.308 Powder choice

[GnZ]

Hello gang,

I'm going to start reloading .308 - I now have everything I need except the powder and primers.

I have the following bullet heads I'd like to make loads for.

.110g vmax (for foxing)
130g&150g Copper FOX bullets (Deer loads, kindly provided by a fellow TSD member)
150g PPU softpoints (for deer)
200 grain round nose soft points (to make a 1100fps subsonic load)

Would there be one powder i could use for all the above? Theres so many powder options out there and i dont know what's a better brand than what else etc.
Would CCI large rifle primers do for all my .308 loads?

All advice humbly sought!

Snapcaps

I use Reload Swiss RS50. Good powder, fairly temp insensitive. I wouldnt recommend any of that or the others listed for sub loads. You need something that will take up plenty of case volume to avoid inconsistent or dangerous results.

 

[12gsnapcaps]

Not trying to be awkward but have you studied reloading at all?
Your best bet is to buy and study a reloading manual , all the answers are contained in it, rather than rely on various members advice (mine included) which invariably cause even more confusion.
We see this at our range. Recently someone destroyed a .243 rifle by listening to the wrong people and using a load data program.

I have bought the lee reloading manual. I'm learning but at some point have to start. I am a kinesthetic learner so theres only so much I can understand by reading.

 

[Foxyboy43]

You need something that will take up plenty of case volume to avoid inconsistent or dangerous results.

Good advice but not strictly correct - I don’t think a highly respected powder manufacturer like Hodgdon would list 8gns of Titegroup (which takes up only a fraction of the .308 case total volume) if they were not absolutely certain of it, in every respect. I know that I have shot many, many rounds with this load and 168gns bullets without any issues whatsoever.
In relation to case-fill, Trailboss, for example, is also listed and as an alternative to Titegroup is much “bulkier” and I know that some even advocate packing the case with sundry ‘fillers” - personally I do not go there - Titegroup just works for me!

 

[Foxyboy43]

I have bought the lee reloading manual. I'm learning but at some point have to start. I am a kinesthetic learner so theres only so much I can understand by reading.

Try this as a starting point - on this site.

Overview of the Reloading Process - From Spent Case to Loaded Round

This is intended as an overview of the reloading process explaining the steps required to turn spent brass cases into new loaded rounds. It is aimed at those people who are unfamiliar with the reloading process but if any old hands want to chip in with alternative suggestions then please do - I...

www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk

Good luck but be careful!!

 

[Namman]

I have bought the lee reloading manual. I'm learning but at some point have to start. I am a kinesthetic learner so theres only so much I can understand by reading.

I resisted the temptation to give you all my pet loads over the years for .308 !!
In that case you are better off asking one thing at a time and studying one thing at a time.
Your question was so wide that it's hard to help you ( in my opinion).
I wish you good enjoyable ,safe, reloading.

 

[malmick]

@Foxyboy43 , interested in that grouping. What's the bullet and case you're using?

 

[NullMac]

Light stuff - Benchmark (still legal?) probably N130 or N133 as an alternative

Medium stuff N140 - its the go to powder really. Accuracy

Big stuff RS60 or RL17 (same thing). Load it as long as you can, fill it up and watch it go

 

[Foxyboy43]

@Foxyboy43 , interested in that grouping. What's the bullet and case you're using?

Aaaah, if I told you……
Ok, you convinced me. Using Hodgdon listed Titegroup load of 8gns I used .308 Sierra 168 Matchking and fire-formed PPU case neck sized in a 308 Lee die using a 90thou penny washer. (Had to very slightly enlarge the washer hole to let it slip over the case). Case was given a good crimp.
Also works well with .308 Sierra Gameking 165gns and .311 S&B 174gns. Your rifle might think differently and there is a significant drop and POI shift between these and full loads - even at 50m, see below!

 

[malmick]

Aaaah, if I told you……
Ok, you convinced me. Using Hodgdon listed Titegroup load of 8gns I used .308 Sierra 168 Matchking and fire-formed PPU case neck sized in a 308 Lee die using a 90thou penny washer. (Had to very slightly enlarge the washer hole to let it slip over the case). Case was given a good crimp.
Also works well with .308 Sierra Gameking 165gns and .311 S&B 174gns. Your rifle might think differently and there is a significant drop and POI shift between these and full loads - even at 50m, see below!

View attachment 217827

Thanks for that, really interesting ballistics. I'm using Sierra 150gns Gamekings in my .308 M12 Impact with N140 and PPU brass for hunting. Tend not to put too much through it at the range but love shooting it, great trigger and nice action. Might try some Titegroup on the strength of your experience and considered response to my query.

 

[Utectok]

I use IMR4895 if you can get it

Now banned I have a new tub you can have if your ever down this way woodsmoke

 

[Lever357]

I notice Vihtavouri is around twice the price of other powders. Is there a reason for this? Also, is there any meaning to the N prefix nomenclature?

Twice the price because you get twice the volume!!!
Good versatile powder and unlike a lot of others, readily available.

 

[Woodsmoke]

Now banned I have a new tub you can have if your ever down this way woodsmoke

Thank you kindly, sir. I think I'll be forced into an alternative though, especially as I need to change from my beloved H4831 for my .270 anyway

 

[Foxyboy43]

Thanks for that, really interesting ballistics. I'm using Sierra 150gns Gamekings in my .308 M12 Impact with N140 and PPU brass for hunting. Tend not to put too much through it at the range but love shooting it, great trigger and nice action. Might try some Titegroup on the strength of your experience and considered response to my query.

Go for it but follow the book!

 

[Selous]

The 308 is an excellent cartridge but has limited case capacity. With the 130g monometal bullets I found N140 to be a touch bulky to attain the 3000fps that I aim for from a 20 inch plus barrel without compressing the loads. Don’t get me wrong it can be done but N135 is a better fit for that application with higher velocities being more readily achieved without the same degree of compression. For lead core bullets of 150g and above I use N140 but for monometal bullets of 130g and below I now use N135

 

[NullMac]

The 308 is an excellent cartridge but has limited case capacity. With the 130g monometal bullets I found N140 to be a touch bulky to attain the 3000fps that I aim for from a 20 inch plus barrel without compressing the loads. Don’t get me wrong it can be done but N135 is a better fit for that application with higher velocities being more readily achieved without the same degree of compression. For lead core bullets of 150g and above I use N140 but for monometal bullets of 130g and below I now use N135

For 130's RL15 got me there in a 20" but N133 or N130 probably better

 

[wytonpjs]

I use IMR4895 if you can get it

As do I and, having worked up my TTSX loads (.243, 270 and .308) with it last year (found I had to use it for my .243 too get get it deer legal), thankfully I have a little stockpile to draw down upon. When the time comes, N135 seems to be favourite (to me)

 

[Woodsmoke]

As do I and, having worked up my TTSX loads (.243, 270 and .308) with it last year (found I had to use it for my .243 too get get it deer legal), thankfully I have a little stockpile to draw down upon. When the time comes, N135 seems to be favourite (to me)

How did you find it with your .270? My go-to is H4831 but again, the wise and caring have decided it's too nasty for us to be allowed to buy it

 

[Foxyboy43]

The 308 is an excellent cartridge but has limited case capacity. With the 130g monometal bullets I found N140 to be a touch bulky to attain the 3000fps that I aim for from a 20 inch plus barrel without compressing the loads. Don’t get me wrong it can be done but N135 is a better fit for that application with higher velocities being more readily achieved without the same degree of compression. For lead core bullets of 150g and above I use N140 but for monometal bullets of 130g and below I now use N135

130 monometal at 3000 fps out of a 20 inch barrel is really cracking along SRV! I have Viht 133/5/40 and am about to start the 308 with monometals journey having contented myself with the 6.5 version, so would be keen to know at what point in your load development did you start to detect pressure signs?
Thanks

 

[wytonpjs]

130 monometal at 3000 fps out of a 20 inch barrel is really cracking along SRV! I have Viht 133/5/40 and am about to start the 308 with monometals journey having contented myself with the 6.5 version, so would be keen to know at what point in your load development did you start to detect pressure signs?
Thanks

Adding my tuppence, I've not found any signs of pressure with my 20" Sako S20 firing 130gr TTSX at 2915 fps using IM4895 and they group/perform well.

 

[wytonpjs]

How did you find it with your .270? My go-to is H4831 but again, the wise and caring have decided it's too nasty for us to be allowed to buy it

My .270 is a 22" X-bolt stalker and, using the 110gr TTSX over IMR4895 exiting at 3146 fps, there's no signs of pressure, they group well and the fallow fall over