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Posted: 4/19/2009 11:38:02 AM EDT
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The reference page from this site states that a 168gr Hornandy Amax using varget is 43grains charge and OAL is 2.81"
I have a book and it lists 168 grain jacketed bullet as 42gr start - 46gr NEVER EXCEED and min OAL as 2.80" So, can I use the books reference of 168gr jacketed bullet altough it does not specifically state Amax like the ar15 website does? I dont want to shoot max pressure in my gun, but I remember reading that actually having less powder (charge) in the casing will increase pressure over filling it up to the max. So, would 43gr loaded at 2.81" or would 46gr at 2.80" have higher pressure? This is confusing! |
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Use the Hodgdon recommendation on their web site for that weight bullet and Varget powder.
Start at 42.0 grains Set the COL at 2.800 Work up slowly - I go up in 0.5 grain increments Go no higher than 46.0 (the C indicates the powder will be compressed) I can't explain why there are different recommendations from different sources. |
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Start at 42 grains?
I will be only shooting this load one time. The reason why the two loads were different in the two sources is one specifically lists the bullet Amax while the other lists the same weight 168grains but lists the bullets as Jacketed bullet not listing Amax at all. |
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I'm using federal brass. It's been fired 2x and I'm loading some ammo for long term storage and use up this federal brass for it's last shot. I know federal .308 is bad but that's why I'm only using it 3x. Federal is not "bad". It is softer than the rest and cannot tolerate hot loads as well. If you stick to poo-butt target loads, it will last 10+ loadings. You'll know when it's ready to toss because the primer pocket will get loose before the neck splits. Federal case capacity is less than Winchester, so I'd adhere to Sierra's max of 43.5 grains under a 168gr bullet. |
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Start at 42 grains? I will be only shooting this load one time. The reason why the two loads were different in the two sources is one specifically lists the bullet Amax while the other lists the same weight 168grains but lists the bullets as Jacketed bullet not listing Amax at all. So you are expecting to just pick a charge and go with it without further testing? |
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43.5 grains is inbetween the start charge and the never exceed charge, yet it is listed as a max charge in Sierra's reloading manual. Just food for thought. just as an FYI, Sierra's data is quite a bit different from Hodgdon's. For instance––a 38.4gr Benchmark charge is listed on Sierra's data as a max charge, producing 2500 FPS with a 175gr SMK. According to my chrony, in my rifle that recipe tops out at 2400 FPS. Hodgdon shows a 41gr max charge with the same 175 SMK producing the same 2500 FPS.....Hodgdon's data was within 20 FPS of my results. I was taught to trust the powder manufacturer's data over the bullet manufacturer's data––my (limited) experience shows that lesson to be true. |
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Start at 42 grains? I will be only shooting this load one time. The reason why the two loads were different in the two sources is one specifically lists the bullet Amax while the other lists the same weight 168grains but lists the bullets as Jacketed bullet not listing Amax at all. Yes, you start with the 'starting load' recommendation and assuming no pressure problems then you work up, not to exceed the maximum load. I usually load 5 of each load, but everybody has their own technique. Don't just load one round and assume that is going to be a representative load. Be sure to carefully inspect each fired case and its primer. I typically shoot them thru a chronograph to measure their speed, but this is not mandatory. |
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Quoted:
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43.5 grains is inbetween the start charge and the never exceed charge, yet it is listed as a max charge in Sierra's reloading manual. Just food for thought. just as an FYI, Sierra's data is quite a bit different from Hodgdon's. For instance––a 38.4gr Benchmark charge is listed on Sierra's data as a max charge, producing 2500 FPS with a 175gr SMK. According to my chrony, in my rifle that recipe tops out at 2400 FPS. Hodgdon shows a 41gr max charge with the same 175 SMK producing the same 2500 FPS.....Hodgdon's data was within 20 FPS of my results. I was taught to trust the powder manufacturer's data over the bullet manufacturer's data––my (limited) experience shows that lesson to be true. Maybe Hodgdon used Winchester brass to work-up their loads? |
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I'm loading ammo in case the S*** Hits The Fan. I want to load some ammo I have about 200 federal casings I want to use up. Then load up about 50 total rounds of various charges .... go shoot them.... find out which your rifle likes best ...... keep track of it...... go back home and load the rest out to the load your rifle likes. |
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Fine. Your logic and safety may win this time... :)
j/k I really did not care much on sub MOA accuracy, it's a 16" barrel for chris* sakes. Really, I just want to keep the bullets within NATO pressures. And that's where the confusion starts, using minimum powder charge will have more pressure than a near max load correct? |
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Generally, Winchester cases allow you to increase the charge by 1.5-2 grains over FC/Lapua/LC brass. This is a well known fact.
You can read pressure by examining the primer, measuring casehead expansion with a micrometer, feeling how the bolt unlocks, examining the casehead for ejector marks, etc. Go to snipershide.com (should be called 308caliberremington700.com  ) and see for yourself. That's the best place for 308 info. These people have tried every conceivable combination of components for this round.
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2.800" and 2.810" is only ten thousandths of an inch difference - ignore.
More powder means higher pressure - ALWAYS - PERIOD. 42.0 grains of IMR-4064 and a 168 grain SMK is considered a standard reference match load when using commercial brass. Lower that charge by at least one full grain when using Lake City or IMI milsurp brass. Varget is very close to IMR-4064, but not interchangeable. Different cases by lot # and even more so by brand, primers, bullet styles regardless if they weigh the same, chamber dimensions, temperature, barrel length and powder lot #'s all conspire to get or give different outcomes in the various manuals. Load 42 grains at 2.805" OAL and go have a blast. |
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