Reloading for dummies question.

[Stoof]

So I am almost there. Just lacking a good scale before I can start full production.
But. I read to much and tend to over think things.
If I am working up a load for my .308 doing a ladder test I will use the same manufacture of brass.
This is what I have primed so far. (Thanks JP8)

How much will different brass affect POI at shorter distances? 200-300 yards?
Should I just figure out what bullets and grains of powder the gun likes and not sweat the brass as long as it is trimmed consistently.
Thanks for your patience and understanding.

[mavrick]

Us that Federal brass, you have enough to work up loads. The problem with using different brass is the volumn of the brass. You may get pressure signs with the same load in different brass brands.

The necks on the federal brass will crack just before the primer pocket get too loose to hold the primer (after 4 or 5 loadings). If you change brass brands drop your max a little and work the load back up using that brand.

[LWD]

Us that Federal brass, you have enough to work up loads. The problem with using different brass is the volumn of the brass. You may get pressure signs with the same load in different brass brands.

The necks on the federal brass will crack just before the primer pocket get too loose to hold the primer (after 4 or 5 loadings). If you change brass brands drop your max a little and work the load back up using that brand.

This. You won't have a POI issue at the shorter range. You could have serious pressure problems. There's enough volume difference between brass from different manufacturers—and remember that a very small difference can be very significant—that a totally safe load in one could be seriously overpressure in another. Do not mix brass.

LWD

[ducks-and-bucks]

I'd stick with one kind of brass.

[gmengers]

I have loaded everything from Hornady to Winchester to Federal and on in to some of the military stuff and I personally have not had pressure problems or POI shifts. This may just be me but I shoot a 20" Rem 700 with a full charge of 46gr. of Varget and a 168 HPBT. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps but please so not take it as gospel! Best of luck to you!!

[Stoof]

I have loaded everything from Hornady to Winchester to Federal and on in to some of the military stuff and I personally have not had pressure problems or POI shifts. This may just be me but I shoot a 20" Rem 700 with a full charge of 46gr. of Varget and a 168 HPBT. Just my 2 cents, hope it helps but please so not take it as gospel! Best of luck to you!!

Well that is exactly what I am set up to load for except I am shooting a savage 10.
Baby steps for me. I am not worried about sub MOA at this point. Just solid hunting rounds.
I (think) I am starting to understand pressure difference for different wall thicknesses. But for a .308 is there not safe ranges for all cases that are consistent?
Once again. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

[Cajun Blake]

Throw all your domestic brass in the trash and buy 100 pcs of Lapua brass

If you want consistent groups, you need to start with consistent brass

[Stoof]

Throw all your domestic brass in the trash and buy 100 pcs of Lapua brass

If you want consistent groups, you need to start with consistent brass

That much I understand. But I am poor boy working on a tight budget.
I am looking to hit 6 inches at 300 yds.
I have 100 primed cases from different manufacturers and 100 more unprimed mixed.
So to be more specific. Is it possible. And, if so, how do you work up a consistent load in my situation.
Key being. Is it possible.
When I look at load data. It is consistent with powder type and no mention of case type.
Not sure if my question makes sense.
I fully understand the needs of repeating the same thing over and over for long range shooting and tight groups.

[gmengers]

Throw all your domestic brass in the trash and buy 100 pcs of Lapua brass

If you want consistent groups, you need to start with consistent brass

I agree to an extent. Yes Lapua brass is the best and you will absolutely get better groups but it is not cheap at all! Like I said, I shoot a mix match of brass and I always end up with .5", 5 shot group at 100. Keep in mind, I am shooting a factory rifle so I can only get so accurate. In my opinion, Lapua brass benefits a custom rifle more then a factory one. But I am by no means an expert.

If you do go to Lapua Brass, I will take your leftovers.

[gmengers]

And I am on a budget as well that's why I shoot what I can find or pick up. And yes I am willing to be a charity case if someone wants one!

[Stoof]

And I am on a budget as well that's why I shoot what I can find or pick up. And yes I am willing to be a charity case if someone wants one!

We should start our own non-profit. I have been collecting to start reloading for over a year. Tools, brass, powder. The works. Momma and the kiddos always needs new shoes. Gotta have priorities.

[chief longshaft]

i shoot all kinds of brass out of my gun lapua federal and hornady there is not mutch difference in accuracy but lapua will last longest for you but if you are willing to spend that much money and try to get that good of a group you also need to neck die. Lapua brass is great but more of an investment. I have been around when many custom rifles were built i have one and another on the way, there are so many little things to an acuret load all the way down to the powder temperature of that day. Good luck dont go past max load and follow a book if you have any questions pm. me i also talk to my builder on a daily bases he has been loading and building guns for almost 40years if i dont know the answer i will ask him.

[lennyl]

I load and shoot 43.5 grs, H4895 under a speer 168 gr BTHP match, over a CCI large rifle bench rest primer. It shoots very well out of my H&k 91,and extremly well out of my savage model 10 police sniper bull barrel 22",heavy stock.my H&k will put 5rnds into 5/8" at 100yards and 3&7/8"@400yards.my savage will put 5 rnds into 1/2" at 100 and 2&5/8" at 400yards. out of my savage it will do 2779@ muzzle. I have killed deer out to 627yards laser ranged,hogs out to 412yards laser ranged, coyote out to 376yards laser ranged,rabbit out to 239yards laser ranged( b t y that was hard to hold so i ranged the 55gal drum right in front of him). so it shoots well ,sort of.L O L. my brass is remington off the shelf at bass pro 100 count to a bag,be sure to get the same lot number. as far as mixingbrass goes you can do it with this load and still hold 1 in at 100 with it. Good luck keep up the good work