Shot my first reloads!

[juk]

I was finally able to make it out to the range today to shoot my reloads. I was a tad nervous, but was fairly confident that I did it right. I went from min to max with no blow ups, case ruptures, cracked or split cases, stuck bullets, or anything else negative except for accuracy. Me thinks I may have been more worried about bolt shrapnel than groups. Anyway, I compiled a logbook when I got home and found some pretty neat stuff.

80* 0-wind
450ft elevation
The only variables were the powder charge and barrel temp.

.308
165 sierra spbt gamekings
IMR 4064
CCI LR primer
Hornady cases
no chrony!
5 shot groups

38 grn 1.9"
39 grn 2.01"
40 grn 2.56"
41 grn 2.15"
42 grn 2.14"
43 grn .79"

My next steps will be to load at 42.5, 43, and 43.5 grains. I just hope the last group wasn't a fluke. All I wanted was a starting place for the next phase and I think I found it at 43.

I would like to take the time to thank everyone who has given me advice and guidance. I had been wanting to get into reloading for years and I decided to give it a try shortly after I joined this site. So, many thanks to all of you. I'll be sure to keep asking questions and posting results.

 

[xmanpike]

Way to go! Reloading and finding a great load is so rewarding.

 

[Valkman]

Nice! I felt the same way today after not reloading for over 4 years as I cranked out some .223 and .45 and went and tested them. All shot beautifully, except the .223 round with no primer!

 

[Jacka L Ope]

Congratulations!

 

[RugerBob]

wtg. I remember my 1st shot of my 1st reload. I was nervous and stayed as clear away as i could with my eyes closed. But my arms are only so long.... all went well tho and congrats to you.

 

[The Bushmaster]

It's not unusual for a firearm to shoot better with near maximum powder charge. Though it is more common to see them shoot best spread with lower powder charges. I have two rifles that are at oposit ends of this spectrum. I also have hand guns that are all over the place in that some like light loads and some like near maximum loads.

This is a great habi...Aah...Hobby. So enjoy it to the fullest...

 

[SquirrelNuts]

Nice work juk. This kind of reminds me of a story that I am sure someone else has performed before too. I bought a Mosin Nagant rifle years ago that has a lot of corrosion in the bore. I spent three hours, several bore brushes, one can of Rem Oil, a pack of patches, and an entire newspaper on the floor to clean it. I took some parachute cord and lashed the rifle down to an old truck tire. I ran that parachute cord through the trigger guard and over the trigger. I used that parachute cord from a good distance to fire that first round.

 

[lgbloader]

good Job...

LGB

 

[FM-793]

Good job - the first few for me were a bit nerve racking, but then there's the feeling of "yeah, that was my ammo". It's a great hobby - I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

 

[Shoney]

juk
Very good post! Your listing of data was excellent.

Just out of curiosity, since my recipe info lists max at a range of 45.9 to 46.3C (C = a compressed load), why are you not trying 44.0 gr load as well?

 

[juk]

My sierra book lists max at 43.5. That's the only reason. The more I read on here, the more it seems like numbers vary from one company's book to another. I was considering going to 44 just to see if it would shoot better. Thanks for the encouragement guys. And the deal with strapping the mosin down and pulling the trigger with a string is hilarious.

 

[remingtondude58]

Good job! I load my 308 with 42 grains of IMR 4064. I tried 43.5, and my group size opened up a lot from what I was getting with 41.5 and 42.5, so I went with 42 grains.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

My load with 42.5 gr IMR 4064, CCI primer, 168 gr SMK and federal cases, shot a 1" group at 200 yards last weekend. They chrono'd 2510 fps from my 20" SPS Tactical. I have some loaded at 44 grains, I've fired these, no problems, haven't compared the accuracy yet. I've gone up to 44.5 grains, that was pretty stout, recoil wise, so I backed it down to 44. I'm not going anywhere near 45.9 grains.

 

[remingtondude58]

When I go higher (to 43.5), my primer shows the line around the firing pin, so I backed down.

 

[flipajig]

your gun will tell you what load it likes. for my 30-30 im loading a 130 grn pill for a reduced recoil for my kids to hunt with im running 32 grns of IMR3031 wich if i remember right it is 1 or 2 grns below max. shot through a crony and its running 2150 to 2170 wich is fast enough to get proper bullet performance. and im shooting 1inch groop at 50 yards. I went up to 32.5 and my groop started to oppen up. I dont know what your lookin for but that pice of papper or deer or hog dosent know if that bullet is running 3000rpm or 2800rpm. i load for accuracy not to shoot the hottest or the fasest load in town. Just my thoughts.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Hodgdon's data does show a 45.9 grain max with 168 gr SMK's and 4064. I'm not going to be the guinea pig for that, lol.

Even with Varget, which has a listed max of 46 grains, at 44 grains, which is what I'm running, recoil is pretty stout, but they are accurate.

 

[juk]

yeah, I'm thinking I'll stay well south of that 45.9 load. I was hoping that my rifle would like the lighter loads. Oh well. I, too shoot for accuracy over velocity. If I get both, that's fine too.

 

[juk]

Alright guys. I managed to make and shoot my second batch. I will repost the data from the first loads with the addition of the more recent loadings. I am quite pleased with the results. I have to keep reminding myself that this is for a HUNTING rifle. As such, I should keep my loads manageable, reproducible, and acceptable. So far, all of these loadings have been consistent enough for my liking, and I doubt a deer or hog will be able to tell that it was shot with a less than MOA rifle.

.308
165 sierra spbt gamekings
IMR 4064
CCI LR primer
Hornady cases
no chrony!
5 shot groups

38 grn 1.9"
39 grn 2.01"
40 grn 2.56"
41 grn 2.15"
42 grn 2.14"
43 grn .79"

New trials
43 grn 1.09"
43.5 grn .92"
44 grn 1.68"

Again, these were 5 shot groups. 2 fouling shots before first string. I believe my hunting load will be with 43grns of the 4064. No signs of excessive pressure upon review of the cases, but I did have to use more force to extract the 44grn loads. I will try varying the depth of the bullets on top of the 43grn loads though. All in all, I am a happy camper

 

[mcdonl]

Awesome. I am new at it too and it was so much fun!

Leroy

 

[RoostRider]

My first reloads were done with a Lee hand die system.... you literally had to pound the primer in, pound the bullet in and tap a crimp in the cartridge...... I tell you what, I was WAY more nervous making the rounds than I was shooting them... lol

Glad you had a good experience.... now shooting gets cheaper and more rewarding...

 

[juk]

I am using the 308 as a starting point for reloading. All i need for 45acp reloads is bullets. However, at the time, the only powder I could find for the 45 was Universal Clays. I want to get used to the equipment before I try that. I hear that pressures can spike quickly with that powder. I find reloading very rewarding. I believe that it is better than watching TV and keeps my mind occupied. My only problem is that I am going to have to buy more guns to reload for. 7.62x39, and 22 aren't prime reloading suspects for me. I do have a 9mm that will be reloaded for, but I have a decent amount of stored ammo for now. I guess I will need to start reading up on the 22-250.