loading 308 fmj

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Bryan Carvalho

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Ok, so this is my issue. I started out loading 150fmjs over 46gr of RL-15 into new lapua cases to fireform them and at the same time had rounds to plink with. Surprisingly, they shot about .5moa out of a 700 police. Now what got me thinking is the fact that surplus ammo is hard to find cheep and I have a whackload of brass of mixed headstamp. Now my question is, sould I load up this load into all different headstap cases topped with a fmj as a substitute for surplus? Now I am well aware of different casses holding slightly different amounts of powders and I'm not looking for dime sized groups. I'm looking to be safe and somewhat comparable results to what most of the surplus stuff gives. I figure the new lapua brass probably holds the least powder so the load should be good in cases such as winchester, federal and remington. Just my toughts and looking for feedback. Thanks everyone.
 
Don't make any assumptions about case capacity. Weighing brass, or measuring capacity is better.
If a given load would be safe in all cases, (and I cannot comment on your 46gr RL15 load), you could certainly go ahead and load the cases.
You might find that you get more consistant results if you sort the resulting ammunition by make. This could reduce flyers.
 
150 FMJ's if they are Hornady are such good quality they are close to match grade. Its not suprising that you got such good results.
 
Further to the last post, I'm curious about the make of FMJ bullets you were using here. I've never tried Hornady or other commercial FMJs. Are they consistent enough to use for serious practice (i.e. shooting out of a target rifle for practice, as an alternative to wasting expensive match bullets)?
 
p-17 said:
Further to the last post, I'm curious about the make of FMJ bullets you were using here. I've never tried Hornady or other commercial FMJs. Are they consistent enough to use for serious practice (i.e. shooting out of a target rifle for practice, as an alternative to wasting expensive match bullets)?
Click to expand...

They are extremly consistent.
I can supply you with some.
I have lots in stock & am also in Surrey.
Regards, Henry
 
they were hornady 150fmj. I got a 100 bag for next to nothing so i thought i would use them to fireform a bunch of lapua brass and at the same time get a bunch of trigger time. i was blown away when i saw the results i got. if i can dig up some targets i'll try to post a pic. the load seems to hold out to 600yds(furthest ive shot this load). i was blasting rocks and a couple juice boxes at 600 no prob. I would like to use a chrony to see my speed but the load was brand new lapua brass, nothing done to it, winchester primers, 46gr of RL-15 and a hornady 150fmj loaded to the crimp......quite the jump in a factory chamber 700p.
 
The Hornady 150gr FMJs are the best of what is available from the trade. I've shot several thousands of them in Garands, '03s, M1917s, and my HRA M14. They approach a match bullet for accuracy and beat the poop out of the Speer and Sierra offerings for sure. They were absolutely great in my M14 with IMR3031 and did right well in my heavy barrel .308 M700 .

As mentioned, segregate brass by manufacturer and develop a safe and accurate load using each make of brass with a selected bullet, propellant and primer. You should experiment with seating depth as well. The crimping cannelure does not determine optimum seating depth. IMR 4064, 4895, Varget, and BLC2 are also worth a try. And remember, accuracy trumps velocity every time.
 
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