str8shuutr45 Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 Decided to start .308 reloading in the new year (I have been loading 45acp, 9mm, and 5.56/223 on a Dillon 550 for a long time). I have a Gracey Trimmer and will get the parts for the Dillon, as well as dies, and an RCBS Precision Mic. My dilemma is what bullet weight(s) to load up. My main 308 is a DPMS LR308 MK12. I can't decide on 155 or 168. I really don't want to perform too much trial and error since components are hard to find. I'd like to settle on a bullet weight and find a good couple of loads and shoot. I'd rather fart around with powder than bullets. My range limits me to 200 yards although they are working on a 1000 yd range. So for now, I'll shoot between 100 and 200 yds. Also, I've been reading about a small base die. I don't use one now for my 5.56/223 loads. Is a SB die recommended? So there you have it...let me have it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EasyEJL Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 with the 1:10 twist rate, the heavier the better i'd say Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 No real need for the SB sizing die , unless you load your ammo for different 308 rifles , as I do & I use SB for both 308 & 223. I have had some ammo loaded for my 5.56 with FL die that showed some better grouping , but I only have the SB sizing die for the 308 , so I can't compare the 308's , yet. I'm looking at die sets now , looking into a match set. Sorry to say it , but you will have to shoot your choice of bullets to see which your barrel will like . I like the 168 any thing for both of my AR's but they shoot the Mil spec Ball fodder pretty good also,but no where near what the 168 SMK"s to Hornady Match will do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 My DPMS barrels like the 150 to 168gr projo's. The 24" likes the 168gr Hornady Match bthp and Sierra Matchking 168gr hpbt over all other bullets. They group better than the 175gr projo's. For powders Hodgdon Varget and IMR 4064. I have Lee and Rcbs 308 FL dies with Factory Crimp Die they work great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnatshooter Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 I can't lay claim to any personal experience other than reading lots and lots on .308s wherever I can find it, and it seems more people/rifles like 168 grain projectiles than anything else. Like maybe that should be a standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted January 7, 2014 Report Share Posted January 7, 2014 (edited) Would also depend on , if your hunting with a 308 . I might be more inclined to use a 150"s gr. class of bullet. Long range hunting may even go heavier than 168 gr., hard to say with out testing with the rifle. That's what makes reloading such fun , all the variables & choices you have to set a caliber up to work in your firearm. Edited January 8, 2014 by survivalshop Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibiwan Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 (edited) Started reloading not too long ago. I've used 175 SMK's and Barnes Matchburners (175gr) with IMR-4064 with good results. No need for SB dies though. I use full length Hornady die sets and Lee die sets (I like their factory crimp dies). The Hornady has a better elliptical sizer/punch assembly, and was much easier to use than the Lee dies. Edited January 8, 2014 by shibiwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 As for hunting bullets , sierra gameking 165gr hpbt are one of the best out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dane Armory Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Here are some 165gr Sierra Gamekings on top of 300WSM cartridges. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
str8shuutr45 Posted January 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 Thanks all - was able to pick up a used set of Dillon dies, tool head and conversion kit for my 550. I picked up 100 each Hornady 155 gr HPBT and 168 gr AMax bullets, 1# ea IMR 4064 and H322 powder, and 500 WLR primers (limit 500) at my local dealer (the choices were slim). I did find a RCBS precision mic sitting on the shelf; had to pick that puppy up since I don't think I can reload without my .223 version. The only other items I am getting is a Lee Factory crimp die and a universal decapping die. I like to size my cases after I clean them in a separate tool head, trim to length, tumble again to get the lube off, and then run through my 550 process. With the universal decapping die in place of the sizing die, I can keep the loading process as progressive as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
392heminut Posted January 8, 2014 Report Share Posted January 8, 2014 I like to size my cases after I clean them in a separate tool head, trim to length, tumble again to get the lube off, and then run through my 550 process. With the universal decapping die in place of the sizing die, I can keep the loading process as progressive as possible. I do it the same way. That has worked really well for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darb Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Thanks all - was able to pick up a used set of Dillon dies, tool head and conversion kit for my 550. I picked up 100 each Hornady 155 gr HPBT and 168 gr AMax bullets, 1# ea IMR 4064 and H322 powder, and 500 WLR primers (limit 500) at my local dealer (the choices were slim). I did find a RCBS precision mic sitting on the shelf; had to pick that puppy up since I don't think I can reload without my .223 version. The only other items I am getting is a Lee Factory crimp die and a universal decapping die. I like to size my cases after I clean them in a separate tool head, trim to length, tumble again to get the lube off, and then run through my 550 process. With the universal decapping die in place of the sizing die, I can keep the loading process as progressive as possible. question: you tumble again after you size, so there is not any irregularities in the brass when you seat? I have collected all the reloading equipment over the past 6 months and am almost finished with my reloading room. I have never reloaded, so please excuse my ignorance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 I think to remove excess lube but never forget the lube in the first step!! I just dry mine in a towel :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripledeuce Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 How much 4064 are you using with the 168's???? Thanks Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sketch Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 My book starts at 42.-46. Gn 2479-2724 mzl vel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripledeuce Posted January 24, 2014 Report Share Posted January 24, 2014 Ya, I'v got all the books. Just hoping someone had a real tack driver load. Thanks Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magwa Posted January 25, 2014 Report Share Posted January 25, 2014 Each gun will like a slightly different variation of the same load.... just start low and work up shooting each time you will find the sweet spot for your gun ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
str8shuutr45 Posted January 27, 2014 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 question: you tumble again after you size, so there is not any irregularities in the brass when you seat? I have collected all the reloading equipment over the past 6 months and am almost finished with my reloading room. I have never reloaded, so please excuse my ignorance I like using the progressive function of my 550. Since I also reload pistol cartridges on my press, I have built in muscle memory for the process. When I initially started reloading rifles, I tried keeping the seating die in place with the powder, bullet seating, and crimp die. The problem occurred after I full length sized the brass. Since the brass needed to be trimmed, I had to trim the cases and run them through the reloading process which meant through the sizing die to prime the case. After a few I also noticed the lube was inside the case neck and really not working well. After some phone consulting with some friends and a person at Dillon, it was suggested that I place the sizing die in a separate tool head, size, de-cap, clean the flash hole, trim and re-tumble to get the lube off the cases. The same person suggested that I place a universal de-capping die in station #1 on the tool head of my 550 and use it clear the flash hole of any media and to utilize the same reloading flow as I am used to e.g. size & de-cap, prime, drop powder, seat bullet, crimp, begin again. This process only works on progressive presses with 4 stations and interchangeable tool heads like the Dillon. If you are thinking of using a single stage or a progressive without interchangeable tool heads, you will need to tailor your reloading process. I hope this helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shibiwan Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Ya, I'v got all the books. Just hoping someone had a real tack driver load. Thanks Terry The FGMM 175 SMK uses 42.5 GR of IMR-4064 and those are super consistent. For 168gr you should be able to up the charge by 0.5gr.By careful hand loading, you should hopefully be able to match or even exceed that consistency. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripledeuce Posted January 27, 2014 Report Share Posted January 27, 2014 Thanks Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medic83 Posted February 2, 2014 Report Share Posted February 2, 2014 I read that fgmm used 175 sierra hpbt with 4064 loaded at 41.75 g. 2.80 COL. I have had great success out to 750 yards with those as I load mine to those specs. I'm shooting ar 308, 18.5 barrel 1:10 twist. I notice I'm going up about .3-.4 mils more than my buddy with a bolt gun 20" barrel 1:10 twist. He's shooting factory fgmm 175. Should I go up to 42. Gr??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
survivalshop Posted February 3, 2014 Report Share Posted February 3, 2014 You can experiment with in limits . If you start showing signs of over pressure , back off , add a little at a time & see how they do . All barrels & chambers are different , so one shooting differently than another is normal . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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