reloading for 7.62x51

[High Desert Pete]

I have reloading Data for .308 but am having trouble finding data for 7.62x51.
I have empty 7,62x51 cases and would like to get them loaded up and in service.
Would it be appropriate to use the reloading data I have for .308 but reduce the powder charge
1.5 grains ? Or dose it matter ? The loads I'll be making will not be max. I'll be using 165 gr. bullets and the powder I'll be burning is IMR 3031. The empty cases I'm referring to are ARMSCOR.
My rifle is an AREO PRECISION chambered for both .308 and 7.62x51.

Thanks, Pete

 

[Charlie98]

If you are looking for specific service rifle load data, Hornady and Hodgdon have your answer. Generically speaking, if you are going from commercial .308 brass to military 7.62mm brass, which is typically thicker, you drop one grain and work back up. Conversely, if you go from military brass, you would have to rework the load for commercial brass because of the higher case volume.

The biggest sticking point between .308 data and '7.62mm' data is the requirement to be used in a gas gun... think M1a/M14, or other gas-operated (AR-10, et al...) guns and not overgas the system. In your case, IMR3031 is a reasonable powder. The same goes for the M1 Garand.

 

[High Desert Pete]

Yeah Charlie thats what I've been thinking too. I meant to start out at a starting load and not reduce that.
But after working up from there I thought it would be appropriate to reduce the charge by 1.5 grains.
I pull a good deal of my reload data from the Hodgdon site but I could not find any info for 7.62, I'll give Hornady a try..

 

[Charlie98]

At Hodgdon it’s listed as .308 Service Rifle. There is nothing magical about the 7.62mm, same same.

 

[Mycin]

I was just reading through my Sierra reloading manual last night (as opposed to just looking up load recipes) and this recommendation at the bottom of the cover page for .308 Winchester (pg. 655 in my copy) stuck in my mind: "If military brass is used for reloading, the charges should be reduced by one or two grains. The thicker construction of these cases decreases capacity, making a reduction in charge weight a necessity."

They also have a special section on "Gas Gun Reloading" (pp. 147 - 160) where they discuss this and other issues such as powder selection so that you don't damage the gas system, primer selection and procedures for mitigating the risk of slam-fires, bullet selection, etc. I hadn't realized there were so many issues specific to these sorts of rifle. I'm just getting into handgun loading and in the back of my mind was the idea of eventually loading some .308 ammo for my L1A1 and my buddy's AR-10. I may still do so, but am at least forewarned that there's more to consider than simply stuffing the proper amount of 2400 in .357 Mag brass.

 

[High Desert Pete]

Yeah Mycin you're so right about getting it all figured out. I was going to remain a happy reloader just doing .308 for
my gas gun but then I got ahold of these NATO rounds. I've always been one to keep my powder recipes on the lower
end of my data pages anyway but that said my .308 is such a bitchin piece to shoot. I'm headed out in the A.M. to
give it the "Hot Treatment"... Think I'll take my AR 15 along too.

 

[Charlie98]

I was just reading through my Sierra reloading manual last night (as opposed to just looking up load recipes) and this recommendation at the bottom of the cover page for .308 Winchester (pg. 655 in my copy) stuck in my mind: "If military brass is used for reloading, the charges should be reduced by one or two grains. The thicker construction of these cases decreases capacity, making a reduction in charge weight a necessity."

They also have a special section on "Gas Gun Reloading" (pp. 147 - 160) where they discuss this and other issues such as powder selection so that you don't damage the gas system, primer selection and procedures for mitigating the risk of slam-fires, bullet selection, etc. I hadn't realized there were so many issues specific to these sorts of rifle. I'm just getting into handgun loading and in the back of my mind was the idea of eventually loading some .308 ammo for my L1A1 and my buddy's AR-10. I may still do so, but am at least forewarned that there's more to consider than simply stuffing the proper amount of 2400 in .357 Mag brass.

I'm no stranger to the reloading bench, but when I took on loading for my M1a, it opened up a whole 'nuther can of worms. Primer selection, primer seating, brass selection and prep, powder and bullet choice all became quite relevant, it's true.

 

[peels]

I'm no stranger to the reloading bench, but when I took on loading for my M1a, it opened up a whole 'nuther can of worms. Primer selection, primer seating, brass selection and prep, powder and bullet choice all became quite relevant, it's true.

Yeah...same here...ended up with M1A specific powder, primer, and sizing die setting. Even bought a WFT to trim brass due to the increased round count.

 

[Glockula]

You can definitely reduce the starting load by a grain to a grain and a half for starting .308 loads in NATO headstamped brass. I have found both 3031 and 4895 to be good powders with 150s in NATO brass. There is definitely reduced case volume.

Sometimes its good to look at a commercial. 308 case and see how full it is and compare to the 7.62×51. You want about the same powder fill in both cases. Its a good check to make sure you are on the right path with known load data.