The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading .308 COL problemGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I am working up a .308 Win load for my Saiga and something weird happened. My new loads come out of the press over length. I set up my bullet-seating die for 2.810 on an empty case then I saw my loads go as high as 2.830 fresh out of the press. I then found that I could re-seat and get a shorter COL. After several re-seats, they settled down at 2.810. Air pressure unseating the bullet? Here's the load data: Federal .308 cases trimmed to length, 165 gr Speer spitzer SP over 42.0 to 43.5 gr Varget (mostly fills the case). Lee die set. Anybody seen this? Thanks very much. | ||
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| One of Us |
You say the Varget "mostly fills the case." I take it that means a compressed load? Compressed loads can sometime cause the bullet to move forward over time. Maybe in this case "powder pressure" is causing it. | |||
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One of Us |
When you set up a press, you should measure a few of the first cartridges coming out and adjust your press accordingly. I frequently have to make several press adjustments before the lengths come out exactly where I want them and I doubt a compressed powder charge is your problem. If you are measuring from the cartridge head to the tip of the bullet, you'll also get variations in length because of slightly different bullet lengths. The best way is to measure length referencing the bullet ogive. | |||
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| one of us |
Is your seating stem leaving a ring around the top of the bullet? Check the other things first but I did have a stem once that would catch on bullets and needed to be polished out. After a suitable deburring and polish I quit having the same problem that you had................DJ ....Remember that this is all supposed to be for fun!.................. | |||
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One of Us |
Sperrier, Welcome to the forums! You should also be using consistant force to seat the bullets, and allow a small amount of time (measured in seconds) at the top of the stroke to settle the bullet into the case. One trick I use is to spin the case as the bullet and the case approach the stem to align the bullet ever so slightly better. It also helps me to be consistant. dj's advice is good enough to take to the bank as well.  Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now! DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set. | |||
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| new member |
Thanks to all for the thoughtful replies. Yes, Craigster its a compressed load. New for me as I mostly load pistol cases. Grumulkin, the bullets are consistent OAL. Even so, how can I measure to the ogive? DJpaintles; the seating die doesn't appear to be hanging the bullet. 308Sako: I think I have been inconsistent with the dwell at the top of the seating stroke. | |||
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| One of Us |
Sperrier, Sinclair International sells a tool called a comparator which is nothing more that a large nut which has been drilled in 6 different calibers on the flats. It allows you to measure to the ogive rather than the bullets tip which can be a very inconsistant measurement and doing so will mislead you. I record this length on all my reloads as it is a better way of keeping track should you change lots of bullets, or even bullet weights or manufacturer. Member NRA, SCI- Life #358 28+ years now! DRSS, double owner-shooter since 1983, O/U .30-06 Browning Continental set. | |||
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