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Okay, so I am new to reloading and have everything I need (except for brass) to start reloading my .308 rounds. My question is this...I bought several boxes of primers, all 'large rifle primers' which, as I understand will be good to reload my 300 Short Mag...but will these primers work with reloading .308? I will be shooting them out of a few different bold action rifles, no semi-autos. They look a little larger than my spent primers on the small amount of brass I have been preparing for my first loads, just not sure if that's the right primer to use in this case...absolutely any input is greatly appreciated for this new reloader!

You should be using reliable load data from reputable sources. One choice are all the books published, such as Lyman, Hornady, Lee, etc. Another source is the online data from powder companies, like Hodgdon's, Ramshot, Accurate, etc.

All of those sources will tell you the primer type for the published load. You should rely on published sources before Internet forums.

I hope you have some reloading manuals? Your .308 primer question was answered, but you will still have additional information needs.

Best of luck, and it is nice to have another reloaded joining the group.

does the 308 brass you are using have crimped primers? that would cause the primers to look a little smaller after you take them out. if so you will need to ream or swage the primer pocket to remove the crimp before inserting the new ones.

I do have two reloading manuals which have allowed me to find the correct type of powder and powder charges for the desired loads I will be loading; however, those two manuals (one speer and one lymann) did not have any primer information that I could see...perhaps I just need to re-reread them. As for the question of the crimped primer...no, these primers were not crimped, and I was just eyeballing to say that they appeared bigger...I've only prepped a handfull of shot brass, so I didn't have very many spent primers to base that judgement off of. The more that I look at them, the more they look similar in size, so perhaps I was just a little quick to say that they appeared bigger. I love the fact that so many helpful people are willing to share their experiences with advice on this forum, and will also be looking into the aformentioned websites in order to find even more info. Just a sad story that I got into reloading a couple days before everyone in the world started, so I can't find brass anywhere! I also had a question concerning brass...how many of ya'll, wihle at the range, collect other people's brass to use towards your reloads? I was planning a range trip to shoot some factory .308s, as to sight in my rifle and collect the brass, and figured that I could collect whatever brass was there (so long as it isn't cracked, because as I understand - even brass that is slightly bent or deformed will be corrected in the resizing process). Again, I appreciate everyone's help!

I would pick up any 308 brass i find, as long as your range allows it. I also buy the cheapest factory ammo I can find and do the same thing,, take it to the range and shoot it specifically for the brass, but also to practice on the mechanics of shooting the rifle. I am really just getting into shooting a rifle for precision so every bit of practice helps. I try to buy the same grain bullett as i will be relading with but these days, i just take what i can get.

Yea, I can definitely see how not asking could seem a little strange to someone while shooting...but I have a good report with the owner and manager of my local range, and I'm sure a short conversation with them would do the trick to allow me access on lanes while no-one was shooting, as I can't see myself asking some guy shooting his rifle to scoot over so I can collect his brass....but I completely understand where you're coming from there

AndyC wrote:Just be courteous and ask if you may collect someone else's brass, of course - while brass-scrounging is an honorable pastime......

Yes, always talk to your neighbors!!

..... folks rightly take exception to having their cases lifted without being asked and/or while they're still shooting.

Especially when they start grabbing my brass that I have not collected yet.

I generally look at them and say.... Since you are collecting my brass without asking if I wanted it, are you giving me half of what you collect? I then remind them that it is range etiquette to ask your neighbors before collecting their brass.

I try not to be too much of a jerk, but this is one of my pet peeves!!

I think it is a little less confrontational to pick up your own brass after every few rounds. That way they get the point early.

I use a sharpie to put a red line across the back of my case. That way if someone picks it up I nicely tell them that I reload and that the marked ones are mine. Everyone's been pretty good about it even to the point of handing me the marked ones while they pick up their own.

One of the great things about bolt action and any non semi automatic rifle for that matter is you can remove the brass without ejecting it halfway across the range.

MoJo wrote:One of the great things about bolt action and any non semi automatic rifle for that matter is you can remove the brass without ejecting it halfway across the range.

True, true.

I use a brass catcher on my AR, works fine.

FWIW, there are some .308 cases with small primer pockets for Palma and other competition. Of course, the folks who use those normally use them in bolt actions and are pretty careful about where the cases go after firing.