first batch

D

doots

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This weekend i made my first batch.
remington 700 sps aac-sd in .308 with 80 rounds fired before this day.
rcbs kit.

i used fresh never fired lapua brass that i fl sized in a forster die.
cci 200 primers set with the press.
varget powder.
lapua 167gr scenar .30
oal 2.800


charges were 37,38.2,39.1, 39.9, 42, 43.8, 44.6, 45.4. i don't know why i picked these numbers but i needed to start somewhere.

my powder measure doesn't like varget to much. the shape of varget doesn't allow for consistent charges to be dropped. or i don't know how to properly set up the powder measure.
i would run the measure a few times, then weigh the charge sometimes it would be dead on. then another it would be off as much as 1.5 gr.


also the rcbs digital scale seem to drift a bit. i didn't notice till half way through loading.
so the chances of all my charges being the exactly the same are pretty slim.

the last load i did i measured each charge. and took out or added to make sure they weighed the same. i also made sure there was no scale drift.
sucks that i only started doing this at the end. it al so made the last 30 rounds take a long time.

rookies hey!

so in consistent charges all around.


I also tried to find the lands but wasnt to sure if i was doing it correctly.
i pulled the firing pin out of the bolt and used a once fired brass with a new projectile. worked the dummy round in the action.
i never got a consistent length and sometimes the bullet would just stay in the barrel.
so i just made this batch to 2.800 oal.


now the actual shooting.

100 meters.

my 5 shot groups range from 0.781 (39.9 gr) barrel was warm and i waited 30 -60 secs between shots.
to 3.274 (39.9gr) this group i waited 3 min between shoots...... i think the shooter needs more practice.

most of the groups are just above or below 1"

i did some 10 shot groups too.
1.988" 45.4gr - 2.338" 42gr


the load that i measured every charge was 44.6gr
the 5 shot group was 0.955 and the 10 shot group was 2.062.
this is the only load i can say 100% was the same charge.


i think working on consistency in both shooting and reloading things should get better.


what do you guys think? any advice or pointers?

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Hi doots, great job for your first batch! Thanks for sharing your experience here. I'm thinking of reloading myself too. Still try to read books, YouTube and learn more before jump in to get my feet wet. I'm shooting Sig Sauer SSG-3000 .308 with Lapua Scenar 155 gr. trying to save all the brass for reloading later.

I heard reloading is for someone retired and have lots of time on hand. Is that true? How long did it take to make your first batch? Which brand, model of reloading press and components are you using? Why you pick this one instead of other ones? I'm thinking to use VV N500 powder for Lapua Scenar. What makes you choose Varget powder? Thanks.
 
Since you bought the RCBS kit I assume it came with the uniflow powder measure? Regardless though when using stick powder or trailboss if you don't tap the powder measure a few times it will not give consistent throws. I use the handle on it and tap it 2 or 3 times at the end of the stroke for lack of a better term.

As for getting a better idea on finding you OAL to the lands full or neck size some brass then use a dremel tool and cut 2 slots in the neck. Barely seat the bullet into the case, then slowly chamber the dummy round. You need a bullet comparator to measure your OAL properly though as bullets vary in length. You also don't need to remove your firing pin Btw.
 
Good on you starting to reload. Many find it hard to get going.

For stick powders you may want to try a Lee Perfect powder measure. For a $20 piece of plastic It handles stick powder very well. My last batch of plinking rounds was +/- 0.01 grains checked against by RCBS Chargemaster (which I use when accuracy is more important than production volume).

Also, find a load that works before messing with COAL (except if you are using VLDs). You might want to try the Optimal Charge Weight (OCW) method.

What bullets are you using?
 
^^^good advice^^^ do an OCW... Try loading in 0.3 gr increments - you may have passed the node(s) with such a large gap between powder doses.
If you're trying to find the magic load, use your scale only. I would bet that if you started at 42gr and went to 44.5gr in 0.3 gr increments you will find a good node.
Load them all to 2.8, and once you find your magic load, then play with seating depth.
 
Prairie that's a nice rifle!

i have been reading and watching videos so much latley that i thought my head would pop. so i just started doing it.
was pretty excited so i made some silly errors like the powder measure.

my first batch took about 4 or 5 hours. i full size died 200 brass and made 100 rounds. i took my time and had lots of fun doing it.

i use a rcbs rockchucker supreme select kit. i chose it for the reviews it got and the price to get me in the door. i bought forster dies and a layman primer pocket tool. everything else was in the kit.

i use lapua brass and projectiles (167 scenars). i choose varget because it was available and i didn't have to get it shipped. i also know a lot of guys are using it with good success.

i am going to switch to 155 scenars though. a bit cheaper than the 167s and really accurate.


now i am hooked! i want to make more! i need to get more projectiles though so i have to wait till i get back into town.







Prairie Hunter said:
Hi doots, great job for your first batch! Thanks for sharing your experience here. I'm thinking of reloading myself too. Still try to read books, YouTube and learn more before jump in to get my feet wet. I'm shooting Sig Sauer SSG-3000 .308 with Lapua Scenar 155 gr. trying to save all the brass for reloading later.

I heard reloading is for someone retired and have lots of time on hand. Is that true? How long did it take to make your first batch? Which brand, model of reloading press and components are you using? Why you pick this one instead of other ones? I'm thinking to use VV N500 powder for Lapua Scenar. What makes you choose Varget powder? Thanks.
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just reading up on OCW. i am going to do this with my next batch for sure!

thanks for the heads up and advice!
i will leave them at the standard 2.8 and work the load.



i am using lapua .30 167 scenar. but i will be going to the 155 palma scenar next and starting fresh.
 
Lots of loading articles on my website. See TECH section.

Fire the brass before you get too serious about load tuning.... the brass will change from the first firing and case volumes will be more consistent.

A good scale will help.

Lots of little steps but you are heading in the right direction.

Jerry

PS work around the 44.6gr load and remember that factory barrels can warp badly as they heat up ... leads to much larger groups.
 
i believe heat was my biggest killer. using a Remington 700 aac-sd 20" its a target profile but still its hard to be patient between shots lol

will check your sight out now!
 
Mystic Precision said:
Cooler, ice packs, water... towel.

Just wrap the towel around the barrel for a few minutes. Easy and cools real fast.

Jerry
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Would cooling it rapidly like this not potentially warp the barrel due to uneven heat dissipation? I've often thought about it but worried it would be worse than just leaving it alone.
 
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