The Basics of Metallic Rifle Reloading

Rifle reloading is a straight forward process with several steps.  In general, it is cheaper to reload you own cartridges than buy the equivalent match rifle ammunition. You save money and obtain the same results.  That's been my experience. I always full-length re-size my cartridges because I have several rifles chambered the same. The other practice many others employ is neck re-sizing without the full length re-size.

I reload my .308 Winchester cartridges with Federal brass, CCI large rifle primers, and Hodgdon Benchmark extreme powder pushing Sierra 168 grain Match Kings. My load is 40.0 grains of powder and an overall cartridge length of 2.800".

The desired end result

My rifle reloading involve these general steps:

• Full-length re-sizing
• Trimming to correct length
• Case preparation
• Priming
• Powder
• Bullet seating
• Final inspection

Before beginning, the already fired cases should be wiped down to remove range residue such as dirt, burnt powder, and action lubes. A terry cloth towel works fine. I don't use a case tumbler because my spent brass is generally pretty clean coming out of my bolt action rifles.

Wipe down to remove range residue

Now that the loose crap is off the cases, the next step is to lightly lube up the cases with re-sizing lube. This ensures  that the cases don't get stuck in the full-length re-sizing die. I use RCBS dies in a Lee single stage press. The lube is a water based product from RCBS which is the same brand of the pad.

Lube up the cases on a roller pad

Once the case bodies and necks are lightly lubed, it's time to re-size. The Lee single stage press works well with other brand dies. In this case RCBS dies. When cases are re-sized in a full length manner, the tend to stretch a little which can exceed the standards for the caliber. Case trimming will be necessary.

Full length re-sizing on lubed cases

Full length re-size stretched case at 2.020"

After full length re-sizing is complete, wipe down the cases again to remove excess lube. The next step is to trim the cases to the proper length. For .308 cartridges, the maximum case length is 2.015" with a trim-to-length of 2.005" The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute has case specs at www.saami.org. I use a case trimmer by Little Crow Gunworks that uses the shoulder of the cartridge as reference for trimming to length.

Trimmed down to 2.010"

Trimming will leave the neck of the case with burrs on the outside and inside. The next step after trimming is case preparation. This cleans the primer pocket, removes burrs from the neck, and removes burnt powder from inside the case. I use an RCBS case powered case prep center. Each of the five attachment rotates to make short work of case preparation.

Cleaning the primer pocket

Clean primer pocket on the left

De-burring the outside of the cases

Brushing out the inside

With the case preparation finished, it's time to move on to priming. The primers are manually added with the Lee press. It takes minimal effort to seat the primers. Once seated, the primers must be at or below the base of the case.

Clean, prepped and ready for primers

Manually priming with Lee press

Primers added and ready for powder

With primers seated, powder is next. It's important to have a good scale and funnel for this feat. Never exceed the maximum loads per the powder and bullet manufacturers' guidelines. I like Hodgdon extreme powders for my reloading needs. 

Weighing out the powder on a digital scale

Ensure each case has a load in it before seating a bullet. A quick overhead visual will let you know if you skipped a case. Double loads aren't a concern with rifle cases because a double will overflow the case. Seating the bullet with the Lee press is straight forward. I tend to start long and dial down the seater to get the correct Case Overall Length (C.O.A.L). For 168 grain Sierra Matchkings and .308, the COAL is 2.800".

Seating the 168g SMK

Always check periodically to ensure the correct COAL is being set by the seater. A check of every five or ten cartridges is usually sufficient. 

2.800" on the COAL

The finished product is as good as and cheaper than the manufacturers' cartridges if you do it correctly. Here is a Federal Gold Medal Match cartridge next to mine below. The one on the left is the GMM. Mine has the same bullet as Federal's.

Left is theirs, right is mine

The finished product

A final inspection of each round has to be made to ensure safety and specifications. Now that the rounds are finished you can be assured that for less than the cost of mass produced match grade ammunition, you can produced your own match cartridges that will deliver the same results. You get complete satisfaction knowing you made it yourself.