headspacing question

[foxx]

I am re-installing a used 308 barrel onto a used action. I never fired this rifle before. I first used a new piece of Lapua brass to headspace it, but when I tried loading a fired case from another 308, it would not chamber. I notice the once fired case (from the other barrel) does not chamber as deep into the barrel as the virgin brass does.

Question: Which piece of brass should I use?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[earl39]

Take the fired brass and size it in your die and use that. The virgin brass from any maker is most likely going to be undersized to ensure it will fit in any chamber out there.

[foxx]

Thanks. Now, I should have said I will be giving this rifle away. Should I therefore use the virgin brass?

[foxx]

Wait, my second question does not make sense.

[earl39]

If you are giving the rifle away and not giving the dies with it then you really should use a head space gauge.

[foxx]

Yeah, Earl, I was thinking the same thing,

It is my plan to load everything for it, but I still might be better off getting a gage just in case.

[Stockrex]

foxx, what ammo do you think will be shot in the rifle by the new owner?

[foxx]

My own hand loads with Lapua brass. Other than that, I have no idea. Why do you ask? are some factory loads more tolerant of custom head spacing?

[limige]

Im up near Cadillac. I have a 308 headspace gauge. If your up this way we could set her up right

[Stockrex]

if you have your die set for Full sizing the lapua brass, so headspace with a full sized virgin brass and you should be golden. Just remember other factory load etc might not chamber.

[foxx]

Limige, I might take you up on that. It's for my buddy's wife. His/our deer camp is in Luther. I might get up there in August. The thing is, I am trying to get this done before their anniversary July 12th... I shouldn't have made it sound like a pure gift. I am selling it to him, but not charging him anything close to what I got in it.

[limige]

Sending a pm