.308 Winchester handload powder charges?

[rookie wildcat]

Sorry my bad, groups are 1/2" @ 100 yds and 1 1/2" @ 200 yds. Yah thats looks more like my shooting. Wow when I went back and read I thought I was going to get called up to be a sniper or something. orry for this missprinting.

Obviously, you, Sir, are still one hell of a shot. 1/2" group at 100yds with a 3X scope on a BLR? Still great shooting to me.
Now, on to your question,
In an older loading manual (the magazine type) that IMR put out for free distribution by their dealers, not dated, but I have had for probably close to 20 years, it lists data for the 150gn and the 180gn using 4350. 46.0C for both.
In Sierra's 3rd edition Rifle Reloading Manual, 1989, it lists 165gn SBT or HPBT with 45.8gn IMR4350 as a start giving ~2400fps and 49.4gn as a max giving ~2600fps. However, the powder is the second-last on the list. Same data is published in the 4th edition, except that it IS the very last powder in the list. I am sure that you can safely use this data until your powder is used up, but, as usual, I would work it up from 43.6 (5% under start) and slowly approach the max. Most times. I NEVER even fire the max loads since the accuracy becomes adequate well under that.

 

[DrXenon]

My .308 is getting 2900 fps with 47.1 gr of Varget pushing 155 gr Lapua Scenar bullets.

 

[BearClan]

Lyman Reloading Handbook #49 data for the .308 WIN (newest lyman manual) lists charges of 45.5-50.5 grains of IMR4350 (2360-2637 fps; 24" barrel), with 165 Nosler Partitions and Remington 9 1/2 LR primers.

 

[Nosler06]

Dean2

Thanks for the information. My Browning BLR is a lever action has a 19 inch barrel. I started shooting this rifle when I was 8 yrs old. my dad has not used it for years as he uses a 30-06 as well. The overall length of this rifle is 40 inches. I use it mostly as a pack rifle when shorter is needed from my 30-06. By all the reading that I been doing and all of of the great informational posts it only seems logical to just buy a can of IMR4895 powder and start loading and see where that leads me on the targets and then game.

 

[blargon]

By all the reading that I been doing and all of of the great informational posts it only seems logical to just buy a can of IMR4895 powder and start loading and see where that leads me on the targets and then game.

My go-to powder is IMR 4895 for short barreled .308's...2750fps with a 165gr and 20".

 

[jhors]

I have the latest Nosler manual and it lists IMR4350. The load range is from a minimum of 46.0 to a max of 50 grains. All are listed as compressed loads. At minimum the manual lists 2502FPS and at max it is 2792FPS.

The manual states 46 grains equals 101% of case capacity and the max at 110%.

Finally in the tests done by Nosler they state the minimum load is the most accurate.

 

[Nosler06]

Thanks jhors. I am in the process on purchasing the Nosler reloading manual as I have been a loyal and faithful Nosler bullet user for 25+ years. That is why I am seeking as much information from everyone so that I am able to make a powder decision. Which I believe I have come down to ordering a can of IMR4895 powder to reload my .308 and staying with the IMR4350 powder with my 30-06. Even though I get great groupings out of the .308 now the case is being a compressed load. I am not a fan of compressed loads as earlier post I have had neck splits on my 30-06 because of what I believe to be compressed loads with magnum primers. I will be spending a fair amount of time at the range this spring and summer refinning my loads for bot calibres.

 

[p-17]

I would expect that something between 41 and 42 grains of IMR 4895 with the 165 Partition should give you good groups, even though velocity may not be the highest. As always, start with the starting load and work your way up. I'd recommend using 1/2 grain increments with this combination to start with.

 

[joe-nwt]

Thanks jhors. I am in the process on purchasing the Nosler reloading manual as I have been a loyal and faithful Nosler bullet user for 25+ years. That is why I am seeking as much information from everyone so that I am able to make a powder decision. Which I believe I have come down to ordering a can of IMR4895 powder to reload my .308 and staying with the IMR4350 powder with my 30-06. Even though I get great groupings out of the .308 now the case is being a compressed load. I am not a fan of compressed loads as earlier post I have had neck splits on my 30-06 because of what I believe to be compressed loads with magnum primers. I will be spending a fair amount of time at the range this spring and summer refinning my loads for bot calibres.

Just for future reference, split necks are a sign of work hardened brass, not compressed loads. Annealing your brass will remedy that.