First time loader. Asking the experienced loaders to check my numbers and let me know if there is anything amiss. Loading for my LaRue 308, 18", 1:10. Loaded up 15 rounds. LC M118 LR Brass, CCI 200, H4895 and 168 gr SMK.
Measured a bunch of fired LC M118LR that I shot a few months ago and headspace measured 1.626. The total range was 1.6255 to 1.6275.
Redding 3-die set. FL resized bumping shoulder back .003. Most all ended up right at 1.623" but a couple were under and a couple were over by .0005". Brass OAL measured between 2.001 and 2.005" with 90% either 2.002 or 2.003 so I didn't trim. I did put a very slight neck chamfer.
Hornady OAL gage says Shortest was 2.870 and longest was 2.8725 over 6-7 measurements. Calling it 2.871. However this is easily 20 thou longer than mag will hold. I decided to shoot for 2.850". Two dummy rounds that ended up 2.848 and 2.850. However, head to Ogive was 2.259" on both rounds. I also loaded the dummy rounds in the mag and verified that both would cycle through my rifle.
Powdering It: Hodgdon H4895 and 168 gr SMK's
Hodgdon web site, selected 308 service rifle, says starting load is 41gr of H4895 and 42.3 gr is max load.
Starting 1.0 grain lower than the listed starting load, I loaded 3 rounds at each of the following weights 40.0 gr, 40.5, 41.0, 41.5 and 42.0.
Weighting powder: ChargeMaster lite set to 0.2 gr low and used a pick to push one or two kernels at a time into the pan until it rolled over to the listed weights. The powder filled the cases up to the shoulder area but not quite up to the neck so definitely not compressed. I have about .200" of bearing surface in the neck.
Questions? Any issues with any of my numbers and Should I load a few more at an even lower powder weight to start. Say 39.0 and 39.5grains?
Thank you,
L_S
Measured a bunch of fired LC M118LR that I shot a few months ago and headspace measured 1.626. The total range was 1.6255 to 1.6275.
Redding 3-die set. FL resized bumping shoulder back .003. Most all ended up right at 1.623" but a couple were under and a couple were over by .0005". Brass OAL measured between 2.001 and 2.005" with 90% either 2.002 or 2.003 so I didn't trim. I did put a very slight neck chamfer.
Hornady OAL gage says Shortest was 2.870 and longest was 2.8725 over 6-7 measurements. Calling it 2.871. However this is easily 20 thou longer than mag will hold. I decided to shoot for 2.850". Two dummy rounds that ended up 2.848 and 2.850. However, head to Ogive was 2.259" on both rounds. I also loaded the dummy rounds in the mag and verified that both would cycle through my rifle.
Powdering It: Hodgdon H4895 and 168 gr SMK's
Hodgdon web site, selected 308 service rifle, says starting load is 41gr of H4895 and 42.3 gr is max load.
Starting 1.0 grain lower than the listed starting load, I loaded 3 rounds at each of the following weights 40.0 gr, 40.5, 41.0, 41.5 and 42.0.
Weighting powder: ChargeMaster lite set to 0.2 gr low and used a pick to push one or two kernels at a time into the pan until it rolled over to the listed weights. The powder filled the cases up to the shoulder area but not quite up to the neck so definitely not compressed. I have about .200" of bearing surface in the neck.
Questions? Any issues with any of my numbers and Should I load a few more at an even lower powder weight to start. Say 39.0 and 39.5grains?
Thank you,
L_S
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