Newbie Reloading questions Case Length, Trimming and Primers

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countyboy

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Hi Everyone

I am new to the world of reloading. I am in the process of necksizing/depriming 308 cases and I have a few questions.

1) Case Length - most of my once fired in my Rem 5R are about 2.01 inchs I have a few that are 2.009 and some that are 2.013 and 2.014. I have read that 2.015 is the max. Should I try to get them a uniform length. Is that amount of variation acceptable?
2) I have a Lee Case trimmer and I can't seem to get the case gauge to turn the threads down to where it will trim 2.015 any ideas.
3) Primers - my local firearm retailer sold me Federal Magnum large rifle match grade primers. (Which I can't use in my lee autoprime because they are federal) Can I use Magnum primers for a 308 Winchester?
4) I have some new never fired Winchester brass (in addition to the once fired I am working on now). I measured the neck and the OAL of the case and they seem to be in spec. Do I have to full body size brand new never fired brass? I don't think so but I wanted to check.

PS I have a Lee manual and have read it to the sections I am working on but I didn't find answers so here I am.

Thanks in advance for helping me.

Extra Info about what I have:

I have a Lee Challenger Breech Lock, Projectiles are SMK175BTHP, Powder is Varget Brass is Winchester. I have Forester Seater Die and Lee Collet Neck sizer plus Redding full body Die
 
About the Lee trimmer tight threads, i have come across that, also. I just used power, maybe pliers with something over the trimmer to prevent damage and turned it in. It will be a bit better next time.
You have better primers than required, but they will work fine in your 308. You will be building up your load, starting with a starting load, anyway, so just ignore what primers you have, and work up your load.
It's better if the cases are even length, but slight variation is nothing to worry about, unless you are in to serious bench rest shooting. If you are shooting from any hand held position, the variation in case length is absolutely immaterial. With one caution. Don't let the cases get too long. Being too long can result in the mouth being forced into the smaller part of the chamber, thus pinching on the bullet and causing more pressure.
I never size new brass, unless there is visible damage to the mouth, which would prevent a bullet from going in to the neck.
Probably the majority of people on these threads will say to always full length the new brass before loading it.
However, the new brass is made to SAAMI standards, the same as loaded ammunition. Why would you shorten the life of the brass by giving it a completely unnecessary full length resizing?
 
1. Trim your brass when it exceeds the maximum length after you size it. I set my calipers to the maximum length and trim the brass when it won't pass through.

2. To what length does your trimmer trim? I am surprised that the case gauge would be too long to trim properly.

3. Magnum primers are OK, but probably not necessary for .308. Some shooters like to use magnum primers for any spherical powder. Your Lee Autoprime should be fine with Federal primers, notwithstanding any Lee-Federal pissing contests.

4. It isn't absolutely necessary to size new brass, but some reloaders do. Personally, I don't see any benefit.
 
"...Should I try to get them a uniform length..." Yes. Different lengths will cause seating depth issues. The trim-to length for .308 cases is 2.005".
"...can't use in my Lee autoprime because they are Federal..." The brand makes no difference. Primers are all the same size.
"...Do I have to full body size brand new never fired brass?..." Yes. New brass needs to be FL resized, checked for length, trimmed as required and chamfered and deburred. New brass isn't uniform out of the factory.
Magnum primers burn a bit hotter for a bit longer. They're made to light hard to ignite powders and for cold weather shooting. They're ok for .308 loads, but not required.
 
"...Should I try to get them a uniform length..." Yes. Different lengths will cause seating depth issues."

You will have to explain to me, how a variation in case length will effect seating depth. The over all length of the cartidge is not effected by the length of the neck.
 
we need more info what gun are you going to be reloading for

do not mix brands / military brass

get a 50 round ammo box and keep info for what you have done to those 50 pcs and what rifle you loaded it for
 
H4831 said:
"...Should I try to get them a uniform length..." Yes. Different lengths will cause seating depth issues."

You will have to explain to me, how a variation in case length will effect seating depth. The over all length of the cartidge is not effected by the length of the neck.
Click to expand...



Agreed. When seating bullets, length is reference from the base of the case and when in the rifle from the bolt face. ( base of the case)
 
I'll chime in with the others and say you shouldn't experience problems using your lee priming tool with your primers. Just follow the standard safety rules. The disclaimer you've no doubt read is the result of a feud between the two companies, (Federal/Lee). I have both the Lee and RCBS priming tools as well as built in tools on both my Hornady and Redding presses. They all do the same thing the same way.

When I use my Lee tool with Federal primers, I point the tool in a safe direction, usually toward my wife's cat. The cat is still doing fine but I'm still hopeful that some day the Lee warning will pay off ,,,friggin cat!
 
H4831 said:
About the Lee trimmer tight threads, i have come across that, also. I just used power, maybe pliers with something over the trimmer to prevent damage and turned it in. It will be a bit better next time.
You have better primers than required, but they will work fine in your 308. You will be building up your load, starting with a starting load, anyway, so just ignore what primers you have, and work up your load.
It's better if the cases are even length, but slight variation is nothing to worry about, unless you are in to serious bench rest shooting. If you are shooting from any hand held position, the variation in case length is absolutely immaterial. With one caution. Don't let the cases get too long. Being too long can result in the mouth being forced into the smaller part of the chamber, thus pinching on the bullet and causing more pressure.
I never size new brass, unless there is visible damage to the mouth, which would prevent a bullet from going in to the neck.
Probably the majority of people on these threads will say to always full length the new brass before loading it.
However, the new brass is made to SAAMI standards, the same as loaded ammunition. Why would you shorten the life of the brass by giving it a completely unnecessary full length resizing?
Click to expand...




I tried to fit the Lee case gauge/trimmer in a new Winchester brass - no go. Neck was too tight.
 
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