.308 Win and Blue Dot

[joneb]

CAUTION: The following post includes loading data beyond currently published maximums for this cartridge. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. Neither the writer, The High Road, nor the staff of THR assume any liability for any damage or injury resulting from use of this information.

This warning is not appropriate for reduced loads, I think we need another warning Reduced loads can be as dangerous as over max loads.
I got board today and began thinking about a reduced load for my .308 using Blue Dot and Nosler 125gr BT. My motive is purely experimental, I loaded 10rnds with 15.5gr of BD and 5rnds of 16.0gr of BD all with Fed. 210 primers and my COL was 2.820 they all shot well, it took 5rnds to zero my scope for these new loads they shot low and right. I am pleased with how well these loads shot and I will do more testing with BD in the .308

100yds, wind 5-10 mph from my left

 

[Grumulkin]

Actually, there is a guy on another forum who has done quite a bit of testing with Blue Dot in a variety of large rifle cartridges. Apparently it works well with less recoil but I've never seen a good reason to try it.

 

[BAT1]

Blu dot

Interesting, I'm doing some .308 with Varget/ 168 SMK, and IM 4895. The .308 is very versatile, who knows what they put in them under fire and needing powder.

 

[Shoney]

http://www.reloadingroom.com/page46.html
http://www.reloadingroom.com/page33.html

 

[joneb]

Well I bought a pound of Accurate's 5744, they're 05 loaders guide had data for the .308 win and the Nos 125gr BT I tried 24 grs of 5744, the place I went to shoot was a little busy so may range was less than a 100yds

This powder worked well, and at 24grs cannot be double charged, but 16grs of Blue Dot can. The Blue dot loads were dirty and the 5744 loads even worse, I may try more neck tension or crimping and see if the 5744 load cleans up.
I hope to find a good mid range coyote load from this.

 

[slugfest]

Tomorrow, I'll try bullseye

 

[dakotasin]

i'm experimenting with unique and a hard cast bullets through a 300 wsm. currently i'm running about 16 grains unique behind a 165 grain slug for 1150 f/s. i need to do a little more tweaking to get accuracy where it needs to be, but this is proving to be a fun 100-yard and less plinker. mild report, almost no recoil. i've run 10-16 grains through, and the higher charges are more consistent. 10 grains unique would be about right for a 308...

 

[joneb]

I can only guess at velocity, Accurate's data shows the Nos 125 BT with 24.8 of 5744 at 2,051 fps the 24gr load may be around 1,950 and the 16gr blue dot ? load seems less, maybe 1,800 ish. With a 100yd zero I'll see where they shoot at 50 and 150 yds.
I would rather use the 5744 powder, I assume it is less sensitive to temp. and position than Blue Dot.

slugfest, for what caliber and bullet weight ? and how much Bullseye ?
I will try the Unique load, I've read 10gr is the place to start. thanks

 

[slugfest]

I was actually joking. Sorry. I think I would only try it with someone elses rifle and a long string. I believe DSA filled up a 308 case with bullseye to test fire one of their rifles...just to see hoe well it handled a major overcharge.
Here's the link
http://www.dsarms.com/pressure_test.asp

 

[joneb]

Sluggo no offense taken. I do take this endeavor seriously, I can think of a few applications where reduced loads could be of some benefit. This intrigues me as max loads once did, and then accurate max loads and then accurate loads , and now accurate reduced loads. Reloading is no stranger to uncharted territory, and with that said I do not feel that I am that far off course.

 

[CZ57]

JJ: there are a good many reloaders using Blue Dot for reduced rifle loads. You might want to do a search at http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve

 

[joneb]

Thanks CZ, I look forward to it.

 

[CZ57]

YW!