Problem reloading military 308

[drmscape]

I got some military 308 once fired, bought my dillon 600 and got the brass all ready to load. I bought some Rem 110 grain, plinking rounds, and started reloading. Now the problem, these bullet will just drop right into the brass casing because the neck size is too big, I had hoped i could tweak each case and then let the crimper work, but it still doesn't hold it tight enough... so my question is there anyway to downsize the neck, or is it just the type of bullet I'm using???

Thanks

 

[Shoney]

What brand of sizing die did you use?

 

[arizona98tj]

Are you running them through the resizing die?
Do you have the die adjusted properly?

 

[drmscape]

I'm fairly new to this, but I'm using an RCBS lube die and lee crimp, and an RCBS to set the bullet... Do I need another die for this.. I tried the shell and bullet prior to the lube die and before they go through any die the brass is still to big...

 

[Shoney]

I'm not sure what you mean by a "lube die". Please explain.

With military 308 brass you should be doing the following:

1. Lube the case, run it thru a resizing die (this removes the primer and brings the size of the case down to specified size).

2. With the Dillon tool, swage the primer packet so it will accept standard primeers easily (this only needs to be done once); and campher the mouth of the case.

3. Seat a new primer.

4. Charge the case with powder.

5. Seat a bullet with the seat/crimp die,

6. If you have a Lee Factory Crimp die, apply the crimp (if using the FCD, you only want to use the seat/crimp die in 5. to place the bullet at the desired depth in the case without applying a crimp)

 

[rfwobbly]

"I'm fairly new to this, but I'm using an RCBS lube die and Lee crimp...."

I'm no .308 expert, but I play one on TV.

If I read your post correctly, you are using a Lee "collet die" instead of the RCBS full-length sizing die. Assuming that your bullets are the correct diameter, then you need to do either of these, but not both...

• Collet Die. Tighten the knurled knob on the collet die all the way up. You'll want the maximum "squoze". The Lee instructions are not clear on this, but IMHO these dies are run at max. Also, remove the lube die. No lube is needed with a collet. The lube can only foul the collet die jaws, keeping them from closing completely and resulting in a loose case neck.

• FL Sizing Die. Lube the case's exterior. Push the case its full length up into the sizing die. The FL sizing die has sliding friction between the case and die, therefore you'll want (must have) the case lube.

Again. One or the other, but not both.

 

[mkl]

I just googled "lube die" -- what won't they think of next?

Your problem is that you are not sizing the case or the case neck at all. The lube die just knocks out the primer and lubes the case. You then need to run the case through some kind of sizing die to reduce the neck size so it will hold a bullet.

A full length sizing die would be your best bet to start with. Later, you may want a neck size only die, but that should be your second choice.

 

[zeke]

Is the once fired 308 "military" from a machine gun? If so, it needs the headspace checked and likely small base die sizing. Are you loading for a bolt or semi?

 

[goon]

The FL sizing die is what you need to be using. I think your problem is that you're not sizing your brass at all.
I've found that a crimp is usually not necessary if you've sized your casings right. The neck will usually hold the bullet very securely.

 

[rcmodel]

+1

A "Lube die" is not a sizing die.

Size the cases with a full-length sizing die and the case neck tension will hold the bullets in place.

No amount of crimping will make up for a loose, unsized case neck.

BTW: How the heck did you end up with such a hodge-podge of dies and still not come up with a complete set including a sizing die?

rcmodel

 

[Wilburt]

How the heck did you end up with such a hodge-podge of dies and still not come up with a complete set including a sizing die?

I was wondering the same thing. Also interested on how the lube die works after you try sizing with it.

 

[Gewehr98]

You can't size with a lube die.

I have one of the RCBS lube dies, and all it does is run a felt washer w/case lube over the exterior of the brass, and knock the primer out with a decapping pin.

I removed the felt washer, and use the die with my Huntington Compact hand press to decap my BPCR brass at the range.

It's a neat die, but with a very limited application, although it's less messy than a case lubing pad or my old reliable method of spritzing brass with lube in a frying pan and shaking them around.