james heathcock

Hello everyone, sorta got the horse in front of the cart and made a few posts before my introduction sorry about that. I was doing some research into .308 gas operated rifles and one of the links I clicked on directed me here. Lots of experience here in many different areas, so I'm looking forward to being educated in the platform. My experience is in bolt action rifles, and the M4 all civilian uses. I want to thank all of you here who has Served Our Country and those who are currently in service! I have been in concrete construction for over 40 years and for the last 5 years operating heavy equipment. Have had many passions in my lifetime but none lasting as long as the shooting sports which has landed me here. I'm smart enough to know what I don't know so I bought my .308 completed, doubt if I will ever build a carbine length or rifle length platform. Totally different beast and I'm learning as much as I can to safely load for and enjoy this new addition to my safe.

i recently bought a rifle length gas .308 and noticed how hard the BCG was hitting the buffer so I ordered a heavier buffer and tried it out. I didn't give the manufacturer the correct information needed, think I told him it was carbine length. As you can already see clearly I'm at the bottom of the learning curve so any input, suggestions, critics would be much appreciated. Have not handled or fired the SFAR but after doing research on this site I read some on breaking in bolts and carriers not saying that is an issue with SFAR but it seemed to be with my rifle. When I first started doing load work up for my rifle I got to 2600 fps mv with 150gr plinkers and started getting flat primers and stopped there, got decent accuracy but was thinking that was the beginning of high pressure signs. After 400 rounds or so I started gradually increasing my powder charge and changing my habits a little. Either I'm getting used to the cycling of the rifle or the rifle has been broke in? Whatever the case I'm up to a hotter load and more accurate load still seeing flat primers but no shiny spots. I'm by no means implying anything with the post 99airforce posed, just commenting on my own experiences so far. I am still considering a SLR adjustable gas block after I get some more time in with rifle and get my suppressor out of jail will see then.

I know this is a older thread but will add my experience with the Hornady FMJ BTHP with cann 3037. For the money in my opinion it's very good range ammo, I was able to shoot sub-moa at 100 yards with BLC2. I've ran them out to 800 yards on steel with better than expected results, at 600 yards on paper guessing 1.5 moa that's not to shabby for a plinker type bullet. I'm shooting a very conservative load @ 2600 mv, I'm in the process of increasing my mv right now have switched to LC brass and W748 have been getting better results haven't set my lab radar up yet so I have no idea where I'm at on my mv. I will continue to buy the Hornady 150 but also look forward to shooting a little heavier bullet 168 and 175 maybe to bring those groups in at 600.

I will definitely make that adjustment next round of brass I size. Yes just have one gas .308, just tried the Lee die doesn't seem like it's gonna feed so guess I will just plan on sizing with sb dies. Thanks for the tips

I did try to size with my Redding type s full length die would not feed properly. So started using SB die and no problems, my redding dies are mainly for my FTR rifles and to be honest didn't really want to use those dies for my AR10. I might be wrong but I set my shoulder bump for my gas gun at .005 my bolt guns .002. I have a set of Lee dies that aren't dedicated to any rifle yet might give them a shot, wouldn't think .003 difference could make a difference but will find out. Thanks for the reply's will update.

Thanks for the reply's no big issue using SB dies just curious. I didn't mention on my earlier post I chose to size on my single stage press rather than sizing on my progressive press, has nothing to do with my post just thought I would throw that in the mix the rest of the process is completed on my Dillon. Think for what it's worth I'll call and see if manufacturer could email reamer print. Another learning curve is loading LC once fired brass, during initial load development I had to settle on a very conservative charge with lapua palma brass now with LC it's even more conservative. I'm in the process currently of load development with the LC brass and two different bullets, the 150 fmj hornady and 168 sierra match king. Have no regrets backing off on powder charges "more bang for the buck". The original load development I did with lapua brass yielded very good accuracy out to 800 yards, I expect no problems duplicating these results with lake city. Thanks again for the reply's.

Hello all, first time poster here from southern New Mexico. I recently purchased my first AR10 very pleased with it, great shooting rifle length gas gun. Have been reloading for over 10 years for mainly .308's and several AR15's not to mention hunting rifles. I've always had to use SB dies for the for the AR's including my AR10 which is no problem. But I've read other posts on various sites where other individuals were able to load with regular dies? When ordering extra tool head, powder hoppers and all the things needed to load on my Dillon 750 I asked the representative with Dillon when it came to dies if I needed SB dies his reply was no. Well I did need them rounds would not properly chamber so I started sizing with SB dies. My question is it a "tight chamber" or what. I started to ask manufacturer of rifle to send me reamer print, I normally order or at least look at prints before I order reamer for my bolt gun builds. But just curious why some can get by with their match die and some can't really the only thing I'm missing out on is the bushing for the neck. Never to old to learn! Thanks James