Which manual to use?

[ar10]

I have the hornady 7th edition manual and I'm reloading my .308. I bought an 8lb can of Varget and I'm using federal large rifle primers. The bullet is 168gr BTHP match
from the Hornady manual using Varget it shows the min thru the max load. The max load states 41.3 gr for a .308 service rifle.

Hodgdon web site shows min 42gr and a max 46 using a SIE 168gr BTHP.
Their max load isn't even listed in the Hornady manual for the .308 service rifle.
I know there are differences between a service rifle and non-service rifle but it seems the powder load is a lot different.

My first set of bullets using Varget was based on the Hornady specs and I loaded 3 sets of 5 each beginning with 38gr, 39.4, and 40.6gr.
At 100 yds with about 20mph cross wind the lighter loads hit way to the left of the target with the 38gr bullets barely hitting the edge. The 40.6gr dumped all 5 within the bull with 2 breaking the inner bull ring. My conclusion was the Hornady manual was way off and the Hodgdon load data is closer to what I should be using.
It's confusing so I thought I'd post here before I increase my load from 40.6 to 41.3gr.

 

[USSR]

ar10,

The difference is in the brass used and the platform (autoloader or boltgun). If you use the Hodgdon load in Winchester or Hornady Match brass (large case capacity, hence lower pressure) in a modern boltgun, no problem. Use the same load in milsurp brass (small case capacity and higher pressure), and you're liable to be picking pieces of metal out of your face.

Don

 

[PowderApe]

When you're working up a load, disregard where the bullet impacts and just go for the group size! You can always (usually) adjust the sights later to center the group on the target bullseye once you find a load the gun likes!

A chronograph is a nice luxury to have too but certainly unnecessary.

Those cross wind will raise havoc with light bullets and may skew the results meaning that it was the wind and not the ammo that opened the group or made it print weird.... avoid research on those days/times and stick to plinking when that happens. Serious workups require minimal variables

WORK THE LOAD UP for YOUR gun and DO NOT just pick out a load from a manual! Have MULTIPLE manuals to cross reference data

 

[kragluver]

It is not unusual to find slightly different max loads depending on the manual. Differences can be attributed to brass, primer or bullet manufacture as well as the test setup that was used by the author(s) of the manual. That is one reason that its always a good idea to consult multiple manuals and go on the safe side. Like others have stated, the Hodgdon website is an excellent resource. I too like the Hornady manual and the Lyman #48.

 

[dagger dog]

Looking at my Hornady 5th manual for 7.62X51 Nato shot from Springfield Armory M1A, 22" bbl.1-10 twist, data for 168 gr. BTHP #30501 with Varget is start 35.5 grs. max 42.7 grs @ 2600 fps.

 

[rodregier]

Don't go crazy with it, but Varget in .308 Win and .223 Rem tends to be volume, not pressure-limited. i.e. it's difficult to stuff enough into a case. I've used drop tubes and vibratory case tumblers to settle it enough to pack it all in.

Reloading manuals are like watches. With one watch you know what time it is. With more than one you aren't sure...

 

[aerod1]

I now have 7 reloading manuals and I am a newbie to reloading. I am reading all I can and asking questions on the forums.
I have found most people in the reloading forums to be a cut above the rest and really helpful!!

 

[Rokman]

My Nosler manual lists 42min-46gr. max for 168bthp, but it is not listed as service rifle. Check out Sierra, because I got some great info for 5.56 service rifle from them.

 

[PowderApe]

Which manual? ALL of them. Whatever you can get your hands on! Compare the given data and work up your loads.

I must have 20 manuals- new and old. Some good and some for cross checks only. Some mostly used as doorstops except when I want to cross check something (printing errors do occur! I've found them!)

I have some put out by powder manufacturers, some by bullet makers(Sierra-Speer-Hornady) some by equipment makers (Lyman, Lee, etc) some on disk and some online. Some are dedicated one caliber only spiral bound books

I find I reach for and use Lyman's 48th the most; Speer and the online versions very often too. I find I really like Ken Water's "PET LOADS" compilations from Handloader magazine (a VERY good periodical!) and their online load data

Check it out:
http://www.riflemagazine.com/magazine/PDF/hl253partial.pdf

 

[Rokman]

A good website that I found is 6mmBR.com. If you go there and click on .308 Winchester, you can get some good, free info. that may be of some help.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Many manuals are really reprints of other data sources, not data that was developed by them. When using a new powder or powder/bullet combination I always defer to the powder manufacturers data. I would say the data on the Hodgdon site is probably correct.

 

[moooose102]

well, from working up loads in my remington 700 (300 win mag) i have to tell you this. it seems that my rifle must have a fairly tight chamber, because when i load very much (about 1/2 way between starting and max is where i start getting signs) over the starting loads, i start getting signs of high pressure (bolt gets stiff, primers are flat with sharp corners, etc.) so if you are just starting out, i would suggest you start with the lower starting load, and work your way up. i had a very high pressure problem here a while ago (faulty scale) and let me tell you, it is scarry when you get one that is so high, you can tell something is WAY WRONG just by touching one off! do yourself a big favor, and work from the bottom up! it only takes a little extra time and effort to be safe.