Help a newbie with .308...Please

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FLYBYU44

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Well I am very new to reloading. I have reloaded some .338WM with good success. Now I have a .308 and I got all the stuff to reload for it. I got all set up today and started with some once fired Winchester brass. I'm using Benchmark powder, Federal Match large rifle primers and 150gr. Speer Hot Core flat nose bullets. I set up my bullet setting die according to the instructions from my Lee press. Without screwing it in at all I'm getting a OAL of 2.740" and the canduale (SP) on the bullet is not even close to being inside the case. I must confess I do not have a reloading manual (any suggestions?). I have been using the Hodgen site for recipes.

My issue here is the OAL, the Hodgen site does not have min. OAL for any loads, the paperwork that came with the dieset suggest that 2.740" is too short already. I would like to get it so the groove is seated in the case, but it will be much too short then I fear. I'm super paranoid about this reloading thing so any suggestions would be great. Here are some pics...and I'm using 40 grains of the Benchmark powder to start right now.



 
I generally determine what is the maximum seating depth my magazine can reliably cycle rounds with and once I know that number I will start with a low end powder charge and work different seating depths tell I find a node then begin to experiment with powder charges in increments until I get pressure signs. Don't get to hung up on the book COL if you determine what is the max oal of your magazine and start loading with a low end powder charge and work within the charges listed in the manual stopping if you see any pressure signs you will be safe. Some ppl start with power charge first and seating depth second both ways work. Best of luck
 
I'm relatively new at it all as well but not entirely I suppose. I'm also reloading for a .308 and I found out that there is no physical way I can load my rounds close to the lands. Bullets aren't nearly long enough. It's a Rem 700 and apparently they are known to have a long throat. I'm measuring around .20" to the lands. So I don't even bother with OAL at this point as long as it's cycling. I started by basically duplicating factory rounds but with minimum powder and working off that.
 
It is a Savage Model 11 with detachable box magazine, it looks like I could damn near get a 30-06 round in the magazine. I was more worried about min OAL and the effect that would have on accuracy and pressure build up. I would like to seat the bullet deeper into the case but am concerned as I'm sitting at 2.740" as it is pictured above.
 
I'm loading a round nose bullet at 2.55" right now. The listed length for a round nose in a hornady manual is 2.52" for a round nose not sure how much different a flat nose would be but it's gotta be close I'm sure
 
I would leave the COAL to the very last thing you worry about untill you have tweaked every other parameter in finding a good load..

If you are going to shoot SPEAR bullets that would be the first manual of several I would get to develop my loads..
 
The Ogive may be farther ahead than other bullets - load at what they suggest (speer load manual or any manual that uses that speer bullet) otherwise you may be jamming that bullet.
Or you could find out yourself where that one sits 20 thou off and go from there.
But looking at the bullet, it looks like it has a more more forward ogive.
Follow the manual for that bullet and be safe!
 
Thanks for the advice, I will try to locate the info for that particular bullet. I don't want to invest in the Speer manual, the bullet wasn't my first choice, it was actually for a 30-30 I had and I really just want to use them up versus buying some other .30 Cal bullets right now. They are probably not a common option for the .308 as they are flat nose for tube mags.
 
Never mind measuring the OAL. Seat the bullet to the groove, just where it would be if you crimped it in the groove, and shoot away.
The seating grove is formed in the bullet so it can be seated there and will fit rifles built under the guidelines of SAAMI, which means virtually all rifles, will have suitable seating depth.
 
If your mod.11 is anything like my mod.10 it will have a fairly short throat. If you haven't figured out where your lands are yet, you should do that first... you may find out you're not too far off them. I know guys that seat their bullets 40 to 50 thou. off. I like 20 off, myself.
If nothing else, it will give you peace of mind that your bullet isn't TOO far off. (don't ask me what TOO far is, but I know 50 is OK with a hollow point)...C.
 
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