Powder for 308 Norma Magnum?

I have a Schultz & Larsen in 308NM and I'm in the load testing process using some Barnes TTSX. Some of my best success previously has been using IMR 4350 and with some of the recent initial results using Barnes, that's probably what I'll continue with as my powder choice.

308NormaMag.jpg
 
Silvertip13 said:
I just tested H4895 and found pressures too high. One of the old timers at work now tells me they always used to use 4350. That is where I am going next with it.
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Slower powders are better for the midsized mags. The various 3450's, H1000, re22, W760, the various 4831's, and so on.

What type of bullet are you planing to reload?
 
Re 19 or H4831 same charge /72gr /180gr bullet IMR 4350 /71.5gr/150gr bullet...........all tear cloverleafs at 100 yards out of a FN Browning Safari 1-12 twist........Harold
 
what manufacturer and type of bullet are you looking to use. I have quite a few of the different bullet manufacturer reloading books and they all have slight differences. I was browsing the hornaby book and found it interesting they used magnum primers, WLRM's, and seemed to support IMR 4350 for most bullet grains.
 
Also to save a small fortune on brass FL size .300 Win mag in the Norma die .Lube inside necks with a q-tip and only up to were the shoulder is on a Norma case .Trim to length done.Lots of free range brass just sort it..........Harold
 
A 308Norma is almost never a factory,so chamber and freebore may differ,so load data will,too. A 4831 class of powder,I use N-560,gives a fairly full case. The stiff factory ammo goes 3080 witha 180,best max at that ,too.
 
I have a couple of 308 Norma Mags.
One is a Factory rifle, the other a custom build.
They both work best with relatively slow burning powders.
i.e. Reloder 22 & 25; H4831 & 1000; Norma MRP & MRP2, Vihtavuori N560 & 165, IMR 4831 & 7828, Accurate 3100.
My custom build averages 100 fps faster with any given load than does the factory rifle.
I expect around 3100 with a 180 and 2950+ with a 200 grain bullet.
Regards, Eagleye
 
downwindtracker2 said:
A 308Norma is almost never a factory,so chamber and freebore may differ,so load data will,too. .....
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To illustrate that, I have owned one rechambered P14 Enfield, a rechambered Husqvarna, and two factory rifles in years past.

The one I have today is a factory rifle, a Voere, and has close to half an inch of freebore. It is very accurate with 180s at 3100 fps. The Husqvarna was about the same, got 3000 fps easily, and regularly shot close to an inch. Sold it to a fellow up here who still has it. Both have 24" barrels, however never could get close to 3100 with the Husqvarna. The Voere is just a lot faster.

The two Parker-Hales were both 3000+ rifles, and plenty accurate for hunting big game. I can't remember how long the throat was in them, but they were definitely freebored. The Browning rifle was freebored similarly.

Ted
 
When Norma First started promoting their 308 Magnum, they were recommending a minimum 4mm freebore in any 30-06 rifle rechambered to the bigger round.
I'm sure this was discreet on their part, because the early Norma Magnum ammo was loaded warm.
I remember chronying some of the ammo made in the 60's, and it left my 24" PH barrel at well over 3100 fps. [IIRC, the average for 5 shots was 3145]
The later offering from Norma has been tamed a little, but is still plenty potent.
My pet load with my custom gun is the 180TTSX and a good load of IMR7828
The other rifle works best with the 200AB and RL25.
Both these rifles will shoot sub moa with loads they like.
The custom gun is closer to ½ moa.
Eagleye.
 
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