Reloading .308

[EscapeVelocity]

Just was curious (as I dont reload yet but plan on it soon) on experience reloading Fderal brass? I have been shooting the factory Federal GMM 168's and didnt know how many reloads on average (if any from what I have read) you get per case. I may just start shooting factory Hornady if this is better?

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Reloading .308

Federal brass is notoriously soft, i had about 200 pieces of 1x fired and of that i loaded about 40 of them until they failed, i may be running a little hotter load, but i got about 4 reloads out of them before they started to crack. Hornady brass in my opinion isnt much better, id run Black Hills factory ammo and save the Winchester brass from it

 

[sniperdude]

Re: Reloading .308

I have got about 4 to 7 reloads on fed brass, if your getting the brass from factory ammo that your using is fine , but I wouldnt purchase that brass anymore. I like nosler . lapua and norma

 

[ORD]

Re: Reloading .308

I'd say 4-5x relaods would be about par, depending on the loads you are running and whether you are using them in a bolt gun or a gas gun.

As for Hornady...my experience is that it will hold up about the same as Federal or maybe a little better, BUT, I have also found that Hornady brass is not as consistent as the Federal.

Lapua is more or less the gold standard for consistent/uniform, reliable, long-lasting brass. I only have about 100 rounds of it that I have not reloaded yet, but I know people who are very pleased with it and have gotten up to a dozen reloads out of Lapua 308 brass. The only problem is the price which is significantly more than other brands! (But...you have to consider the value for your dollar too)!

 

[Strangedays]

Re: Reloading .308

I like to use the Black Hills Match brass.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: Reloading .308

I use Fed because I get it free.

I have quite a bit right now so none of it has more than 2 reloads on it.

For my "match" loads I use Winchester brass that I fully prep.

The Federal is nice because if I loose a few I don't care.

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: Reloading .308

I have been using Hornady brass with real good results. I full length size and after I get them trimmed and prepped. I tumble them and my load is BR2 primers / 44.5gr's rl-15/ 178gr amax. I have some on the 5th or 6th loading and they show no sign of damage that I can find. The load shots around a .6 moa at 300 yards regularly. I don't weight my cases but I do keep the lot#'s together. I have about 800 or so cases of them buyt after there gone I will be upgrading to Lapua brass.

I fell if you prep all your brass the same keep the lots together, keep the charge weight the same from round to round you should have a decent load. But you must first find the load your rifle likes with what you have to work with.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Reloading .308

Lapua, Nosler, and Winchester is what I get the most reloads out of. Like most people as above I get an average of 5 reloads out of Federal.

 

[EscapeVelocity]

Re: Reloading .308

Thanks for the advice guys, as I said I will be reloading as soon as I can buy the equipment (and read, read, read on reloading). I think I will switch factory ammo in the meantime, which brings an unrelated question, what factory loads would you run in the meatime for quality brass? I know this depends of my rifle (which is a stock 700p, .308, 1/12). I like the 168's because im not shooting too far, 800 yards and less. I just have not explored anything out of the realm of Federal, Hornady, or Black Hills. I may just have to settle until I start buying brass to reload. Any general suggestions would be great.


Chris

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Reloading .308

If you choose the better grades of the three names you mentioned, you should have some decent shots. I have had good luck with all three of them.

 

[PeterN]

Re: Reloading .308

I bought a case (500) of Fed 168 GMM and decided to reload only after I had fired most of it. Since it was all fired in the same gun I am neck sizing only and working through all 500.The case fit is good and I am getting a !/4 MOA improvement at 600 yd over the original factory loads, If i can get a total of 3 reloads from this Fed brass I figure I will have 2000 shots and will be happy. I hope never to have to full length size.

 

[JSFG]

Re: Reloading .308

I want to encourage everyone who hates Federal brass to send it to me. I'll even pay the shipping.

Using a bolt gun I get 5 to 7 reloads with full length sizing and case trimming after 3 loads. (168 SMK, 42.5 gr H335, F210 or BR2 primer)

A lot of prep work is required and occassionally I get casing that just won't size right (which I haven't figured out.)

 

[MitchAlsup]

Re: Reloading .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: strangedays</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I like to use the Black Hills Match brass. </div></div>

Which is Win brass.

 

[Stone842]

Re: Reloading .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeterN</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bought a case (500) of Fed 168 GMM and decided to reload only after I had fired most of it. Since it was all fired in the same gun I am neck sizing only and working through all 500.The case fit is good and I am getting a !/4 MOA improvement at 600 yd over the original factory loads, If i can get a total of 3 reloads from this Fed brass I figure I will have 2000 shots and will be happy. <span style="text-decoration: underline">I hope never to have to full length size</span>. </div></div>

Just a heads up. I have tried to NS-only with Fed brass. After the first NS reload of a 1X fired Fed brass, everything was great. Then I NS again the same batch of 100 previously NS Fed brass (now 2x fired). All the round chambered properly. But, I was getting really sticky bolts w/ ejector marks about 9 out of 10 of these reloads. So I Had to pull apart about 70+ rounds

.

I did the same with Win brass, to NS twice in a role on the 2nd and 3rd firing. No Problem. I will probably FL for the 4th firing.

 

[maddawg]

Re: Reloading .308

Hey6
Well I use Federal brass for weaker ones like the 303 british with great sucess... however I use winchester for 308, 3006, 375 H & H etc

 

[maddawg]

Re: Reloading .308

Hey6
Well I use Federal brass for weaker ones like the 303 british with great success... however I use winchester for 308, 3006, 375 H & H etc

 

[PeterN]

Re: Reloading .308

Thanks for the heads up. I hope I have the same success you have had through the first 500. When I get to 2x I will try small sample of NS along with some FLS and see what happens.