Duplicating Remington’s .308 Win, Managed Recoil Load

[haskins02]

I plan to get back into reloading after a VERY long break, primarily for a Browning X-bolt in .308 Win. One load I plan to develop is similar to Remington’s managed recoil (125 gr., MV= 2660), for hunting smaller deer out to 200 yards, plus fun to shoot, lower cost, target shooting. However, neither the bullet (a specialized Core-Lokt) nor the powder, are available to handloaders.

First, the bullet. I was planning to use a Sierra 125 gr. Pro Hunter. At 200 yards, I calculated the bullet would be moving at 2,129 fps, assuming the above MV. Would this be sufficient velocity for bullet expansion, or should I increase the MV to 2,700 or a little higher? What’s the best COAL for accuracy (Sierra suggests 2.700)?

Next, the powder. While several powders can achieve the desired velocity, which ones are likely be the MOST ACCURATE, considering the reduced powder volume and pressure in the case with this reduced load? I cannot determine the answer from my four reloading manuals.

Thanks.

- Greg

 

[Ol` Joe]

You should be fine as far as having enought "oomp" to expand the 125gr Sierra. Sierra claims these are a good "varmite" bullet and work well on medium game at slower starting velocities.

You might also want to look at the Speer 130 gr HP They state it is a bit toughter for game of the coyote/fox size and works well at reduced velocity for deer/antlope.

I`d go with a starting load of most any powder you have on hand that will drive the bullet to the target velocity, 4064, 3031, or one of the 4895s would be a good choice IMO.

The best COL for accuracy is something your rifle will have to tell you. There is no one cut and dry COL for any cartridge with any bullet I`m aware of. The figure in Sierras manual is the lenght they developed their data at, nothing more. The same holds true for Nosler, Hornady, Speer, ect. The book COL is the labs choice of where they wanted the bullet when working up their data.

 

[unloaded]

Hodgdon's annual reloading magazine has a nice article about reduced loads and has data for quite a few. That article alone is worth the price of the manual.
If you can't get your hands on a copy let me know and I will quote some of the data for ya.

peace.
unloaded

 

[243winxb]

Hodgdon Youth Loads

Google "Hodgdon Youth Loads" 308 listed on Page 2 PDF file here http://www.hodgdon.com/PDF/Youth%20Loads.pdf

 

[243winxb]

Chuckhawks Reduced recoil Reloads

http://www.chuckhawks.com/reduced_recoil_reloads.htm .308 Winchester - 130 grain Speer HP bullet, 29.0 grains of IMR 4198 powder, CCI 200 primer, IMI case. COL 2.615". MV 2185 fps in 22" barrel. (Based on the Speer Reloading Manual No. 13.)

.308 Winchester - 150 grain Speer RN bullet, 25.0 grains of SR 4759 powder, CCI 200 primer, IMI case. COL 2.490". MV 1925 fps in 22" barrel. (Based on the Speer Reloading Manual No. 13.)

 

[NCsmitty]

The Hodgdon youth loads does have 308 Win listed on the second page.

NCsmitty

 

[haskins02]

Thank you all for your response. I noticed there is a lot of info published on reduced loads in the 2,000 fps range. Since I am interested in driving a 125 grain bullet around 2,700 fps, the load I am looking for is just a little bit below the "starting" load one normally uses to build up to a maximum pressure load. As a result, there are many many powders I could use. The key is which one is likely to be the most accurate considering the somewhat reduced powder volume and pressure in the case. I guess there is no single right answer, but the general consensus I am getting from you and from other forums is to try H4895 or IMR-4895 and load it down a bit.

Thanks again.

- Greg

 

[RH45]

I'm running 44 grains of H335 behind the Sierra 125 grain soft point and it is one of the softest, and most accurate load through my DPMS .308.

I chronoed it, but, I can't find my notes.

 

[shaggy430]

You might want to take a look at the Hornady 130 grain spire point as well.