7.62 AP Reloading Info Needed

[chrisf8657]

Hi guys,

I need reloading data regarding the 7.62mm (.308) Armor-Piercing (Black Tip) Bullet (150 grain)

Let me start off by saying I am aware of the legal controversy surrounding this, and am NOT asking for posts that say "you cant do that" or "its illegal". THE ONLY REPLIES I WOULD LIKE ARE FOR RELOADING DATA, I ACCEPT ALL RISKS AND LEGAL IMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DATA, AND USE OF SUCH BULLETS AND/OR LOADED AMMUNITION, ACCEPT ALL LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND HOLD HARMLESS THOSE (AND ALL), INCLUDING THE HIGH ROAD BULLETIN BOARD IN WHATEVER CAPACITY, FOR AND/OR WHO PROVIDE SUCH DATA, INCLUDING ITSELF.

This reloading is for a few rounds (actually, 20) that I have that I aquirred from a friend that are going to be used for testing & demonstration purposes to a few other friends who do not believe that Military ammunitation is capable of "really" piercing steel. I have obtained several 1/4 and 3/8 in steel blocks from a local machine shop for the demonstration.

What I need is a list of COMMERCIAL powders (H335, 332, Unique, etc.), in grains, and total OAL, for which I can duplicat the military load in a .308 case.

I understand this is a sensitive issue due to legal "things", so any of you can feel free to contact me independently at [email protected].

I should mention these are going to be used in a PTR-91 18in. BBL rifle.

Thank you,
Chris

 

[rcmodel]

I am aware of the legal controversy surrounding this

There is no controversy.
There is absolutely no legal reason you cannot reload or shoot AP ammo, unless it is against your state or local laws, or range rules.

The only constraints are on AP handgun ammo (the so-called Cop Killer bullets).
But even then, the federal law states it is illegal to manufacture the bullets or import them.
Nothing in the law says you can't reload them or shoot them if you have the bullets.

O.K., now the next thing is:
1. Shooting steel with AP ammo is VERY Dangerous. The hard cores will come straight back at you if they fail to penetrate the steel you are shooting.

2. Shooting 1/4" and 3/8" inch steel is not even a test of AP ammo. Any .308 soft-point hunting load will easily shoot through either.

You can duplicate a 7.62 GI 150 grain load with 42.5 IMR-4895, or 46 grs. WW-748 or BL-C(2).

OAL should be self-evident by the location of the crimp cannelure on the bullets.

(H335, 332, Unique, etc.),

Unique is pistol powder.

rc

 

[ants]

I have very little to add to rc model, other than to suggest two different approaches.

• Look up the velocity spec for the military ammo you are duplicating, then use your chronograph to duplicate that velocity using any rifle powder you wish.
  
• Poor Boy's version: Buy surplus US GI ammo of the same bullet weight as your AP slugs. Pull the bullet, replace with your own, shoot the steel plates. It will be very convincing to your buddies.

Don't forget to wear eye protection.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't forget to wear eye protection.

Gonna need more then that if a tungston or steel AP core bounces back off the steel.

I had a friend in HS who put one clear through the right rear fender, internal bracing, through the junk in the trunk, and dented the left fender on his 51 Ford.
30-06 AP at a railroad rail at 25-30 yards.
It missed killing him with a head shot by about a foot.

rc

 

[fatelk]

Just to add to rcmodel's caution about shooting AP:

About 20 years ago, WWII surplus 30-06 AP was still cheap and plentiful. Someone gave me a few rounds so I thought I'd see what it would pierce. I dug four pieces of 1/2" steel out of the scrap pile, set them up behind the barn, and touched off a shot out of my old hunting rifle.

Something hit me right between the eyes and I could feel blood running down my face. At first I thought I'd been cut by the scope. After going to the house to get cleaned up and apply a bandage (my mom freaked out; I was a teenager at the time), I went back and looked at the steel. The super-hard steel core had penetrated 2 pieces of 1/2" mild steel and the nose stuck in the third.

At my feet in the dirt where I had been standing (maybe 50' from target) was the object in the photo. Had it struck me an inch to the left and a little lower, my nickname would probably now be "Patch".

Fortunately it's just the jacket, and not the core.

 

[innerpiece]

umm, you dont need AP .308 to punch thru 1/4 or 3/8 inch steel....
Ive done it with .223 in 1/4, went thru easy... 55gr FMJ..... same round nearly punches thru 3/8 inch.

you dont even need AP for yer goal... you could impress yer friends with just store bought FMJ..... or you could consider something much thicker..

anyway, YES! DO wear protection, and keep ALOT of distance. testshooting on metal early on, alot like fatelk, showed me how dangerous it is if you dont do it right. caught a bit of metal 3 inches below my left eye early on, that was also before I wore eye protection.......

be real careful!