Precision Rifle - Getting started

[leatherneck448]

Thanks for all the replies, the hyperlinks were much appreciated too.

I’m glad someone mentioned comparators as well, I wouldn’t have put those on my list. What combo of dies do you use? Not just brand, but purpose of each. I’ve got a basic understanding of what they do, but that seems to be another “voodoo” subject among the crowd. Would a full length sizer and micrometer seater be enough? Do you guys have a separate die to decap with?

Thanks,
Kenny

[MarkCO]

I use a Lee universal decapping die, then tumble. I have several die brands in the middle, but all of the precision rounds I use a Forster micrometer seating die. Most I use a full length sizing die.

[XC700116]

A FL sizing die and a good seating die are all you NEED, that said I normally decap before tumbling to somewhat clean the primer pockets at the same time as the rest of the brass. However it's not really needed. For that I use a LEE universal decap die but am looking at upgrading that to the Mighty Armory unit as I've been hearing really good things about durability and supposedly works a little better in a Dillon.

I personally like Bushing FL size dies so I can control neck tension. But you may want to learn the craft a bit before going that route. Especially with 308, it's a very non-temperamental cartridge to begin with, typically pretty easy to get really good accuracy out of it and quite frankly, you can blow a lot of money chasing different ideas and learning what does and doesn't work well for you.

[leatherneck448]

Fair enough. For load dev. would it be a good idea to buy in small increments first? (100 bullets, 1lb powder, etc)

That seems like the most logical route. Are different lots of components different enough to the point of being accurate for one and inaccurate for the next in the same rifle? Might be an irrational thought but it’d suck to work up something good and have it backfire when I tried to purchase the same stuff in bulk.

Thanks,
Kenny

[bobbyfairbanks]

Varget will work just buy a 8lb of it

[Tim K]

Varget will work just buy a 8lb of it

Yep, do this. Better yet, buy two jugs of the same lot number. Varget is a "go-to" powder for .308. Save yourself some brain damage as a beginner and run Varget and your SMKs. Then the only variables are charge weight and seating depth.

[Irving]

100 bullets ought to be enough to let you test 10 different weights of powder charge. 20 if you think you can determine with only 5 round groups.

[XC700116]

No you won't see that much variation in Lots, you may have to tweak powder charge a touch, from one lot to the next to produce the same velocities, but by and large that's about it.

As for Powder just ask Hoser, for 308, load Varget if you can find it, if you can't find it, find someone to steal it from hahahaha. It is flat out the go to powder for 308, buy a bunch with confidence that way if things go sideways again, you are still sitting pretty.

Bullets, if you want to test a few then yes, I'd buy by the 100 and test them find what flys best and has the best downrange numbers and then buy enough to last the rest of the life of the barrel along with enough Varget and Primers, that way you won't have to tweak your load due to the lot consistency thing.

As for what you should test, that's up to you, but I'll give you some suggestions. From what I've seen and been around 308's perform best with either 175's and heavier, or 155's If your barrel is long and fast enough to get them up to right about 2900 fps, if not then you might as well just slow roll the 175's and get the big BC number (or even 185 Juggernauts) Like I said before, your rifle shoots damn good with the FGGM 175 so I'd be tempted to try and just replicate that load and maybe tweak it a touch to get the most out of it (Same bullet at close to or the same velocity).

You've got brass covered for now and depending on how much of it you have you should be fine, if you start losing it or it starts getting beat up. Start buying Lapua brass to replace it with. It's worth the extra $$

Primers, IF you can find them I'd go with Federal Large Rifle Match, but good luck with that, it's typically not easy to find them. If not just go to CCI 200's and call it a day.

[Delfuego]

Why buy 8lbs, when you can buy 16?

I have an almost full box of 175's if you want it. I have some 308 dies you can have to play with too.

[bobbyfairbanks]

I load 99% of my precision ammo on a tweaked Dillon 550

What are you tweaking on your 550. Floating toolheads and ?