favorite 308 recipies for an m305?
- Thread starter newshot
- Start date
Generally, cases for semiautos should be full length resized. That said, neck sizing can be used as a workaround for excessive headspace (more than .010" over SAAMI "go") often found in M14 type rifles. In this case, neck sizing will save the brass from being over worked.
Regular FL sizing dies can also be used for neck sizing only if you back the die off slightly from where it would be to FL resize.
Regular FL sizing dies can also be used for neck sizing only if you back the die off slightly from where it would be to FL resize.
I'm just about to start reloading for my M305 but I bought the SB dies. Thats fine to use right?
SB dies?
small base- not really necessary unless you're getting feeding problems
as to loads , there's an EXCELLENT article by GLEN ZEDIKER that i started off with and merely "fine tuned" each of my rifles ( ie a grain or 2 up or down) - it's on the net
as to loads , there's an EXCELLENT article by GLEN ZEDIKER that i started off with and merely "fine tuned" each of my rifles ( ie a grain or 2 up or down) - it's on the net
rnbra-shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Brunswick
They're (usually) not necessary, but they are perfectly fine to use.
Neck sizing ammo is probably not advised (unless you are a knowledgeable reloader and you have several different measurement tools not found on most reloaders' benches).
FL sizing dies can be (carefully and precisely) set up to almost-but-not-quite touch the shellholder. They are NOT neck-sizing, they are still full-length sizing but they are sizing to a longer case-headspace dimension. This can be done in order to make FL-sized ammo that will fit a particular rifle and have very substantially improved brass life... but it takes either a great deal of knowledgeable fussing, or some special tools (a fired case headspace measurement gage) to correctly set this adjustment on your FL die.
If you want to make ammo that will fit in every .308 rifle, you need to full-length size it, and screw down your sizing die so that it firmly contacts the shellholder. This will ensure that the size brass is smaller (in all dimensions) than the smallest possible .308 chamber.
Military (and military-like) rifles have chamber sizes deliberately larger than min-spec .308, for all sorts of good reasons (also note that the headspace dimension of a 7.62 NATO chamber has a different range of acceptable values than .308 Winchester, and the 762 NATO is longer). So it is quite common for the fired brass from a 762 NATO service rifle to measure +6 to +10 thou longer than min-spec .308 Winchester headspace. If you take FL-sized brass (which typically measures 2-5 thou shorter than min-spec 308 headspace dimension) and fire it in this sort of chamber, your brass will be stretching 10-15+ thou on each firing... this is where the stories of "I need to trim my M14 brass after each firing" and "my FL-sized ammo gets case-head separations after 4-5 firings in my M14" come from.
I had a neck sizer for my 308 and started to use for my M14 Norkie. I found feeder issues (stovepies mostly). Could have been a fluke or coincidence...went to a Hungry seminar and tuned it. Bought SB dies and have not had a problem since. The ammo has ALWAYS fed into the beast, tried and true.
Also, for neck sizing, you also should have a little experience under your belt and a good set of calipers because you have to watch the dimensions on your casing.
I'm late but . . .
"The 1806"
180g Hornady SP #3070
38g IMR 3031
CCI 200 (Lyman Pocket Uniformed)
R-P 30-06 Brass.
2.73"ish No Crimp
Lee Neck Sized.
Chrony Average: 2400 FPS.
Every round made is filtered thru a Lyman headspace gauge before firing. Will read no-go over but after a while you know what's go/no-go in your rifle.
The gauge is less forgiving then the actual chamber.
Yet to work up a load that shoots more consistently out of my rifle.
Can blow up Gatorade bottles with irons sights all day long with this load.
The classic 168/4895 load has yet to give me better groups.
Brass is annealed every 3 firings. Brass lasts 18 firings before getting retired.
No signs of head separation using R-P brass, barely needs trimming.
Do not use Hornady Brass. F-C and Win not tested.
1000's of rounds later, no stuck cases, stovepipes rare if ever. "What's an FTF?"
NO SLAMFIRES.
Barrel AND chamber cleaned after every range session.
Average 80 rounds per session. (Not all of the same load.)
Rifle is 2011 Marstar "Pre-Order" Norinco M305b with a Recoil Buffer.
I can't vouch for said consistency and safety in any other rifle but mine.
Chances are if you have an identical Marstar Pre-Order it's fine.
"The 1806"
180g Hornady SP #3070
38g IMR 3031
CCI 200 (Lyman Pocket Uniformed)
R-P 30-06 Brass.
2.73"ish No Crimp
Lee Neck Sized.
Chrony Average: 2400 FPS.
Every round made is filtered thru a Lyman headspace gauge before firing. Will read no-go over but after a while you know what's go/no-go in your rifle.
The gauge is less forgiving then the actual chamber.
Yet to work up a load that shoots more consistently out of my rifle.
Can blow up Gatorade bottles with irons sights all day long with this load.
The classic 168/4895 load has yet to give me better groups.
Brass is annealed every 3 firings. Brass lasts 18 firings before getting retired.
No signs of head separation using R-P brass, barely needs trimming.
Do not use Hornady Brass. F-C and Win not tested.
1000's of rounds later, no stuck cases, stovepipes rare if ever. "What's an FTF?"
NO SLAMFIRES.
Barrel AND chamber cleaned after every range session.
Average 80 rounds per session. (Not all of the same load.)
Rifle is 2011 Marstar "Pre-Order" Norinco M305b with a Recoil Buffer.
I can't vouch for said consistency and safety in any other rifle but mine.
Chances are if you have an identical Marstar Pre-Order it's fine.
