30/06 reloading problem (solved ) :)

skneub

skneub

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I am having a problem with the overall length.

Book I am using is modern reloading second edition (Richard lee)
I have resized my brass (once fired Winchesters) 2.500 - 2.504

I set up my seating die with a factory loaded 180 grain federal round

Bullets I am going to be using are #3070 Hornady .308 spire point 180 grain

Factory federal is 3.178 180 grain

The lee book for the 180 grain jacketed bullet puts the min overall length at 3.300 (Load for Imr 4064)
This can not be correct...

Since I am new to this I have been playing around with unprimed cases ;)

Done the way the book is saying , the round will not even chamber ....

Any idea what gives ?

I wished I had purchased the Hornady book today , but as I dropped 370$ on stuff( Decent scale , digital caliper, factory crimp dies and lock rings ,hand priming tool)
I just did not :(
 
Last edited:
Same issue as a post a few minutes ago. Your seating die is touching a circumference on your bullet that is excatly the same - the distance from that contact point to the tip of your bullet varies with the precision of the manufacturer
 
The Nosler site gives a case length of 2.494 and a coal of 3.340". Trim your brass down a bit - I trim to 2.484" and make sure you have your sizing die set right. I know it's not manly to read the directions but just don't let a woman see you do it and all will be fine. You can keep your man card :) Good idea to play with unprimed cases first. Trim the brass down, ream the neck, double check the die set up and size a piece, then see if it will chamber. You don't need a bullet seated to check if the brass will work in the chamber. Once you have the die set and the brass chambers figure out what the seating depth should be for your gun. There are likely 16 threads on determining seating depth so I won't go into that just do a search.
Good luck , have fun and read



Boy do I ever type slow. Look at all the replies already lol
 
what is the longest overall length that will fit in your magazine ?
then you need to find out , what is the overall length of a round that just touches the rifling in your gun ?

your basicly going to use whichever one is shorter .

if it is the magazine , you want the rounds just short enough to function and feed .

if it is in the chamber , for most bullets a good starting point is 10 thou off of the lands . if your using barnes bullets , they recommend 50 thou off of the lands of the rifling .

the difference in possible length ( as well as other variations ) are the reason for starting loads .

find a combination of components and dimensions that you like , and use the starting load for the bullets you are using , then work your way up until you see signs that your starting to get high pressure ( assuming your not over the max amount of powder recommended ) .
 
rodregier said:
Hornady #8 .30-06 w/180g #3070 lists COL of 3.225"
Click to expand...

This puts it pretty much in the groove on the bullet :)

Potashminer said:
Same issue as a post a few minutes ago. Your seating die is touching a circumference on your bullet that is excatly the same - the distance from that contact point to the tip of your bullet varies with the precision of the manufacturer
Click to expand...

this may very well be, except that I did ignore where I had it set and seated it as the Min OAL in the book
 
burnt_servo said:
what is the longest overall length that will fit in your magazine ?
then you need to find out , what is the overall length of a round that just touches the rifling in your gun ?

your basicly going to use whichever one is shorter .

if it is the magazine , you want the rounds just short enough to function and feed .

if it is in the chamber , for most bullets a good starting point is 10 thou off of the lands . if your using barnes bullets , they recommend 50 thou off of the lands of the rifling .

the difference in possible length ( as well as other variations ) are the reason for starting loads .

find a combination of components and dimensions that you like , and use the starting load for the bullets you are using , then work your way up until you see signs that your starting to get high pressure ( assuming your not over the max amount of powder recommended ) .
Click to expand...

not gonna set up for just one rifle (got a P17 and a savage axis)
These are going to be primarily for the P17 though

burnt_servo said:
btw , the honady reloading manual in electronic form ,

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HZUXWNA

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hornady-handbook-cartridge/id761514156?ls=1&mt=11


I'm sure if you dig around you may be able to find a "free" version too .
Click to expand...

lol I was looking :)
don't mind buying it though , installing iTunes now
 
skneub said:
I am having a problem with the overall length.

Book I am using is modern reloading second edition (Richard lee)
I have resized my brass (once fired Winchesters) 2.500 - 2.504

I set up my seating die with a factory loaded 180 grain federal round

Bullets I am going to be using are #3070 Hornady .308 spire point 180 grain

Factory federal is 3.178 180 grain

The lee book for the 180 grain jacketed bullet puts the min overall length at 3.300 (Load for Imr 4064)
This can not be correct...

Since I am new to this I have been playing around with unprimed cases ;)

Done the way the book is saying , the round will not even chamber ....

Any idea what gives ?

I wished I had purchased the Hornady book today , but as I dropped 370$ on stuff( Decent scale , digital caliper, factory crimp dies and lock rings ,hand priming tool)
I just did not :(
Click to expand...

30-06 max length w bullet 3.340 but can vary from rifle to rifle
trim to length 2.484 max 2.494

What I think is happening is you are not over-caming when you size your case

Take a sized case (no bullet) and try to chamber it (you might have to jiggle it to get it to chamber

I think you will not be able to chamber it (shoulder of case is not pushed back far enough)
if that is the case you will have to re size all your brass by turning the sizing die in more and resizing/ pushing back the shoulder
 
just having some fun said:
30-06 max length w bullet 3.340 but can vary from rifle to rifle
trim to length 2.484 max 2.494

What I think is happening is you are not over-caming when you size your case

Take a sized case (no bullet) and try to chamber it (you might have to jiggle it to get it to chamber

I think you will not be able to chamber it (shoulder of case is not pushed back far enough)
if that is the case you will have to re size all your brass by turning the sizing die in more and resizing/ pushing back the shoulder
Click to expand...

brass fits great , interesting that Federal brass is shorter than Winchester brass.
Can not push it any farther into the die( shell holder hits it )
 
Haven't time to read it all, but I have said it so often on here, ABSOLUTELY IGNORE THE COAL, AS GIVEN IN ANY RELOADING MANUAL.
Seat the bullets deep enough so the bolt will close. Period. End of the story.
That Hornady bullet you are using, with the cannalure crimping ring, just seat it to the groove, but don't crimp, if you are using a bolt action rifle.
 
If sized brass (no bullet ) fits and closes in your chamber you are doing something wrong when you seat your bullet

Seating die too far down and you are buckeling the sholder or trying to over crimp

for a bolt action you need Zero crimp or just a touch
 
H4831 said:
Haven't time to read it all, but I have said it so often on here, ABSOLUTELY IGNORE THE COAL, AS GIVEN IN ANY RELOADING MANUAL.
Seat the bullets deep enough so the bolt will close. Period. End of the story.
That Hornady bullet you are using, with the cannalure crimping ring, just seat it to the groove, but don't crimp, if you are using a bolt action rifle.
Click to expand...

This makes perfect sense :)
bolt action all the way here , not looking for super accurate (Moa type rounds)
Going to set up a few rounds for tomorrow .
Only going to go with starting load

Thank you
 
Funny thing this reloading is.
Just sold a set not too long ago to a favorite chap on here.
He wanted this third set to him dies as he has three.............yes three rifles in the same ker-pow.

I agree with his filloppsewfie.........one set of dies for each rifle...........including press shell holders.

No issues with a set of dies set up for a specific shooter.
Only makes sense and I need to find me a SB die in .308win so I can git a life.

Gas engines use a habit of rhythm........... alter one sea-qwince and chit will stick to a fan.
 
skneub said:
This makes perfect sense :)
bolt action all the way here , not looking for super accurate (Moa type rounds)
Going to set up a few rounds for tomorrow .
Only going to go with starting load

Thank you
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply. I have been loading that same bullet, Hornady 180 grain Spire Point, in a 30-06 yesterday and today and testing at the range.
I am loading it to test the rifle as I work on bedding it. I load them full power with IMR4350, a very reliable load for a 30-06. I have been seating them to the depth of the crimping groove and they go in the chamber fine.
Also, no reason why they won't be very accurate seated at that depth.
 
Manuals don't give a min overall length. Just max.
Your case lengths are too long and need trimming. Max case length is 2.494". Trim-to is 2.484". Don't forget to chamfer and deburr.
You don't need a Hornady manual at all. Lots of 180 grain IMR4064 data on Hodgdon's site. 45.0 to 48.7.
 
I had some very accurate factory rounds that measured around 3.25" overall length. I worked my loads around that length with imr 4350 and 165 SST. result was a .277" group at 100 and 4" at 300.
 
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