PPU .308 brass tolerances

[Blackstuff]

I have literally only just started reloading .308Win and have limited experience reloading, only cranking out a few hundred .223Rem so far.

The .308 brass I have is mainly once fired PPU brass that I've used in my own rifle, bought as complete ammo. I've decided to knock up some tracer rounds as i'm going to a field firing range next week and will be able to have some fun with them.

The brass didn't need trimming and as its been fired only in my rifle and only once I used the neck resizer/deprimer in the Lee Ultimate dies set I've bought for reloading the calibre, so it hasn't been subjected to any 'heavy' working in the press.

I started depriming the brass last night and a good 50-60% of the cases were a struggle to get in and out of the Lee (no.4 size) shell holder that came with the die set. And by that I mean a good few needed tapping out with a small pin hammer!

Unfortunately the battery in my calipers died and I haven't had a chance to measure the extractor grooves of the cases that fit/don't fit to compare them.

Has anyone else come across this? Is it sloppy tolerances in the brass or the shell holder being too tight/combination of the two? I've never experienced it with the .223 cases I've worked with. While its just a bit of a hassle when depriming them, its going to be a nightmare when it comes to actually putting components in...

[Rockhopper]

Yes, same issue with my .308 cases as well. Just use the next size up shell holder.

[Blackstuff]

aaarggh

Have you had any issues using the larger shell holder if you get a sticky case in the full sizing die? i.e. the case pulling out of the shell holder (and probably damaging its head)

[Rockhopper]

Ah, I've never full length resized any of my cases so can't help with that one! My .308 is a Parker Hale T4 so I treat it the same as my .303's and neck size only.

[ColinR]

Try shell holders from different manufacturers as the tolerances are possibly different. I had the same problem with RCBS .338LM shell holder being tight with some Ruag brass. Changing to a Redding shell holder solved the problem. However if the brass is way out of spec it probably won't fit in any shell holders. Buy a battery!

[phaedra1106]

Lee #4 shell holder is for 223, for 308 it's a #2

If you haven't got one (should have been one in the die kit) I have one or several you can borrow.

If it's the 223 cases sticking in the #4 shell holder I have a few converted 300aac which do it, don't get many 308 doing it though.

I also have spare caliper batteries and some really excellent case lube :)

If you need some decent 308 brass I have a spare 100 once fired RWS lying about, PPU is pretty good but RWS is better

In fact why not bring your components round and you can check your bits out and load them here?.

I may be out shooting tonight in Durham but I should be around tomorrow and all weekend. I just loaded 300 rounds of 6.5C and 308W for Otterburn on Monday

[Blackstuff]

D'oh, yes got the shell holder numbers the wrong way around

Looking for a permanent fix myself so i'll try a #1(?) Lee shell holder and keep an eye out for other brands. I've got to go to the Mayfair anyway so will have a looksy while i'm in.

[phaedra1106]

I'd be surprised if it's the shell holder, I've probably got 3 or 4 in #2 and several in other sizes, not had a problem with any of them, only a few dodgy cases that catch slightly.

I'd be very careful using a larger shell holder, make sure you use a decent lube, I still have 4 bottles of the RCBS Case Slick spray lube (hand pump not aerosol) and it's by far the slippiest thing I've ever used, the Frankford Arsenal one is also pretty good or just mix liquid lanolin with 99.9% pure isopropanol at 1:11 (warm them both before mixing) and remember to shake it before use and let it dry off for 10 mins before sizing.

As I said you're more than welcome to pop round any time to check things out using my stuff

[dromia]

Lee shell holders re usually the sloppiest of the usual brands, sounds like variable thickness rims on the brass. As has been said I would not look for a different sized shellholder the Lee No2 is the right diameter and depth also the primer hole will align with the primer pocket, shell holders for other case heads may not. I just usually ease the underside of the top lip of the shellholder with dremel and a cutting wheel for overlarge rims.

[Sim G]

I have several shell holders by Lee of the same size, some for the press and some for the Autoprime. If the rims are right at the SAAMI extreme, they will stick in the shell holders. Number 4s for .223 and PPU brass were the worst. I have several in this caliber as it was a bit of a search finding holders that fitted all of my PPU brass.