Thread: Reday to find a load...advice please

Hi Guys

Will be starting my reloading career on the weekend so wanted to run what I was planning past the wise heads on the forum

Rifle Howa 308 18" barrel suppressed, due to having slightly stiff bolt turn on chambering Hornady SSt 150 I have been told I probably have a tight chamber. mag length is 2.890"

I am reloading 1x fired Hornady cases
Cases Full sized and trimmed to 2.005
Fiocchi Large Rifle Primers
AR2208 powder
150gr Hornady interlock BTSP
Planning to load to COAL of 2.8"

I am planning the following

Ladder test really to check for Max pressure, don't have a crony...yet. Will only be at 100 so maybe not so much value finding accuracy nodes, as stated really looking for max pressure.

Starting load at 44, going up in .5 increments to 1gr over max at 48gr, max listed at 47C, will stop loading if doesn't fit! Will stop firing once pressure signs evident

After some research seems 46gr is a common sweet load so was thinking of also loading 5 at this weight and seeing if they group ok as long as no pressure signs.

So a good start or have you got a better suggestion

Cheers

Dino

Dino, that all sounds good.

47gr of 2208 is a compressed load in 308, the "C" in 47C, I would not go much higher that that, or be real careful watching for pressure signs, speed is not everything...

Have a look at Optimal Charge Weight as an alternative to ladder

Go slowly, measure lots, have fun

If your mag will allow seating out to the lands i found they shot very well there and you get a bit more case volume.



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Thnaks EBF and VC

ebf...have looked at ocw, will definitely give it a go when I can organise a chrony and a longer range, restricted to 100m range here in Dunners so not sure how usefull it would be.

VC, as far as mag length goes if have .090 over recomended cartridge length in my book, I was not sure how much play to have so ammo will cycle through the mag so thought I would try 2.8 to start.

If no joy will have to have a play.

Cheers Guys

Will post a report after I get some pills on paper, not this weekend thought forecast is shit!

Cheers

Dino

100m is plenty enough for OCW, no chrony required

I like it coz it is round robin by design, so evens out things like barrel temp, environmental factors etc.

Also, the initial aim is more about stability rather than hyper accuracy.

If you load a decent spread to start with (max -10, sighters and then 0.7% increments) you will do your pressure ladder at the same time...

Use 2206H for more speed out of the 18". If you are using 150gr there ain't much point spitting out Varget IMO. In saying that, 44gr I think it was of 2208 was getting 2550fps out of my mates 18" Howa with 168gr A max. I tried loading them to 2.8" but the throat in that rifle is way short. Try 208gr A max with RL17 and Winchester brass for good times.

Good luck with your reloading,
I have no idea why you want to find your max pressures when its already been done for you and written in over 50 published hand loading books.

Keep safe and remember ware sum feckn glasses testing your loads..

Hi Guys

Thanks Beavis
I did consider 2206 if 2208 does not pan out as hoped then will give it a crack.

6MMBR
I intend to work up to Max load as stated I believe my rifle has a tight chamber, good for accuracy but can increase pressure, I also use a suppressor, I have been told they can also increase pressure.

I have had ejector marks on factory loads so plan to be careful, I will be looking for a load close to Max pressure wherever that may be below or over stated Max load as written in a book, as stated will be careful and have some experienced help to assist me to do it here on the ground.

Just checkin on the forum as there are a number of guys whos opinion I appreciate having read their posts in regards to reloading



cheers

Dino

Originally Posted by 6MMBR

I have no idea why you want to find your max pressures when its already been done for you and written in over 50 published hand loading books.

Keep safe and remember ware sum feckn glasses testing your loads..

Because every single rifle and chamber is different...

The idea (which Dino seems to have a firm grip on) is that you test pressure in YOUR rifle, to see where IT starts showing signs of pressure. The reloading manuals are based on a theoretical SAAMI specification, you could have a rifle that shows pressure signs well before the theoretical max load, or you could have a rifle that allows you to load well above the published max load...

Good comment about the safety glasses, also good to wear them when handling primers etc

Interesting about the 2206h Beavis, some of the F-class guys love it.

I must get a bottle to test, art, too many options to play with

Getting around 2650fps out of my 18incher with 150 speer btsp, and 45.8gr of 2208

Would you gain much or any vel with a 150gr running 2206h over 2208 in a 18" ?
I run 2208 for pretty much everything cos I have lots of it and can still get 3200 with 130 barnes out of 22'' no visible mussel flash but can see it on film. Obviously a faster powder would better suit this weight but it still goes well.

I think 2206H is just an all around better option in a short barrel. Much more efficient. 2208 works, just a bit of a waste as you don't get a full burn.

Have you tried back to back for velocity?

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Originally Posted by ebf

100m is plenty enough for OCW, no chrony required

I like it coz it is round robin by design, so evens out things like barrel temp, environmental factors etc.

Also, the initial aim is more about stability rather than hyper accuracy.

If you load a decent spread to start with (max -10, sighters and then 0.7% increments) you will do your pressure ladder at the same time...

Ahhh, I'm not sure you really grasp the concept behind the OCW process if you think 100mtrs will be ideal.

Only in .223. Velocity gain was significant.