Am i reloading this .308 win correctly
- Thread starter Boltcarrier
- Start date
Straight from the manufacturer, 1950fps max. I have pushed Berry's rifle bullets past that but had issues around 2100fps. The plating will peel producing very poor accuracy and possible obstructions at .308W velocities. This is a bullet for plinking with reduced loads even in .30-30.
I load these in .308 win with a 2.6" OAL and reduced loads. They're a short bullet due to their flat base and nose. At 2.8 there isn't much bullet in the neck. I load them over 13 grs red dot but a reduced H4895 load or any other SAFE reduced load with shotgun powder will work too. Just keep them under 1950 fps because they're plated not jacketed. I also load them in the .30-30 over 9 grs red dot. Both red dot loads are very soft shooters, reasonably accurate and a ton of fun. If you're looking for a hunting bullet or full power target bullet for .308 win this is not it.
Boltcarrier
CGN Regular
150 GR. NOS E-TIP
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads
Manufacturer
Powder
Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon
H4895
0.308"
2.800"
41.5
2,677
48,700 PSI
45.6
2,893
60,500 PSI
Buy Now
Bullet Weight150 GR. NOS BT
Starting Loads
Maximum Loads
Manufacturer
Powder
Bullet Diam.
C.O.L.
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Grs.
Vel. (ft/s)
Pressure
Hodgdon
H4895
0.308"
2.800"
43.0
2,742
43,200 CUP
45.5
2,870
51,000 CUP
i kinda follow what's on the hodgdon data website.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
I was misunderstanding - I thought it was a terminal performance thing - you are showing that it is a bullet velocity limit. Speer does the same thing with their #1835 bullets - all their loads are held below 2,900 fps because of the limits of the bullet design - right on up through the 300 Win Mag, same limit.
Those aren't garbage but if you are following the Hodgdon data you posted you will need a bullet with a true jacket. Hornady and Campro both make a reasonably priced FMJ.
No need to toss the brass, the length listed on your Lee die instructions is the max trim length. This is the longest length the brass should be at before it needs trimming. Typically you'd go around 10 thou shorter but that's just personal preference. In other words it's well within spec. It will also grow in length with every firing and resizing, especially if you full length resize. I will say the most important piece of advice in this thread is to pick up a reloading manual and read it. Most notably the first few chapters on safe reloading. It will answer more questions in half an hour than this forum could in days going over all the little do's and dont's.
Boltcarrier
CGN Regular
i found this on the Hodgdon data website
HODGDON® H4895® REDUCED RIFLE LOADS For Youth Hunting, Informal Target, and Plinking __________________________________________________________________________ Hodgdon Powder Company has found that H4895 can be loaded to reduced levels. H4895was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced charges. To create reduced loads, the 60% formula is recommended. Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet. Take the maximumH4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6). The load may be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy. This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895
I just bought a reloading book from Cabela's
I appreciate all the input as one thing I like about CGN is that there are some real knowledgeable gun people around.
much obliged
HODGDON® H4895® REDUCED RIFLE LOADS For Youth Hunting, Informal Target, and Plinking __________________________________________________________________________ Hodgdon Powder Company has found that H4895 can be loaded to reduced levels. H4895was chosen because it is the slowest burning propellant that ignites uniformly in reduced charges. To create reduced loads, the 60% formula is recommended. Find the H4895 load in the Reloading Data Center for your caliber and bullet. Take the maximumH4895 charge listed and multiply by 60% (.6). The load may be adjusted up from there to achieve the desired velocity and accuracy. This works only where H4895 is listed. DO NOT use in a cartridge where H4895
I just bought a reloading book from Cabela's
I appreciate all the input as one thing I like about CGN is that there are some real knowledgeable gun people around.
much obliged
What make and model of rifle you are shooting? It's possible that the chamber has a short throat. However, my first speculation is that the Berry bullet appears quite blunt/robust/stubby, this is possibly the reason for the short COL. I don't know much about Berry bullets, however do yourself a favor, or may I suggest, go purchase Nosler or Hornady bullets to start your load development.
billbmcleod
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Back very close to Bruce County
Using a plated bullet slipped right by my brain. Use a proper bullet as per reloading manual
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Sounds like a candidate to wear a pirate patch Halloween costume everyday.
Reloaders, do, for various reasons. Price is one. You have gone too far. Pretty sure there are plated bullets made to operate specifically at 308 win velocities.
Reloaders, do, for various reasons. Price is one. You have gone too far. Pretty sure there are plated bullets made to operate specifically at 308 win velocities.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
So if you follow through, like it says, you will find that they list 45.5 grains as Max load for 150 grain bullets with H4895 powder (Large Rifle primers). So multiply by .6 and you will get 27.3 grains - this is the lowest amount of H4895 that Hodgdons says to use in a 308 Win with 150 grain bullet - but you will have no idea what speed this is giving - that could give 1,100 fps or 2,000 fps - they do not say or give us a way to know, so you will have to measure what you get with a chronograph of some sort. You can work on up to their listed Max at 45.5 grains, but we already know that is much too fast for your plated bullets. Good Luck!
Boltcarrier
CGN Regular
Appreciate your kind explanation. It really helps a lot.
Might be a good time to take a break from your activities and read your manual. Its really easy to get into trouble reloading - I think its fair to say that everybody has made a mistake or two along the way, even with lots of experience. For example, loading a bullet too short can cause excessive pressure, as can loading a bullet too long. (Loading a bullet too long can cause other problems as well).
A lot of folks got into reloading by getting a buddy to mentor them through the process, perhaps you know someone who can show you the ropes. The trouble with using reloading forums is that lack of information often causes folks to give in-accurate advice, or in some cases outright bad advice. Small steps...
A lot of folks got into reloading by getting a buddy to mentor them through the process, perhaps you know someone who can show you the ropes. The trouble with using reloading forums is that lack of information often causes folks to give in-accurate advice, or in some cases outright bad advice. Small steps...
