Thread: First attempt at necking down 308 to 7mm08

yea like HH and Wildman have said you need to wind that die down to compensate for the 'press flex'.

AS an aside what causes that ring on the case second from left in the last photo? Never seen that before

If we are lookin at the same thing its the bit of neck that is still 308 from not goin in die far enough

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when you are at full stroke on the press have a look to see if there is a gap between the shell holder and the press, need good light as shadows can hide a gap

Is the shell holder the same brand as the dies? mismatched can cause issues although most are very close in size.

that shoulder looks like it needs bumping more but the brass was fired in a sloppy chamber previously FL sizing may not get it back to size enough to chamber if your chamber is tight....although not that common to have that happen

Once you get empty brass fitting in the chamber check a round with a projectile seated to make sure there are no problems cambering as there will be less clearance at the neck with 308 brass and if yours is a tight neck the brass may need turning... again not often but it does happen.

If you have a case fired in your rifle and not sized, measure the neck size... the compare it to a 308 case with the pill in, it will give you an idea of clearance on the neck.

You will hit the odd stumbling block with reloading, everyone does but a bit of thought usually sorts it

Just remember people advise on here is not always going to be right as they aren't there in person to see what process you have done but usually some of the info will sort it and I agree above......

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

If we are lookin at the same thing its the bit of neck that is still 308 from not goin in die far enough

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I think you will find even right down there is still a step as the shoulder length is different?

But yes shell holder in contact with the die is step one

Measure the diameter at the base of the case is also a good idea if they have been fired in another rifle.... black marker covers this too

Originally Posted by leathel

I think you will find even right down there is still a step as the shoulder length is different?

But yes shell holder in contact with the die is step one

Measure the diameter at the base of the case is also a good idea if they have been fired in another rifle.... black marker covers this too

Yea its different 708 is shorter by 2 thou so shouldn't be that ring

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Originally Posted by leathel

I think you will find even right down there is still a step as the shoulder length is different?

But yes shell holder in contact with the die is step one

Measure the diameter at the base of the case is also a good idea if they have been fired in another rifle.... black marker covers this too

Yeah that's what I've found. My shell holder hits the bottom of the die, I can't lower it any lower (apparently the Lee case holders are a bit deeper than standard) so I can't get the shell right up in there. The shoulders are different.

I'm gonna have to track down something that'll help me sort that shoulder out.

What brand die are you using? and what shell holder?

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

Yeah that's what I've found. My shell holder hits the bottom of the die, I can't lower it any lower (apparently the Lee case holders are a bit deeper than standard) so I can't get the shell right up in there. The shoulders are different.

I'm gonna have to track down something that'll help me sort that shoulder out.

Where in Auckland are you?

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

My shell holder hits the bottom of the die, I can't lower it any lower.

Skim a couple thou off the top of the shell-holder, or off the bottom of the FL die. Preferably the former.

Ray.

you could always trade up to a 308

Originally Posted by RimfireNZ

Yeah that's what I've found. My shell holder hits the bottom of the die, I can't lower it any lower (apparently the Lee case holders are a bit deeper than standard) so I can't get the shell right up in there. The shoulders are different.

I'm gonna have to track down something that'll help me sort that shoulder out.

SO in setting up your press you have:
-Lifted the ram to full extension with the shell holder in the top
-Screwed the die in till it touches the shellholder
-Lowered the ram and then turned the die in a further half a turn or more?

Have you trimmed the case prior to sizing to 7mm08?

Originally Posted by Wildman

SO in setting up your press you have:
-Lifted the ram to full extension with the shell holder in the top
-Screwed the die in till it touches the shellholder
-Lowered the ram and then turned the die in a further half a turn or more?

Have you trimmed the case prior to sizing to 7mm08?

Yes I've set up the die correctly as you mentioned above. I haven't trimmed the brass though as 308 will end up shorter once necked down.

Originally Posted by sako75

you could always trade up to a 308

You mean trade down aye Sako?

Originally Posted by dogmatix

Where in Auckland are you?

Pukekohe, but I work in the CBD

Originally Posted by leathel

What brand die are you using? and what shell holder?

Lee for both. Apparently the Lee shell holders are a bit high, and hold the shell a bit low, so they don't stick the shell as far in the die as you may want.

That's what one of the guys at serious shooters said anyway.


Haven't had time to have another crack at it yet.