Trouble reloading .303
I've been starting to reload for several rifle calibers and I've had no trouble with Krag and 7.5mm Swiss. However, I ran into a problem when I went to reload for .303 British, yesterday.
I have Lee dies, including a crimping die. I used Sierra .308 spitzer bullets. I used once-fired PPS brass. Everything seemed to go fine until I looked at the completed cartridges. I could turn the bullets in the cartridges and when I chambered a few sample rounds in my SMLE, any "bump" pushed the bullet in to the brass - obviously, the bullet was too loose. So I pulled all the bullets.
Help me figure out what's wrong:
1) Not the right sized bullets? (maybe need .311?)
2) Some adjustment needed with the dies? (I noticed the bullets "sat" on top of the neck of the brass when I went through the "bullet installation" step, which I assumed was about right)
3) I went through the crimp step and, even though I could see a crimp in the completed cartridges, I could still twist the bullets in the brass.
4) other problems?
I realize that these are not optimum loads for accuracy, just trying to work on my technique.
Thanks in advance!
RtL
"We make men without chests and expect from them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honor and are shocked to find traitors in our midst."
--C.S. Lewis