New to .308 reloading

[Slasher]

I have been loading for .40S&W and .223 for a while so I pretty much know the actual reloading part but I am going to start reloading for .308Win here in a month or so and had a couple of questions about that.

I have been buying LC .223 brass and that is fine for my AR. I will be getting a Marlin XS7 bolt so I wanted to know where is the best place to get brass for that. Being a bolt do I need to stick with .308 brass or can I use 7.62 brass also? Do you have any good places to get .308 brass.

What size projectile will I need? I would think it would be .308 but I ask because I buy .224 for my .223 AR. I have been looking at the dogtown bullets from Midwayusa and the varmint extreme bullets from midsouth shooters supply but didn't know if there was an equivalent for the .308. I will mainly be shooting paper and pretty much for groups but I am by no means a benchrest shooter. I would just like to be able to shoot tight groups and would like to find an inexpensive projectile to do it with.

Anyone have any recommendations for powder? I have been using TAC for my AR and it has been good. I put in a post earlier asking about the WC846 but don't know which load data to use with it. If anyone has other suggestions I would love to hear them.

I know I have seen that some powder uses magnum large rifle primers but don't know which ones I should get a brick of, regular LRP or magnum LRP's.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[redbullitt]

I would use the 7.62, but its up to you. generally it has thicker case walls, thus a lower capacity. This means you will need to lower your charge a bit to compensate. I would keep an eye on the sales section and good old wideners for brass.

You will need 30 caliber projectiles,.308 diameter, ie 168 sierra matchking (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=1482125877).
The SMK and hornady AMAX are very good bullets and are reasonably priced.

I like hodgdon varget for my 308, but quite a few can work well for ya
I use standard winchester large rifle primers. You should not need mag primers for the 308 under normal conditions.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'll recommend Remington brass, its good stuff with high capacity. As for projectiles, I like Nosler 168 gr HPBT's, $204/1000 + shipping at Midwayusa. As for powder, I've settled on IMR-4895. Unless you are shooting in extreme temp's, this is a very good powder.

 

[Slamfire]

Anyone have any recommendations for powder?

I would use nothing slower than IMR 4064.

My favorite 308 powders are the 4895 series. That is IMR 4895/H4895/AA2495. AA2495 is Accurate Arms knockoff of IMR 4895 but stupidly they call it something different and confuse everyone. Shoots well though. Buy by price. These are all short stick powders and throw well enough that you won't see anything on target due to throw weight varience.

Unless you are shooting maximum loads, in which case weigh charges.

Varget may turn out to be the "best" powder in 308, but national records were set with IMR 4895 and IMR 4064. I have shot thousands of target loads at 600 and 1000 yards with 190s and IMR 4064. I am switching over to Varget with the heavy bullet as I am getting a little more velocity without case sticking with Varget.

I am using CCI #34's in most of my 308 target ammo as the short range stuff may be shot in M1a's as well as my target bolt rifles. At 600 and 1000 yards I am using Federals in the bolt rifle. Federals are too sensitive for gas guns as they are the most slamfiring primer on the market.

 

[Roadkill]

I also use IMR4895, any large rifle primer (but Federal), and pulled military projectiles. My .308 guns are a DSA FAL, a Polytech M14S, and a PTR 91. Semi autos are less forgiving than bolt actions so you shouldn't have any problems at all.

 

[kennedy]

twice I have got 5 shot .4 in groups at 100 yds using a .308 rem 700 with rem brass, 168gr match kings, and H4895 powder, I also have had great results, under 1 in using federal, and winchester cases, but adjust the powder grains based on the capacity of the cases.

 

[black timber]

168 SMKs or Amax will work great for paper. H4895 is my favorite powder for .308 and heavier .223 with Varget coming in a close second. I use Win. brass and usually BR2 primers.
How far are you shooting?

 

[grubbylabs]

I have the Marlin in 308 and I think it is a great rifle for the money.

I copied a load from someone on a different forum but it is in my Speer book, minus the Magnum primer.

What I load is

165 grain BTSP (cheap bullet and can kill something if you want it to)
43 grains of IMR 4064
Rem 9 1/2 Primer (its what I had and it works so I haven't messed with it.)
Winchester Brass (mostly)
And I use the Speer recommended COAL.
I am by no means a shooter but I can still manage to get a clover leaf when shooting.

Oh I bought my first brass with bullets in it and then I bought some from Natchez and some from a local Sportsman's Warehouse.

Since this load does well for me in my gun I have not messed with doing any thing else.

 

[stingrr]

Try the TAC you have, before you go buy another powder. I have good results with it in .308.

 

[black timber]

I agree, if you have TAC already, use it.