Need some advice. New reloader 308

Potash - I tamp lightly, just enough to hold the bullet for measurement. Cocking the bolt is mandatory for a number of reasons, including pulling the bolt back tight against the lugs. Otherwise the bolt can ride forward a fraction of an inch, and give false measurements - ask me how I know...
I too create a "reference" bullet. Most of my loads use lead tipped bullets, which display varying degrees of deformity and length as a result. I will measure and record the length of the test bullet, and mark it with a marker. If, for whatever reason, the reference bullet gets consumed or lost, then I can create a new reference bullet by choosing one out of the box (or lot) that has the same length.
Noting the comments from some of the senior reloaders on this post, how did we ever get by without all these fancy gizmos now available on the market?:rolleyes:
 
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cosmic said:
Potash - I tamp lightly, just enough to hold the bullet for measurement. I too create a "reference" bullet. Most of my loads use lead tipped bullets, which display varying degrees of deformity and length as a result. I will measure and record the length of the test bullet, and mark it with a marker. If, for whatever reason, the reference bullet gets consumed, then I can create a new reference bullet by choosing one out of the box (or lot) that has the same length.
Noting the comments from some of the senior reloaders on this post, how did we ever get by without all these fancy gizmos now available on the market?:rolleyes:
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Cleaning rods. Tape. A felt marker and a basic micrometer. - dan
 
cosmic said:
...

Noting the comments from some of the senior reloaders on this post, how did we ever get by without all these fancy gizmos now available on the market?:rolleyes:
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Ha! Speak for yourself! A more appropriate question, for me at least, is "how do you STILL get by, without all those fancy gizmos ..." I do not think I am a complete "luddite", though - I do now use an RCBS ChargeMaster Lite, instead of the powder measure, balance beam scale and trickler ...
 
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Potashminer said:
Ha! Speak for yourself! A more appropriate question, for me at least, is "how do you STILL get by, without all those fancy gizmos ..." I do not think I am a complete "luddite", though - I do now use an RCBS ChargeMaster Lite, instead of the powder measure, balance beam scale and trickler ...
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Well - I speak in jest, I'm also still getting by without all those fancy gizmos. Ironic, I suppose, given that I'm a mechanical engineer. However, I did learn way back when that more complicated doesnt necessarily mean better...
 
cosmic said:
Well - I speak in jest, I'm also still getting by without all those fancy gizmos. Ironic, I suppose, given that I'm a mechanical engineer. However, I did learn way back when that more complicated doesnt necessarily mean better...
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Speaking from one to another, that is the most important engineering lesson I ever learned. - dan
 
Ganderite said:
I like to load 20 thou off the lands. I shoot my rifles as single shots, so don't care about the magazine requirements.

Ignore the OAL in the book. That is for THEIR rifle, not yours.
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Just for clarification for those that may not know...

The Min OAL in the load data is to ensure the user does not create an over pressure situation from seating the bullet too deep into the casing.
 
Humblepie - read the post that you replied to - that OAL in a book was from their rifle, not yours. Find another post that I started - there is a link below - I have five 30-06 rifles that all Nosler 180 grain Accubond bullets would have been "jammed" into the lands, using the "book"s COAL.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2230590-A-cautionary-tale

I guess the point is, for someone new to the game like OP - he WILL NOT KNOW about his rifle, until he measures some things. Do not need expensive gizmos to do so, but likely need the skill and tool to measure within around about plus or minus 0.001" - a wooden ruler or tape measure is not likely to cut it. Has been described above - cleaning rod or wood dowel, perhaps a second wood dowel, one bullet, masking tape - perhaps jiffy marker. Not complicated or mysterious.

And, after just going through about 5 reloading manuals - each does give one O.A.L that they used to pressure test that bullet of their's - not seeing a Minimum OAL listed. I have not knowingly done it, but I understand that "jamming" a bullet into the lands will also raise pressures - same as apparently can happen when seating a bullet "too deeply".
 
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Potashminer said:
Humblepie - read the post that you replied to - that OAL in a book was from their rifle, not yours. Find another post that I started - there is a link below - I have five 30-06 rifles that all Nosler 180 grain Accubond bullets would have been "jammed" into the lands, using the "book"s COAL.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/2230590-A-cautionary-tale

I guess the point is, for someone new to the game like OP - he WILL NOT KNOW about his rifle, until he measures some things. Do not need expensive gizmos to do so, but likely need the skill and tool to measure within around about plus or minus 0.001" - a wooden ruler or tape measure is not likely to cut it. Has been described above - cleaning rod or wood dowel, perhaps a second wood dowel, one bullet, masking tape - perhaps jiffy marker. Not complicated or mysterious.

And, after just going through about 5 reloading manuals - each does give one O.A.L that they used to pressure test that bullet of their's - not seeing a Minimum OAL listed. I have not knowingly done it, but I understand that "jamming" a bullet into the lands will also raise pressures - same as apparently can happen when seating a bullet "too deeply".
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I've known a few BR shooters over the years, who swore by the "jam it in the lands" method for best accuracy, but they adjusted their loads for it (and most of them ran loads that were way too hot for me anyway). I prefer not to push that particular envelope. - dan
 
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