Question for the more experienced guys re: reloading .308 Win

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OldNewGuy

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North of 'Trawna
I've run into a bit of a situation with reloading for .308 Win.

My son has a Sako in .308, I just bought a Browning BLR Stainless Takedown in the same caliber.

I've been reloading for 20+ years, RCBS dies, RCBS Rockchucker, digital scales, Lyman case trimmer, Frankfort Arsenal stainless pin tumbler, etc.

My problem....with the reloads from the brass my son has shot (he's got a stockpile of about 700 empties), full-length resized with properly adjusted dies, the reloads won't chamber properly in my BLR (lever won't close all the way). I've checked COAL, case diameter at all points, case length, etc., with digital vernier, and it's all within spec, and in fact within a couple of thou of new boxed .308 at the highest variant.

I've never run in to that before - we also both have 30.06 Sprg's, mine is a Browning Eclipse Hunter X-Bolt, his is a Remmie - no worries with him snitchin' some of my 30-06 "old" brass reloads or vice versa (we both use exactly the same projectiles [Hornady 180 Gr], same powder load, same primers and so forth).

Both his Sako and my BLR shoot factory perfectly - no issues with feeding, ejection, etc. We use the same Hornady 30 cal bullets for the .308's.

What am I doing wrong ? For now, I'm separating the brass from his rifle and from mine, to ensure that I don't run in to issues with the feeding, but that's a pain and it also deprives me of a large stock of once-or-twice fired brass.

Advice appreciated - thanks!

OldNewGuy
 
I am by no means an expert but I am wondering if you need a small base die for your lever action. The brass out of your sons rifle maybe expanding more in his chamber and with your die it doesnt size it down small enough. With your brass it is fire formed in your chamber and works in your rifle after sizing because of this. I maybe way off base but that is my thoughts.
 
See this quite often.
Base of your fl die is slightly larger than your chamber.
Probably around 0,0002 or 0,0004. You need a real good micromètre to see it.

In all cases a redding body die have solved the problem.
Lyman seems to have a thight base as well. FORSTER are the worst I have seen.
 
I have a BLR 308 and I use just FL RCBS dies and have no problems but who knows every die & rifle is different,I would try bumping the shoulder a little more on a couple of cases just for the heck of it , if that don't work SB dies.I have had to use SB dies in my BAR's.
Good Luck
 
My reloads in one .308 rifle fit in the chamber perfectly, but wouldn't allow the bolt to close on another to even close properly. Bought a small base die like was suggested here and fixed the problem.
 
When you FL size, does the handle cam over? Or does the die hit the shell holder and prevent any more movement?

If the die is not hitting the shell holder and stopping, you are not getting the full action of the sizing die. try that.

If that does not work, file 4 thou off the top of the 308 shell holder. A cheap part to bugger up. This should do the trick.
 
Thanks for all the observations & suggestions. Very valid points expressed. I think I will pursue the small base dies but will also look into modifying the shell holder by the suggested 4 thou +/-. Ganderite, I do get a cam over when resizing, and that more than anything is what puzzled me that I couldn't get a good resize. Never thought of the "perhaps" thick base shellholder as I've not had this issue ever before.

All of the suggestions were very appreciated - THANKS!

OldNewGuy
 
When you try to chamber a resized case, put some pressure on it, and check if it hard to pull out or if it comes out easy.
Hard= base too wide need a die with a smaller base
Easy= too long. Need to bump the sholder more
 
Brass memory - you'll need a small base die assuming your current FL die is set correct. Had the exact same problem using 308 brass in two diff rifles, as well as in my old/new 260 - now i use specific brass for each rifle. Switched to new brass, and the problem was gone - even after 5-6 firings, there is no issues, and the same FL die was used on all my brass.
 
.308 reloading/resizing issue fixed - thanks!

Thanks to all those who took the time to reply. Problem solved.....as several suggested, a small base resizing die will kick in the base of the brass so it will chamber in my BLR .308 Win. Managed to snag an RCBS small-base die (couldn't find it in Canada, so I grabbed one from Brownells when I passed through Montezuma, Iowa on business last week). So I now have access to several hundred once-fired brass out of my son's Sako.

Tried it last night in my Rock Chucker, and dropped the resized case into the BLR chamber - perfect! One caveat, though, is that every source I could find, including the Lyman die box, the RCBS box/instructions, etc., recommended NOT to use small-base resized brass in bolt action rifles - apparently, the stress on the brass when next fired, to expand more than would be considered normal from SAAMI standards, will weaken the base.

I can live with that. I'll just resize only the brass destined for my BLR and keep it separate from the other stuff.

Thanks again to all that chipped in.

OldNewGuy
 
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