Reloading Setup

[Alpha1]

Maximum cartridge over all length is 2.800 your reloads should be OK. Once you get into it you will be wanting to trim all your cases to a uniform length. You will use one brand of cases. You will then progress to measuring your over all chamber length and it goes on and on . You are doing OK for now go shoot them and check your results. A bit of advice don't reload 50 rounds of your first recipe twelve rounds is enough shoot them in three string groups and see how they perform build another twelve rounds .5 grains higher shoot them and compare carry on like this until you hit the sweet spot. A lot less powder and component wastage and less wasted time at the reloading bench when you could be pulling the trigger.
Its a interesting journey don't rush it just enjoy the experience. Feel the rush my friend feel the rush. Those half inch groups are just .5 of a grain away.

[HALODIN]

OK good... thanks! I came across an article that said the COAL is usually the minimum, so he had me worried for a moment.

I trimmed them all and the brass is the same across the board. Yes measuring the chamber length looks interesting, although it's a little too advanced for where I am just now. I'm basing everything on my existing Hornady factory ammo, which should give me a good start.

I've loaded 25 rounds so far, 5 x 42gr, 5 x 42.5gr, 5 x 43gr, 5 x 43.5gr and 5 x 44gr. I'm checking everything 50 times, so it's been slow so far, but a good learning experience.

I'm only in a rush to see if they improve the accuracy of my M14 and if I can get it sub moa, I'll be a happy man. Thanks!

[Dombo63]

I was worried about that too, min COAL. It applies when you are at maximum loads so the pressure doesn't get too high. I based my 303 COAL on HPS ammo as it was the most consistent - my PPU and in particular S&B factory ammo COALs were all over the place. S&B bullet weight is all over the place too, ranging from 176 to 182 grains.
As for my 700 I took the COAL from Viht reloading tables.
I roughly measured the chamber last night with a rod - ie close the bolt, rod from the muzzle, mark it at the muzzle, remove bolt, drop a bullet into the chamber, hold in place with a pencil and insert rod from muzzle again. Mark rod and measure between the two marks. Very rough and ready but no danger of my 155s touching the rifling. I imagine the heaviest 308 bullets might come close.

I've done 20 rounds of 308 to test, 10 each at 42 and 43 with a 20 thou seating difference, so 5 of each load/seating combo.
Fascinating stuff and taking it all very slow, checking and weighing each charge, but very satisfying when your first home made round goes bang and ends up where you want it.

[Alpha1]

Yes it's definitely addictive but as long as you pay attention to detail. Every thing will be fine.
2.800 is the recommended factory ammo maximum cartridge overall length.

[HALODIN]

I've noticed a big variance per bullet when checking the weight of my Prvi .44 (239.7gr - 241.1gr (5 rounds checked)), but the A-MAX .308 is very consistent (155.0gr - 155.2gr (5 rounds checked)).

I'd be interested to know what difference the seating depth makes to your group size, obviously this will be my next point of focus. I've read that some believe the seating depth is as critical as powder weight. If you're not recording this info on your own thread, would you mind posting it here please?

Yes I expect it's very rewarding. TBH as long as it doesn't turn my rifle into a pipe bomb I'll be ecstatic...

I was worried about that too, min COAL. It applies when you are at maximum loads so the pressure doesn't get too high. I based my 303 COAL on HPS ammo as it was the most consistent - my PPU and in particular S&B factory ammo COALs were all over the place. S&B bullet weight is all over the place too, ranging from 176 to 182 grains.
As for my 700 I took the COAL from Viht reloading tables.
I roughly measured the chamber last night with a rod - ie close the bolt, rod from the muzzle, mark it at the muzzle, remove bolt, drop a bullet into the chamber, hold in place with a pencil and insert rod from muzzle again. Mark rod and measure between the two marks. Very rough and ready but no danger of my 155s touching the rifling. I imagine the heaviest 308 bullets might come close.

I've done 20 rounds of 308 to test, 10 each at 42 and 43 with a 20 thou seating difference, so 5 of each load/seating combo.
Fascinating stuff and taking it all very slow, checking and weighing each charge, but very satisfying when your first home made round goes bang and ends up where you want it.

[HALODIN]

I am, at least 50 times per round at the moment!

Yes it's definitely addictive but as long as you pay attention to detail. Every thing will be fine.
2.800 is the recommended factory ammo maximum cartridge overall length.

[Dombo63]

I'll be testing the loads this weekend. More than happy to post results but with clear caveat that they work for MY rifle with cases once-fired in the same rifle.

My S&B bullets varied so much I keep them at the office in a drawer with a marble and use them for playing desk skittles.

[HALODIN]

Completely understood, I was just interested in your progress and how each change affected your group size.

At least they didn't go to waste!!! :lol:

I'll be testing the loads this weekend. More than happy to post results but with clear caveat that they work for MY rifle with cases once-fired in the same rifle.

My S&B bullets varied so much I keep them at the office in a drawer with a marble and use them for playing desk skittles.

[phaedra1106]

2.8" COAL is the SAAMI maximum spec. The specs are designed so that any round manufactured within those specs will fit into a rifle of that particular calibre.

However, it's not the absolute maximum COAL by any means, some rifles have a much larger chamber/throat length and loading to a pre-set distance from the lands may give you a longer COAL, this isn't a problem it just means that rounds tailored to that rifle may not fit another. For instance, my Steyr SSG-04 prefers a COAL with Nosler 168gr CC bullets seated to 40thou off the lands, this gives a COAL of 2.857", there is no way I could use those rounds in my Howa 1500, it has a very tight chamber and the magazine won't take anything over 2.8", even at 2.857" the Steyr magazine has loads of room in it.

[HALODIN]

Thanks phaedra1106, understood. So with that in mind, what min and max COAL are considered safe or is the only way to know, to inspect the brass for signs of excessive pressure having started at a 2.800"?