[bryank30]

Hi-

I came by some 150 grain steelcore bullets at a gunshow last year, and finally have time to do some loading. I'm a faithful Varget user. I weighed out the bullets and they are coming in at 146-147. Hodgon gives a max load at 47 grains of powder and a speed of 2937 which is smoking fast for .308, that is faster than many commerical 30/06 loads which to me is awesome since so many people 'think' the '06 is so much more. I will be shooting this out of a 26'' barrel remington 700P into an old junk car. I imagine it will penetrate anything. Will my gun survive?


Bryan

[Walkalong]

Shooting at old cars with rifles is dangerous.

That said, start at the minimum and work up. The steel core bullets will be longer for the weight than lead with more bearing surface. More drag in the barrel will equal more pressure.

Will your gun survive? If you use a reasonable load, and the bullet doesn't ricochet off the car and hit it, sure.

[gamestalker]

As Walkalong stated, steel core bullets are going to produce a different operating pressure than a lead core bullet. If anything, I would think that operating pressures are likely going to increase, for the very reasons Walkalong described. Be cautious and do a proper work up, and I would as well suggest doing some additional research in this regard.

So far as shooting at steel, I'm guilty as charged. I shoot .270 win. and 7mm RM with lead core bullets at 1" steel. To date, I have had no problem getting 120 gr and 130 gr. bullets @ MV of 3200 fps - 3500 fps to pierce from 200 yds.. But it's a risky game, one that cost my neighbor's brother his life from 100 yds. away with his 30-06. His 06 shooting factory ammunition didn't go through the steel he was shooting at, but instead came straight back striking him in the head, killing him instantly! I always chrony my loads and have established what weight bullet and velocity will produce full penetration from 200 yds.. I would be cautious about a 2900 fps round on steel thicker than 1/2", steel core, or other wise.

[Walkalong]

Plenty of hardened steel in odd shapes in a car.

[W.E.G.]

150 grain steel core?

Are you sure about the weight?

If that weight is correct, what is the diameter of the bullet.

[bryank30]

It was weighing at 146 give or take a little.. Wow that tale of a bullet coming straight back is scary. I've shot a few of these bullets out of my m1a though not near as hot and was impressed that it would pass through a tree.

[USSR]

I came by some 150 grain steelcore bullets at a gunshow last year, and finally have time to do some loading. I'm a faithful Varget user. I weighed out the bullets and they are coming in at 146-147. Hodgon gives a max load at 47 grains of powder and a speed of 2937...

Bryan,

There's a couple problems here. First, Hodgdon's load data is not for your bullet. Chances are, if your bullet has a steel core, it is a flat base bullet, long, and has a lot more bearing surface than the 150gr Nosler bullet in the load data. Second, the Hodgdon load uses Winchester brass. You stuff 47 grains in some other make of brass, and you've got a serious overload on your hands. Forget about the 47 grains. I would suggest you start at 42 grains and work yourself up while looking for pressure signs. Just MHO.

Don

[bryank30]

Hodgon has a brand new powder out CF223, the velocities look very promising. Even faster than Varget. I will have to get a pound and see how it works.

[bryank30]

Your right I took a 150 grain softpoint boat tail hunting bullet and its much shorter than the 147 grain steelcore bullet. The steelcore is about as long as a 168 match hpbt.