GeorgeB

Sorry to nit-pick, but your scope is not a VX III

It's an older VARI-X III so not worth as much.

I can assure you that this is not true as I have been using the 308 press for seating long high-bc bullets for > 20 years, for both 308 and 6.5x284.

You do have to feed the cases at an angle up into the shell-holder and the press base is angled down at the front to enable this. I also ground a bevel on the front of the shell-holder to further improve clearance.

Can you provide a hyperlink to the web page containing that statement?

With the 308 size Compact Press I can seat 215 gr Berger Hybrid bullets in Lapua 308 Palma cases, using a Redding Competition Seat Die.

If you think that a manufacturer would offer a reloading press for sale that could not do bullet seating, you are indeed very confused 🤣

The one I have will handle up to .308, but I was able to use it for 6.5x284 by grinding a bevel on the front of the shell-holder.

It measures < 60mm between the frame, so yours must be the Mag size press, which according to the website will resize cases up to 2.9" and seat bullets.

The press is only suitable for neck-sizing of course!

If you want consistent neck tension you need to anneal your cases!

The Berger 30 Cal 210 Gr Match Long Range BT has been a popular bullet for match rifle as it is very jump-tolerant and groups well back to 1200x. It has been recently discontinued and replaced by the 208 gr Long Range Hybrid Target, which has a higher BC, developed specifically for F-TR shooters who are looking for tiny groups at 1000x. I would stick with the 210 LRBT for match rifle, at least while they are still available.

Is it the eyeshade that is fouling the bolt? If so, try unscrewing it from the eyepiece and see if that allows the sight to be lowered to the required setting.

Let's not get paranoid, the restriction applies to all firearms in calibres greater than 7.62mm - so military and police users will not be able to use 9mm.

It could well have been the proof load which damaged the extractor!

Yes, it sounds like the extractor is not sliding out to clear the edge of the case as you close the bolt. Also, the chamfer angle of the extractor looks very shallow.

Agree with Bradders - your firing pin will have been damaged by the white-hot gas plasma from the pierced primers. The problem is due to using CCI 400 primers which have thin cups. I would avoid using these in anything beyond.22 Hornet! 

CCI 450, CCI BR4, and Remington 7 1/2 BR  all have thicker cups, there may be others which are also OK.

I don't think any FTR shooters would use GGG 7.62x51 ammo - not in a competition anyway. Most use the Lapua Palma small primer brass.

That's not an F Class target face, it's an NRA TR 1000 yard face - and the squares are 1 moa.

I agree with Hatzi - how many quarry shooters want 35x mag and 5mm clicks and how many target shooters want the limited elevation range and unsuitable reticles?

I have tried various primers with Elcho 17 and RWS seem to give a cleaner burn. They are hotter than the BR2s.