Powder Recommendations for 308 Auto Loader Ammo on a Dillon

[AbHobbyist]

Hello all, Once again I find myself in need a little help/advice from you experienced re-loaders, as my search-fu seems to be very weak.

Before I begin, I have been reloading Single stage for a long time and have started using Dillonon 550b progressive for my Auto loading rifles and handguns.

I am currently looking to feed my AR’s in 308 sconsistenttant/reliable practice reloads, that replicates M80 ball (Which is about 2700-2750 FPS with a 147/150 grain FMJ projectile)

I have a goodly supply of H4895 in the bin. I like that its an “extreme” powder and all the benefits that come with that.

However, what I am not pleased with, is the inconsistency of the powder drop. In some cases I am getting a variance of 3/4's of a grain and that simply will not do.

Further, the idea of weighing every powder charge for volume practice ammo, is not appealing either.

To that end I am thinking of switching to a Ball powder that will metre (volumetrically dispense) better

However which one will dispense well, burn cleanly, and be consistant.

I have thought of BL-C(2) , however my research shows its very dirty

There is Win 748, but my results in the past with bolt action rifles has not been stellar (granted we are talking about auto loaders)

I have WC735, but its temperature sensitive, dirty, and 308 data is scarce.

There is H335, but I have no experience there.

There are also the Vihtavuori powders, but I have no experience with them, and find them prohibitily expensive.

So, at this point I would very much like to hear what the thought are of those that have experience in this area, and what powders you have settled on and why.

Thanks in advance for your help and constructive replies

regards

AbH

 

[AbHobbyist]

Well I hope I have not bored anyone, however I thought I would share some research.

In disucssioins with experiences shooters the the ball powders to consider were

Win 748
BLC-(2)
H 335

The up side is:

-They are quite consisitant, if not somewhat more prone to velocity variance due to tempriture

-that once the powder measurer is properly tweeked, the powder throws should be quite consitant

-They all burn somewhat more "dirty" then their extruded counterparts, thats just how it is.


Like they say, to gain something, one usually ends up giving something else up.


As a result, I have a good pound or so of Win 748 in the bin, and thought I would give that a try.

My initial reloading results have shown that each throw is with in 0.2 grains of the desired level (this was varified with my Dillion Digiatal scale over 3-5 throws)

I am only trying to put together some practice loads for my AR-10/M-14, so the above consistancy will be more than adequate for my purposes.

Just for curiousity sake, Load Components are:

Hornady 150 grain fmj bullets

Win 748 powder

Processed small base resized winchester brass

CCI 200 large rifle primers

If anyone is intersted I will keep you posted on preformance and accuracy

regards

AbH

 

[buckbrush]

Win 748 is at least as temperature sensitive as 735. Both can be less sensitive with the use of Magnum primers.

 

[AbHobbyist]

BuckBrush

Good to know

Thanks very much!!

I am always learning things.

regards

AbH

 

[heyrosco]

I've used BL-C(2) through my 550B and it worked well. Meters nice and shoots good in my M14.

 

[ahlsy]

I was/am very happy with wc735, but the temp doesn't change all that much here in victoria. I don't mind cleaning all that much, and it meters within 0.1gr through my hornady LnL.

 

[Melnibonean]

46gr of W748 pushing a 150gr FMJ most closely replicates NATO ball ammo specs. My own testing has confirmed the velocity to be right in the middle of the approved range. I can't speak to temp sensitivity - I've never experienced it. But I don't shoot when it's colder than -10

 

[tjhaile]

46 grains of BL-C(2) can also be used to approximate M80 ball. US military specifications call for 46 grains of WC 846, of which BL-C(2) is the canister-grade equivalent.

 

[AbHobbyist]

Gentlemen:

Thank you very much!! That is all extremely helpful!!

The reason for all the activity on my part with 308 is that I have Two 5 gallon buckets full of 308 brass.

One is full of the processed winchest brass mentioned above.

The second is full of military brass that I got from a friend.

I would like to do something productive with both, and I like the idea of being able to make my own M80 ball ammo.

The above information has helped me pin down some of the components.

I will need to get my hands on a chrony to aid in the process, and make sure the final product is up to snuff.

Thank you all again, and if intersted I will keep you in the loop as things progress.

regards

AbH

 

[heyrosco]

Once you have a load worked up in the Winchester brass, just drop the powder by a full grain when you load the military brass, to make up for the thicker brass and reduced capacity.

 

[ykkid]

I would just like to comment that since you are loading ammunition to be fired in a rifle at a target, the test is not really how nearly one thrown powder charge approximates the next, not what velocity, not expreme spread nor standard deviaiton in velocity, but rather, how close to one another the bullets strike the target.

All of which is to say, shoot the H4895 loads, and see how they do. Muck about with other powders, and compare group size, not powder charge weight consistency. In theory, consistency is importnat, but in proactice, results are crucial. Bench rest guys were shooting sub moa groups throwing extruded powders long before the ball powders or electronic scales came into vogue. Your rifles may just plumb 'like' 4895. Try it and see.