.308 reloading first time what to get?

[jediagh]

i have been reloading for 2 years now mainly .30 carbine and some .45 acp.
i would like to start reloading for .308 win but not sure what powder to get and where can i find bullets in bulk as well. No lead just fmj please as i'm not comfortable loading lead yet for anything. granted no sure you can load lead for rifle but that is for another thread.

all i would like to do is plink with a .308 my appleseed targets at the 25 and 100 yard range.
so what powder should i look into getting provided i can even find it.
thanks

 

[rcmodel]

Check for suitable powders in your reloading manual.

.308 FMJ bullet's are near impossible to get anywhere right now.
As are powder & primers.

rc

 

[jmr40]

It depends on what you can find right now. Locally I can get all the Hornady 150gr FMJ .308 bullets I want. Most common powders are back on the shelves as well as primers. It may be different where you live.

There are lots of good powders for 308. My prefered powders are either Varget or Reloder 15. I've also had excellent results with IMR 4064, IMR 4895 and H4895. 3031 isn't bad either. If you can find any of those powders chances are good you'll find an accurate load.

 

[jediagh]

I would like to use by RCBS Uniflow Powder Hopper and IIRC it likes ball type powder. What powders should I stay away from that won't meter well in it?

I have only used WIN 231 (for .45) and WIN 296 (for .30 carbine) in terms of powder and both work well in the hopper.

 

[stubbicatt]

+1 for RL15 in 308, I think it has an edge on Varget. It is one of my favorite propellants.

 

[jmr40]

Ramshot TAC is a ball powder. I've experimented with some Ramshot powder with good results, but not as much experience as the ones listed in my previous post. TAC is supposed to work well with 150gr and lighter bullets. I bought it specifically to shoot 130 gr Barnes bullets in my 308. Ramshot Hunter would probably work well. Look here for load data



http://www.ramshot.com/load-data/
http://hodgdon.com/
http://www.alliantpowder.com/

Ball powder MAY work easier, but you should be able to make any of them work. I weigh each charge. Ball powder flows a bit easier through the powder trickler, but I have no problem getting good loads with stick powder.

You may not be able to be picky at this point. Just use what is available. The good news is that the 308 is easy to find a good load for with many different powders and bullet weights.

 

[Centurian22]

angus6 has/had .308 147gr FMJ'S for a good deal here:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=717636

Says more will be in soon.

As for propellant. I started with IMR4895. For good metering I've heard H335 is good but can be very temperature sensitive (not sure if that's a concern for you).

 

[LiveLife]

where can i find bullets in bulk ... fmj

Widener's has new .308 150 gr FMJ with cannulare for $395 / 2000 shipped - http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=8980&dir=278|281|1081|1161

 

[LiveLife]

what powder should i look into getting provided i can even find it.

Many like Hodgdon 4895 or IMR 4895 for 150 gr bullet weight.

If you can't find some locally, 3rd Generation has H4895 - http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/

 

[Kachok]

My most accurate load is 44.5gr of Varget and a 150gr Speer BTSP loaded to 2.800" in general I can get better speed out of RL15 and a little better accuracy out of Varget, I have had great success with W748 too but only in 180gr.
Always be careful working up Varget it can give a nasty pressure spike, it is the only powder I have ever used to lock up a bolt well below max load.

 

[frankmako]

for 308 i use imr 4895 and/or h4895. all so i used some military pull down powder. i like the pull down bullets for general work.

 

[JohnhenrySTL]

I really like IMR 4064.

 

[Rancher5]

44.5gr A2520 use to be a standard competition load for 168 match bullet, Now I hear RL15 and Vargent period, though finding powder is the key so you might have to just use whats acceptable