First time reloading and issues

[chuckshoots]

Hey guys,
I have read a lot from this site and learned a lot and now have a few questions of my own regarding some reloading issues.

So i started off with the redding type s bushing dies (im reloading for 308), and was wondering how, in choosing the appropriate bushing, you establish the diameter to use. The method is to measure a dummy round, but how do you make a dummy round without the bullet gripped properly and such?
When I measured the outside neck diameter I got .345 (Average) with a bullet seated in it but still moveable with finger pressure.

Does this mean .344 or .343 are the proper bushings? Because I ordered them, got the wrong one (i was sent a .315 instead) and so I currently have a .315, .344, and a .343 bushing. When I use the .344 or .343 the bullet still is hardly held at all. So i basically need different bushings, but how can I best determine the necessary diameter?

I of course out of curiosity put in the .315 bushing and ran an extra case through it and the bullet of course was seated and held very firmly when I did that. Would using this one work or is this going to make the grip too firm on the bullet leading to increased pressure? The .315 also stretches the case a lot past the SAAMI max case length standards, so all else aside this is just an inefficient bushing for my purposes?

thanks for any input and help guys

chuck

 

[SavageLapua]

Re: First time reloading and issues

Definite neck tension issue. Do you happen to have any loaded rounds of the same brass? I'm assuming you're reloading once fired factory rounds...

You may find that you'll have to go with a .341 or .340?

 

[chuckshoots]

Re: First time reloading and issues

well in using the .343 and .344, the bullet is moveable with just finger strength, while the .315 is very snug and not moveable with your fingers.

and yes these are hornady once fired brass
unfortunately i dont have any of the factory ammo left to measure the neck

 

[ejb]

Re: First time reloading and issues

i use a .333 or a .334 on my 308 using winchester brass 175 smk .you should use a standard fl body die load a round and then measure your neck. .344 and .343 would be to big and the .315 way to small it's a wounder you can even get it in the neck

 

[chuckshoots]

Re: First time reloading and issues

ok, i will have to get some standard dies and make that happen. the .315 was a tight fit but it definitely seated a bullet surprisingly. I imagine its a very tight fit and would potentially lead to some spiked pressures.

 

[chuckshoots]

Re: First time reloading and issues

also, is .333 range common?

 

[ejb]

Re: First time reloading and issues

common i would think ball park it all depends on the wall thicknes diffrent make brass may very and same make may also from lot to lot

 

[YAOG]

Re: First time reloading and issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: chuckshoots</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Hey guys,
I have read a lot from this site and learned a lot and now have a few questions of my own regarding some reloading issues.

So i started off with the redding type s bushing dies (im reloading for 308), and was wondering how, in choosing the appropriate bushing, you establish the diameter to use. The method is to measure a dummy round, but how do you make a dummy round without the bullet gripped properly and such?
When I measured the outside neck diameter I got .345 (Average) with a bullet seated in it but still moveable with finger pressure.

Does this mean .344 or .343 are the proper bushings? Because I ordered them, got the wrong one (i was sent a .315 instead) and so I currently have a .315, .344, and a .343 bushing. When I use the .344 or .343 the bullet still is hardly held at all. So i basically need different bushings, but how can I best determine the necessary diameter?

I of course out of curiosity put in the .315 bushing and ran an extra case through it and the bullet of course was seated and held very firmly when I did that. Would using this one work or is this going to make the grip too firm on the bullet leading to increased pressure? The .315 also stretches the case a lot past the SAAMI max case length standards, so all else aside this is just an inefficient bushing for my purposes?

thanks for any input and help guys

chuck </div></div>

What bushing size you need to use depends on the case neck thickness, what the neck OD is of the fired cases and how much neck "tension" you need. Redding has a very detailed instruction sheet on their website you need to have a look at before you go any farther.

HTH!

 

[shooter.dm]

Re: First time reloading and issues

Well how much tension do you wont on your bullets ?

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: First time reloading and issues

With Lapua brass I use a .335 bushing. Do you not have any factory loaded 308 in the shop? If not, just go down to your favorite gun shop and measure a round.
BTW, .315 is way too much tension and could cause you some serious issues. Do not use that one.

 

[chuckshoots]

Re: First time reloading and issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">With Lapua brass I use a .335 bushing. Do you not have any factory loaded 308 in the shop? If not, just go down to your favorite gun shop and measure a round.
BTW, .315 is way too much tension and could cause you some serious issues. Do not use that one. </div></div>

Yea that is what I figured. I shot all my hornady match ammo, and only have federal match, but the brass is likely different right?

 

[shoot4fun]

Re: First time reloading and issues

I had some factory loads and here is what I measured:

Hornady 168 TAP is .334" loaded; .014" neck thickness.
Federal Gold Medal is .338"; .018"neck.

Measured a fired Lapua case and it was .0165"

 

[chuckshoots]

Re: First time reloading and issues

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: shoot4fun</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had some factory loads and here is what I measured:

Hornady 168 TAP is .334" loaded; .014" neck thickness.
Federal Gold Medal is .338"; .018"neck.

Measured a fired Lapua case and it was .0165"


</div></div>

awesome thanks for the info. i will likely get a few bushings on either side of those numbers and send back what I don't need. thanks guys

 

[BIRDHUNTER]

Re: First time reloading and issues

These will get you started:

Winchester brass- 331
Federal Brass- 336
Lapua brass- 335

I also use a 337 or 338 to step down on the first sizing. Ex. Fired Win. case .343 and sizing to .331, first .337 then final sizing .331. By doing this you'll end up with more consistent neck tension and better concentricity on your loaded rounds.

Hope this helps?

 

[roggom]

Re: First time reloading and issues

Going to need to know which brass you are using, but as you know you must have a loaded round, mic the neck with the bullet properly seated and then subtract .002. The Redding website had conflicting data(.001 and .002) so I emailed them. Here is their response:


<span style="font-style: italic">Good morning,
Both are correct -0.001 is fine is a single loaded rifle with very high quality and consistent brass. We changed the website to -0.002 due to the large numbers of new users of the Type -S dies who may not have the experience and capability to recognize the inherent variations in virtually all lots of brass, especially as it has been made in the past two to three years.


Personally I do -0.002 and run a carbide expander to assure perfect reliability in neck tension


These expanders are -0.0015 under bullet diameter. This process also moves any brass imperfections from inside the case to outside the case.

Robin Sharpless
Executive Vice President
Redding Reloading Equipment
Phone 607-753-3331
Fax 607-756-8445
www.redding-reloading.com</span>


There are guys here that run .003-.006 and higher, but I still cant see the point of running it so high, as the bullet will then expand the neck to a point.

I now use Lapua /178 Amax in my 308 and it measures .338 and I use a .336 I have .335, .336 and .337, and started with a .337 and still could not push the bullet in even pushing the case against my bench with one hand. Just went to .336 per the manufactures recommendation.