Call me confused - 308 reloading

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saskminer

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I started reloading as a hobby a year ago and rapidly discover how much I don't know every time I'm at the bench. Lately I got set up to reload .308 Winchester for my M305. I bought H4895 which is appropriate for the rifle and I've been using CCI 200 primers with great success. Wholesale Sports was closing so I got some bullets for which I'm having trouble finding reloading data. I looked online and in a few reloading books only to find I either have the wrong bullets or something...
I have:
Hornady #3060 170gr FP Interlocks (.308)
Winchester 180gr PP (.308)
I know the bullets are a little heavy for the M305 but they were cheap so I was going to try to make them work.
I can't find a recipe for either bullet in 308 Winchester. What am I doing wrong?
 
You can just use any 180gr load data for H4895 the 308 for those bullets
They don't have to be exactly the same time just weight.
From hodgdon website reloading data H4895 will do 40.5-44.7 for 180gr bullets. Start low till it's accurate and cycles reliable
 
Unless you are shooting unusual bullets like frangible or solid copper, the exact type of bullet doesn't matter so much as long as the weight is the same. The Hornady are flat based, so a little different, but the Winchesters are normal bullets, albeit with a soft exposed lead tip. However, the M305 is a different beast then a normal bolt action, and I suggest waiting until a aficionado speaks to the matter.
 
The 170 gr Hornady bullets are for the 30-30.
If you want to sell them it won't take long.
As the 180gr PP are simple cup and core bullets you can use Hornady ,Speer or Sierra data .
Their bullets are pretty similar.
You might have better luck finding data for Varget or H4320
 
I load the same Hornady 170 grain flat point designed for the 30-30 in my 30-06 M1 Garand and .308 Savage Hog Hunter bolt action. This started in the mid 1970s with a 1943 Remington 03-A3 Springfield bolt action with a very worn bore to get better accuracy. The shape and softer lead core helped the bullet to conform to the oversized bore diameter when fired and improved accuracy. Just remember the optimum designed velocity for this 170 bullet is between 2000 to 2500 fps and not turn the .308 into a 30-30 magnum if you plan to hunt with this bullet.

So use the load data for 168 grain and 178 grain bullets in the Hornady .308 service rifle loads.

Also Google m14 service rifle load data or M1A load data for more info.
 
I wouldn’t go over 168gr in the Norc M305 - 150 to 168gr have performed well in mine and don’t stress the action.

Important to use primers with thicker cups - CCI are my choice, avoid Federal - risk of slam-fire.

Start low and work up powder charge.
 
FirearmsEnthusiast said:
I wouldn’t go over 168gr in the Norc M305 - 150 to 168gr have performed well in mine and don’t stress the action.

Important to use primers with thicker cups - CCI are my choice, avoid Federal - risk of slam-fire.

Start low and work up powder charge.
Click to expand...

what he said. those cheap 180 bullets can wreak expensive parts. the m14 was designed for 150 bullets. it's a gas system, not a bolt.
 
When in doubt use powder manufacturers site. I would also think you should be trying around 150-165 in that rifle. That powder did ok in my rifle but it really shone through with 4064
 
1-trident-1 said:
what he said. those cheap 180 bullets can wreak expensive parts. the m14 was designed for 150 bullets. it's a gas system, not a bolt.
Click to expand...

Usually the concern with 180's in the M14 is higher port pressure due to the powder used in most commercial ammunition. With the appropriate powder and light loads, 180's are fine.
 
The 180 grainers are going to beat up your gun - especially the op rod. The 170's are for .30-30's, but will work fine as long as your rifle will handle that profile.
 
saskcop said:
The 180 grainers are going to beat up your gun - especially the op rod. The 170's are for .30-30's, but will work fine as long as your rifle will handle that profile.
Click to expand...

The bullet weight does not beat up a gas operated rifle, it is the higher port pressure of slower burning powders that can damage the rifle.

And the Hornady .308 service rifle loads go up to 178 grain bullets, and with a adjustable gas block or gas plug even factory ammo can be used.

M1A Adjustable Gas Plug
http://www.schustermfg.com/m1a-adjustable-gas-plug/

"By adjusting the volume of gas in the cylinder it changes the speed of the op-rod and controls the harmonic vibration of the barrel. Even if you only shoot your M1 once in a while make it last a second lifetime. Our plug softens the blows on your op-rod and wear on the bolt lugs. Made from Hardened Tool Steel & Parkerized."
 
Thanks everyone for the information. I figured I could use a light load to keep the pressures low and not beat up the gun. I guess I should have done a little more research before buying bullets on sale! I will trade the PP's if anyone is interested. The 3060's are already spoken for. I have 100 of the PP's
I don't want to beat up this gun as it's a pseudo sniper setup for my kid and me to have fun with so I'll be looking for some appropriate bullets for the task.
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The "Match" load for the M-14 is 41 grns of IMR 4064 under a 168 grn boat tail hollow point match bullet. Seems to have worked well since 1956, still works good for me. LOL

Scott
 
CARTRIDGE, 7.62 MM, MATCH, M852
Propellant:
Type .............................................IMR 4895
Weight ..........................................42 gr
Bullet:
Type ............................................Hollow Point
Weight ..........................................168 gr

Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0
Propellant:
Type .............................................IMR 4064
Weight ..........................................41.7 gr
Bullet:
Type ............................................ Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail
Weight ..........................................175 gr
 
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