Need help identifying a bullit

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sure as shootin

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About a year ago I was given 5-6 dozen .308 hand loads from a guy from one of the hunting web sites. I wasn't about to try and shoot them out of my rifle so the plan was to break them down so I could re-size the brass, replace the powder/primers and use the bullits for target practice from various hunting positions. I "thought" I was told they were Hornady projectiles and they definitely look like them but here's the dilemma.

I figured they'd be 150 grain but I threw some on the scale and they all weighed in between 59.8 to 60.1 grains so obviously they're 160 grain bullits but Hornady doesn't make a 160 grain bullit according to the handbook I have.

Sure look like SST to me:



Did Hornady make 160 grain bullits in the past and discontinue them? Also, there's nothing in the Hornady handbook in terms of loading data for 160 gr. bullits so just wondering what data I should use to reload them. I guess I could use the 165 gr. SST loading data and bump the max. a bit or go on the Hogdon loading site to see what charges they suggest for 160 grain bullit (if there is one).
 
MDF said:
They might be these: http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-160-gr-FTX-for-30-30-Win

Hornady 160 grain FTX (30-30) Item No. 30395.

In the Hornady 9th Edition manual, they are on page 390 under 30-30 Winchester.

Interestingly, the Hodgdon reloading data site does not list data for 160 gr bullets for 308 or 30-06. I would think that these would work, though.
Click to expand...

Even though they were designed for a 30-30, they should be OK for my .308?

Edit to add:

Upon closer inspection, after looking at page 390 of the Hornady handbook, I don't believe they are the FTX. The FTX have a much stubbier nose and longer body. The ones that I have a much longer and more tapered nose with a shorter body like the SST. So now I'm confused again as to what they are because they're definitely a 160 grain. LOL

Edit to add (again):

I think it maybe the 160 gr. FTX (Marlin Express) p. 405 of the handbook. So I guess my question is can you use any .308 diameter bullet (like this particular one) for use in a .308 Win.?
 
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sure as shootin said:
Even though they were designed for a 30-30, they should be OK for my .308?
Click to expand...

I would email or call Hornady and ask. They are the same calibre -- .308" -- but the bullets different shapes.

[UPDATE:] I think you are right -- yours look like the Marlin Express bullets.

Note that the 30-30 bullet is shorter and the cannelure is farther forward than on, say, a 150 gr SST bullet. This is going to affect how you seat the bullet and the cartridge overall length.

The Marlin Express bullets, though, look a lot more like the 150 gr SST bullets suggested for the 308 Win.

35d45ev.png


Ping Hornady and see what they say -- http://www.hornady.com/contact_us
 
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MDF said:
I would email or call Hornady and ask. They are the same calibre -- .308" -- but the bullets different shapes.

[UPDATE:] I think you are right -- yours look like the Marlin Express bullets.

Note that the 30-30 bullet is shorter and the cannelure is farther forward than on, say, a 150 gr SST bullet. This is going to affect how you seat the bullet and the cartridge overall length.

The Marlin Express bullets, though, look a lot more like the 150 gr SST bullets suggested for the 308 Win.

35d45ev.png


Ping Hornady and see what they say -- http://www.hornady.com/contact_us
Click to expand...

Thanks MDF! I had just done that very thing before checking back here. I think in the meantime I'll make up a dummy round just to see if they will chamber into my rifle. If they don't I won't need to worry about the answer as to whether I can use them or not. I guess if they do fit I'd use a charge suitable for the .308 Win. case as opposed to the Marlin Express case which I imagine has entirely different specs,,,,never seen one before.

Edit to add:

Reloaded a dummy round and it chambered no problem so I guess I just need to find out a min/max powder charge for it. I'm thinking somewhere in the 41-45 grains area based on what the handbook says for the 150-155 gr. and the 165 gr. recommendationsfor the .308. Should be somewhere in between those two grain weights.
 
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It will work fine. The only difference is the position of the cannelure. It had to be moved forward on the .30-30 version of the bullet to keep C.O.A.L. short enough to function in lever action guns. It needs a cannelure, so it can be crimped effectively and not shove the bullet back when lined up in a tube mag and subjected to recoil.
 
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