Gas Gun reloads

[REL1203]

If I am reloading for a Gas Gun, should the loads be slightly toned down?

Reason I ask is I just loaded up some 308 for my DPMS SASS. I made a few batches, all using VARGET powder and am now starting to think they might be to hot for my Semi Auto SASS.

169 SMK
43.0
43.5
43.9

175 SMK
43.0
43.5
43.9 (this i particularly think might be to hot).

I made just 5 of each, should I dump the highest loads and make a batch of 42.5's?

 

[rcmodel]

Both your loads are well below maximum.

Hodgdon list a Varget starting load with a 165 grain Hornady as 42.0. Max is 46.0 grains Compressed.

They show the 175 SMK with a 42.0 Starting load, and a 45.0 Compressed load as MAX.

But, yes, you should always start with the recommended starting load and work up from there.

rc

 

[REL1203]

Hodgdon is where I got most I my numbers to start with I believe (I also have the Hornady, Speer and Sierra Manual), but didn't know if Gas Guns required anything special since I haven't reloaded for it yet.

 

[Bovice]

i've got a gas gun that fires at +P pressures and a heck of a muzzle flash.

 

[rcmodel]

No special provisions for gas guns, other then using a powder of the correct burn rate.
Varget is one that is correct.

Your AR-10 is fully capable of handling any pressure you will find in any reloading manual.

Just stay away from the fastest or slowest burning powders and you will be fine.

rc

 

[EMC45]

What kind of brass are you using? Is it military?

 

[Slamfire]

Yes, loads for gas guns should be toned down. 308 Nato loads are loaded to 50,000 psia, commercial is 60,000.

Use a chronograph to develop your loads.

For my gas guns I keep my 168’s to between 2575 fps and 2625 fps in a M1a.

White Box match pushed a 174 FMJBT to 2550 fps. So I keep my 175 Sierra bullets under 2600 fps.

My lot of Varget gave me case head separations in this M1a, so I figure I have a slow lot.

[SIZE="3"]M1A Douglas 1:10" Barrel


168 Hornady Match  41.0 grs Varget  wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR		3-Oct-05
		 			OAL 	2.8	T = 87 ° F
Ave Vel =	2486		
Std Dev =	19	
ES =	61		
Low =	2447	
High =	2508		
N =	12		 				
							
							
168 Hornady Match  42.0 grs Varget  wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR		3-Oct-05
		 			OAL 	2.8	T = 87 ° F
Ave Vel =	2541		
Std Dev =	17		 
ES =	51		
Low =	2514	
High =	2565		
N =	12		 				
							
168 Sierra Match  43.0 grs Varget  wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR		3-Oct-05
		 			OAL 	2.8	T = 87 ° F
Ave Vel =	2604				 	 	
Std Dev =	15						
ES =	49				 	
Low =	2581				 		 
High =	2630				 	
N =	20						
							
case head separations	too slow for M1a	[/SIZE]

 

[REL1203]

What kind of brass are you using? Is it military?

Mostly Mixed Commercial now, no Military. Its generally FC, Rem, PPU. I am about to put in an Order of New Win 308 Brass from Midway once the Aug coupons become active and start to build off those, but figured I had 300 or so mixed cheap Commercial brass I might as well start using it for a little while and see what my gun likes so I will have a good starting oint when it comes to my new brass

 

[rcmodel]

To "see what your gun likes" it would be best to sort the mixed brass by head-stamp and shoot it that way for testing.

rc

 

[REL1203]

To "see what your gun likes" it would be best to sort the mixed brass by head-stamp and shoot it that way for testing.

I am doing that as well, i meant more about what size pill they like... For my SASS, 168 or 175, and for my DPMS 62, 69, or 75g....

Hopefully i will be able to order my Win Cases for 223 and 308 soon and then just use my fixed brass as cheap blaster ammo