Parker Hale T4

[Rockhopper]

I've recently acquired a nice Parker Hale T4 for not much money. Its chambered for 7.62 NATO which i believe is 7.62x51?
My question is can I use .308 Winchester instead as that seems to be much more readily available than 7.62 NATO (for reloading and ready made)? There seems to be a lot of conflicting opinions about this.

If i reload should I just neck size (Lee Loader) or is it a must that I full length resize (much more expensive!!)?

[ovenpaa]

I shoot .308 ammunition in my 7,62x51 chambered Accuracy International without issues however it is an AI and they are known for their robust construction and ability to fire just about anything .308 related that the bolt can be closed on.

As far as reloading goes, yes you can use .308 brass without issues however I would say full length resize and the Lee RGB .308 Win dies (Really Good Buy) are keenly priced.

Just one thought, it is worth confirming the twist of the barrel and slugging it to confirm bullet suitability and I would keep loads fairly modest.

[dodgyrog]

The T4 will shoot 7,62 x 51 AND .308 Win ammo

[Rockhopper]

Thanks guys. The other issue is that my ticket only has 7.62 down in the ammunition section rather than 7.62x51/.308. I've sent out a few emails to see if this will be a problem when tying to buy ready made! I have no problem with reloading (i already reload my .303 with a Lee Loader) but I don't really want to get into buying a press if I have to full length resize .308

[ovenpaa]

If you are reloading .303 with your press .308Win will be fine. Ring your firearms department and ask them to change your ammunition to 7,62x51/.308Win.

[Gazoo]

he says lee loader ovenpaa ...
if you want my advice, buy a cheap press. buy a good press if you can, but any press is better than a lee loader. I started off with them in 1979, 9mm, 38 s&w, but after a few years got cash for an rcbs which I still have and is as good today as when I bought it 30 yrs ago. I now use another rcbs, rockchucker for black powder loads in bigger cartridges but my original one never let me down. lee loaders are good to carry to your hunting cabin in wyoming but for anything else...get a press.
T4 is a good gun, got a scope with it? I had an enforcer with matching everything ...wish I had never sold it but you know how it is in this bloody country.

[dromia]

If you are happy with the limitations of the Lee loader only neck size and possibly reduced volume production, then go with it. I can load 50 quality .308" rounds with a Lee loader, decent powder dispenser and scale in just over an hour, in fact I have picture post of the operation on here.

I really enjoy using the Lee Loaders and have them in many calibres, I am particularly fond of the Target versions sadly no longer made.

However at some point the cases will need full length resizing after a certain amount of firings depending on the load, as the cases will become hard to chamber as the shoulder sets forward with each firing, full length resizing will set the shoulder back.

[Rockhopper]

Hi, yes I'm happy using the Lee Loader. I don't shoot huge numbers of rounds so time isn't an issue really. I've read quite a lot that says neck sizing gives tighter groups than full length sizing as well. I've got an SMLE and a No.4 as well and I only neck size those cases (I keep the cases separate for each rifle so they are fire formed to fit the chamber on each gun).

It'll be interesting to see how many firings it will take before the shoulder thing becomes and issue.

[dromia]

Neck sizing can help improve accuracy especially in those rifles with larger than spec chamber and freebore it helps centre the bullet in the bore.

Annealing before F/L resizing can also help extend case life.

Another benefit of the lee loader is that it doesn't use use those neck expander ball abominations and doesn't have that case destroying crimp feature.

Here is a link to my Lee Loader picture post thread. http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=12947

[Rockhopper]

Well I bit the bullet (so to speak) and ended up buying a Lee Challenge Kit with two sets of collet dies for .308 and .303

The shop only had PPU .308 cases - I'm slightly disappointed that only just under half of them fit easily into the shell holder, the others have to be knocked in with a screwdriver handle or similar. Is that typical of PPU or is something wrong?