170 Grain 30-30 bullet in a .308

[mdi]

I wouldn't think there would be any problems. I only mentioned velocity/performance in passing. Go ahead and load some 170s up in your 308, check/load for accuracy, keep velocities on the low side and you'll be find...

Found this on Speer's website:

Important Reloading Data
DeepCurl's unique construction process joins the jacket to the core at the molecular level for excellent performance and consistency. For this reason, conventional reloading data developed for standard jacketed bullets should not be used to load DeepCurl® rifle bullets. Only DeepCurl specific reloading data should be used. It can be found here at reloading data pages in the reloading data pages or by contacting Speer Technical Services at 866-286-7436. DeepCurl handgun bullets can use data from the Speer Reloading Manual #14.
http://www.speer-bullets.com/pdf/30-30Win_170_2042_DC_DataFile.pdf

 

[vincyr]

Been talking to folks at Speer some more(With more informative results than the first time. I think I got someone higher up the food chain this time around, and maybe my questions were a bit better formulated, too). I asked if they could perhaps recommend a safe, 30-30 equivalent load for this bullet in .308win. This was their reply

you could probably just used the 30-30 Win data on this site(Speer's site), the pressure for the for it is 20,000 psi less than for the 308 Win

So, apparently it is that simple. I was honestly expecting it to be a little more complicated than that.
I'll try to work up a load using the 30-30 data like they said(I will be saving the emails though, just in case)

 

[jmr40]

I'd select some load data for a 175 or 180 gr load, start at the lowest suggested load and go from there. Based on what I'm seeing about 2400 fps is about as slow as you can go, but I would still think you'll be OK at that speed. My loading manuals show several 30-30 loads shooting 170's @ 2300 fps. That bullet will lose speed fast and may not impact as fast as you think too.

The problem with using a bullet designed for the 30-30 that the factory has not tested in a 308 is surface area touching the rifling. A pointed 175 gr bullet has far less bullet touching the barrel than a 170 gr RN bullet. This will increase pressure with the RN bullet. As long as you stay on the slow side I'd think you shoud be fine. You'll probably end up with an overpressure load at a lower powder charge than if you were using a pointed bullet.

I did the same thing, buying 150 gr RN Remington Corelokt bullets by mistake. I loaded them with a light load of 3031 and used them in my 308. I'm getting about 2600 fps, about 200 fps faster than in a 30-30, accuracy wasn't great, but at least as good as 30-30 ammo. Around 1.5" or so at 100 yards. Recoil is very light. Haven't shot anything yet, but would bet they are deadly on whitetails at reasonable ranges.

 

[Rule3]

Did they tell you that or put it in writing? Not that I would dispute Speer.

You can "probably" use...........

That sounds like a definite maybe to me.

As I mentioned before, try some Trail Boss, it is made for this kind of application and does not require any load data. Just follow the instructions I linked on the PDF.Here it is again:

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

It can be used for any and all calibers and you will not blow anything up

If you have access to a chronograph all the better.

 

[vincyr]

I looked up the Federal reduced recoil loads that were mentioned earlier and found this
http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/update308vs762nato/
170 grain bullet at roughly 2000 fps. The bullet even looks pretty close to the Speers I have

bullet from Federal load


Speer 170 grain DeepCurl

 

[HexHead]

As I mentioned before, try some Trail Boss, it is made for this kind of application and does not require any load data. Just follow the instructions I linked on the PDF.Here it is again:

http://www.imrpowder.com/PDF/Trail-Boss-data.pdf

It can be used for any and all calibers and you will not blow anything up

If you have access to a chronograph all the better.

This is what I've been looking for. I wanted to make some soft loads for my Win94 to make it a HD rifle. 170gr FN running about 1000fps sounds perfect.

 

[Rule3]

Just food for thought, the recent American Rifleman (everybody gets that right?) or belongs to the NRA?

There is a article/load data (page 46) for 308 Win using a 168 grain Hornady A Max bullet using 8.0 grains of Hodgdon Clays for a velocity of 908 fps.

So it can be done.

 

[41 Mag]

I have one of the short Ruger Compact's in .308. It is a great rifle for slipping through the thick brush in the river bottoms where we hunt feral hogs. I got on a kick to load up some thumper loads which would smack a hog with a heavier bullet than the 150's I was using but would have a bit lower recoil than full powered 308 loads.

I went with H-4895 and found that I got a great load with the Remington 170 CL. It shoots point of aim with my 150's at 50yds, has little recoil to speak of, and knocks a 200# hog on it's ear. The loads used the listed data for the 168gr bullet and used the formula in the Reduced load section and worked up until I got what I was looking for. Since most of the shots in the thick stuff are around 50-75yds I didn't need anything fast only accurate. Once I hit a load that shot within 1.5" or less, I was happy. Also due to my barrel only being 16.5" long my velocity is running about 250'ish FPS lower than what you might get. I'm only shooting just a touch over 2000fps with my loads, and as mentioned this is great for up close hunting. The heavier bullet has plenty of energy to drive right on through the shoulder of a good sized hog, and I would have no issues putting it through the shoulder of a good buck if the issue arose.

I have found that H-4895 does a great job with not only the reduced loads, but also has produced great accuracy from several rifles using standard loads as well. It was playing around with the reduced loads that got me working with the other rifles simply to see how they would work with this powder. It might not be the best all around powder for them all, but with the groups being what they have been I do not feel handicapped by not reaching the top end velocity, when I can easily get stellar accuracy with most of the loads at standard hunting ranges. I purchased an 8# jug due to this and have had a good deal of fun with working up the different loads.

 

[Eb1]

I have loaded Speer 170 grain FN bullets in .30-06 using IMR 4064. My BIL used them on deer, and they worked awesome. If I recall we had them going around 2400 fps.

Disclosure here:
This was all my experiment for myself and my BIL. I am not suggesting that you try this yourself. Use book data for the bullet, powder and caliber you are loading for.

 

[vincyr]

Well, I loaded up the first few of my .308 that think they are 30-30 rounds. Tested them out yesterday. No issues. Reasonably accurate( could cover the group with the palm of my hand. Not great, but not a bad start) Took my gun from mild recoiling to barely noticeable. Spoke with a couple very experienced reloaders that I didn't know that I knew, and at their suggestion, I am going to work up a few for a ladder test(from the high 30-30 load to the low .308) and hopefully find what my gun likes best.

On a side note, my dad went up back with me(wasn't gonna be testing the load out all by my lonesome), and he brought his new 1911 to try out(first time he has had a chance to shoot it). He let me empty a mag at the target, and I have to say, I think I am in love. At 30 yards, it was hitting about a foot higher than my point of aim, but put all 8 within 2 inches of each other. I don't think any gun has ever felt so natural to shoot. I gotta get me one.

 

[Eb1]

Most 1911's I have shot have been guns that need a 6 o'clock hold. That might be why you were shooting so high. They like 6 o'clock holds especially if they are fixed sights. From my experience anyways.
Food luck with you ladder test. You will find a good accurate load. I betting around 2450 to 2500 fps.