.308 WIN. Reloads Problem

Edward429451 · November 1, 2001, 01:07 AM

I've been reloading 308's for about a year. My reloads work flawlessly in my M1A. Loaded on a 550B with Dillon dies. I go by Lymans 47th for loads and specs.

A friend bought a Savage 110 in 308 and we found that my reloads wont chamber in his rifle. Too tight. I measured all the case dimensions per Lymans and everything seems to be to specs, case length, cartridge OAL, case width at neck and body, etc., all measurements were either exactly what the manuel said or less. I needed to know if it was the gun or the ammo so I had another friend bring over yet another 308, a Remington and the reloads wont chamber in his either.

Yet another friend with another M1A, ammo chambers fine in. So the reloads work fine in two M1A's, and not in two different brands of bolt actions, (and does work in another Remington bolt that my son owns, who knows why?!).

Very bizzare, any help?

KP95DAO · November 1, 2001, 01:26 AM

I thought that we had already answered your questions.

Edward429451 · November 1, 2001, 01:33 AM

Not about this, you must be remembering my cast lead problems in my G21 I was having awhile back. Solved that one.

Fred S · November 1, 2001, 07:05 AM

Edward:

I had the same problem with my .308 loads. They would work great in my M1A but would not chamber in my Winchester Model 70. Military 7.62x51 mm chambers are not as tight as civilian hunting rifle .308s which are made to SAMMI specs. For my ammo, after a close inspection, the necks were not being formed properly due to not having the sizing die down far enough on the press, so the base of the neck was starting to form out into the shoulder a tad bit too soon making the base of the neck just too large to fit into the tight model 70. I fixed this by turning down the sizing die 1/2 turn until I started getting the proper formation of the neck and shoulder. The rounds now chamber fine in my Model 70. I use dillon .308 dies on a 550B.

Fred

KP95DAO · November 1, 2001, 08:50 AM

You're right, it wasn't you. Look on page two for the thread by Yankytrash. It deals with the exact same problem.

Bottom Gun · November 1, 2001, 11:01 AM

Ed,

Is your sizing die touching the shell plate on the downstroke?

BG

El Rojo · November 1, 2001, 01:18 PM

Fred S knows what he is talking about. I had not brought the sizer down far enough and they would chamber in the M1A but not the Rem 700 VS. Brought the die down and now it works great. Don't worry, this is easily fixed.

Edward429451 · November 1, 2001, 09:47 PM

BULLSEYE! That was the problem. The rounds chamber like glass in all different rifles now.

I had set the sizer to touch the shellholder, and I'm guessing that when the press was under load with a case in it that it wasnt letting it go the full stroke to set back the shoulder?

I reset the sizer to touch the shellholder plus an additional 1/2 turn, and now they're fine. You guys were right on the money, thanks loads!

(And I thought the real problem was that they hadnt bought M1A's!)

Fred S · November 1, 2001, 10:27 PM

Edward:

Glad to be of service.

Take care,

Fred

November 1, 2001, 01:07 AM	#1
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	.308 WIN. Reloads Problem I've been reloading 308's for about a year. My reloads work flawlessly in my M1A. Loaded on a 550B with Dillon dies. I go by Lymans 47th for loads and specs. A friend bought a Savage 110 in 308 and we found that my reloads wont chamber in his rifle. Too tight. I measured all the case dimensions per Lymans and everything seems to be to specs, case length, cartridge OAL, case width at neck and body, etc., all measurements were either exactly what the manuel said or less. I needed to know if it was the gun or the ammo so I had another friend bring over yet another 308, a Remington and the reloads wont chamber in his either. Yet another friend with another M1A, ammo chambers fine in. So the reloads work fine in two M1A's, and not in two different brands of bolt actions, (and does work in another Remington bolt that my son owns, who knows why?!). Very bizzare, any help?

November 1, 2001, 07:05 AM	#4
Fred S Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Location: New Baltimore, MI Posts: 569	Edward: I had the same problem with my .308 loads. They would work great in my M1A but would not chamber in my Winchester Model 70. Military 7.62x51 mm chambers are not as tight as civilian hunting rifle .308s which are made to SAMMI specs. For my ammo, after a close inspection, the necks were not being formed properly due to not having the sizing die down far enough on the press, so the base of the neck was starting to form out into the shoulder a tad bit too soon making the base of the neck just too large to fit into the tight model 70. I fixed this by turning down the sizing die 1/2 turn until I started getting the proper formation of the neck and shoulder. The rounds now chamber fine in my Model 70. I use dillon .308 dies on a 550B. Fred __________________ Fred S GO ARMY

November 1, 2001, 01:18 PM	#7
El Rojo Senior Member Join Date: February 4, 2000 Location: People's Republik of Kalifornia Posts: 2,057	I ahd the same exact problem. Fred S knows what he is talking about. I had not brought the sizer down far enough and they would chamber in the M1A but not the Rem 700 VS. Brought the die down and now it works great. Don't worry, this is easily fixed. __________________ Get Some!

November 1, 2001, 10:27 PM	#9
Fred S Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 1999 Location: New Baltimore, MI Posts: 569	Edward: Glad to be of service. Take care, Fred __________________ Fred S GO ARMY

November 1, 2001, 01:26 AM	#2
KP95DAO Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2000 Posts: 699	I thought that we had already answered your questions.

November 1, 2001, 01:33 AM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	Not about this, you must be remembering my cast lead problems in my G21 I was having awhile back. Solved that one.

November 1, 2001, 08:50 AM	#5
KP95DAO Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2000 Posts: 699	You're right, it wasn't you. Look on page two for the thread by Yankytrash. It deals with the exact same problem.

November 1, 2001, 11:01 AM	#6
Bottom Gun Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 1998 Location: Arizona Territory Posts: 1,092	Ed, Is your sizing die touching the shell plate on the downstroke? BG

November 1, 2001, 09:47 PM	#8
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	BULLSEYE! That was the problem. The rounds chamber like glass in all different rifles now. I had set the sizer to touch the shellholder, and I'm guessing that when the press was under load with a case in it that it wasnt letting it go the full stroke to set back the shoulder? I reset the sizer to touch the shellholder plus an additional 1/2 turn, and now they're fine. You guys were right on the money, thanks loads! (And I thought the real problem was that they hadnt bought M1A's!)