Recommended primers for the .308 Marlin Express

[brackishfly]

Dilemma; Hodgdon load data only lists the Winchester LR for the 308 cartridge. Yesterday picked up one box of CCI LR 200, reason is that's all the local gun shop carries.
Loaded only four cartridges last-night and darn those primers where tough to seat. Had to use a Lee hand primer tool to seat them properly, my Dillon 550B cant press the CCI primers. (Never had a problem loading for .44mag with CCI LP 300).
I'm reluctant to continue loading with these CCI 200 primers....

[kingstrider]

I've never really noticed any difference seating WLR and CCI 200s though I use a RCBS bench-mounted priming tool. I have a Hornady AP but load all my rifle rounds on a single stage. Why not just prime by hand then go to the Dillon?

[brackishfly]

Sound as if the interference fit is just going to be very tight for WLR, CCI 200, etc. As far as the Dillon, I'm effectively using it as a single stage on the 308 cartridges using RCBS dies.
Note: Not using the RCBS crimp with the seating die, using a Lee special order crimp die for the 308 Marlin Express.

[Three_oh_8MX]

I think the only primer I've ever used in the 308ME is the CCI 200.
I never really had a problem seating them but then again I'm using the Lee had priming tool.
Maybe the Dillon doesn't quite line up right for the 308ME?

[brackishfly]

The Dillon 550B primes at the same station as the decap/sizing die when the handle is raised. The press does not seem to apply much pressure to seat the primer flush. I'm thinkin I prefer the Lee hand priming press (easy to check for flush seat). Well thanks, no worries with the CCI 200's then. I'd rather decap & size as a single function anyway (clean the case properly).

[Three_oh_8MX]

Well thanks, no worries with the CCI 200's then. I'd rather decap & size as a single function anyway (clean the case properly).

I've never really been in a hurry when loading, which I'm sure is a good thing.
I de-cap and then tumble to clean the cases before the re-size process. In my mind this keeps my re-sizing dies cleaner.
Then its trim, chamfer, de-burr, and clean primer pockets. All manual processes, which gives me 3 or 4 times handling and inspecting each case.

On a related note: my 338ME hand primer case holder does NOT allow the primers to seat completely with the Lee tool. I have to "finish" them on the press or I end up with high primers. I guess I'll have to look at what's going on there...

[FredT]

Not all LR primers are exact in dimensions. Some are fatter than others and make a tighter fit. I find CCI and Federal to be on the fatter/tighter side and the Wins to be on the narrower end. If I have brass with a looser fit with Win primers, which are what I normally use (only because I bought a whole bunch at one time) then I put that lot aside and use the fatter primers for those. Fat primers in a tight primer pocket can be a real PITA.

As a side note I find Remingtons (which I rarely use use due to availability) sort of in the middle.

[capt greg]

Sound as if the interference fit is just going to be very tight for WLR, CCI 200, etc. As far as the Dillon, I'm effectively using it as a single stage on the 308 cartridges using RCBS dies.
Note: Not using the RCBS crimp with the seating die, using a Lee special order crimp die for the 308 Marlin Express.

I have hornaday 308 ME dies.. Will this crimp properly? or do I need the lee crimp die??

Brackishfly Iam not trying to steal your post.. I seen that crimping was mentioened an I had a question..

BTW.. I use fed 210 primers for 308..30/06.. 270.. 30/30.. never had a issues with them

[brackishfly]

All I know for the RCBS seating die is when you seat the bullet you have the option of crimping at the same time. From what I've read the case length is not as critical with the Lee. (probably wise to size every case new or use anyhow).
I chose instead to use the Lee in the last station on the Dillon press. The lee crimp die is open on the top (never touches the bullet), with a notched collet. When the ram is raised it pushes the die piston to close the collet on the case neck (seams to do a good job).
I'm new to loading rifle cartriges (only .44 mag in the past) so necked cartriges are new to me.
Just not sure on the Hornady dies though.
As for primer there is a store in the next town that carries Winchester LR primers, pick some up this weekend (and save the CCI 200s for a rainy day)