.308 reloading question

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realmswalker

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I am loading some .308 with imr 4064. The cartridge length is 2.015 and it's a PMC cartridge. I am loading 150 grain soft points. minimum load is 43 grains and max load is 47.7 grains according to IMR website.

On some of the cartridges the 45 grains of IMR 4064 which I have measure 3 times to be sure, fill it darn near to the top. my question is, even though it's 2.7 full grains less than the max, because of the amount of compression once the bullet is seated, am I going to run into overpressure problems. Guns I will be shooting this ammo out of are a remington 700 BDL and a full size springfield M1a. Cartridge in question is in bottom left corner.

Pics for reference. Thank you.


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no comments from me on min or max loads here as i don't load 4064, but...

i prefer my stick loads (like you have) to be compressed.

you can find lots and lots more room in the case by slowing down the speed that you fill the case (pour slower). you can also get a little more room by tapping the case (takes awhile, but works).

a compressed stick powder by itself is not a symptom, nor will it give a symptom, of too much pressure.
 
Agree w/dakota--I often have to tap down the 4064 when loading for the Swift, but 4350, 3031, and others will need a slow trip down a long drop tube to fit.
 
are u using mixed case like fed and lc military cases
they should be thicker and have less room. i have had this in some cases but when i dump it out and re check it sometimes the hight goes down, tap on the side and see if the powder will settle some.
 
Full length sized and military cases have less interior room than fire-formed neck sized cases. I have no problem getting a 45 grain charge of IMR4064 in my commercial .308 brass, but Lake City 7.62 brass ends up needing some compression like yours. On the plus side this powder doesn't seem to mind
 
"... a tapping, as someone gently rapping..."

On the stick powders in circumstances like yours I use a powder funnel (mine's an RCBS) which I hold on the cartridge neck and grasp the case with my left hand (thumb & couple of fingers on the funnel & case), tapping it gently on the bench as I slowly trickle in the powder (over about 15-20 seconds). You'll be surprised how much that settles it, more than filling the case then tapping it.
 
The IMR website is a bit generous if compared to my loading manuals. Your "min" load is about the same as the max load for the M1A using the 155g A-max by the Hornady manual. I know you are referencing a 150g bullet instead of a 155, just giving a word of caution.
 
CHEVELLE427 said:
thought the C meant compressed load

i think his question was why some cases are fuller then others
Click to expand...
+100 Velle. Have not seen it listed on thread?? Do you guys use a long powder drop funnel?? My 3" drop tube on my funnel stacks the IMR-4064 in my 6MM cases very well. If not using a long drop tube on your funnel--try it..Bill..
 
I'd skip the 4064 and switch to a powder that will use less space. H-4895 and H-Varget will both do the job. I ended up using Varget in my .308. A max load of Varget reached to the case shoulder. Velocity was 2878fps and the accuracy was great.

There is an added problem with compressed loads, if the compression is deep enough, with time it may force the bullet forward in the case. Like one person I know, you may end up with a rifle that you can;t load into the magazine. A Rem M-700 makes a terrible single shot.
 
I'm not near my manual, so I may be slightly off. But, I think my Sierra manual lists 4064 loads of min 38-max 44. That is with a 165 though. If I remember correctly, 44.5 grains of 4064, a Hornady case, and a 165 gameking was a compressed load. It shot fine with no over-pressure signs, but wasn't as accurate as the 43 grain load I had worked up.
 
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