Reloading for a BLR

Magnum_Tom

Magnum_Tom

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I'm wondering there's anyone reloading for a BLR. I'm debating on neck sizing the fire-formed brass instead of full length sizing. I know neck sizing should only be done with bolt actions but the BLR's geared bolt is pretty tight.

Any thoughts?

Tom
 
I doubt you'd be able to do it - my BLR has a chamber that not only needs a FL resize, but often needs a small base FL die to get the brass to cycle smoothly. Most BLR chambers are pretty tight. Other guys on here with BLRs have said the same. Mine is one of the new takedown models in 308 - YMMV.
 
Barnes_270 said:
I doubt you'd be able to do it - my BLR has a chamber that not only needs a FL resize, but often needs a small base FL die to get the brass to cycle smoothly. Most BLR chambers are pretty tight. Other guys on here with BLRs have said the same. Mine is one of the new takedown models in 308 - YMMV.
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Thanks Barnes.

I tried searching on this before posting and couldn't find any references.

My BLR is new (just broken in) and chambered for 300 Win Mag. Do you think the belted cartridge would make a difference? It doesn't seem to have had a problem with once fired brass. Are you finding the bases are expanding after a certain number of reloads? If I need a small base FL die, who makes a good one that would work with a Lee press?

TIA,

Tom
 
If it's ok with 1F brass a regular FL die is probably fine, and you could try neck sizing with your FL die to test the idea - just size the neck by running your 1F brass into the die just far enough to bring the neck down - and then try it in your chamber. I found seating a bullet to make a dummy round without a primer or powder the easiest way to try cycling through the action. My BLR prefers the small base treatment even with 1F brass fired in it. RCBS small-base dies work just fine in any lee press - they're compatible. I don't know if small base dies exist for belted cases, but you could look on the RCBS site or perhaps someone else will chime in.
 
I have FL resized .308 for my BLR, as well as small base fl resized, and haven't noticed much of a difference. Bullet selection seems to be critical. Jacketed, spitzer type bullets seem to be necessary. Any other type (round nose, cast, frontier 110gr CMJ) engraves HEAVILY in the rifling and needs a good squeeze on the lever to get them to chamber fully.
 
I have found that the chamber on my BLR is barely within the 'go' limit for its caliber and that my RCBS die would not push the shoulder back far enough to allow proper chambering of reloads. I actually ground a few thousands off the shell holder to allow the press to send the cases a tad further into the die and solved the problem. Also, I am slowly getting rid of all my RCBS dies and getting good ones. ;)
 
If I were the OP, I would just use a full length die set of good quality, and full length resize all cases esp. if this rifle is to be used for hunting. Redding offers their Deluxe die set which is a 3 die set that includes a full length size die and a neck size die. Problems chambering ammo usually shows up at the worst times when out hunting.
 
ben hunchak said:
If I were the OP, I would just use a full length die set of good quality, and full length resize all cases esp. if this rifle is to be used for hunting. Redding offers their Deluxe die set which is a 3 die set that includes a full length size die and a neck size die. Problems chambering ammo usually shows up at the worst times when out hunting.
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Yep - and for handloaded hunting ammo, it should be standard practice to cycle each and every round through the chamber to make sure everything is good to go. This goes double when hunting dangerous game. Missing a chance on a deer while reefing on the lever to extract a partially chambered round is one thing, but doing the same while faced with a wounded bear or somesuch is quite another.
 
My 308 loves 165 gr. bullets. Get great accuracy with Hornady Interlocks and Speer Grand Slams. I always FL resize hunting ammo.
 
Thank you all.

I was thinking that neck sizing only would help with the longevity of the brass and it's supposed to be slightly more accurate - which would be great if the rifle was a paper hunter. But as this is a hunting rifle, as many of you pointed out, I shouldn't be taking any chances. I will continue to FL resize and continue to monitor the bases for expansion. I will also cycle all hunting ammo before the hunt. Great advice for someone new to reloading.

Tom
 
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