.308 Load Help

[xd45gaper]

hey guys im at my wits end trying to figure out the correct combo while reloading .308. basically this is what I have.

Powder
IMR 4350
H 4350

Bullets
Barnes 165 GR XBT
Hornady 150 GR GMX

could some one point me in the right direction for a good load on either of these combos. I have a Nosler Load manual, Lee Load Info for the .308, and some Load data from Hodgon's website.

The Nosler manual lists a load combo for the IMR 4350 and the 165 GR bullet but states no min COL, The Lee load has no info for either powders with the 165 gr bullet, but it has a load for the 150 gr bullet and the IMR powder...

Please please help a noobie reloader come up with a load for the 165 gr bullet. The current combo I tried was 165 GR bullet, 46 Grains of IMR 4350, sitting at 2.780" BUT this is a compressed load im assuming because the powder charge fills the bullet all the way up to the middle of the shoulder. and with the bullet seated at 2.780" Im very sure its compressing the powder charge..:banghead:

Any suggestions on a good over all powder to purchase? for bullets ranging from 150-180 range..
Also, any one shoot 200 grain bullets from there .308?

 

[Walkalong]

Compressed powder charges are no big deal. Get a long drop tube to charge the case and the powder level will be down a good bit further if it bothers you.

Do the Nosler bullets you have have a cannelure? If they do, load to it, crimp them in, and there is your O.A.L., unless you want to play with different O.A.L.s to try to get better accuracy. But if you are going to go through that trouble, you wouldn't be asking for a recipe that we can't give for your rifle anyway, you would be tinkering yourself.

I tried H335 in .308 way back when. It shot well and I have never tried another powder. Lazy? I guess so. It shoots well enough for hunting, and that's all I use it for, and not often at that to be honest.

Since you have a manual, pick a starting charge and try it out. We can't find your rifles likes and dislikes. Quit banging your head against the wall, and go try a couple of loads out.

 

[Slamfire]

IMR 4350 is just too slow for the 308. I have tried 4350 with 190's, 175's and 155's. The velocities are not what I would call smoking. Forty seven grains was all I could get in my cases.

Recently I wanted to see what velocities I could get 155 Noslers up to with IMR 4350, well they did not go very fast.

[SIZE="3"]155 Nosler Match 46.0 grs IMR 4350 wtd lot 6164 (late 60's) Mixed Brass CCI200  
	 						OAL LT. 2.800" 
4 July 2009  T =  86 °F						
							
Ave Vel =	2426						
Std Dev =	17						
ES =	56						
High =	2446						
Low =	2390						
N =	10						
						
							
155 Nosler Match 47.0 grs IMR 4350 wtd  lot 6164 (late 60's) Mixed Brass CCI200  
	 	OAL LT 2.800" 				
4 July 2009  T =  86 °F						
							
Ave Vel =	2496						
Std Dev =	24						
ES =	78						
High =	2523						
Low =	2445						
N =	10[/SIZE]

Let me recommend IMR 4895 or IMR 4064 with your 165's. I have shot tens of thousands of rounds with 168 grain match bullets and 41.0 or 41.5 grs IMR 4895. I am certain a 165 gr hunting bullet will be fine with this load.

I do not recommend crimping rifle bullets. Case neck tension is sufficient. Crimping just deforms good bullets.

 

[Delmar]

been loading for my 308 Rem VS for nearly 20 years now. Powders to choose vary by bullet weight if youre getting picky, but for a general powder in the150-180 gr weight bullets, IMR4895, IMR4064, Reloder 15, and others in that burn rate are all good.

 

[xd45gaper]

Quick question about COL, when I load 9mm I just pick a length between the MIN COL and the MAX COL, Usually one that will load good in my pistol. The Nosler Manual does not list Min COL only load densities or some crap I didnt understand it very well aside from the fact that the more full your case is, it will usually result in a more accurate load.

So do you guys load your rifle rounds to max COL? Im not concerned about the accuracy part of this but more of the saftey part.


Is IMR 4350 a slow burning powder then?

 

[Walkalong]

Crimping just deforms good bullets.

Over crimping definitely does, but IMHO a good firm crimp into a cannelure doesn't hurt for hunting accuracy.

I seriously doubt competitors who shoot .308 with match grade bullets crimp.

 

[Walkalong]

Is IMR 4350 a slow burning powder then?

As Slamfire1 posted, it is slow for .308, but not all that slow as really slow powders go. It is quite a bit slower than H335 though.

 

[Delmar]

COL is going to depend on your chamber length and leade, and may be affected by your magazine length. For my rifle, Im limited to a COL of about 2.820 max which works well up to most 168 gr BTHP. For the 180 grain, its about 2.750 because of the bullets ogive touching the lands. BTW, if youre new at reloading, dont try going shorter than what the manual lists as COL....especially if youre getting close to max recommended loads. Pushing the bullet deeper in the case raises pressures.

 

[xd45gaper]

this is what I was concerned with, the load I posted above fills the case all the way up to the about the middle of the shoulder I would guess and the bullet is compressing the load So I was concerned abou it, But the Nosler Manual says you can go all the way up to 50 grains with this stuff I dont see 50 grains fitting in the case!

 

[Delmar]

Walkalong's advice is good, xd. Get a long drop tube and the charge will settle in the case better. I dont think youre compressing your charge, but you can get the powder to settle deeper in the case by gently tapping on the side of the case once you have poured it in. Compressed loads are nothing much to worry about. When Im using Reloder 15, the charge weight Im using comes up to the base of the neck and its caused no problems for me whatsoever. I looked in Noslers 5th edition and they are recommending compressed loads of up to 8% with IMR4350.

 

[xd45gaper]

Thanks for the help guys, I just wanted to be on the safe side, The Nosler Manual is kinda hard to understand I think when they wont give you a Min COAL just a max. I get they are trying to help you with the most accurate load but for a newbie case density isnt helping me with MIN COAL lol

 

[Delmar]

One tool I found to be very helpful is the Stony Point Overall chamber gauge. Some folks blacken a bullet and use a fired case with the mouth flattened just enough to hold the bullet to determine their COL, but the Stony Point is a really handy tool.