new to .308

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jon1985

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I just purchased a rifle in .308 so now I need to start loading for it.

Most of my shooting will be between 200 and 500 yards.

I have been loading .223 and 9mm for a few years now.

What do I need to know for .308 that is different?

I am currently using BLC-2 for .223 but it has been suggested I look at Varget or IMR 4064. As for bullets Im not sure what I would be looking at, something between 150 and 175 grain bullets.

Thoughts? Comments?
 
I use BLC-2 for both my .223 and my .308. It's accurate and meters well, and I don't have to worry about a bunch of different powders. I tend to shoot a lot of the Hornady 165 gr SST's. Again, I've found them to be very accurate and they don't break the bank if you're doing a lot of shooting.

Lots of people have their "pet" loads that will give good accuracy as well, using different loads and different bullets. guns are like people and very individual, each one will shoot just a little different, even with the same loads. I'm a " if it ain't broke" type guy, so I've found a load that my rifle likes with BLC-2, and use it, rather than chase after the perfect load
 
Stuff a 155 gr bullet into a case full of 46.0gr of Varget. If your rifle won't shoot that, take it back to the dealer because there is something wrong with it.lol

Or try the old ISU standby load, 39.0 gr of IMR 3031 with a 168 gr Sierra Match King.
 
Below are .308/7.62 service rifle loadings for the M14/M1A type rifles. They are normally below max manual loading for commercial bolt action .308 rifles.

Old School .308 Winchester Match Loads
http://www.provenreloads-handloads.com/articles/2016/9/18/old-school-308-winchester-match-loads

Service Rifle Loadings.
http://www.bearblain.com/Service%20Rifle%20Loadings.html

.308 Reloading data only (read post 3 by Dan Newberry "Optimal Charge Weight" developer)
http://www.sniperforums.com/forum/reloading/43364-308-reloading-data-only.html

Below the latest U.S 7.62 sniper ammunition, before this powder change below, RL-15 was used a double base powder in M118LR ammunition.

Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 (United States): A 175-grain (11.3 g) round specifically designed for long-range sniping consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.745-grain (2.7 g).[
 
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The .308 is probably one of the easiest calibers to load for because of the wide variety of bullet weights and powders available that work for it. As mentioned above, use the OCW method and work up a load once you figure out which bullet and powder you want to go with. I have two loads for mine,,,,both incredibly accurate. A hunting load which is 130 gr. TTSX over 49.1 gr. of Varget and cheaper 150 gr. Hornady SP over 45.7 gr. of Varget which both have a similar POI.

I've read that the bullet weight that bench shooters find that works well is 165-168 gr.
 
KePet said:
I use BLC-2 for both my .223 and my .308. It's accurate and meters well, and I don't have to worry about a bunch of different powders. I tend to shoot a lot of the Hornady 165 gr SST's. Again, I've found them to be very accurate and they don't break the bank if you're doing a lot of shooting.

Lots of people have their "pet" loads that will give good accuracy as well, using different loads and different bullets. guns are like people and very individual, each one will shoot just a little different, even with the same loads. I'm a " if it ain't broke" type guy, so I've found a load that my rifle likes with BLC-2, and use it, rather than chase after the perfect load
Click to expand...

Do you use magnum primers with blc-2 or just regular rifle primers in your 308?
 
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Rstjean said:
Do you use magnum primers with blc-2 or just regular rifle primers in your 308?
Click to expand...

Any time I use a double base ball powder I use a magnum primer.

NOTE, look at the Remington primers in the photos below. When Remington ran our Lake City Army Ammunition plant they used their 7 1/2 and 9 1/2 primers to light off the Winchester powder used by the Army.

Primer Flash Test Photos
by German Salazar
http://www.6mmbr.com/primerpix.html
 
Rstjean said:
Do you use magnum primers with blc-2 or just regular rifle primers in your 308?
Click to expand...

I just use CCI No. 200 Large Rifle primers. 44 gr of BLC-2. Winchester once fired brass. It's not a hot load, and isn't the fastest, but I was able to hit accurately at 800 yards with it last year at the Bootstrap Clinic. I'd never taken it that far before as it's just my normal hunting load. Kind of surprised me.
 
jon1985 said:
Granted Im new to reloading a larger rifle caliber, Ive never heard of using a magnum primer in 308. Is this for more reliable ignition? Faster burn?
Click to expand...

Our US Military uses magnum primers in all of its small arms ammunition. Also if you look in the reloading manuals they tell you to use magnum primers with double base powders.
Double base ball powders use more deterrent coatings on the powder to slow down the burn rate and lower the peak flame temperature. So a hotter primer is used to ignite the powder and as you can see below even the 5.56 ammunition uses a magnum primer. This is why I posted the primer photos to show the Remington primers used at Lake City. d

NOTE, our military recycles out dated solid rocket propellants into small arms ball powder to save money.

CCI #34 and #41 military primers
Mil-spec sensitivity
Initiator mix optimized for ball/spherical propellants
Available in large (No.34) and small (No. 41) rifle
Use the same data as CCI Magnum primers

The only difference between the milspec magnum primers and the standard CCI magnum primers is the cup thickness in the base and the hight of the anvil.

n8TOU36.jpg


CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRIMER - A PRIMER ON PRIMERS
http://www.sksboards.com/smf/?topic=56422.0

Below * denotes use of CCI magnum primer

tyJBZe1.jpg
 
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I use BL(C)-2 simply because it was designed for .308/7.62mm NATO. I've loaded both 155gr Hornady VMAX and 155gr Nosler Partitions with it and have had great success with it.
 
The 308 is easy to load for, especially when limited to 500 yds. You can go with bullets weights from 155 and up, and a couple of dozen powders. I'd say buy Varget and a variety of bullets from 155 grs to 190 and have at it.
 
OP, your load components will depend on the twist rate of your barrel in order to stabilize the bullet. Very common twist is 1:12, which will reliably stabilize bullet up to 168gr but may or may not stabilize heavier bullet. Some rifles will have 1:11-1/4 twist, which is very good to stabilize anything heavier than 168 and some Sako & Tikka rifles have 1:11 twist which serves the same purpose, heavier bullet. So you have to start with that. As for powders, there are 3 very basic and proven powders, Varget, BL-C and IMR 4064. I have personally developed loads for BL-C and 4064, with the 4064 having little better results than the BL-C but could never make Varget work. So it will depend on your rifle. When you go to http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ it will offer you loading data to work with.
 
I use Varget, 4064, and BLC-2 and all work well in my rifles. I would give Varget a slight edge for accuracy/consistency. I use regular primers usually CCI 200 or BR2, have never used magnum primers. My rifle has shot its best groups with Sierra Match Kings but Hornady Amax, SST's, Lapua, Bergers, all work great in numerous weights. I usually shoot from 147-175grain. .308 is super simple to reload for me and you will enjoy finding what works best in your rifle.
 
If you are looking for accuracy, the action will require bedding, if it is not already done. A good bedding aids both accuracy and consistency.

Since you are only shooting short range, finding an accurate load is easy. You did not mention the rifle you are buying. A commercial rifle will have a 1:10 or 1:12 twist. These will shoot up to 200 gr bullets - so just about anything will work.

If it is a used target rifle it could be 1:14 or 1:13. This won't shoot anything heavier than 180 gr.

Some bullets are easier to get to work than others. I would start with Sierra or Hornady 155 gr match bullets. Second choice would be Sierra or Hornday 175 Match. Don't buy the Sierra 168. It is a short range bullet (short boattail).

Some rifles just won't perform with a particular bullet or powder. Your BLC2 will make good ammo, but it reacts to temperature changes. The ammo you develop now might be too hot in the heat of the summer. If you develop an accurate load with it today, use a half grain less powder in the summer.

Varget solves that problem, but does not meter as well.

Buy some 155s and Varget and load 10 each of 45, 45.5, 46 and 46.5 and shoot some groups, to get a feel for what it likes. The hotter loads might be too hot, so be prepared to bring them home.

For an OAL, try 2.825 and check to see there is no rifling marks on the chambered bullet.

If you want to try the BLC2 with 155s, load 43.0, 43.5, 44.0, 44.5. That is a fairly full case and I find that any primer works well. If I was making hunting ammo, I would use the magnum primer for cold weather performance.
 
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