Reloading .308 and 45-70

Bobbyg00

Regular
Rating - 100%
59   0   1
Hi All,

I'm just getting into reloading and was hoping you can help me with what powders work good with both .308 and 45-70 loads? Precision preferred.

Thanks!
 
Well, to answer your question, Varget, or several other medium burning powders will do it for either calibre.
Now my question. Why do you think you have to start out loading for precision?
As long as fifty years ago I used to get challenged from time to time, by some sport shooter who wanted to wager that they could shoot a better group than I could. My first reply was always something like, "What calibres do you reload for?" If the reply was that they don't reload, I would always answer, "How much do you want to bet?" I virtually knew that I could beat most any sport shooter who didn't reload, because precision shooting comes with practice and you don't normally get practice if you don't reload.
Nine chances out of ten, any enlargement of the groups of a new reloader will be caused by the shooter or the rifle. If it appears to be the rifle, work on it, or have it worked on.
So get bullets and a suitable powder. Work up your load for pressure purposes only, to get a load that will propel the bullet the speed it was designed to be propelled, seat it a distance from the lands that will allow reliable feeding and shoot away.
 
Last edited:
Well, to answer your question, Varget, or several other medium burning powders will do it for either calibre.
Now my question. Why do you think you have to start out loading for precision?
As long as fifty years ago I used to get challenged from time to time, by some sport shooter who wanted to wager that they could shoot a better group than I could. My first reply was always something like, "What calibres do you reload for?" If the reply was that they don't reload, I would always answer, "How much do you want to bet?" I knew full well that I could beat any sport shooter that didn't reload, because precision shooting comes with practice and you don't normally get practice if you don't reload.
Nine chances out of ten, any enlargement of the groups of a new reloader will be caused by the shooter or the rifle. If it appears to be the rifle, work on it, or have it worked on.
So get bullets and a suitable powder. Work up your load for pressure purposes only, to get a load that will propel the bullet the speed it was designed to be propelled, seat it a distance from the lands that will allow reliable feeding and shoot away.

HI there, thanks for your reply. I have been wanting to hit up some ORA events to have the ability to start shooting out past the 150m available at the club I belong to. I would like to start tailoring my .308 loads to my rifle (SSG3000).
Just wondering which powders produce the best results and consistency for this purpose?
 
Well, to answer your question, Varget, or several other medium burning powders will do it for either calibre.
Now my question. Why do you think you have to start out loading for precision?
As long as fifty years ago I used to get challenged from time to time, by some sport shooter who wanted to wager that they could shoot a better group than I could. My first reply was always something like, "What calibres do you reload for?" If the reply was that they don't reload, I would always answer, "How much do you want to bet?" I knew full well that I could beat any sport shooter that didn't reload, because precision shooting comes with practice and you don't normally get practice if you don't reload.
Nine chances out of ten, any enlargement of the groups of a new reloader will be caused by the shooter or the rifle. If it appears to be the rifle, work on it, or have it worked on.
So get bullets and a suitable powder. Work up your load for pressure purposes only, to get a load that will propel the bullet the speed it was designed to be propelled, seat it a distance from the lands that will allow reliable feeding and shoot away.

Now there is some fantastic advice.
Several times I've found myself incredibly frustrated by my shooting results when compared to Internet groupings of a quarter inch or so.
I'll never be a bench shooter, but realize now trigger time helps more than a tenth of a grain.
 
Can you provide a simple one line answer. KISS :redface:
Well, to answer your question, Varget, or several other medium burning powders will do it for either calibre.
Now my question. Why do you think you have to start out loading for precision?
As long as fifty years ago I used to get challenged from time to time, by some sport shooter who wanted to wager that they could shoot a better group than I could. My first reply was always something like, "What calibres do you reload for?" If the reply was that they don't reload, I would always answer, "How much do you want to bet?" I virtually knew that I could beat most any sport shooter who didn't reload, because precision shooting comes with practice and you don't normally get practice if you don't reload.
Nine chances out of ten, any enlargement of the groups of a new reloader will be caused by the shooter or the rifle. If it appears to be the rifle, work on it, or have it worked on.
So get bullets and a suitable powder. Work up your load for pressure purposes only, to get a load that will propel the bullet the speed it was designed to be propelled, seat it a distance from the lands that will allow reliable feeding and shoot away.
 
IMR 8208 XBR.
I don't have years or experience but has shot very well through my .308 and is one of the cleanest burning powders I have used.
Very close on the burn rate chart to 3031.
 
My SSG3000 shoots 1/2MOA and sometimes less with 41.8 4064/168 SMK/Lapua brass. I tried going to lands and back x 2, and both times it liked 2.81" COAL which is quite a jump! That load also shoots under 4 inches at 600 yds more often than not.
 
Back
Top Bottom