question about loading the grains of powder.

Mr. Friendly

Mr. Friendly

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my brother is reloading some .308 cartridges for the first time. 150g bullet that calls for 45.5 grains of the powder he has. he says that a lot of the powder actually flows over the lip of the casing. he wants to know if he's supposed to pack it down any to make it fit or not? :confused:

he's not near any pc's (dog sitting) so he called and asked me to post for him.
 
Sounds like he is trying to start with a maximum load and/or he is using the wrong powder or his scale is pooched.

In any case have him go back and read his manual over and over until he understands the instructions.
 
thanks for your answer B...he's found out that he's the one in error. he bumped the scale and it was weighing in an extra 5 grains of powder. he is loading Hodgedon Varget Rifle Powder. and I was wrong about the recipe...it's 47.5g.
 
I would first ask him to double check the load recipe, and perhaps confirm it online for him before proceeding. While compressed loads aren't uncommon, I don't recall many powders where 45.5 grains wouldn't fit into a .308 case. Also make sure they aren't milsurp cases and if so reduce the charge by 5% due to reduced case capacity from thicker walls. If all seems well, you can use a drop tube or a long straw attached to the funnel to help compact the powder as it is put in the case; I don't think you should have to crush it to get it in though.
 
He may need to really learn reloading, rather than simply following a recipe. Did he work the load up from a 10% reduction from the published weight?
 
okay, 'Boo, as you noted, I was wrong...again LOL. he's loading 2x42g and then loading 2 of everything at half grain increments up to the max load of 47g and see what his rifle (M88) likes.
 
Max loads or Varget are all compressed loads. I gave up on it as my powder of choice in the 308 for that reason. I use reloder 15, get better velocity and accuracy than with Varget.
 
IMR4895 and H4895 will get you even higher velocities. H4895 is just as temperature stable as Varget, its my goto powder for 308 Win. bullets 180gr. and under.

N550 is THE powder for heavier bullets in 308 (WW760 too). With the 208 AMAX, you can't pack enough N550 into the case to max out the pressure, so compressed loads are very useful. I've used a 24" drop tube for this purpose.
 
You and the boating dude should hook up with someone that knows the ropes, and get some direct supervision - before you hurt yourselves. FWIW - I'd stay at least 5% under published max load until you get proficient, which may be a few years... As it stands, you dont have enough experience to judge an overpressure situation, except when the rifle blows.
 
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Typically if you've got a powder level above the bottom of the neck, check the weight of the charge and re check your load info.
Heavy charges will be ok sometimes in SOME rifles but as a rule of thumb your courting danger, its hard on the brass, hard on the rifle and punishing on you for no good reason. If lighter loads don't work for you, switch powders or bullets and try something else.

Above all else PLAY SAFE.

Ask other shooters what works for them in a similar rifle/bullet size

M.
 
Mr. Friendly said:
okay, 'Boo, as you noted, I was wrong...again LOL. he's loading 2x42g and then loading 2 of everything at half grain increments up to the max load of 47g and see what his rifle (M88) likes.
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that's NOT the way you work up a load- you load a batch of the same charge( say 10 rounds) and watch for pressure signs- if there are none, then you MAY go up increments of .5 grain- the REASON you do a batch is that there MAY be variances in case walls, bullet weight, or primers that will allow a cartridge to tolerate a higher pressure- 2 rounds is NOT a good enough sample
 
Mr. Friendly said:
thanks for your answer B...he's found out that he's the one in error. he bumped the scale and it was weighing in an extra 5 grains of powder. he is loading Hodgedon Varget Rifle Powder. and I was wrong about the recipe...it's 47.5g.
Click to expand...

47.5 is still VERY high to start a load with. He should be starting at 42-43 gr.
 
Just for reference sake, my pet load for my 175smks in .308 is 44.5grains of varget.

3 full grains beyond that seems a little scary.
 
I'm where I can access a puter now. I'm going to be loading up small batches of ammo 10 rounds with .5 grain increase starting at the min of 42.5 up to 47 grains later today. I'm using Nos BT in 150 Grain. I loaded up a few rounds then shot them to see how well my reloads worked out (3 rounds .5" grouping at 25 yards) Quite happy with that as I couldn't get that tight of grouping out of my Federal 150 gr. ammo. I didn't want to make up 20-30 rounds and find out I didn't do something right then have to pull all the bullets. I've read my reloading manual again last night so I know what is required, but reading and doing are two different stories. I actually had my scale set for an extra 10 grains when it was overflowing my case I found that out well I was waiting for my brother to call and let me know what you all said but it is now fixed.

Since there was a change of heart from the powers that be I'll have internet for a while yet so I'll let you know how I'm doing with my reloads and so you know I haven't made my gun in to a .308 pipe bomb by over loading a charge.

C.K
 
cosmic said:
You and the boating dude should hook up with someone that knows the ropes, and get some direct supervision - before you hurt yourselves. FWIW - I'd stay at least 5% under published max load until you get proficient, which may be a few years... As it stands, you dont have enough experience to judge an overpressure situation, except when the rifle blows.
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I certainly hope you weren't directing that at me... :rolleyes:
 
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