I just shot and reloaded my first .308 loads. I started with factory ammo and measured the loaded case-length at 2.005 (the published trim-to length). Then after firing, these cases averaged 2.009. However, after FL resizing in lee dies, they averaged 2.018 in length.

This seems like an awful lot of stretch to me.

Am I wrong? What should I do about it?

i told you before not to use so much blasto #2

It is quite a lot of stretch, but not totally unusual - though more commonly seen in belted magnum rounds.

Your trouble is either an oversize chamber, a sizing die on the small side, or a combination of both.

You can elect to

1) simply neck-size (e.g. with a Lee Collet die) until your cases become hard to chamber, then you are forced to FL size.

2) try to set your FL die up for PFLS and see if that alleviates the problem somewhat.

3) you can have a FL sizing die made (e.g. by Hornady) which will better match the size of your chamber - i.e. reducing case dimensions no more than what you need for reliable chambering.

4) you can measure the ACTUAL length of your chamber with a gizmo like this: Sinclair Chamber Length Gauge. This will allow you to trim only when our cases expand beyond the actual length of your chamber, and not according to some SAAMI spec.

5) rebarrel or rechamber the gun with a reamer not cutting an oversize chamber...

6) ignore the above and simply trim your cases after every firing/FL sizing (this could get old...)

- mike

P.S. Without having access to my manuals, but judging from what you write in your post, I'm guessing the SAAMI max case length is something like 2.015"...

Butch,

I'm not using Blasto #2; I'm using 128 grains of Super Magnum Blasto #7. Bullet travels so fast it ignites from friction with the atmosphere, creating a down-range fire hazard!

Yes, the max SAAMI is 2.015. I just returned from the range where I fired the reloaded ammo for the second time. Same story. It stretched about .004 after firing (without resizing), and another .006 to .008 after sizing (only this time I backed off the sizing die about 3/4 a turn).

I'll discard this brass after next firing, and neck size only for a while. The rifle is a break-action single shot with only an extractor. When it gets to where I have to use a hammer to get the round in, I'll know it's time to FL size again.

Do as Mike suggested measure the length of you chamber and don't worry about trimming until you have reached max length.


www.duanesguns.com

Your growing length is probably from sizing, not firing. When you squeeze that neck down and then drag it across the expander ball it tends to stretch the case. That extra brass has to come from somewhere and that means the case walls. Not a good thing. You'll either have to toss your cases after a few firings or go to a seperate neck expand operation that expands on the up-stroke, or use a neck-size bushing die.

ray

b4 u pitch too much expensive brass in the dumpster, try a liquid lube on the inside of the case neck. RCBS makes a dandy little nylon brush just for this.

I have had some batches of brass stretch quite a bit too, I ALWAYS check case lengths even after one shoot, better to be safe than sorry (sorry to sound like my mother)

Seriously but, A quick check is all it takes ubt yes, my brass streched alot a few times..

What about an RCBS X Die? The company makes big claims about never having to trim again if you use them. Anybody have any experience with them?

Hi
I was thinkin his problem sounds a lot like one I had. I bet he's shootin an encore then I read break action which convinced me of it . Go to mike bellem's web site . He has several articles that will help you understand whats happening and how to best form your brass .My problem was with a 25-06 and the problem is better but it never goes away completly with this break open type action. Hope this helps you . Mike really knowes his stuff.
Wayles

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i told you before not to use so much blasto #2

I did a google search on Mike Bellem, but didn't get anything gun related. You got his web address?

No, it's not an Encore. It's a Russian-made Remington SPR18. Cheap rifle, but a pretty good shooter. I got it for my son, who goes to school in Auburn, Alabama, to hunt with there. He didn't want to take one of our expensive rifles down there because break-ins are at epidemic prportions at off-campus student housing. My other son lost a Beretta O/U and Model 700 when his house was burglerized in Auburn.

quote:

Originally posted by GAHUNTER:
What about an RCBS X Die? The company makes big claims about never having to trim again if you use them. Anybody have any experience with them?

I have considerable experience with the RCBS X Die for several cartridges including .308/7.62. If you FL size with every reloading then the X Die is a must if you don't want to trim all the time and have short case life. I get 20 firings per case in an M14.

Larry Gibson

Sizing should not lengthne a case that much. Try some neck lube like another poster recommended.

Also, as to headspace and the single shots:

www.bellmtcs.com

I've never run into that much stretch in .308 .
Try the neck lube trick , then invest in X die.

I think ( haven't measured in awhile ) I was getting about .004" neck stretch after FL sizing . Now with the X Die I don't bother to measure much any more .

I have considerable experience with the RCBS X Die for several cartridges including .308/7.62. If you FL size with every reloading then the X Die is a must if you don't want to trim all the time and have short case life. I get 20 firings per case in an M14.
I would second Larry on this one .

Shoot Straight Know Your Target . ...

I ran into this years ago and fixed it by getting a lge can of graphite powder. You dip in a nylon neck brush and run it in an out of the neck an presto no stretch and no mess/issues to worry about. SLICK!

Take a Q-Tip dipped in Imperial Die Wax and
lube the inside shoulder/neck junction.
Easy Fix

Yep, If your case is growing .009" in the die then you are pulling the neck expander through a dry neck. You have to lube the inside of that neck.
You could always use a neck sizer and get a carbide neck sizer - then you just have to have your cases clean - no lube with carbide dies. The problem with that is if you are loading on the hot side your cases will soon stretch to the point where you will have to full length size again. Your best bet from my point of view is to set your dies up so that they just barely size the case to the point where the neck and shoulder meet. Leave about 1/32" unsized. Be sure to use lube on the case outside and the neck inside. That will work your brass the least and still keep the shoulder from advancing too far.

I believe that web site is www.bellmtcs.com. The principles will be the same
good luck
Wayles

Try a neck sizeing die with the out and inside of the case neck lubed.

OK. I get the message: lube the inside of the case mouth!

I've been reloading about five years, and used to do that until I found out that I could simply clean the inside of the case mouth with a nylon brush and get good results with all my RCBS and Redding dies. I Liked that better, since I don't have to worry about drying the mouth before charging with powder.

To be fair, the instructions that came with my Lee .308 dies (my first set of Lees) say to lube the inside of the case mouth -- something I've always ignored.

What's the old saying: When all else fails, read the instructions?