Help Re-Loading .308 / 7.62x51

legi0n said:
the Aguila brass is pretty good but being military spec it has less case capacity so reduce the powder loads by at least 0.5grains
also you'll need a primer pocket crimp remover for this brass.
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I found Aguila 7.62 brass to be the worst spec brass I have ever reloaded.

Primer flash holes way off center and very inconsistent case capacity (by lot).

The brass is also very very hard IMHO.
 
I just bought the RCBS kit from Prophet River! Thank you Prophet River for a great deal. Time to start piecing together the rest of the this over the next few days.

Thanks again guys! I would have struggled big time without you.
 
Rem700WIN said:
I just bought the RCBS kit from Prophet River! Thank you Prophet River for a great deal. Time to start piecing together the rest of the this over the next few days.

Thanks again guys! I would have struggled big time without you.
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There’s a set of Redding dies on the EE for $55 shipped.
Excellent deal ,and it’s all you need.
 
these are my results with Aguila brass in 308Win
2la8mzs.jpg
 
Rem700WIN said:
legi0n - Thanks for posting. Love pictures of groups (especially with data). Can I ask why you went for 125gr with a 1/11 twist?
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The Ruger American Ranch has a 16" barrel and could be a nice hunting rifle.
Except that it doesn't group very well with the hunting bullets I tried.
Then I found this box of Nosler 125BT :)

It does group well with match bullets and 155gr AMax
 
FirearmsEnthusiast said:
Forgot that - great addition to the list. The Wilson case gauges let you know right away if the round will chamber...I have them for every semi-auto caliber I reload for, and for my .50 BMG bolt guns!
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A case gauge is a good buy but if you plan on reloading for multiple semi-autos in the future, I'd recommend getting a case gauge that tests both case length and case diameter. Many people don't realize that most case gauges only test case length. As brass ages it often springs-back after sizing. Not a big issue for bolt actions but potentially a big deal for many semi-autos.

My suggestion for case gauges are JP Enterprises or Sheridan Engineering. These are the only ones that I'm aware of that will test case length and diameter.
 
Pr589 said:
A case gauge is a good buy but if you plan on reloading for multiple semi-autos in the future, I'd recommend getting a case gauge that tests both case length and case diameter. Many people don't realize that most case gauges only test case length. As brass ages it often springs-back after sizing. Not a big issue for bolt actions but potentially a big deal for many semi-autos.

My suggestion for case gauges are JP Enterprises or Sheridan Engineering. These are the only ones that I'm aware of that will test case length and diameter.
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I also have the Sheridan gauge - the cut-away version so you can see how the case fits. The Wilson is a reasonable starter gauge as well I feel.
 
Given the length of time you'll be using a case gauge (I.e. the rest of your reloading career) and the modest cost of an upgrade to better gauges, I'm not a believer in starter gauges. I sure wish I didn't have so many duplicates of various reloading tools I bought when I started out.
 
I've been looking for awhile today and I'm struggling to find bullets and Varget for a decent price. I was told by another CGN member I should be able to find 300x bullets for $120, and 2lbs of Varget for $80.

Can anyone suggest something other than SMK's? I wanted to use SMK's but I can't find them for less than $60 for a box of 100.
 
Rem700WIN said:
I've been looking for awhile today and I'm struggling to find bullets and Varget for a decent price. I was told by another CGN member I should be able to find 300x bullets for $120, and 2lbs of Varget for $80.

Can anyone suggest something other than SMK's? I wanted to use SMK's but I can't find them for less than $60 for a box of 100.
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Varget seems to be going for $40-$45 a lb.

But Higgenson’s has it for $36 per lb, but they still charge an hazmat fee.
Unless you buy 24 lbs.

But if you buy 8 lb jug , it works out $37 per lb + txs+ shipping.

They have lots of bullits,as well.
 
The Hornady projectiles will perform just fine at a fraction of Sierra's prices. Varget runs $50ish/lb around here; I just suck it up and pay the man rather than eat outrageous shipping prices or buy in impractical quantities. I once priced out an 8lb jug on special from a site sponsor and the shipping ruined the whole deal. If you're looking for a cheap hobby - this isn't it. My match loads run somewhere around $0.90c each and while I know I could do a little better, I don't want to lay out a lot of money at once or sit on large quantities of product as I don't have the space.

I would potentially consider moving straight to the 178 BTHP, as that weight range is currently the "hot sauce" if you have an appropriate barrel twist. That said, I've made consistent hits at 1000m with the Hornady 168s BUT people will tell you they destabilize somewhere between 800-1000m and I have not put them on paper at long range(only shooting steel).
 
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