Yes the heavy bullets such as 180gr or 190gr are blown around less by the wind (I snatched the trigger on the high left flyer). In terms of reloading efficiency, the .308 has a wide case neck relative to the width of the case body so uses the powder efficiently hence I find a medium charge of 42gr is adequate but you could work up to a higher powder charge if you want as long as you follow the usual safe, gradual process.
Remington 700pps 308 Match Ammo Recommendations
- Thread starter Bluenose75
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That looks like Palma brass? I am guessing you can go to slightly higher loads than LRP brass ?
Yes it's Lapua small primer brass which I am not pleased with as it turns out the small primer cups are made of thinner metal so they puncture at relatively low pressures in rifles with sloppy firing pin fit, such as my AI. So paradoxically I have to run this brass at lower pressures than normal brass, so I have relegated these for use in my Sauer 202 which has a tightly fitted firing pin and I use GGG NATO brass in my AI.
What primers are you using? There is a variation in primer thickness, even by the same manufacturer.
HI there, your reply has me chuckling, it that I also use Palma brass in my AI, and LRP brass, in my Sauer 202!
I think the issue you have is the firing pin on slightly older AI's is intended for LRP, and if you use SRP it might go straight through the primer, I had this with a 6mmbr and was given advice off Laurie on this forum, I just needed to use BR primers, which apparently are a touch thicker skinned,......problem solved!(once again thanks Laurie)
And funny enough my Sauer has no problem with using standard SRP in Lapua brass!
Although I found 167 scenner with a few more grains than you of n150 the sweet spot with my AI.
Good luck, and it seems a tad strange we have some of the same rifles, ( although i have 3 Sauer's , .270, 6.5x55 plus the 308)
Use small rifle magnum primers, cci br4 or 450s if you can get them
CCI 400 (ordinary small rifle primers)
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Thanks yes Sauer 202 rifles are excellent hunting rifles. Mine is the 18 inch barrel Hardwood model with a 1-4 Leupold scope yet it shoots 180gr bullets reasonably accurately out to 1000yds. The AI firing pins presumably are sloppier fitted as they are military rifles so need to work even when muddy etc.
Sorry! A hopeless choice. The CCI-400 (basic Russian Murom/PMC KVB-223, and Rem 6 1/2 too) are designed for low pressure cartridges and their origins are the 1930s' .22 Hornet. These primers have 20 thou' thick brass cups. CCI-450 / BR-4; Rem 7 1/2BR, other Russian small primers have 25-thou thickness cups and are much more robust. This also appears to apply to the Magtech 7 1/2, Fiocchi, and S&B models. Winchester WSRs are on the weak side with 21 thou' cups, and both Federal SRPs are in between at 22.5, but are successfully used by many competitors in high pressure applications.
So, you should try the 'Palma' brass in the AI with a stronger model, and you might be OK. However, as @plumber01 says, older AIs (deliberately) had slacker firing pin to bolt fits, and depending on your rifle model/age, it may still be unsuitable for SRP use. This became an issue some years ago when many AI owners rebarreled to the SRP-only and high-pressure 6.5X47 Lapua and blanked primers with modest loads. AI introduced a revised bolt with a smaller diameter pin and tighter fit to meet this issue.
(PS unlike most rifles, AIs should never have their bolts 'bushed' as is done with most rifle makes in this situation. It seems the steel is so hard that trying to machine it doesn't work out well, and AI will void the warranty and basically disown the rifle in this situation.)
Report on small primer strength and comparative results in 308 Win
Small Rifle Primer Performance in the 308 Palma case Pt.2 by Laurie Holland
Small Rifle Primer Performance Pt 3 by Laurie Holland
They are very much on the softer/thinner end of the SRP spectrum, that’s why you’re piercing them.
As above, you need magnum small rifle primers.
Thanks Laurie, yes I will try to get hold of some small rifle magnum primers.
I asked this question of CCI, this is the comprehensive answer.
Eddie,
These specs are listed below.
CCI 400 is a standard small rifle primer with a standard cup thickness.
CCI BR4 are a standard ignition rate with a thicker primer cup and are held to the tightest tolerances possible.
CCI #41 have a thicker cup with an anvil angle change to reduce the possibility of slam fires and also have a slightly hotter mix than a CCI 400 to aid in best ignition of ball powders that would be used in mil spec applications.
CCI 450 are our hottest primer with a thick cup that are designed for greater powder volume applications.
Thanks,
Eddie,
These specs are listed below.
CCI 400 is a standard small rifle primer with a standard cup thickness.
CCI BR4 are a standard ignition rate with a thicker primer cup and are held to the tightest tolerances possible.
CCI #41 have a thicker cup with an anvil angle change to reduce the possibility of slam fires and also have a slightly hotter mix than a CCI 400 to aid in best ignition of ball powders that would be used in mil spec applications.
CCI 450 are our hottest primer with a thick cup that are designed for greater powder volume applications.
Thanks,
Thanks - fascinating
There are lots of things said online that keep being regurgitated, so I figured a proper answer was needed
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