Hey everyone. So just started reloading and I'm wondering if anyone has any good recipes for .308. It's going in a LR308 with Faxon 20" 1 in 10 twist. Pretty much all Aguila 7.62 brass. I was thinking something in the 170gr range, maybe heavier but obviously COAL needs to feed a gas gun with Pmag. THANKS!
.308 reload suggestions
- Thread starter Holland
- Start date
AA2520 is an excellent ball powder.
The loads themselves are easy enough; the trick is in the Bullets you either have or can get, and the desired end use: If I'm going to Hunt, then its Sierra Game Kings or Barns TSX, if they're going into a blaster that not going to see over two hundred yards, then we'll use 150gr. pull-down FMJ. If it's ultra precision from the 40X then I'm going to use a bullet with a super high coefficient...Really, decide what you're going to do then get started there...don't get all hung up on weight, at 200yds or less, the deer ain't going to know the difference.
The loads themselves are easy enough; the trick is in the Bullets you either have or can get, and the desired end use: If I'm going to Hunt, then its Sierra Game Kings or Barns TSX, if they're going into a blaster that not going to see over two hundred yards, then we'll use 150gr. pull-down FMJ. If it's ultra precision from the 40X then I'm going to use a bullet with a super high coefficient...Really, decide what you're going to do then get started there...don't get all hung up on weight, at 200yds or less, the deer ain't going to know the difference.
I use 168gr Hornady A-Max and 44.2gr of CFE223 powder.
I use these for my M1A.
I use these for my M1A.
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meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
With Aguila brass is not going to be the greatest so start messuring capacity, oal and segregating and Groupinh accordingly by the smallest standard devistion.
varget is a classic start in the middle with a 168 to 180gr.
But what type of LR and rifle you have planned. In asking because there are several disciplines from legacy 700-800 of score completion and tacticsl mstches all the way to latest cnc bullets and modern powders that reach 1400 yards shooting as flat as the 6.5 but hitting a lot harder also for extra long range tactical, practical smd safari matches all with steel.
Is budget a concern and nonspecific objectives or matches in mind?
Whst is the max range you hsve access to in your gun club or otherwise?
varget is a classic start in the middle with a 168 to 180gr.
But what type of LR and rifle you have planned. In asking because there are several disciplines from legacy 700-800 of score completion and tacticsl mstches all the way to latest cnc bullets and modern powders that reach 1400 yards shooting as flat as the 6.5 but hitting a lot harder also for extra long range tactical, practical smd safari matches all with steel.
Is budget a concern and nonspecific objectives or matches in mind?
Whst is the max range you hsve access to in your gun club or otherwise?
I'm full length sizing with RCBS small base Dies. I'm also trimming with lyman E ZEE trim. Of course my 308 pilot is not correct (wasn't stamped and won't fit in case). New Pilot is on the way, but I assume it should trim to 2.005. The Western powder guide doesn't seem to list 7.62 separately, but I know there's a case size difference provided Aguila is making their brass to NATO spec. It's just currently what I have on hand. No clubs or comps right now, just a fun gun. Local range is only 50 so can't really stretch it out right now, but trigger time is trigger time so we do what we can
meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
That is why I asked because Aguila claiming NATO spec means a lower standard.it is not all bad brass but not in the top half average
I would work out a load for 175gr and then for that range up to 300-500 yrds have a mild super accurate with affordable bullets.
To get the best possible load first find out your.max coal wo magazine for every bullet you get and if you use a magazine your msx coal will be determined by either the max at the chamber or the max at the magazine, whichever comes first.
otherwise manually single feed if your chamber coal is longer and optimal after working the loads.
With light budget bulk bullets you can use faster.powders and save there too
110-125gr bullets will shoot like laser beams and little recoil and powder.
The flexibility of the 308 is unmatched.
meketrefe
.450/400 Nitro Ex
btw forget about the reloading books and go to the bullet and powder manufacturers online pdf for a starting load in the middle that you can confirm in several sources.
Did they cut you a SAAMI chamber or something else for 308? that is why we start with getting coal and reamed profile.
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Acer-m14
20×102mm Vulcan
Lube for 308 ..
Snickers .. .. it was NCIS Show .... Gibbs
308 Lapua sniper Bullet Lube .. Moly ..
Snickers .. .. it was NCIS Show .... Gibbs
308 Lapua sniper Bullet Lube .. Moly ..
kev74
20×102mm Vulcan
I just bought a bag of these for blaster rounds. A little on the light side, but they work well for shooting steel.
americanreloading.com
308 147gr FMJ PULLED - 500ct - American Reloading
Minimal pull marks - FMJ from mixed manufacturers
americanreloading.com
I would stick to 147-150 grain FMJs for range blasting and 2 legged varmints out to 1100 meters. If hunting I would go with 150-165 grain expanding type bullets for a humane kill.
Other than that stick powders tend to be cleaner burning in semi auto and full auto applications. YMMV.
Other than that stick powders tend to be cleaner burning in semi auto and full auto applications. YMMV.
The 168gr SMKs seem to be the go to so when I saw the 168gr Hornady BTHPM for half the price I figured they were worth trying out. Cabela's happened to get a delivery of priners in when I was there the other day so I was able to pick some up.
MothMan
.338 Win Mag
Loaded my 1st .308 today. Am using LC brass, Armscor 147grn fmj BT bullets, 39grns of AA 2460 powder to start on top of Remington LRM 9 1/2 primers. Going to use them in a Ruger Gunsite Scout to see if they go bang.
Had the darndest time opening up the LC primer pockets. Tried swaging with RCBS kit but didn’t like the pressure/force needed to complete stroke. Then tried hand reaming and was able to seat a few primers but not in most of the cases. So I went back to swaging and with the removal of that little bit of brass from reaming the force required lessened muchly. Using a hand primer the primers started to drop right in.
Lesson learned?? I need a powered case prep station if continuing to load LR cases.
Had the darndest time opening up the LC primer pockets. Tried swaging with RCBS kit but didn’t like the pressure/force needed to complete stroke. Then tried hand reaming and was able to seat a few primers but not in most of the cases. So I went back to swaging and with the removal of that little bit of brass from reaming the force required lessened muchly. Using a hand primer the primers started to drop right in.
Lesson learned?? I need a powered case prep station if continuing to load LR cases.
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Carlos Hathcock
.450/400 Nitro Ex
These guys are my go to for a variety of supplies. Telepathic shipping.
www.bluecollarreloading.com
CCI #34 Large Rifle Military Primers
CCI Large Rifle Military Primers for 7.62mm Ammunition - 1000ct
www.bluecollarreloading.com
I've been reaming with the drill. RCBS has a nice reamer that actually hase a base on it so you can't go crazy. Definitely like it better than the standard crimp reamers I've been using. Just picked up the Lee Ram Swager die. Did some 5.56. seems to work well. Haven't tried it on the 7.62 yet
Shoots100
.357 mag
Burstfire 2 in 1 annealer and prep station.
Best bang for your buck.
SJC
Best bang for your buck.
SJC
Reloading manuals like Nosler, Hornady, and Speer are necessary references.
Sound like your brass may be a budding disaster....do you have case gages?
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com
A long case, means almost certainly, an OOB discharge.
Sound like your brass may be a budding disaster....do you have case gages?
L.E. Wilson Case Gauge | Cartridge Case Gage - Winchester 308
Check fired and resized cartridge cases for cone-to-head and overall length with this L.E. Wilson case gauge. Midsouth Shooters carries everything you need.
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A long case, means almost certainly, an OOB discharge.
tony
6.5 Creedmoor
An old USAMU load for the M14 was Sierra 168 gr. HPBT match ( Sierra #2200), 39 gr. IMR 3031, military match brass, LR primer.
I used this load in a bolt action match rifle and it was very accurate. (.375" five shot groups at 100 yds.)
I used this load in a bolt action match rifle and it was very accurate. (.375" five shot groups at 100 yds.)
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