CZ550 .308Win 150gr

[Rommel]

Good morning all from Swakopmund, Namibia, if you don't know where that is, google earth works a charm!
I am currently shooting Norma Plastic Points through my CZ550 Varminter Bull Barrel. I want to shoot a round that shoots flatter, has reach and still have breath to penetrate and expand out to 300/400m.
Now, I get conflicting info, but my heart is basically set on 150 B/T with Reloader 15, as I can use this in my .243Win 80gr B/T ( which I use to harvest Kudu / Oryx etc )

Some guys say Reloader 15 will not push a 150gr with enough velocity...
Help!

 

[beerbucksducks]

I have had good luck with both RL 15 and Varget for loading 150 ballistic tips. With that said, accuracy was great but I did not chronograph the loads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DrMike]

Welcome aboard. Sounds as if you live in a great place to get in some hunting for great game.

I believe RL15 will give you plenty of "oomph" with the 150 grain BT in your CZ550. I did a QL projection with a 22 inch (56 cm) barrel which shows the charge/bullet combo to perform quite well.

Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 125, Nosler BalTip 30125
Useable Case Capaci: 51.141 grain H2O = 3.321 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-15 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   98    46.26   2838    2235   42976   8231     91.3    1.097
-09.0   99    46.77   2871    2288   44481   8336     91.8    1.080
-08.0  100    47.29   2904    2341   46042   8438     92.4    1.063
-07.0  101    47.80   2937    2394   47662   8538     92.9    1.047
-06.0  102    48.32   2970    2448   49342   8636     93.4    1.031
-05.0  104    48.83   3003    2503   51088   8730     94.0    1.015
-04.0  105    49.34   3036    2559   52898   8823     94.4    0.999  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  106    49.86   3069    2615   54779   8912     94.9    0.984  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  107    50.37   3103    2672   56732   8998     95.4    0.968  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  108    50.89   3136    2729   58761   9081     95.8    0.954  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  109    51.40   3169    2787   60870   9161     96.2    0.939  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  110    51.91   3202    2846   63063   9238     96.6    0.925  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  111    52.43   3236    2906   65344   9311     97.0    0.911  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  112    52.94   3269    2966   67717   9380     97.3    0.897  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  113    53.46   3302    3026   70187   9446     97.6    0.883  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  114    53.97   3335    3088   72759   9508     97.9    0.870  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    109    51.40   3331    3079   73352   9139     99.6    0.869  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    109    51.40   2959    2430   48921   8742     89.0    1.031

I have to believe that the load you suggest would work well for you. If you're harvesting Kudu with the 80 grain BT from your 243, then the 150 grain BT from your 308 will perform that much better.

Again, welcome aboard.

 

[Rommel]

Thank you very much Dr Mike, we do indeed live in Hunting Paradise! Just a head's up... your recipe you attached is for 125gr B/T?
Thanks for your prompt feedback sir!

 

[Rommel]

Our toughest plains game are the oryx, they can take a lot of punishment ( And Lead) before they expire. I shoot only headshots, ( so the .243 80gr Nosler B/T work a charm) but I need something to "pull up the handbrake" should Murphy accompany the hunt. Hence a flat shooting .308 if i need to go shoot Springbuck and Oryx in the Kalahari...

 

[DrMike]

Thank you very much Dr Mike, we do indeed live in Hunting Paradise! Just a head's up... your recipe you attached is for 125gr B/T?
Thanks for your prompt feedback sir!

That is what happens when you get old and rush things. I use a wide screen monitor and the cursor slipped as I set up the projection. Here is the one you actually requested. It still shows a powerful load for you.

Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 150, Nosler BalTip 30150
Useable Case Capaci: 46.998 grain H2O = 3.051 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-15 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   96    41.76   2588    2230   43229   7716     93.4    1.190
-09.0   97    42.22   2617    2281   44700   7807     93.9    1.172
-08.0   99    42.69   2646    2332   46224   7896     94.4    1.154
-07.0  100    43.15   2675    2383   47802   7983     94.9    1.137
-06.0  101    43.62   2704    2435   49436   8067     95.3    1.120
-05.0  102    44.08   2733    2488   51131   8149     95.7    1.103
-04.0  103    44.54   2762    2541   52886   8228     96.1    1.086  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  104    45.01   2791    2594   54706   8305     96.5    1.070  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  105    45.47   2820    2649   56594   8379     96.9    1.055  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  106    45.94   2849    2703   58551   8449     97.2    1.039  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  107    46.40   2878    2759   60582   8517     97.5    1.024  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  108    46.86   2907    2814   62690   8582     97.8    1.009  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  109    47.33   2936    2871   64879   8643     98.1    0.994  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  110    47.79   2965    2928   67151   8702     98.4    0.979  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  111    48.26   2994    2985   69513   8756     98.6    0.965  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  112    48.72   3023    3043   71967   8808     98.9    0.951  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    107    46.40   3013    3024   72794   8375    100.0    0.950  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    107    46.40   2697    2423   48857   8240     91.2    1.121

Mia culpa, mia maxima culpa.

 

[Rommel]

Sir, my curser has in fact also slipped when I tried to rush things... Thanks, This is gold, Now I am more at ease!

 

[Rommel]

Any way you can do the same for my Howa1500 .243 using 80gr Nosler B/T, RE15? First beer's on me when you come to hunt Africa...

 

[DrMike]

Cartridge          : .243 Win.
Bullet             : .243, 80, Nosler BalTip 24080
Useable Case Capaci: 50.292 grain H2O = 3.265 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Alliant Reloder-15 *C

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 1.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step    Fill. Charge   Vel.  Energy   Pmax   Pmuz  Prop.Burnt B_Time
 %       %    Grains   fps   ft.lbs    psi    psi      %        ms

-10.0   80    37.08   2927    1521   43316  10498     97.6    1.187
-09.0   81    37.49   2956    1552   44617  10600     97.9    1.171
-08.0   82    37.90   2985    1583   45952  10697     98.2    1.155
-07.0   83    38.32   3014    1613   47324  10791     98.5    1.139
-06.0   84    38.73   3042    1644   48732  10881     98.7    1.124
-05.0   84    39.14   3071    1675   50179  10966     99.0    1.109
-04.0   85    39.55   3100    1707   51665  11048     99.2    1.094  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0   86    39.96   3128    1738   53191  11126     99.4    1.079  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0   87    40.38   3156    1770   54758  11200     99.5    1.065  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0   88    40.79   3184    1801   56368  11269     99.7    1.051  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0   89    41.20   3212    1833   58021  11334     99.8    1.037  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0   90    41.61   3240    1865   59720  11394     99.9    1.024  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0   91    42.02   3267    1896   61465  11450     99.9    1.010  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0   92    42.44   3295    1928   63257  11502    100.0    0.998  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0   92    42.85   3322    1960   65099  11548    100.0    0.985  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0   93    43.26   3349    1992   66992  11592    100.0    0.972  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba     89    41.20   3332    1972   67779  10979    100.0    0.966  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba     89    41.20   3041    1642   48272  11273     96.2    1.131

You'll have to tipple one for me. Chances of me getting to Africa are somewhere between slim and nil. Age has a way of limiting movement. Not complaining, just facing reality.

Just to give some other options if you wish to play with other powders, I've thrown in the following projection.

Cartridge          : .243 Win.
Bullet             : .243, 80, Nosler BalTip 24080
Useable Case Capaci: 50.292 grain H2O = 3.265 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.710 inch = 68.83 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 59350 psi, or 409 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 112 %
These calculations refer to your specified settings in QuickLOAD 'Cartridge Dimensions' window.
C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested
loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand
that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet
and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.
USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !

8 loads produced a Loading Ratio below user-defined minimum of 90%. These powders have been skipped.
Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
Alliant Reloder-26 *C              104.1     51.9     3.36    3370    99.8    59350   13326   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 76 *C               111.8     55.8     3.62    3364    98.5    59350   13966   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 60 *T                95.2     46.3     3.00    3342   100.0    59350   12121   1.008  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP *C                       104.8     50.7     3.28    3335    98.1    59350   13206   1.020  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 70 *C                97.9     48.3     3.13    3322    99.5    59350   12563   1.010  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17 *T               94.2     45.8     2.97    3317   100.0    59350   12058   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                            94.2     45.8     2.97    3317   100.0    59350   12058   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N560 *C                 106.4     50.4     3.27    3314    94.6    59350   13205   1.017  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RL16 TZ *C *T                99.2     44.8     2.90    3311    99.9    59350   12104   1.007  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-16 *C *T            99.2     44.8     2.90    3311    99.9    59350   12104   1.007  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-25 *C              112.0     51.6     3.35    3308    99.4    57906   12840   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA15 *C                    106.7     50.0     3.24    3299    96.7    59350   12870   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-22 *C              106.7     50.0     3.24    3299    96.7    59350   12870   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5/NP ~approximation       106.7     50.0     3.24    3299    96.7    59350   12870   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP36 ZT *C *T               108.9     49.4     3.20    3297   100.0    59350   11929   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-23 *C *T           108.9     49.4     3.20    3297   100.0    59350   11929   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828                           110.8     49.9     3.23    3297    95.0    59350   12819   1.009  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7828 SSC                       104.8     49.9     3.23    3297    95.0    59350   12819   1.009  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester WXR                     109.6     50.2     3.26    3296    96.5    59350   12861   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP15                        109.6     50.2     3.26    3296    96.5    59350   12861   1.022  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate MAGPRO                    106.6     52.5     3.40    3292    92.9    59350   13114   1.025  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 12                  108.7     53.8     3.48    3292    95.7    59350   12912   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 517                108.8     53.8     3.49    3291    95.5    59350   12921   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N555 *C*T               105.7     48.0     3.11    3286    99.9    59350   12202   1.043  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N565 *C                 111.4     53.0     3.44    3285    95.0    59350   13030   1.037  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S365                       100.9     46.5     3.01    3282   100.0    59350   11519   1.028  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2213                        105.6     49.5     3.21    3280    94.8    59350   12653   1.008  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                   97.5     47.4     3.07    3273    99.5    59350   12090   1.034  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                 95.6     47.2     3.06    3266    98.7    59350   12151   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 518                 99.5     47.6     3.09    3266    98.5    59350   12192   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                      93.3     45.8     2.97    3265    98.0    59350   12171   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                        93.3     45.8     2.97    3265    98.0    59350   12171   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                      98.7     47.3     3.06    3265    98.7    59350   12132   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2209                        102.6     47.3     3.07    3262    96.3    59350   12213   1.009  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Magnum                     106.1     53.6     3.47    3261    97.4    59350   12269   1.018  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-19 *C              103.2     47.8     3.10    3259    96.5    59350   12277   1.018  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP *C                        98.4     45.1     2.92    3258    99.6    59350   11821   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation          98.4     45.1     2.92    3257    99.6    59350   11817   1.026  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R905                      107.8     49.6     3.21    3257    94.5    59350   12407   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon LVR                         95.9     44.5     2.88    3255    99.3    59350   11787   1.021  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550 *C                  95.5     45.3     2.93    3254    99.5    59350   11917   1.031  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                       97.8     45.3     2.94    3253    99.6    59350   11840   1.043  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AP 2214                        109.3     52.6     3.41    3251    94.9    59350   12411   1.011  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP14 ~approximation         103.9     48.2     3.12    3250    96.5    59350   12176   1.018  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4831                           103.2     45.8     2.97    3237    99.7    59350   11577   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204 *C                        97.9     46.8     3.04    3236    96.2    59350   11966   1.017  ! Near Maximum !
Raufoss RA4                        101.0     46.8     3.04    3236    96.2    59350   11966   1.017  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 ~approximation          101.0     46.8     3.04    3236    96.2    59350   11966   1.017  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP5 NT *C ~approximation    109.0     51.5     3.34    3226    92.3    59350   12222   1.014  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon Hybrid 100V                101.1     45.3     2.94    3225   100.0    59350   10977   1.024  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S385                       103.4     48.5     3.14    3220    97.5    59350   11827   1.037  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 SC *T                104.3     48.9     3.17    3220    94.1    59350   11911   1.016  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H4831 *T                   108.5     48.9     3.17    3220    94.1    59350   11911   1.016  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP4 NT *C ~approximation     98.7     46.4     3.01    3218    97.8    59350   11681   1.029  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                        90.9     43.0     2.79    3218    99.4    59350   11425   1.032  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                          91.3     42.8     2.77    3217   100.0    59350   11094   1.042  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                       91.3     42.8     2.77    3217   100.0    59350   11094   1.042  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                       93.3     42.8     2.77    3211   100.0    59350   11026   1.042  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 3100                      106.8     49.5     3.21    3210    98.7    59350   11623   1.050  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World SW4350               97.9     44.9     2.91    3208    98.1    59350   11560   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                          97.9     44.9     2.91    3208    98.1    59350   11560   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                        93.4     42.4     2.74    3207   100.0    59350   11013   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 80 *C               112.0     56.3     3.65    3203    91.7    53225   13294   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R904                      101.8     46.5     3.01    3201    95.1    59350   11608   1.019  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester Supreme 780             101.6     49.7     3.22    3201    96.3    59350   11593   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N165 *C                 108.7     49.8     3.23    3199    97.1    59350   11478   1.028  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP30                        112.0     51.9     3.36    3197    94.1    52643   12894   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Norma MRP 2 *C                     112.0     51.9     3.36    3197    94.1    52643   12894   1.081  ! Near Maximum !
Shooters World Long Rifle           96.7     43.9     2.84    3191    98.9    59350   11225   1.034  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                          96.7     43.9     2.84    3191    98.9    59350   11225   1.034  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                       95.6     43.5     2.82    3189    97.4    59350   11336   1.028  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                          95.6     43.5     2.82    3189    97.4    59350   11336   1.028  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                        92.6     43.5     2.82    3188    97.4    59350   11327   1.028  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4955 Enduron *C*T              105.3     47.5     3.08    3185    94.4    59350   11550   1.020  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                       90.8     41.2     2.67    3183   100.0    59350   10463   1.061  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S071                         112.0     49.1     3.18    3181    98.5    57541   11565   1.065  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N570 *C                 112.0     54.7     3.55    3177    87.1    51885   13355   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N160 *C                 108.5     48.2     3.13    3177    95.0    59350   11347   1.023  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S361                       100.5     49.6     3.22    3152    94.2    59350   11235   1.033  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H1000 *T                   112.0     51.4     3.33    3141    93.1    53521   12033   1.060  ! Near Maximum !
ADI AR 2217                        112.0     51.4     3.33    3141    93.1    53521   12033   1.060  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 7977 Enduron *C*T              109.3     50.1     3.25    3085    85.8    59350   10690   1.026  ! Near Maximum !

 

[Guy Miner]

Rommel, welcome to the Nosler Reloading Forum!

Yes, I have happily used RL-15 with 125, 150/155, 165 & 168 grain bullets from my 308 Win. It performed very similarly to Varget, and often at similar charge weights.

Excellent accuracy and good velocity.

Regards, Guy

 

[Scrumbag]

Might also be worth looking at N540.

My Dad grew up in Maun so relatively close. I've not got to Namibia yet, but I will

 

[Rommel]

Thank you very much Sir! You can bring your walker along... We'll call you the "Walker-Stalker" We can also let you ride on the back of a ''Bakkie" - our pickups... Pretty stable shooting platforms...

 

[Rommel]

Rommel, welcome to the Nosler Reloading Forum!

Yes, I have happily used RL-15 with 125, 150/155, 165 & 168 grain bullets from my 308 Win. It performed very similarly to Varget, and often at similar charge weights.

Excellent accuracy and good velocity.

Regards, Guy

Thanks a bunch Guy... Lots of guys say Varget is very versatile, but also very dirty...

 

[Rommel]

Might also be worth looking at N540.

My Dad grew up in Maun so relatively close. I've not got to Namibia yet, but I will

Very cool, lots of Bots guys come to Nam for fishing along our coast, some of the best fishing around!

 

[TXbaldhunter]

I've never used Reloader 15 in my CZ 550 308 Varmint,but it shoot really well with 46.5grs of Varget or 45.5grs of TAC.Both those loads gave me a tad over 2900fps with a 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.I'm shooting these loads with 168gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in my two CZ 550 Varmint 308's and my Sako Long Range 308.These loads will give me a tad over 2800fps.I use Win cases and WLRM primers in those loads.

 

[Rommel]

I've never used Reloader 15 in my CZ 550 308 Varmint,but it shoot really well with 46.5grs of Varget or 45.5grs of TAC.Both those loads gave me a tad over 2900fps with a 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips.I'm shooting these loads with 168gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in my two CZ 550 Varmint 308's and my Sako Long Range 308.These loads will give me a tad over 2800fps.I use Win cases and WLRM primers in those loads.

Those are some Tidy groups! Call me lazy or overly cautious, but the attractive bit of Reloader15 is, I can use it on both my .243 and .308... If they group well with it!

 

[Songdog]

Call me lazy or overly cautious, but the attractive bit of Reloader15 is, I can use it on both my .243 and .308... If they group well with it!

You can do the same thing with about 25 different powders.