Reloading Setup

[phaedra1106]

2'8" is the place to start, do a series of various charge weights at that COAL and see how they shoot, if you're happy with the results then no need to monkey about any further!, the worst thing to do is start going down the rabbit hole of chasing smaller and smaller groups for the sake of it!.

Max & Min COAL and pressures depend on quite a few variable factors, powder weight/burn rate/efficiency, case internal volume, bullet crimp/neck tension, chamber size etc. etc. If you're loading to a powder manufacturers published load spec. then over pressure shouldn't be an issue but always check your cases for signs of both over (flattened or crated primers, stiff ejection etc.) and under pressure (lack of case expansion, sooty necks etc.)

It's really not as bad as it all sounds, just a matter of checking everything over, sticking to published data and being as consistent as possible in each of the reloading operations, consistency is the key to good ammunition.

[HALODIN]

Thanks, I will be as diligent as possible at every step. I do have another question about neck tension as you've mentioned it. Some of the bullets were significantly more difficult to seat than others. A few of them seemed a bit too easy and that is after I did a full resize of each case. Should I be concerned and what causes this?

[phaedra1106]

Good question!, it could be a number of things, is the brass new or used? if it's used how many times and at what sort of loads, could be a difference in the hardness of the brass, the more they are fired the more they "spring back" after sizing. Also if it's mixed brass the thickness of the brass can result in different neck tensions. Are they decent bullets?, I had a truly appalling batch of PPU 174gr, very variable in weight, length and diameter. Also worth double checking the die setting.

Simpler things like, are all the cases trimmed to the same length and have been chamfered & de-burred?, did you clean the cases after sizing (as a bit of lube may be present inside the necks?. Are you flaring the case mouths? if so try reducing this to a minimum.

As I said before, shoot them off and see how you stand, if you can mark those that felt easier when seating it would be interesting to see how much (if any) difference is apparent in their grouping. I use a Lee factory crimp on all my reloaded ammo, this (for me) gives a very consistent crimp and I have no problems with the resulting grouping.

[HALODIN]

Thanks phaedra1106. All of the brass is once fired "FC 308 Win" federal brass AFAIK. I don't have any details about previous loads as I was given them. What is there to check on the seating die apart from the depth of the gauge? Assuming the below picture is of a crimped bullet, then I can confirm I don't have this marking on my brass.

They were cleaned (walnut without polish), then decapped whilst pushed in to a full resizing die, trimmed and then chamfered and deburred. The decapping pin has a bulbous bit on it, I'm not sure if this is classed as flaring the case mouth or not...

I'm not sure if it's relevant, but I have noticed small circular markings (just below the plastic tip) on the bullets, which seemed more pronounced with each successive press.

OK so irrespective of how difficult it was to seat the bullet you seem happy it won't cause over pressure in the brass then. Is that right?

[John MH]

Are they your reloads?

[HALODIN]

The picture above isn't. Just sourced from the web.

[dromia]

That is good to know, also shows you how not to learn from the internet. That level of crimp is waaaay too much. It looks as though they have deformed the bullets.

I never use crimp unless the rounds are for an underlever or revolver.

Crimp is almost as big an abomination to accurate shooting as expander dies.

[John MH]

The 'bulbous bit' on your sizing and decapping die is the neck expander, also sounds like you have uneven neck tension.

[HALODIN]

I think that was why it was used to demonstrate the process. Are there any visible marks from crimping or is it just something you have to know whether it has been done or not? Is it a separate tool and/or something you can add to a die?

That level of crimp is waaaay too much. It looks as though they have deformed the bullets.

[HALODIN]

Thanks. Does the neck expander flare the case mouth or is there another tool for this? Is the die responsible for the uneven neck tension in your opinion?

The 'bulbous bit' on your sizing and decapping die is the neck expander, also sounds like you have uneven neck tension.