.308 X-Die & WC 846 Results, & Mauser Scout Scope

[Gun Surfer]

This thread will address several issues:

1. RCBS X-Dies: Have experimented with using RCBS X-Die in .308 for M1A and other rifles. I was able to get 10 reloads from a set of cases using the X-Die and following RCBS' instructions and referring to a test report from Larry Gibson. On the 10th re-sizing, cases were slightly above spec in the Dillon case gage, used my Redding body die to bump the cases back within specs. Resultant ammo was very accurate and functioned flawlessly, last set shot in my .308 Mauser (see below). 10 Reloads will be my maximum for safety, this set of cases will be discarded at this point. The X-die has extended the amount of reloads I could achieve beyond that with normal dies, normal being 4-6 loads.

2. .308 M80 loads. I have some WC-846 surplus powder from Pat's Reloading, and a bunch of M80 145 gr ball from Widener's. After some experimentation, ended up with M80 bullets over 43 gr of WC 846, light crimp in the groove with Lee Factory Crimp die, using LC and other cases, and CCI 34 primers. Result was very accurate ammo for surplus bullets (weighing each bullet to get similar wts together.) Mil Spec is about 46 gr of WC 846 for M80 ball, but of course powder varies from lot to lot. For my situation, 43 gr filled the cases to the neck bottom, and functioned very well, no pressure. Shot this month in 20 F temps, worked great.

3. Mauser Scout Scope: Some of this ammo shot very accurately in my .308 Mauser. I put a S&K scope mount on it that fits into rear sight base, no gunsmithing. Tried an NC Star 4x32 long eye relief scope that malfunctioned, sent the scope back. Then I tried a Bushnell Trophy red dot sight, and it worked well. 2 days ago Optics Planet sent me a new NC Star 4x32 scope (without my asking, and charged my card.) I said what the heck, and tried it, and this time it held the zero, worked great, and turns out I like it better than the red dot sight after all. Very solid, accurate rig. Pics below.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/000_0052.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/000_0051.jpg

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