43 grains powder for 308 reloading. Seems too much.

busterboyd

busterboyd

Member
Rating - 100%
49   0   0
Tried reloading 308 wins, and lee says start with 43 grains. This seems to fill it to the neck too high with IMR 4064. It also says can go as high as 47 grains. I think 47 wouldn't even fit in shell. Am I missing something? I compared powder weight with lee scale vs my digital scale, and they are both dead on. So my weight isn't the issue.
 
Nothing wrong with compressed loads, sometimes they can be more accurate.
Different powders have different density, different burn rate, different case capacity, and will work better/worse with different bullet weights.
Always start with start data and work up.
 
After depositing the powder in the case, I give the case a few little taps to settle the powder down. I'm using a single stage press and put the powder in with one of these, so it might not work with a volumetric powder dispenser in a multi-stage press.

With a cylindrical / extruded powder, a few taps on the side of the case with your finger (like flicking it) or tapping the case rim on your bench a couple times can settle a few mm lower in the case.
 
Yes that works. I think it's just that I'm used to seeing more of a gap when I'm loading 9's and 45's. This is my first rifle load.
 
A lot depends on the brand of the case, I find the same, IVI cases wont hold that much, while Winchester will, it all depends on wall thickness and internal case volume.
 
150gr?
Brass will have different volumes, 47gr imr4064 fills the case almost to the top of the neck in my federal brass, and halfway down the neck with win brass.
Even 46gr in Fed brass is compressed, about the same amount of compression as 47gr in win brass with 150gr flat base bullets.
You may find a very accurate load well below 47gr that is not compressed or only slightly compressed. Some manuals don't go that high with 150gr bullets.
 
Sometimes compressed loads result in a minor drop in pressure. Likely depends on powder type, style, etc.

Just keep that in mind.

Compressed loads can also push the bullet out a tad after seating. A crimping is always an option.
 
There's a reason .308 kicks like a mule. Ya....it all goes in there.

I use IMR 4064 as well, but it is a bit bulky. If I recall, Gunblue490 has a good video on addressing these issues relative to .308
 
Shouldn't be an issue. I don't use IMR powder myself, but my standard LR load is 45. 7gr of varget and it fills the case but as the other guys said... give er a tap on the side of the case and it should settle it down. When I first started loading and doing development I felt a little uncomfortable with the compressed load but its given me great results.
 
From your description of the load, are you talking about to the base of the neck, halfway up the neck or to the rim of the neck??

If you are using a 150 grain flat base or boat tail bullet, you will likely be able to seat your bullet out far enough not to worry about compression.

IMR4064 is quite a forgiving powder. It does very well with a bit of an air space, or just touching the base of the bullet or being slightly compressed.

You don't mention the cartridge case you're using. The charge of IMR4064 you mention will fil milsurp cases to the base of the neck and if there is a cannelure on the bullet, it will just touch the top of the powder column, if seated to that depth.

IMHO, there's nothing wrong with your load.
 
Gunslingr said:
Shouldn't be an issue. I don't use IMR powder myself, but my standard LR load is 45. 7gr of varget and it fills the case but as the other guys said... give er a tap on the side of the case and it should settle it down. When I first started loading and doing development I felt a little uncomfortable with the compressed load but its given me great results.
Click to expand...

Jebus 45.7gn of Varget in a 308? With a 168gn bullet you are probably over 70k psi!
 
coleman1495 said:
Jebus 45.7gn of Varget in a 308? With a 168gn bullet you are probably over 70k psi!
Click to expand...

46-47 gr of Varget with a 155gr bullet. My load is 46.0 with bare bullets, buddy loads 47.0 with a coated bullet. Still lots of room in a Lapua case. If you are having problems getting 4064 into the case get yourself a drop tube and dump the powder into the funnel a little slower.
 
I have a good load for a Tikka CTR 24 inch barrel.

51 gr of BL-C2 behind a 125 gr sierra sp.
Grandaughter ( she is so good ) will go after willy this winter again, she got 2 last year. In the wind, this ogive is a performer at 3000 fps.:)

PS: Start low, if you try it.
 
maynard said:
46-47 gr of Varget with a 155gr bullet. My load is 46.0 with bare bullets, buddy loads 47.0 with a coated bullet. Still lots of room in a Lapua case. If you are having problems getting 4064 into the case get yourself a drop tube and dump the powder into the funnel a little slower.
Click to expand...

+1 on the drop tube, I find using one will gain you a little room.
 
busterboyd said:
Tried reloading 308 wins, and lee says start with 43 grains. This seems to fill it to the neck too high with IMR 4064. It also says can go as high as 47 grains. I think 47 wouldn't even fit in shell. Am I missing something? I compared powder weight with lee scale vs my digital scale, and they are both dead on. So my weight isn't the issue.
Click to expand...

OP, you do not mention what bullet weight that is for, or what brand of case that you are using? From Hornady 9th manual, they use Hornady/Frontier cases - for 150 to 155 grain bullets they show 38.4 grains IMR 4064 as start and 44.9 grains as max - using Fed 210 primers. Speer #14 Manual uses IMI Commercial cases - they show IMR 4064 in various bullet weights - highest weight of IMR 4064 that I see is 48.0 grains for 125/130 grain bullets with CCI 200 primers. In Nosler #7 Manual they use Nosler brass and WLR primers - for 150/155 grain bullets they go 44.0 to 48.0 grains with IMR 4064. So a couple different manuals showing they managed to get to 48.0 grains in two different brands of cases?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom