Can you guys reloading for the AW 308 tell me what kind of measurements you are getting after firing? I am using a hornady headspace gauge and Lapua brass. At a measurement of 1.626 the bolt is fairly stiff to close. Thanks guys
Reloading for AW .308
- Thread starter goatliver
- Start date
Re: Reloading for AW .308
I shoot an AE, but I will tell you that you don't need to do anything special to get great accuracy.
If you want to just bump the shoulder and you don't have a RCBS mic or similar, then you can use a .40S&W case to measure the shoulder of a fired case. Then just set your FL Die to bump the shoulder back .002".
Alternately, you can just size the case a little and then attempt to chamber it. Keep doing that until you find the setting that just a allows the bolt to close smoothly.
I get amazing accuracy from Gold Metal Match. I usually set my dies to match that headspace. This way I can run loads in any of my .308 rifles. I am going to try neck sizing a batch just to see if I get any great accuracy gains.
I shoot an AE, but I will tell you that you don't need to do anything special to get great accuracy.
If you want to just bump the shoulder and you don't have a RCBS mic or similar, then you can use a .40S&W case to measure the shoulder of a fired case. Then just set your FL Die to bump the shoulder back .002".
Alternately, you can just size the case a little and then attempt to chamber it. Keep doing that until you find the setting that just a allows the bolt to close smoothly.
I get amazing accuracy from Gold Metal Match. I usually set my dies to match that headspace. This way I can run loads in any of my .308 rifles. I am going to try neck sizing a batch just to see if I get any great accuracy gains.
Re: Reloading for AW .308
Thanks for the reply. I totally agree with you in regards to the rifle not being fussy. I just want to get as much as i can out of my brass. I anneal after every second firing also. I find pushing the shoulder back 1.5 thou gives me a very light crush fit. I just thought the measurement of 1.626 is on the small side in a nato chamber..... wondering if others are getting similar measurements. Thanks
Thanks for the reply. I totally agree with you in regards to the rifle not being fussy. I just want to get as much as i can out of my brass. I anneal after every second firing also. I find pushing the shoulder back 1.5 thou gives me a very light crush fit. I just thought the measurement of 1.626 is on the small side in a nato chamber..... wondering if others are getting similar measurements. Thanks
Re: Reloading for AW .308
Lonewolf
Ive tried just partial neck sizing with ok results, however i find that full length sizing gives the best accuracy.... under 1/2 moa consistently, sometimes 3/8 moa depending on how i am shooting.
Lonewolf
Ive tried just partial neck sizing with ok results, however i find that full length sizing gives the best accuracy.... under 1/2 moa consistently, sometimes 3/8 moa depending on how i am shooting.
Re: Reloading for AW .308
My advantage is I don't care about my brass. I get free "once fired" so if I only get a couple firings or I loose some, it's no big deal. That's one of the reasons I FL size all of mine.
I am going to experiment with some different techniques just for grins. On my 700 I used a Lee Collette die to neck size with great results. I have not tried it with the AE yet.
I don't have a gauge that would be able to give you comparable measurements. My headspace gauges are all go/no-go.
My advantage is I don't care about my brass. I get free "once fired" so if I only get a couple firings or I loose some, it's no big deal. That's one of the reasons I FL size all of mine.
I am going to experiment with some different techniques just for grins. On my 700 I used a Lee Collette die to neck size with great results. I have not tried it with the AE yet.
I don't have a gauge that would be able to give you comparable measurements. My headspace gauges are all go/no-go.
