Just loaded my first 20 rounds...

[Davo]

Well I just finished loading my first 20 rounds of match .308! It took me 2 hours including getting the dies set up and adjusting everything. Im going to see how it shoots out of my Savage 10fp this saturday.
The load...Speer 168 gr FMJBT, 44grains of Varget, in federal brass with federal primers. COAL 2.8 inches.
I was using a lee hand press, and once it was setup everything worked fine. Full length resizing took a bit of effort but it wansn't so bad. The lee case lube provided was a bit of a hassle to apply but worked well. Im going to get some One-shot case lube. I still need to figure out the neck sizing die (lee).
Trimming and chamfering was cake when using my power drill.
Priming was simple with the Lee auto prime.
Measuring powder was very tedious. It took me nearly 45 minutes to charge the cases. I was using a lee dipper to trickle up the charge, Im going to need a trickler.
Seating was cake.

 

[cloudcroft]

I would suggest you try the Lee Collet die for resizing (neck) your .308 cases.

-- John D.

 

[Davo]

I have one, but haven't been able to set it up correctly.
I had better figure it out because I will primarily use the neck die.

 

[GRIZ22]

Don't be discouraged. As you become more confident of what your doing you production will increase. Taking the time you did shows you are being careful. I think one of the problems many have is using a progressive press. Pull the handle 50 times and you get a box of ammo and don't bother with inspection.

Remember you know who's in charge of quality control for your ammo. Make it the best.

 

[cloudcroft]

Just follow the directions that come with the die.

Remember, the actual resizing is done at the VERY LAST upward movement of the ram...some people "short-stroke" the ram and it doesn't resize the case at all, then they think (1) the die is defective or (2) they need to "whittle-down" (polish) the arbor inside the die to reduce its diameter a hair.

(1) It isn't and (2) they don't.

But collet dies do take getting used to when previous experience was with standard dies only.

Regardless, the collet die IS the way to go.

Disclaimer: Neck-sizing Collet Dies are for bolt-action guns (or single shots), only with cases fried in a particular gun and reloaded to be "refired" in that very same gun. Not suitable for reloading ammo for semi-autos (but that's true of any neck-sized cases).

-- John D.

 

[Davo]

I bought the Lee deluxe set, which came with the full length and collet die, but there are no instructions on setting up and adjusting the collet die in the instructions.

 

[.38 Special]

I think I may get at least one Lee guy on my neck for this, but the benchrest shooters do NOT use any sort of crimp on their cartridges, and they seem to do okay in the accuracy department.

 

[Davo]

Well I just got back from the range, my first reloaded ammo performed very well.
My groups were .9, 1.2, 1 and 1.1 MOA (5 shot 100yds). Groups were round, no stringing was noted. The ammo fed, fired, and extracted well, no signs of pressure were noted. I may go up to 45 grains of Varget next time. Overall I am pleased, and cant wait to load up some more, including the 175gr HPBT, and even some pulled GI '06 FMJ's.

 

[cloudcroft]

Then you need to do another obvious thing and go to the Lee website and look for said instructions...perhaps the "Collet Necksizing die adjustment" video would be of assistance?

BTW...you're welcome for the help.

-- John D.

 

[Davo]

cloudcroft those videos are just what I needed. Thanks for all the help. My next task is 40 rounds loaded before my new scope gets in.

 

[cloudcroft]

Great...good luck to you,

-- John D.