308 bullets and load data

[Slasher]

I have a chance to pick up some 147gr surplus pulls and 175gr SMK's at a really good price. My problem is that in both my Speer and Lyman reloading manuals I can find no load data for the 147gr. I also have the 308 load data from the Sierra manual and it does not list 147gr there either. I have the 175gr SMK's listed in all three so I am not worried about those. Would it be a bad idea to get the 147's? They are almost half the price so it would be nice to have them on hand but not if I can't find any load data for them.

Thanks,

 

[dawico]

I consider it safe practice to load lighter bullets with heavier bullet load data, such as loading 147 grain bullets with 150/ 155 grain bullet data. You can't do the opposite, as that increases pressure, and I only use this theory in moderation. Start load levels moderate and use standard reloading safety practices and all that, but you should be alright.

All my books show load data for 150 grain .308 bullets, and that data should be safe for 147 grain bullets.

If these are tracer bullets, proceed with caution. They are cheap to buy, and fun to shoot, but they are also great at starting grass fires.

 

[Walkalong]

All my books show load data for 150 grain .308 bullets, and that data should be safe for 147 grain bullets.

Yep. Generally considered perfectly safe.

One thing to consider is the longer bearing length of tracers for their weight. Use 150 or 155 Gr data and work up carefully.

 

[Slasher]

Thanks guys. I am not sure if they are tracers but I will find out and load accordingly.

On a side note, my Speer manual says to load with magnum primers but by Lyman does not. Do you use magnum primers when loading for a bolt action .308?

 

[grubbylabs]

I use Rem 9 1/2 or magnum primers with my 165 grain 308 and IMR 4064, but I am not at max load, only 43 grains.

 

[243winxb]

Do you use magnum primers when loading for a bolt action .308?

IMR 4895 type powders do not need a mag. primer. Other powders may if ball/coated/slower burn rate. A mag primer is not a problem when working up from a starting load. Use 150 or 155 Gr data and work up carefully.

 

[medalguy]

If the bullets show lead at the base, and are standard boat tail, they are M80 ball bullets. If they show a copper cup slightly recessed into the base of the bullet, and they are a bit longer than a standard ball bullet, with a somewhat flat base, they are tracer. The tracer bullets I believe are also about 135 grains.

The ball bullets are fairly accurate, and make great machine gun fodder.

 

[SmokeySam81]

Magnum primers are also very common with compressed loads. What are you going to load them into?

 

[Slasher]

These will be for a new Marlin XS7 I just got.

 

[SmokeySam81]

when you try them out let us know how they shoot, I am kind of interested in trying some out myself. I shoot .308 calibers through my mosin nagant m44, for a while I couldn't find 7.62x54r data so I would look at .308 and .30-06 and do something in between their loadings with pretty good results and no pressure problems. If I can do that then you should have no problem with losing 3 grains, that is 2% if I did my headmath right.

 

[yooper_sjd]

If you want a military load,

46 gr WC846 with 150 gr bullet
41 gr IMR 4475 with 170 gr bullet
41 gr IMR 4475 with 150 gr bullet
46 gr WC846 with 142 gr M62 tracer (orange tip)
46 gr WC846 with 146 gr M62 tracer
46 gr WC846 with 146 gr M80 ball (bullet)
46 gr WC846 with 149 gr M80 ball (bullet)
44 gr WC846 and or IMR4895 with 172 gr bullet
10.5 gr SR 8074 with 108.5 gr frangible bullet
42 gr IMR 4895 with 168 Hollow point bullet (match/sniper)
45 gr Bofors NC1290 with 126.6 gr armor piercing

This is load data taken from Military Tech Manual (Small Arms Ammunition)
TM 43-0001-27