Federal .308 vs 7.62 brass?

[jvencius]

Now that I have my reloading setup up-and-mostly running again, I've got a question about brass. For loading precision boltgun ammo, is it ok to use the casings from Federal Gold Medal .308 with "FC .308 WIN" headstamps and Federal Gold Medal 7.62x51 with "FC 11" headstamps interchangeably or should I segregate them and stick with what I have more of (the .308 stuff)? I didn't notice any obvious differences when I was depriming and cleaning the primer pockets but if there's some tiny dimensional difference in the two different casings that would compromise the uniformity one tries for when handloading, that would be good to know.

 

[rduckwor]

Stick to one brass type or the other for best results. Most likely, the different brass types will have different internal volumes. You could always determine case volumes if you're really motivated.

 

[280nosler]

Theoretically, the 7.62 brass should be a little heavier, but I have noticed that Federal brass (both 308 and 7.62) tend to be nearly identical (low 180's for 7.62 and mid high 170's for 308). That said, ducky mentioned sorting by type and manufacturer for best results (accuracy by means of velocity and release).

 

[Tango down]

Now that I have my reloading setup up-and-mostly running again, I've got a question about brass. For loading precision boltgun ammo, is it ok to use the casings from Federal Gold Medal .308 with "FC .308 WIN" headstamps and Federal Gold Medal 7.62x51 with "FC 11" headstamps interchangeably or should I segregate them and stick with what I have more of (the .308 stuff)? I didn't notice any obvious differences when I was depriming and cleaning the primer pockets but if there's some tiny dimensional difference in the two different casings that would compromise the uniformity one tries for when handloading, that would be good to know.

jvencius

Went through the same thing and, as I wasn't sure, I separated the FC 308 WIN from the others. I also noticed that the 7.62's are not all FC 11, some are FC 09 and FC 10. All deprimed alright but the FC's seemed to offer a bit more resistance than the 308. As I kept all brass in distinctive batches, consistency was never affected and I did not notice more, or less, accuracy, or a change in my zero, from one to the other. I guess the best way to find out would be to mark and shoot them alternatively, within the same group, taking note of every shot. I did not get into that but it would be interesting to know, as long as they all have been shot the same amount of times.

 

[l115a3]

I would seperate those headstamp into each type

 

[Cacciatore]

jvencius

Went through the same thing and, as I wasn't sure, I separated the FC 308 WIN from the others. I also noticed that the 7.62's are not all FC 11, some are FC 09 and FC 10. All deprimed alright but the FC's seemed to offer a bit more resistance than the 308. As I kept all brass in distinctive batches, consistency was never affected and I did not notice more, or less, accuracy, or a change in my zero, from one to the other. I guess the best way to find out would be to mark and shoot them alternatively, within the same group, taking note of every shot. I did not get into that but it would be interesting to know, as long as they all have been shot the same amount of times.

The batch of Federal 7.62 that I just processed had crimped primer pockets which is probably why you felt more resistance while depriming.