I have a savage model 10 PC in .308 The COAL touching the lands is 2.814 with 165gr Honady SST. I just got everything I need to reload this christmas. My base line load will be 40.8gr Varget with a 165gr SST .05 off the lands. When working up a load do you change the amount off the lands first or the amount of powder?
Reloading for christmas
- Thread starter savage440
- Start date
Bassmaster
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- WMU 48 - Whitetail country
If you are asking such basic questions as the one about triming you need to do some studying before you can safely start relaoding. I am not trying to give you a hard time, but reloading can be very dangerous if you make even basic mistakes. It can also be a great long term hobby if you learn right to start with.
If you know someone that loads, ask them to mentor you but also; buy Lynan's loading manual for metallic cartridges, the ABCs of reloading and the Hornady loading manual and read them end to end at least twice, then follow through the steps as you start reloading. Best of luck.
If you know someone that loads, ask them to mentor you but also; buy Lynan's loading manual for metallic cartridges, the ABCs of reloading and the Hornady loading manual and read them end to end at least twice, then follow through the steps as you start reloading. Best of luck.
2.015" is the right length, and requires no trimming for length. However, you may want to just take a very light skim off the face of the neck to ensure it is square and uniform all around. Bevel after trimming.
Some start load development with a light jam or about 0.010" into the lands, and then try other lengths after they settle on a good load. Normally the highest pressure is with a jam, so if you develop there, then you should not run into higher pressure when adjusting to a jump.
Be careful about jamming any bullet into the rifle lands. If you have to open your bolt once it has been closed on a live round, you can seperate the bullet from the case and spill the powder into the action (a propane barbecue lighter can help clear up the mess around the locking lugs!) If you are new to re-loading, I would recommend 0.005" to 0.010" jump to start with, then you can progress to jammed loads later.
