Case sizing

A

A_a_ron66

Inactive
Alright so I inherited a bunch of .308 brass that had been being reloaded for an AR-10. I have bolt action. 308s and I found out if I didn't get my CL down to about 2.007 the rounds wouldn't chamber in my guns. The brass is starting out around 2.013 give or take so it's a lot to shave off of each case. I guess my question is why are my bolt actions so much more picky than the semi-automatic ARs in regards to case length?
 
Upon reading your post I pulled out my Sierra book and checked, "Trim to Length: 2.005". Just a question, have you resized those cases yet?
 
Usually, bolt guns have tighter chamber tolerances than semi-autos. This usually results in better accuracy in the bolt gun because of less slop. The additional slop in the semi-auto is intentional so as to improve the reliability if the more rapid feeding of the cartridges.

This response is merely an oversimplified explanation, not intended to be at all comprehensive.
 
I have one 308 currently and had another one (or a barrel by a different mfg)

Both accepted cases out at the 2.015 limit ( a few got upwards of 2.018 before I caught them and no issues.

What brand 308s do you have and as noted in post 2, is that resized.

Something is not right.
 
Your full sizing your brass , then measuring case length? As others have posted the semi chambers are wider so the cases will expand also not just stretch. Keeping your cases trimmed to 2.010 each time would be a good habit to get into . Problem could be base to shoulder length .
 
I don't think you want to just focus on the overall cartridge length which according to SAAMI specifications is 2.015" Max -0.020" so anywhere between 1.995" to 2.015", with a suggested Trim To length of 2.005" or about 0.010" below Maximum. You may also want to look at the distance between the case head and the shoulder datum point which is where the shoulder OD is 0.400". That dimension is 1.634" -0.007".

Normally new unfired ammunition will come in right around 1.628 ~ 1.630" and brass fired or sized for a large chamber may be difficult to chamber in a tight chambered bolt gun. I have that issue with my 308 Winchester bolt gun. The chamber is not as particular about the COAL but is particular about the cartridge distance between case head and the shoulder.

Generally I resize using the die instructions and then trim my brass to suggested trim length. Anyway, it's another dimension you may want to consider.

Ron
 
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While on the topic of 308 cases, i just cleaned and resized some and they were incredibly easy to resize which threw me for a loop. I was using a lee full length sizing die and compared to 223 and pistol cases, it was almost effortless to resize them....

Is this normal for 308 cases? Were they easy to resize because the chamber they were fired in was super tight so they didn't expand as much?
 
Some size easily and some offer more resistance. Depends onthe chamber the cases were fired in. I am still for the most part using some RCBS lube in an aerosol spray can which RCBS quit marketing years ago. The lube you use will also figure into how easy or difficult a case sizes.

Ron
 
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