165gr Fail Safe ?

Alaska

Handloader
Aug 20, 2006
941
363
Has anyone good load data for
And what was the COAL of the factory load with 165 FS. I loaded some of these at 2.800” seems to long from my memory!

308 Win
165gr Fail Safe
 
Last edited:
Never loaded them in the .308. However, they were a favourite bullet in my 7RM and .280 for some years. Here is some QL data that may help.

Code:
Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler CT FailSafe 53175
Useable Case Capaci: 47.453 grain H2O = 3.081 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H414

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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

-20.0   86    39.92   2191    1759   31012   6815     82.6    1.408
-18.0   88    40.92   2248    1851   33085   7059     84.1    1.370
-16.0   91    41.92   2305    1946   35318   7299     85.5    1.333
-14.0   93    42.91   2363    2045   37721   7534     86.8    1.296
-12.0   95    43.91   2421    2147   40311   7764     88.1    1.260
-10.0   97    44.91   2479    2252   43107   7987     89.4    1.225
-08.0   99    45.91   2539    2361   46132   8202     90.6    1.190
-06.0  101    46.91   2598    2473   49405   8408     91.8    1.156
-04.0  104    47.90   2658    2589   52956   8605     92.8    1.123  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  106    48.90   2718    2707   56811   8790     93.9    1.088  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  108    49.90   2779    2830   61008   8964     94.8    1.054  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  110    50.90   2840    2955   65584   9125     95.7    1.022  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  112    51.90   2901    3084   70589   9272     96.5    0.990  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  114    52.89   2963    3217   76073   9403     97.2    0.959  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  116    53.89   3025    3353   82103   9518     97.9    0.929  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  119    54.89   3088    3493   88750   9615     98.4    0.900  !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    108    49.90   2933    3151   74063   9016     99.1    0.975  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    108    49.90   2583    2445   49702   8453     86.6    1.154



Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler CT FailSafe 53175
Useable Case Capaci: 47.453 grain H2O = 3.081 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61250 psi, or 422 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
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 !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ReloadSwiss RS 60                  109.8     50.4     3.26    2858    99.8    61250    9328   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                           109.0     50.0     3.24    2842    99.3    61250    9215   1.039  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                 109.0     50.0     3.24    2842    99.3    61250    9215   1.039  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                     108.0     50.0     3.24    2782    94.9    61250    8974   1.053  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                       108.0     50.0     3.24    2782    94.9    61250    8974   1.053  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                110.0     51.3     3.32    2777    95.6    60384    9024   1.056  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                    110.0     49.2     3.19    2772    97.4    59884    8930   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                      105.6     46.7     3.03    2755    99.5    61250    8384   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                         105.6     46.7     3.03    2755    99.5    61250    8384   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                      108.0     46.7     3.03    2746    99.3    61250    8295   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                      105.7     45.2     2.93    2738   100.0    61250    7877   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                       107.7     46.1     2.99    2737    99.2    61250    8277   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520                       98.0     45.2     2.93    2734   100.0    61250    7886   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.6                       100.3     45.2     2.93    2734   100.0    61250    7886   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                       104.5     46.7     3.03    2733    97.3    61250    8455   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495                       99.4     42.5     2.76    2720   100.0    61250    7532   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                  110.0     50.4     3.27    2717    96.2    54207    8888   1.107  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 7                    98.5     46.2     2.99    2701    97.2    61250    8127   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.5                        93.7     44.0     2.85    2692    99.9    61250    7669   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2460                       93.4     44.0     2.85    2692    99.9    61250    7669   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                      110.0     48.1     3.12    2692    96.6    54075    8652   1.122  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                          110.0     47.6     3.08    2686    96.4    53941    8609   1.113  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation         110.0     47.6     3.08    2685    96.4    53882    8605   1.114  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                         109.1     46.8     3.03    2683    93.9    61250    8201   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                      109.1     46.8     3.03    2683    93.9    61250    8201   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                       105.6     46.9     3.04    2682    93.9    61250    8194   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R901                       98.8     41.0     2.66    2682   100.0    61250    7518   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                         110.0     47.1     3.05    2680    96.1    59559    8201   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     110.0     49.7     3.22    2677    94.1    53842    8727   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                          110.0     49.7     3.22    2674    90.8    57410    8486   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                         110.0     47.6     3.08    2655    94.1    56701    8304   1.114  ! Near Maximum !
 
Code:
Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler CT FailSafe 53175
Useable Case Capaci: 47.453 grain H2O = 3.081 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon VARGET *T

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   95    40.14   2449    2197   44957   7345     95.0    1.216
-09.0   96    40.59   2474    2243   46347   7429     95.4    1.201
-08.0   97    41.03   2500    2290   47776   7511     95.8    1.187
-07.0   98    41.48   2525    2337   49247   7591     96.2    1.172
-06.0   99    41.92   2551    2384   50761   7668     96.5    1.158
-05.0  100    42.37   2576    2432   52322   7744     96.8    1.145
-04.0  101    42.82   2602    2480   53935   7818     97.2    1.129  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  102    43.26   2627    2529   55603   7889     97.5    1.114  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  103    43.71   2652    2578   57326   7959     97.7    1.098  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  104    44.15   2678    2627   59109   8025     98.0    1.083  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  105    44.60   2703    2677   60953   8090     98.3    1.069  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  106    45.05   2729    2728   62861   8152     98.5    1.055  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  108    45.49   2754    2779   64835   8211     98.7    1.041  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  109    45.94   2779    2830   66878   8268     98.9    1.027  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  110    46.38   2804    2882   68994   8322     99.1    1.013  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  111    46.83   2830    2934   71186   8373     99.3    0.999  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    105    44.60   2763    2797   66101   8056     99.6    1.033  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    105    44.60   2634    2542   55866   8034     96.1    1.110  ! Near Maximum !
 
Code:
Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler CT FailSafe 53175
Useable Case Capaci: 47.453 grain H2O = 3.081 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : IMR 4064

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   95    39.42   2440    2181   44714   7241     95.3    1.223
-09.0   96    39.86   2465    2226   46079   7320     95.7    1.209
-08.0   98    40.30   2490    2272   47489   7398     96.1    1.194
-07.0   99    40.73   2516    2319   48945   7473     96.4    1.180
-06.0  100    41.17   2541    2366   50448   7547     96.8    1.166
-05.0  101    41.61   2566    2413   52001   7618     97.1    1.152
-04.0  102    42.05   2592    2461   53605   7688     97.4    1.137  ! Near Maximum !
-03.0  103    42.49   2617    2509   55263   7755     97.7    1.121  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  104    42.92   2642    2557   56976   7819     97.9    1.106  ! Near Maximum !
-01.0  105    43.36   2667    2606   58747   7882     98.2    1.091  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  106    43.80   2692    2656   60579   7941     98.4    1.076  ! Near Maximum !
+01.0  107    44.24   2717    2705   62472   7998     98.7    1.062  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+02.0  108    44.68   2742    2755   64431   8053     98.9    1.048  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+03.0  109    45.11   2767    2806   66459   8105     99.1    1.034  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  110    45.55   2792    2857   68557   8154     99.2    1.020  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+05.0  111    45.99   2817    2908   70729   8200     99.4    1.006  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 5% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 5% relative to nominal value:
+Ba    106    43.80   2752    2774   65813   7886     99.7    1.040  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 5% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    106    43.80   2623    2521   55429   7906     96.3    1.118  ! Near Maximum !
There is an old favourite propellant that didn't get the recognition it deserved in this cartridge.
 
Never loaded them in the .308. However, they were a favourite bullet in my 7RM and .280 for some years. Here is some QL data that may help.

Code:
Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler CT FailSafe 53175
Useable Case Capaci: 47.453 grain H2O = 3.081 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm
Powder             : Hodgdon H414

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% 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

-20.0   86    39.92   2191    1759   31012   6815     82.6    1.408
-18.0   88    40.92   2248    1851   33085   7059     84.1    1.370
-16.0   91    41.92   2305    1946   35318   7299     85.5    1.333
-14.0   93    42.91   2363    2045   37721   7534     86.8    1.296
-12.0   95    43.91   2421    2147   40311   7764     88.1    1.260
-10.0   97    44.91   2479    2252   43107   7987     89.4    1.225
-08.0   99    45.91   2539    2361   46132   8202     90.6    1.190
-06.0  101    46.91   2598    2473   49405   8408     91.8    1.156
-04.0  104    47.90   2658    2589   52956   8605     92.8    1.123  ! Near Maximum !
-02.0  106    48.90   2718    2707   56811   8790     93.9    1.088  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  108    49.90   2779    2830   61008   8964     94.8    1.054  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  110    50.90   2840    2955   65584   9125     95.7    1.022  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0  112    51.90   2901    3084   70589   9272     96.5    0.990  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0  114    52.89   2963    3217   76073   9403     97.2    0.959  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0  116    53.89   3025    3353   82103   9518     97.9    0.929  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0  119    54.89   3088    3493   88750   9615     98.4    0.900  !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    108    49.90   2933    3151   74063   9016     99.1    0.975  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba    108    49.90   2583    2445   49702   8453     86.6    1.154



Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 165, Nosler CT FailSafe 53175
Useable Case Capaci: 47.453 grain H2O = 3.081 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch = 71.12 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 558.8 mm

Predicted Data for Indicated Charges of the Following Powders.
Matching Maximum Pressure: 61250 psi, or 422 MPa
or a maximum loading ratio or filling of 110 %
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 !

Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time
                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms
---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
ReloadSwiss RS 60                  109.8     50.4     3.26    2858    99.8    61250    9328   1.035  ! Near Maximum !
Elcho 17                           109.0     50.0     3.24    2842    99.3    61250    9215   1.039  ! Near Maximum !
Alliant Reloder-17                 109.0     50.0     3.24    2842    99.3    61250    9215   1.039  ! Near Maximum !
Winchester 760                     108.0     50.0     3.24    2782    94.9    61250    8974   1.053  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H414                       108.0     50.0     3.24    2782    94.9    61250    8974   1.053  ! Near Maximum !
PB Clermont PCL 511                110.0     51.3     3.32    2777    95.6    60384    9024   1.056  ! Near Maximum !
Vihtavuori N550                    110.0     49.2     3.19    2772    97.4    59884    8930   1.069  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 203 old                      105.6     46.7     3.03    2755    99.5    61250    8384   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP3                         105.6     46.7     3.03    2755    99.5    61250    8384   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R903                      108.0     46.7     3.03    2746    99.3    61250    8295   1.077  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4064                      105.7     45.2     2.93    2738   100.0    61250    7877   1.096  ! Near Maximum !
Somchem S355                       107.7     46.1     2.99    2737    99.2    61250    8277   1.076  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2520                       98.0     45.2     2.93    2734   100.0    61250    7886   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.6                       100.3     45.2     2.93    2734   100.0    61250    7886   1.080  ! Near Maximum !
Hodgdon H380                       104.5     46.7     3.03    2733    97.3    61250    8455   1.074  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2495                       99.4     42.5     2.76    2720   100.0    61250    7532   1.103  ! Near Maximum !
ReloadSwiss RS 62                  110.0     50.4     3.27    2717    96.2    54207    8888   1.107  ! Near Maximum !
SNPE Vectan SP 7                    98.5     46.2     2.99    2701    97.2    61250    8127   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex D073.5                        93.7     44.0     2.85    2692    99.9    61250    7669   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 2460                       93.4     44.0     2.85    2692    99.9    61250    7669   1.091  ! Near Maximum !
Accurate 4350                      110.0     48.1     3.12    2692    96.6    54075    8652   1.122  ! Near Maximum !
Norma URP                          110.0     47.6     3.08    2686    96.4    53941    8609   1.113  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP19 ~approximation         110.0     47.6     3.08    2685    96.4    53882    8605   1.114  ! Near Maximum !
Bofors RP7                         109.1     46.8     3.03    2683    93.9    61250    8201   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R907                      109.1     46.8     3.03    2683    93.9    61250    8201   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
IMR 4007 SSC                       105.6     46.9     3.04    2682    93.9    61250    8194   1.079  ! Near Maximum !
Rottweil R901                       98.8     41.0     2.66    2682   100.0    61250    7518   1.099  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S065                         110.0     47.1     3.05    2680    96.1    59559    8201   1.093  ! Near Maximum !
Ramshot Hunter                     110.0     49.7     3.22    2677    94.1    53842    8727   1.112  ! Near Maximum !
Norma 204                          110.0     49.7     3.22    2674    90.8    57410    8486   1.086  ! Near Maximum !
Lovex S070                         110.0     47.6     3.08    2655    94.1    56701    8304   1.114  ! Near Maximum !
I have a ample supply of 160gr for .284 of Fail Safe
3 boxes of 25 each ……….sold 7 RM years ago for trade
I need some Swift A Frame 225gr in .338 bullets

Looks like data is for a 180gr …….44.0 of Varget and 4064 for the 165 FS.
 
Last edited:
Loved the failsafe bullet
Yes very good bullet for heavy game FS
Not the best deer bullet to heavy constructed
Man loved that 140gr FS in a 270 win for elk hunting years ago.
I still have a ample supply of .284 in 160gr and .308 at 165gr and 180gr along with .338 at 230gr FS and some Partition golds in 180gr .308 and 250gr .338 PG in my inventory.
I haven’t used the FS for hunting for years kinda went with Accubonds and Swift A Frame.
I have a sweet little Bergara Ridge in 308 win I thought about loading some 165 FS and see how they shoot.
Could you run CFE 223 with the 165 FS on quick load ……thanks
I thinking it’s going to be around 44.0 also !
 
Last edited:
My pet load for the .308 is 49.0 gr. of W760. Do start at least 2.5 gr. below as that load was max in the book I used. velocity was 2550 FPS from an 18.5" barrel and 2610 FPS from a 22" barrel. Longest shot I used that ;oad on was a Mule Deer at 250 yards. One and down, DRT. Recovered bullet retain 65% of its original weight.
Paul B.
 
My pet load for the .308 is 49.0 gr. of W760. Do start at least 2.5 gr. below as that load was max in the book I used. velocity was 2550 FPS from an 18.5" barrel and 2610 FPS from a 22" barrel. Longest shot I used that ;oad on was a Mule Deer at 250 yards. One and down, DRT. Recovered bullet retain 65% of its original weight.
Paul B.
That’s a good shot !
65% bullet weight retention was this with a Fail Safe ?
W748 was a good powder in 308 win
 
Last edited:
No, the Speer 165 gr. Hot Core.
Paul B.
Speer 165gr Hot Cor Spitzer excellent bullet in 308 win for hunting. I have used a lot Speer hot cor over the years to harvest game. Much better than the Speer BT bullets. I use a 350gr Speer in my Marlin 45/70 for years excelllent bullet.
 
Buddy of mine hit a sturdy 3x3 mule deer at about 150 yards with a Fail Safe from his .270 Winchester. I was surprised that it ran so far!

Only 75 - 100 yards, then crashed into some trees, but I'm used to mule deer just falling down when hit. Good hit, through and through. Didn't appear to be much bullet expansion. He'd gotten a great deal on the Fail Safe bullets and was using them that year. 2009 I think. Interesting to me, as it was known to be a deep penetrating bullet that might not expand well in deer sized game.

I never used them, but always thought they were interesting.

FWIW, Guy
 
Buddy of mine hit a sturdy 3x3 mule deer at about 150 yards with a Fail Safe from his .270 Winchester. I was surprised that it ran so far!

Only 75 - 100 yards, then crashed into some trees, but I'm used to mule deer just falling down when hit. Good hit, through and through. Didn't appear to be much bullet expansion. He'd gotten a great deal on the Fail Safe bullets and was using them that year. 2009 I think. Interesting to me, as it was known to be a deep penetrating bullet that might not expand well in deer sized game.

I never used them, but always thought they were interesting.

FWIW, Guy
It’s a tough bullet the fail safe great on elk and larger game the 140gr FS in the 270 win
 
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