Reloading for 308 win SA

[Kawasaki]

One last thing - if you want to go the extreme accuracy route (I kind of suspect you don't, since you're talking about firing a semi-auto) then a small base die is unlikely to give you the precision you could expect from brass sized with a full length die.

Not sure what you mean by extreme accuracy, but probably not. However, I do want to have the confidence and ability to shoot moa or thereabout out to 400-500 yards, w a bolt action. I'm not married to a semi-autos, it's just that 308 is what I want to learn how to reload w first, and this is the rig in 308 I currently have. I'll be using it for woods hunting and practice, and figured it'll make a good testbed for my reloading process.

I have used standard full length dies for years. No need for small.base in Saami chamber.
I use a Lee factory crimp die as a separate action. I don't like seating and crimping in the same stroke.

Also, I shot semi.a loooong time without crimping. If your dies resize the neck right you should have enough tension to avoid setback. I did same in a hk91 that is pretty violent action.

Appreciate it. I'd seen some stuff online suggesting crimping isn't necessary for 308. I'm gona find out.

 

[BHPSteel]

Not sure what you mean by extreme accuracy, but probably not. However, I do want to have the confidence and ability to shoot moa or thereabout out to 400-500 yards, w a bolt action. I'm not married to a semi-autos, it's just that 308 is what I want to learn how to reload w first, and this is the rig in 308 I currently have. I'll be using it for woods hunting and practice, and figured it'll make a good testbed for my reloading process.


Appreciate it. I'd seen some stuff online suggesting crimping isn't necessary for 308. I'm gona find out.

If your aim eventually is to use a bolt gun for what is starting to 'get out there' range-wise, and you have a specific firearm in mind, that's an argument in support of going for a full-length die rather than a small-base . As SOLGardener notes, you can expect modern guns - especially non-autoloaders - to accept SAAMI spec ammo without a problem.

Lots of people consider 308 to be good out to 800-1000 yards with a good quality gun, ammo and if the nut behind the bolt is up to the task. For 400-500 yards, you're going to be able with a little practice to make ammo capable of tight groupings, and I'd call that medium-long range rather than extreme.

 

[Red Rex]

I am getting ready to start my 308 reloading and I read where a guy did quite a bit of load development and was able to replicate the Federal Gold Medal Match, Sierra OTM ammo. Now all barrels are different but his load was 42.3 gr. of RE-15 under a 168 gr. OTM projectile. I am going to start there and work from that. Federal GMM is the most accurate shelf ammo I have ever used. Expensive but accurate!

Good luck finding RL15.

 

[BHPSteel]

Good luck finding RL15.

Selway Armory appears to have some in stock.

 

[Jackie Graham]

I am not sure of what kind of reloading press/setup you have but I recommend a single stage if you don't already have one.
Rcbs, Hornady, Lyman or most any other will probably work fine. I have been using Rcbs for over 40 years.

 

[Red Rex]

Selway Armory appears to have some in stock.

1 lb @ $59.99 plus hazmat tax and shipping

Ouch

 

[Rusty Shakleford]

Full length dies are fine you probably won’t need small base dies. Yes you can accomplish both with a regular full length die but pushing the shoulder back .002 and resizing the neck works your brass the least helping with brass uniformity. I wouldn’t worry much about crimp if you’re looking for accuracy.

 

[Kawasaki]

I am not sure of what kind of reloading press/setup you have but I recommend a single stage if you don't already have one.
Rcbs, Hornady, Lyman or most any other will probably work fine. I have been using Rcbs for over 40 years.

Rcbs single stage press, just arrived today. Natchez has or had a great deal on the rebel. Currently figuring out dies. Thinking Rcbs or Forster

 

[SOLGardener]

I have used hornady dies for some time. I like the bullet guide thingy. I had the only stuck cases with ribs dies, but use an ribs press.

Also hornady one shot or Dillon spray lube, or make your own with isopropyl and lanolin.

 

[Rusty Shakleford]

Rcbs single stage press, just arrived today. Natchez has or had a great deal on the rebel. Currently figuring out dies. Thinking Rcbs or Forster

Forster are expensive for what they are Rcbs are fine Redding would be a step up. Wilson or Whidden dies are some of the best I’ve used other than custom dies.