308 Win. Brass Prep

[Belton45]

Just got my new Norma 308 Win. brass in today and trying to do everything right. Can I get some examples of brass prep. Shooting Savage 10 Varmint barrel 308. The brass is in the tumbler as I type. I am not new to reloading just would like some examples. I have 100 rounds to do this to. Thanks

 

[Taildrag15X]

With virign brass I put them through the neck die, clean up the flash hole, run them through the trimmer with a RCBS 3-way on it, uniform the primer pocket, tumble to remove any lube from the neck, prime and load.

I don't know if it's right, but that's what I do.

 

[jr600yd]

The amount of brass prep will depend on what your going to do with the stuff. I would full length size all of it to start. If it's for hunting or shooting 300yds or less once F/L sized I'd prime, load and shoot. If loading for competition I'd do a lot more like squaring the primer pockets, cleaning up the flash holes, checking neck thickness and possibly neck turning just to name a few.

 

[oldreliable45120]

I try to use Lapua brass as much as possibe,with that said I've loaded some of it right out of the box without any case prep to see if it mattered. I found very little difference with that brass. I've also done my usual Bench Rest prep too. The only time I go overboard with the case prep is when it comes to my 6ppc and 6mmbr.
Full length size it square the primer pocker,and ream the flash hole, should be all you;ll have to do with those Norma cases. After that I would use a bushing neck die until its hard to chamber and extract then run it throuhg a body die.

 

[Gearheadpyro]

With my new .308 brass I:

Lube and Full length size, then clean the lube off.
Trim and Chamfer
Uniform Flash hole and chamfer edges inside case
Uniform primer pockets
Very slightly chamfer flash hole from primer pocket side.
Tumble till they sparkle.

I don't have my machine built yet, but I'm,slowly) working on making an automatic annealer. I will do that just before I tumble the brass. I do not neck turn my .308 brass yet either, I will once I buy a neck turner. I use winchester brass, some of this may not need to be done with the custom brass.

 

[Rtheurer]

Hello Mr Belton.

Im suprised that everyone of the posts prior to this one, goes through a Flash hole working of some sort. With Norma Brass???

I find that odd. If I spend that kind of money on brass those flash holes and Primer pockets better be perfect. I have to admit that I use a Sinclair primer pocket uniformer right from the start. Its more for me to use later as that is how I clean my pockets after reloading everytime vs using the little wire do dads that are on the market. Not against either way just works out good for me. Flash holes in Norma or Lapua brass.... I never touch them. I look at them to make sure they are good but never touch them. They are nice and square and clean from the factory.
I just proccesed 260pieces of 308 Lapua brass yesterday when it was raining. 100 was Brand new vergin brass. I expanded the necks and uniformed the Primer pockets and sized the necks back down to the .001 neck tension that I use in my Palma rifle. Most factory Necks are very tight. Alot more Neck tension then I want to use. I chamfer them too.

If it was me using a big ole factory chamber in factory gun I would load them all and shoot them then set up your die and start your load testing.

Shoot good, Be safe and have fun
RussT

 

[RJinTexas]

With Lapua & Norma brass I do nothing but chamfer the inside and outside of the case mouth load and shoot. I never trim brass to length until after It's been fireformed. With Fed, Rem or Win brass I will in addition full length resize to assure everything is straight and remove the burrs from the inside of the flash holes. Being I use a RCBS Trim Mate Case Center I never use the primer pocket wire brushes when cleaning the primer pockets as I've found they will over time dis-form the flash hole causing the hole to elongate. Like Rtheurer I also use a primer pocket uniformer to clean the residue from my primer pocket every time I prep brass. Applying only enough pressure to remove crud from premium brass. When trimming to length I use a RCBS Trim Pro Case Trimmer with the 3-Way cutter for general hunting loads and large quantities of .223 & .243 to be used in the dog towns. But I'd never consider using it on my Lapua or Norma cases as I found it doesn't cut the case mouth nearly as squarely as my hand turned Forster. I believe that the Wilson/Sinclair Ultimate Case Trimmer is by far the most precise trimmer available, the micrometer attachment would reduce set up time, so I plan on purchasing one soon. Good luck and be safe, always wear eye protection when reloading or shooting.

Regards
RJ