First let me state that I have a Rem. 700 308 Tactical with the 20" bull barrel and a 1/10 twist. I want to start reloading for it and here's what I have: Lake City LR brass, IMR4064 powder, Nosler 165gr Partition Spitzer and CCI 200 primers. I know reloading procedures are to start low and work up testing until signs of pressure and then back off. But I'm retired and live on a fixed income and can't afford that nor do I really have a place to do this testing. I looking for advise from someone who might be using these same components and give me their best reload data. Also, can anyone explain why Noslers reloading data and My One Book/One Caliber book for a 308 using the 165gr Spitzer is as follows: 40.5 (92%) 42.5 (97%) 44.5* (101%) Also both indicated by the * that this was the most accurate load but also a compressed load. So my other question is, would the 44.5gr of IRM4064 create pressure problems? Sorry if this seems long. Thanks
Newbi here and looking for advise on reloading for my 308
- Thread starter 1winnen
- Start date
Hello 1W.
Going straight to the top load in data might be dangerous. You most probably would not be injured or damage anything but you won't know until you pull the trigger.
If you just want to load up and shoot with no work up, my advice is logically to pick something close to the minimum load and shoot it which should be safe.
Sorry that I can't help you with specific data as I don't shoot IMR powder in my 308, however I always found my 308 liked loads about mid way between book minimum and maximum levels.
Maybe you can shoot a ladder of ascending loads, one or two shots per charge, working up by about half a grain at a time? That's what I do when I have not much time to work up a new load. Its far from perfect but you do gather some data.
Otherwise just load some up near book minimum at recommended oal and shoot away.
Good luck.
- Bob
Going straight to the top load in data might be dangerous. You most probably would not be injured or damage anything but you won't know until you pull the trigger.
If you just want to load up and shoot with no work up, my advice is logically to pick something close to the minimum load and shoot it which should be safe.
Sorry that I can't help you with specific data as I don't shoot IMR powder in my 308, however I always found my 308 liked loads about mid way between book minimum and maximum levels.
Maybe you can shoot a ladder of ascending loads, one or two shots per charge, working up by about half a grain at a time? That's what I do when I have not much time to work up a new load. Its far from perfect but you do gather some data.
Otherwise just load some up near book minimum at recommended oal and shoot away.
Good luck.
- Bob
nosler06
Handloader
- Nov 13, 2012
- 253
- 35
1winnen":3vy6wile said:
I have reloaded for a .308 Browning BLR with IMR4350 and IMR4895 with 165 Noslers Part. and CCI200 primers. I did not like the results from the IMR4895 and the IMR4350 was not the best fit for the .308. I have after much great advise from many on here switched to Varget and the 165gr Nosler Part. and CCI200 primers and found my rifle loves 44.0grs of the Varget. I would never start at a near max load first. I know it might cost a little $$ to work up, but what is the price of a new rifle or heaven forbid eye sight or other bodily damage. You will need to find what works best in your particular rifle. All rifles like different recipes. Just my opinion. Hope it helps.
joelkdouglas
Handloader
- Jun 5, 2011
- 1,310
- 3
1winnen,
I load one shell at a starting load and then go up a grain at a time to make sure the load is safe. I don't even start with the recommended starting loads using lead core bullets. I typically use the middle load as a starting point. This "method" only uses about three shots to make sure the load isn't dangerous.
You likely won't see any pressure problems with a book load. The above is just a safety check.
Also, in my experience 101% fill probably won't be a compressed load. Sometimes 110% estimated fill isn't a compressed load depending on throat length.
v/r
Joel
I load one shell at a starting load and then go up a grain at a time to make sure the load is safe. I don't even start with the recommended starting loads using lead core bullets. I typically use the middle load as a starting point. This "method" only uses about three shots to make sure the load isn't dangerous.
You likely won't see any pressure problems with a book load. The above is just a safety check.
Also, in my experience 101% fill probably won't be a compressed load. Sometimes 110% estimated fill isn't a compressed load depending on throat length.
v/r
Joel
- Oct 30, 2004
- 24,275
- 2,986
Start at the beginning and you should max out before you get to the middle with the fat military brass.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
I shot .308, 165 bullets (BT's) in a .308 Ruger No. 1 for several years with LC (Lake City) head stamped cases. These cases were heavier and had less water capacity than W-W or Remington cases. I handloaded these LC cases with IMR 4064 as you are and began to have pressure issues at about 44.0 or a little more 4064. I also never could break 2600 fps with these cases. These loads were slow but quite accurate, BTW.
BeeTee
Handloader
- Jul 27, 2011
- 400
- 0
Weigh a bunch of the empty LC cases, and use the heaviest for load development. That way, you should see fewer surprises.
Oldtrader3
Ammo Smith
- Nov 6, 2009
- 8,406
- 5
I do not ever use Berger's, so there you have it!
You haven't stated your purpose for your ammo. If just for informal target shooting or hunting game up to mule deer, you can save a lot of money going with a conventional sp bullet such as made by Speer, Hornady or PRVI Partizan. These will offer plenty of performance on game or targets and are generally more forgiving in terms of shooting well with different loads. Flat based bullets are easier to get good accuracy with right off the bat. Buy a good loading manual, I'd recommend Lyman 49th or one of the older Lymans second hand and read the basic reloading chapters several times.
I loaded .308 for a long time in a Rem 788. I can still quote the loads. Hor 150 SP, Rem brass and primer, 46 gr BL-C2 (target practice) and 49 gr BL-C2 (hunting). I killed a lot of deer, rocks, bowling pins and paper targets with those loads.
The 4064 you have is a fine powder for .308. It has been eclipsed recently by Varget but used to be one of the go-to powders in this round. Unless you are really trying to reach out long range, I would load 10 rounds each at 43, 43.5 and 44 gr. This should give you enough margin of safety to work up and will avoid compressed charges that can cause slight difficulty for a NOOB. Settle on the one that groups the best.
I loaded .308 for a long time in a Rem 788. I can still quote the loads. Hor 150 SP, Rem brass and primer, 46 gr BL-C2 (target practice) and 49 gr BL-C2 (hunting). I killed a lot of deer, rocks, bowling pins and paper targets with those loads.
The 4064 you have is a fine powder for .308. It has been eclipsed recently by Varget but used to be one of the go-to powders in this round. Unless you are really trying to reach out long range, I would load 10 rounds each at 43, 43.5 and 44 gr. This should give you enough margin of safety to work up and will avoid compressed charges that can cause slight difficulty for a NOOB. Settle on the one that groups the best.
Antelope_Sniper
Handloader
- Jan 25, 2008
- 2,618
- 0
Winnine:
Chambers vary,
Throats vary,
Brass varies,
Powder lotts vary,
changing OAL changes presses
pressure can also very with primes.
I recently started with what I believed was a midrange load in a known rifle.....the midrange load was too hot.... For this particular combination, the starting load will be close to a max load in this rifle.
Start low, and work up. Overall your components look fine, but I'd also suggest you try some 165gr BT's.
Chambers vary,
Throats vary,
Brass varies,
Powder lotts vary,
changing OAL changes presses
pressure can also very with primes.
I recently started with what I believed was a midrange load in a known rifle.....the midrange load was too hot.... For this particular combination, the starting load will be close to a max load in this rifle.
Start low, and work up. Overall your components look fine, but I'd also suggest you try some 165gr BT's.
