Ladder Testing .308 99f

Proofing your loaded ammuntion.
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Re: Ladder Testing .308 99f

Post by GasGuzzler »

That all adds up.
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Re: Ladder Testing .308 99f

Post by Ohio3Wheels »

I had a similar problem years ago with my 6.5-06. FL sized cases (die contact with the shell holder). I didn't have a good way to measure back then so I started backing the die of a half turn at a time until the cases chamber with some effort with a quarter turn back in they chambers and the bolt closed with just a little effort. I disposed of all the cases I had on hand, got 20 new 30-06 sized and loaded and ran them through the gun. After 5 firings I couldn't detect any ridge inside and no bright ring. Not a lot of need for the long range capability here in SW Ohio since civilization has crept into the areas where I used to varmint hunt out to about 400 yards so I don't shoot it as much as I used to.

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Curt.......makin' smoke and raising my carbon foot print one cartridge at a time +guns +guns
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Re: Ladder Testing .308 99f

Post by Macd »

Ohio3Wheels wrote:I had a similar problem years ago with my 6.5-06. FL sized cases (die contact with the shell holder). I didn't have a good way to measure back then so I started backing the die of a half turn at a time until the cases chamber with some effort with a quarter turn back in they chambers and the bolt closed with just a little effort. I disposed of all the cases I had on hand, got 20 new 30-06 sized and loaded and ran them through the gun. After 5 firings I couldn't detect any ridge inside and no bright ring. Not a lot of need for the long range capability here in SW Ohio since civilization has crept into the areas where I used to varmint hunt out to about 400 yards so I don't shoot it as much as I used to.

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Well GS agrees, the chamber is long, just over his match gauge, and the receiver where the breech block locks up is worn which allows some setback when the rifle is fired. The FL Lee die is pushing the shoulder back to minimum SAAMI spec. In his opinion partial sizing brass will extend case life without any safety issues. He also recommends I keep my loads in the lower range. I do this anyways. We discussed taking the barrel down a thread but decided to try the partial resizing first. I have a collet die for .308 and I will also try it to see if the rounds close with only neck sizing.
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Re: Ladder Testing .308 99f

Post by Ranch Dog »

Thanks for the update, makes sense. I have a similar issue, where the collet die with its lack of body sizing would not let the cartridge chamber at the web. Using the Lee Loader die ended up being perfect.
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Re: Ladder Testing .308 99f

Post by Macd »

So I tried 20 cases that had been fired in the rifle and neck sized only. They all fit without noticeable resistance. They all will need trimming and then I will load em up, shoot and see how they extract. I have several hundred .308 cases, most are 1x fired 7.62x51. Of course I can always buy another .308 :D
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