Caution on .308 Win and .30-06 case lengths

[TooTaxed]

For those who shoot reloaded ammo and haven't seen my post in the reloading section:

I recently decided to reload several hundred rounds of boxer-primed .308 Win/7.62 NATO and .30-06 once fired cases. I was very surprised to discover that every one of them, both commercial and military, required trimming to bring them within maximum length spec! Checked with a Lyman case length gauge and carefully calibrated dial caliper.

Over-length cases can cause elevated pressures and chambering problems.

 

[Rockstar]

I'd have thought that checking case length and trimming appropriately would be the first thing one learned about loading bottleneck cases.

 

[Gewehr98]

I don't think there's a bottleneck rifle case I *don't* check length on...

Both before and after I run it through the resizing dies. Matter of good reloading procedure, and all...

 

[duckslayer]

You should measure the length every time you reload, and that is not restricted to 308/30-06.

If you have military surplus rounds you are reloading, the case is thicker than commercial brass, so go light on the powder charge.

 

[Burt Blade]

Well-used surplus military guns often have far more headspace than civilian guns. This can really grow the brass.

Before you buy the first can of powder, buy the caliper for measuring.

 

[Khornet]

I think he means

that the cases were over length before sizing, and they were once-fired, meaning they were originally loaded long. And yes, I have seen that too with LC 5.56 brass which I fired myself for the first time and then measured before sizing for the first reload.

 

[MAUSER88]

You should measure the length every time you reload, and that is not restricted to 308/30-06.

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!

 

[41 Redhawk]

that the cases were over length before sizing, and they were once-fired, meaning they were originally loaded long.

Not necessarily true. Bottleneck cases can and usually do grow when fired.

 

[AK103K]

Brass is trimmed AFTER you size them. They stretch when you shoot them. I dont even bother checking, I just trim them all each time. This way I know that they all are the proper length and consistent. I also check for case head separations, especially after they have been reloaded a couple of times. The closer you get to 8 or 10 reloads, the more you will find them going. It pays to know your brass and keep them together in lots so you know whats going on. Commercial brass is much better than military for reloading. It lasts longer and isnt an aggravation to work with.

 

[Mannlicher]

I agree. I have the settings for each of the cartridges I reload for tacked to the wall by the Case Trimmer. After cleaning, and resizing, they go right to the trimmer.

 

[41 Redhawk]

I have the settings for each of the cartridges I reload for tacked to the wall by the Case Trimmer

I got you bettered by one. I have a dummy of each case trimmed to length. I simply put the dummy in the trimmer, lock the cutter down and have at it. Never varies more than .001".