.308 loads for short barrels

[Greg Mercurio]

I'd like to tap the collective wisdom of the members here today.

I'm getting ready to start load work for a Ruger M77 RSI and it has a very short barrel. It's about 18.25" from bolt face to crown, so only about 16" of rifled section. I have a good selection of powders and bullets available but would like to minimize the amount of inventory I use to get an accurate and efficient load developed. Preferences would be in the 150g range for bullets. There's no need for higher weights, if I need more stopping power, there are other calibers in the rack.

Anyone who's loaded .308 for carbine length rifles please chime in with suggested powders, I'll do the homework on loads, so no need to give me the whole enchilada for your pet loads.

Thanks in advance.

 

[oldeadeye]

Hard to beat IMR-4064 for what you have there... I say that because I have the same gun in the same caliber and use 150gr. to 168gr. bullets exclusively in that rifle.

 

[Cheetos]

I load for a Ruger Gunsite Scout with an 18" barrel. The most accurate loads are with RL-17, Benchmark, and Varget with either 150gr boattails or 168gr spitzers.

 

[jmr40]

The same load that gives you the best speeds from a 24" barrel will also give the best speeds from a 16" barrel. Find what works best in your gun. No need for special loads for shorter barrels.

My go to powder is Varget. If not available RL15. But I've used 4064, 4895, 3031 and TAC in the past with near equal success with all of them. 308 is the easiest cartridge I load for. 47 gr of Varget and most any 150 gr bullet gives me 2850-2880 fps from 22" barrels and under 1 MOA. I used to own a 20" gun, speeds were 30-40 fps slower. Never shot anything shorter over a chronograph.

 

[JO JO]

I have a 20 In barrel good results with 4064 and TAC, I prefer TAC as I can use it in 308
and 223 with very good results clean burning and being a ball powder it measures well

 

[Apex Predator]

Varget all the way for a short tube and 150gr. 44.5gr gets me up to full OP and posts some impressive accuracy.
RL 15 is a great powder for a 308 but you need more of it to hit the same pressure so you will have a bit more muzzle blast for sure.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

The same load that gives you the best speeds from a 24" barrel will also give the best speeds from a 16" barrel. Find what works best in your gun. No need for special loads for shorter barrels.

100% good advice there. If you have a good load give it a try in that rifle.

 

[Greg Mercurio]

All replies appreciated.

 

[gamestalker]

I have seen no need to load any differently for a short barrel, vs a longer one. Powders do most of their work in the chamber, so whether it's a 16" or 24", makes little difference.

GS