I have an idea

[Maddogkiller]

I have an FAL that I have shortened the barrel on to 16.25 inches and moved the gas block back toward the receiver by 2.75 inches. This new position puts the gas port on the increasing side of the pressure curve. The shorter barrel also reduces the muzzle velocity of the bullet substantially.
The result of having the gas port closer to the chamber is that the pressure is still increasing as the brass is being extracted. I can control this to a degree by adjusting the gas regulator.

Here is what I have in mind. In order to increase the velocity of the bullet and to have peak pressure dropping when the case is being extracted, I have thought about using a pistol powder instead of rifle powder. The rifle is chambered for 308 WIN and pushing a 147/150 grain FMJBT bullet. I use W231 to reload my 45ACP and thought about using that powder to experiment.

I would appreciate constructive input from experienced handloaders on this idea.

Thanks in advance

MDK

 

[Mike Irwin]

Hum...

In a word?

Don't.

There are some powders that have a broad range of applications from handguns to shotguns to rifles (in either small cased rounds or reduced power rounds using lead bullets).

WW 231 is NOT one of those powders.

Because of its burning rate, it is really only suitable for use in handgun cartridges.

Any other application can be dangerous to your gun, or you.

 

[only1asterisk]

Mike is right about Win 231, it is the wrong kind of powder. If you are dead set on using a pistol powder for .308's, I recommend Red Dot (also useful for basically everything). Do a search for "The Load" AND Red Dot and you should find tons of info.

I am no expert on the FALs gas system but I doubt you will get enough gas volume. If I were you, I'd look at the faster rifle powders suitable for use in the .308. Reloader 7 springs to mind.

Good luck

 

[Maddogkiller]

Thank you for the replies. I am not dead set on anything. I am just "thinking out loud" so to speak.


I have noticed in my reloading data books that there is a series of rifle powders that have an RX prefix. I haven't seen any powder on the shelves with that prefix. Is there an equivilent to these powders by another name?

 

[Lucky Jim]

RX

This is Alliant Powder and some call it Reloder (as labeled on containers) but sometimes it is listed as RX powder. It is made in Sweden for New River Energetics. I do not know how many of the RX powders they make, but Reloder or RX 7, 12 & 15 I know are out there to be had. I use it in lots of rifle loads including cast bullet loads. Prices around my part of the world are about $17.00 to $19.00 per pound.

 

[Clark]

What is the problem with standard .308 ammo?
The brass is beat up and bulged?
The bolt carrier comes back to hard?

Moderator edit: Two lines redacted. JPG

If faster powder is the key, I would try some powders just a little faster, like 3031, and then Re7, etc.

 

[C.R.Sam]

Caution.

If you are going to try to obtain original barrel length velocity with a shorter barrel....

Will likely require higher PEAK pressure to get the same amount of push in a shorter time.

Go gently into the wildcats den.

Sam

 

[Maddogkiller]

I built this rifle to be a 300 yrd rifle. My objective is to have a handy carbine that will dispatch a threat ( man, beast, or the occasional offensive milk jug) out to the range specified and look very cool doing it.


When I fired Portuguese military surplus ammo through this rifle at 100 yrds, the bullets would not penetrate a 1/4 inch mild steel plate. The same ammo fired through an 18 inch barrel FAL punched through without difficulty.


I have purchased some 125 gr SP FB bullets for experimenting. I have some W748 on hand so perhaps that would be a good place to start.