worry about the chrono. Find your accurate load, then chrono it to make a drop chart. If you are going for precision rounds invest in some good brass, the price stings a bit but the case consistency is top notch.

[d0wnShifT]

Thanks for all the advice. I took it out shooting today and got great results! I'm uploading pics now and will have a full report.

As for the tight chamber, I gave the gun a good cleaning and while it was still pretty stiff to chamber rounds it was a little better.

Next time i'll try bringing the sizing die in a little more. I might be able to squeeze another 1/8th turn on it.

[d0wnShifT]

I typed up a range report today over in the bolt action forums if anyone is interested. Here's the link: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...2#post13750832


And here's a quick pic of my ladder test..

[f4tweet]

My M-1A has a sweet spot of 42gr of IMR 4895 with the same bullet and 210 primers.

[Jasonaspears]

I typed up a range report today over in the bolt action forums if anyone is interested. Here's the link: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...2#post13750832


And here's a quick pic of my ladder test..

Nice groups. I think your grouping is actually tighter than what you measured...center to center of the furthest holes per group is what you're looking for.

Just a suggestion but you might want to neck size only going forward. Less working of your brass and at least for me, it helped the accuracy increase.

[HermanH]

Nice group!

hoping my reloads (this past weekend) will prove to be a good day of shooting and figuring out what works best in my Rem 700 VSF.

Goodl luck with your loads!

[d0wnShifT]

Nice group!

hoping my reloads (this past weekend) will prove to be a good day of shooting and figuring out what works best in my Rem 700 VSF.

Goodl luck with your loads!

Thanks! I'll tell you, it feels even better getting good groups from rounds you made yourself than from factory bought ammo. I'm hooked!

Have fun at the range and come back with a report on here as well!