Alliant powder, large rifle primers?

[.308Stalker]

Hi All,

I have just brought a new to me reloading setup for .308 but not having reloaded in a long time I didn’t realise until after the purchase that large rifle primers are seemingly impossible to get hold off. I’ve also just learnt about powders needing to be Reach compliant. I’ve obviously been in my own little bubble for a while due to young children.

All the powders I remember like IMR 4064 and Varget are no longer available in the UK. Having done some research the Alliant MR2000 powder looks good, but again I can’t seem to find it. I have managed to find some Fiocchi large rifle primers but that’s about it.

I guess my question is what are your thoughts on Fiocchi primers and what reach compliant powders are being used regularly for .308. I would like some federal 210 primers but can’t find them either.

To give a bit of context, I’ll be using heavier bullets. Most Probably 168gr through a 22” 1/10 barrel. I’m shooting mainly deer and wild bore but I’ll also be going to the range to do some 600yrd & 1000yrd shooting purely for fun, not competition.

Any advise appreciated,

Matt.

 

[long_range_rob]

Vhit N150/540/140 basically any European powder as we can’t rely in the Yanks anymore

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

As said, vhit powder along with reload swiss

 

[.308Stalker]

That’s great, thank you! Have either of you tried Fiocchi primers before?

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

No but if you have a good supply get them and work a load up. Not many around at the moment!

 

[Laurie]

In Reload Swiss that's RS50 and 52. You can add Alliant Reloder 15 to the list which is still available as are all Alliant rifle grades. Note though that Alliant products are now very expensive indeed, notably more so than Vihtavuori or Reload Swiss - OK for low round count users, but an issue for target shooters. Edgar Brothers, the Alliant distributor, lists Power-Pro 2000MR, but so far I've yet to hear of any reaching the shops (probably because Alliant ATK can sell every pound of it that the St. Marks, Florida factory produces several times over in the USA such is the demand there.

The only suitable Hodgdon REACH-compliant powder left is CFE-223, a St. Marks ball grade.

There is also scattering of shops selling Czech Lovex powders. S062 is an excellent VarGet replacement and there is also a pair of suitable ball powders, D073.5 and D073.6.

I've used Fiocchi LR primers for years - nothing at all wrong with them and as good as say CCI-200. If you find any Magtech 9 1/2s, they're good too (from Brazil) and if you chance on any Russian Muroms (Murom KVB-7 or PMC LR depending on age), they're superb, but their import is now banned thanks to Comrade Putin's recent behaviours.

 

[308tikka]

Fiocci primers are decent. Work up a load with available powder-likely VV as stated above

 

[.308Stalker]

No but if you have a good supply get them and work a load up. Not many around at the moment!

I think I’ll go and buy enough to last me a couple of years and work up a load as you suggest.

 

[.308Stalker]

In Reload Swiss that's RS50 and 52. You can add Alliant Reloder 15 to the list which is still available as are all Alliant rifle grades. Note though that Alliant products are now very expensive indeed, notably more so than Vihtavuori or Reload Swiss - OK for low round count users, but an issue for target shooters. Edgar Brothers, the Alliant distributor, lists Power-Pro 2000MR, but so far I've yet to hear of any reaching the shops (probably because Alliant ATK can sell every pound of it that the St. Marks, Florida factory produces several times over in the USA such is the demand there.

The only suitable Hodgdon REACH-compliant powder left is CFE-223, a St. Marks ball grade.

There is also scattering of shops selling Czech Lovex powders. S062 is an excellent VarGet replacement and there is also a pair of suitable ball powders, D073.5 and D073.6.

I've used Fiocchi LR primers for years - nothing at all wrong with them and as good as say CCI-200. If you find any Magtech 9 1/2s, they're good too (from Brazil) and if you chance on any Russian Muroms (Murom KVB-7 or PMC LR depending on age), they're superb, but their import is now banned thanks to Comrade Putin's recent behaviours.

That’s great information, thank you for taking your time to write a lengthy reply.

I think I’ll go and see how many Fiocchi primers they have in stock and have a look around as to what powder is available but you have given me a good few options to look into.

Much appreciated

 

[.308Stalker]

Fiocci primers are decent. Work up a load with available powder-likely VV as stated above

Good to hear no complaints from the Fiocchi primers. Thanks for your reply!

 

[long_range_rob]

That’s great, thank you! Have either of you tried Fiocchi primers before?

At the moment ANY primer will do!

 

[.308Stalker]

At the moment ANY primer will do!

Haha yes that’s the impression I got when I went in my local shop.

 

[kenbro]

I just ended up having to buying LR Mag primers.
They’re okay to sub for none mag primers but best to reduce your load by a few grains to check.
Ken.

 

[Steff]

In Reload Swiss that's RS50 and 52. You can add Alliant Reloder 15 to the list which is still available as are all Alliant rifle grades. Note though that Alliant products are now very expensive indeed, notably more so than Vihtavuori or Reload Swiss - OK for low round count users, but an issue for target shooters.

Which issue are you referring to?

 

[.308Stalker]

Which issue are you referring to?

I think Laurie was referring to the cost of the powder. Saying it’s ok for people who don’t shoot so many rounds like myself who is mainly shooting game.

 

[.308Stalker]

I just ended up having to buying LR Mag primers.
They’re okay to sub for none mag primers but best to reduce your load by a few grains to check.
Ken.

I hadn’t considered that, I did notice while on a couple of reloading websites that LR Mag primers seem to be in stock.

 

[kenbro]

I hadn’t considered that, I did notice while on a couple of reloading websites that LR Mag primers seem to be in stock.

It’s just that they usually cost more than regular LR primers.

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi All,

I have just brought a new to me reloading setup for .308 but not having reloaded in a long time I didn’t realise until after the purchase that large rifle primers are seemingly impossible to get hold off. I’ve also just learnt about powders needing to be Reach compliant. I’ve obviously been in my own little bubble for a while due to young children.

All the powders I remember like IMR 4064 and Varget are no longer available in the UK. Having done some research the Alliant MR2000 powder looks good, but again I can’t seem to find it. I have managed to find some Fiocchi large rifle primers but that’s about it.

I guess my question is what are your thoughts on Fiocchi primers and what reach compliant powders are being used regularly for .308. I would like some federal 210 primers but can’t find them either.

To give a bit of context, I’ll be using heavier bullets. Most Probably 168gr through a 22” 1/10 barrel. I’m shooting mainly deer and wild bore but I’ll also be going to the range to do some 600yrd & 1000yrd shooting purely for fun, not competition.

Any advise appreciated,

Matt.

Primers will be fine, powder wise get some N140, will be perfect for what you’re after and likely the most reliable supply going forward. Good luck

 

[.308Stalker]

So I managed to get hold of this little lot today. Not exactly what I wanted but hopefully I can work a load up. Should hopefully keep me going for a while until things are back in stock.

Any thoughts on the Remington primers? I will still be going to get the Fiocchi primers when I can get time to collect.

 

[25 Sharps]

So I managed to get hold of this little lot today. Not exactly what I wanted but hopefully I can work a load up. Should hopefully keep me going for a while until things are back in stock.

Any thoughts on the Remington primers? I will still be going to get the Fiocchi primers when I can get time to collect.

They will be fine