loads for .308 enfield

[baz]

Got me one of those $99 Ishy 308 enfields, and lots of milsurp ammo to run through it. But eventually, I plan to buy some new brass and 150 softpoint bullets in case I have a chance to hunt with it. I've read some of the interminable debate about commercial 308 versus milspec 7.62x51, and still don't know who's right, but figure to be okay loading my own. I have the Lee manual, and am looking at the loads for 150 grains using AA 2230, since I just happen to have quite a bit of that on hand.

Has anybody here loaded 308 with AA 2230? First hand reports are always nice.

Otherwise, any favorite loads for the .308, considering that it is a milsurp weapon I'm loading for?

 

[Grandpa Shooter]

Please be careful using surplus ammo in your .308 Enfield. Shortly after I bought mine I purchased some Argentinian .308 to use. It was actually intended for something like an FN and locked up my bolt everytime. My Ishapore is a 1968 so it's not that old and was manufactured for .308 I was able to sell the milsurp to a buddy who loved it, so I got lucky. I will try to dig up my notes on the load I build for mine.

 

[baz]

Okay, thanks. Actually, now that I think about it, the ammo I have isn't exactly surplus, but it is military, I think. It is this Privi Partizan, which is new manufacture, but NATO spec. I bought it because of the volume of advice, on THR and elsewhere, not to use commercial .308. When I can get to the range (probably not for a week or two), I'll see how it does.

 

[Infidel]

If you first check, or have a gunsmith check, the rifle's headspace, and if it will not close on a .308 no-go gauge, then shoot any .308 ammo that you want in it. The "no .308 commercial in a 7.62 NATO" stuff is valid only to the extent that the military field gauge is considerably longer than a regular no-go gauge and commercial brass can be a little thinner than military brass.