Too much powder or not? .308 need insight

T

TrendyRendy

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
17   0   0
Location
calgary
Hey guys,

Still a novice into reloading and started reloading .308 for my m14 since I have alot of american eagle 7.62 and federal .308 brass.
I started reloading my 270 wsm and it was simple but now starting with the .308 and I'm puzzled a bit.
I bought 178 grain hornady eld match (wanted 168 but noticed what I bought after the fact, oh well) and varget.
Hodgdon says for the 180 grain start 41 grains max 45 grains. Searched online for a picture of hornadys book on the 178 grain and they state max 42.2 but I hear that's their lawyer number and you can go a couple grains higher.

Here's my concern, I started at 42 grains and the powder is pretty much at the bottom of the shoulder of the case, is that normal? Am I safe to work up? Would the bullet fit if I do go up?
I am using 7.62 brass and I know it's a little thicker so than .308 but with the same load in both they both look the same powder level wise.
 
Use service rifle data, the Hornady manual has a section for it right after the regular 308win loads. PM me if you don't have access to the Hornady manual and I'll send you a picture of the pages you need.
H4895 is the best powder for the M14 but Varget will work. I load 168gr and 150gr for mine.
 
Careful with heavy brass as you will not need as much powder as you would with light brass like Winchester.
308 loads are often compressed. You can use a drop tube on your powder funnel to create a bit of room.
What you are seeing is normal 308 win loading experiences. Enjoy!
 
Buckmastr said:
Careful with heavy brass as you will not need as much powder as you would with light brass like Winchester.
308 loads are often compressed. You can use a drop tube on your powder funnel to create a bit of room.
What you are seeing is normal 308 win loading experiences. Enjoy!
Click to expand...

Ditto!
I did not head the advice and I used stiff 308 match loads in 7.62 brass. I thankfully did not have a stuck fired case. But I experienced hard extractions. That's very hard on the extractor.
Never again.....
 
178 might be getting on the heavy side for the M305.

There are special piston for use with these heavier bullets.

This platform needs special considerations

M14forum.com lots of good info
 
When switching from commercial to military brass for a rifle, I drop the powder charge 2.0 gr. That seems to be about right.

With Varget in a commercial case, for the 175 I would load 42 to 44 gr, depending on the rifle. And 2.0 gr less with military brass.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom