Thread: 7mm08 reloading

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Yep, Federal sucks, necks split easy (even with annealing) and the flash holes and primers pockets are a mess.
But for shoot it once and not caring in a semi, its an okay option.

Federal Primer pockets, yes I got given a load of once fired brass for the 223 ( Im a bit of a squirrel for brass). Repriming the federal, excessive resistance was experienced, remove the case and it looks like the pocket has been shimmed? with copper and was off centre. Look at all the others they are the same so I bin the lot.
Having said the the factory ammunition is pretty good but I agree the brass is only designed for one trip.

Hi Antony
I've worked up to 44gr of 2208 in my 7mm08. its averaging 3058 fps. and luckily gave the best group.
I've got a weatherby mk v ultralight. no pressure signs which is good.
I did to 44.5 which gave it another 30fps but 44 seems good for now.

Cheers
Dan

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Federal Primer pockets, yes I got given a load of once fired brass for the 223 ( Im a bit of a squirrel for brass). Repriming the federal, excessive resistance was experienced, remove the case and it looks like the pocket has been shimmed? with copper and was off centre. Look at all the others they are the same so I bin the lot.
Having said the the factory ammunition is pretty good but I agree the brass is only designed for one trip.

Have you had problems with loose primer pockets with the federal brass as well

Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Federal Primer pockets, yes I got given a load of once fired brass for the 223 ( Im a bit of a squirrel for brass). Repriming the federal, excessive resistance was experienced, remove the case and it looks like the pocket has been shimmed? with copper and was off centre. Look at all the others they are the same so I bin the lot.
Having said the the factory ammunition is pretty good but I agree the brass is only designed for one trip.

I had some hornady 308 brass from some factory superformace ammo and the primers had been 'crimped'?? in...... just gave them a strum up with the case deburrer and that took care of that

A lot of ammo manufacturers crimp .223 and .308 it's required for any military contracts they get, I have seen Federal .223 with glued in primers it's a blue colour is just as
hard to deprime as crimped cases

Full length resize your brass according to your particular die instructions every brand is set up slightly different
Clean primer pockets with a primer pocket cleaning tool 10 bucks ish from gun shop

Seat new primers make sure they are seated flush or very slightly below the rim of the case you don’t want them protruding
Pick a load of powder 1/2 way between min and max is a good safe bet if you just want to have a play for now
Put a change of powder in your cases
Set up seating die according to instructions and seat bullets so they will just fit in the magazine without jamming this is best done by loading a dummy round 1st no power or primer just size the case and seat the bullet
Close the bolt to check if it chambers nicely
If it does your good to seat your projectiles into your live ammo
If id doesn’t you ether have your bullet seated to long (there will be marks on the projectile from the rifleing if this is the case)

Or you haven’t sized your brass correctly
That’s about the most Rudimentary prosess and can be done with only the most basic of Equipment once you have done this a couple of times you will then be confident enough to start being more precision and fiddling with bits and pieces to make your ammunition better and better
A reloader never stops learning new stuff but start basic and work on it