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9/30/2013 5:42:43 PM EDT
So I'm looking at reloading for a .308 gas gun.  I would like to improve accuracy beyond what Federal Gold Medal Match gives me.  I'm doing pretty well on rounding up the equipment and working up to the proper load, but am having a little trouble figuring out what to do for the full length sizing of the brass.  Here is my plan

Lapua 308 Brass
Full Length Resize (What die would be best for this?)
Trim cases to same overall length
chamfer
Expand necks with K&M neck expander tool
Turn the necks with K&M neck turner?
Size necks with neck sizing die
.... the rest is pretty straight forward

I know since I'm using a semi-auto I need to full length resize every time, but I want to minimize overworking the brass and I also want to get better neck concentricity and that is why I would prefer to use the K&N vs. the usual expander ball in a resizing die.  I was just going to get a Dillon 308 die set and just remove the ball, but is there something else that would suit me better?  Also, are the better seating dies than the std. Dillon seating die that might help minimize runout?

It is also my understanding that I only need to turn the necks once when the case are new correct?  After that every time I reload I just do a full length resize, trim length, chamfer, and expand?
9/30/2013 6:06:34 PM EDT
[#1]
Quoted:
So I'm looking at reloading for a .308 gas gun. I would like to improve accuracy beyond what Federal Gold Medal Match gives me.
~ snip ~
View Quote


What bullet weights, velocities and size groups are you getting now - with FGMM?
9/30/2013 6:13:15 PM EDT
[#2]
0.6 to 0.75 MOA pretty easily with 175gr.  I'm not sure what velocity I'm getting with them out of an 18" barrel.
9/30/2013 6:21:37 PM EDT
[#3]
The techniques you are planning are better suited to bolt actions then for a "Gas" gun.  

The best way I have found to minimize Run-out is to FL size the body only with the Redding "Body" die.  Then size the neck with the Lee Collet die.  Very concentric brass with little effort and no neck turning.

Then seat with a good Competition seating die.  I happen to like the Forster BR seating dies.
9/30/2013 7:17:00 PM EDT
[#4]
Sorry this does not help answer your question but I was wondering what rifle you are shooting with? Those groups seem pretty good for a semi auto 308 already.
10/1/2013 3:07:32 PM EDT
[#5]
Yes, but federal gold is expensive and I think I can do better.
10/1/2013 3:16:12 PM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
Yes, but federal gold is expensive and I think I can do better.
View Quote


Yes, I think you can do better with your handloads as well, even without the "neck turning"  etc.
10/1/2013 4:48:07 PM EDT
[#7]
Full length size
Trim on giraud
Uniform primer pocket and flash hole

Load ladders
Use a chargemaster
Seat on a rigid press

I have had best luck with 175s using 8208 at max loads in my gas guns.
10/1/2013 4:49:37 PM EDT
[#8]
Also lapua brass isn't really going to give you any big improvement. I think it's a waste in gas guns as full length sizing will wear them out the same as any other brand. Save the lapua for 20 reloads in your bolt gun.
10/1/2013 5:54:59 PM EDT
[#9]
Well maybe I'll just start with this forester die.

http://www.forsterproducts.com/catalog.asp?prodid=701138&showprevnext=1

Seems to have gotten good reviews on Midways website.
10/1/2013 8:14:39 PM EDT
[#10]
Neck turning is a waste of time and money unless you have a custom, tight-necked (benchrest) chamber.  This is especially true if you are using Lapua brass.

10/2/2013 2:41:38 PM EDT
[#11]
Ok I'll pass on the neck turning ordeal and just use a full length sizing die and expander.
10/2/2013 7:15:27 PM EDT
[#12]
Lapua brass is a waste of money for a gas gun. Use the brass you have from the fgmm. You will tear up the case rim and chew up the brass with a semi. If you want good brass for a semi, look on the EE for someone selling
LC brass. It will stand up better to the hell you will put it through.  
Make sure you get a Lee factory crimp die, or your seating die crimps. The crimp is needed so you don't get bullet setback in a semi.
10/4/2013 11:00:31 AM EDT
[#13]
"Better than FGMM" use in gas guns is not a goal I would subscribe to.  Maybe get a .308 sniper rated bolt gun (sst bull bbl, etc.) to start a quest of  "better than FGMM".  

[eta] I was not able to size the 1X cases small enough, even with my RCBS SB FL die, because the FGMM case has a slightly smaller diameter along the body.  Federal makes their FGMM to work in all guns including those with tight chambers.
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