Thread: .308 reloading starting point

Beginning the reloading journey…have done a fair bit of reading but the more I read the more complicated it seems to get. Hoping someone can throw up a load using the same components with length so I don’t end up throwing coin away unnecessarily.

Rifle is a .308 T3x 16”currently shooting 150gn Gamehead at 2664fps. 2.677” OAL.

Components I have are Sako brass, 2206H and SST 150gn. I’d like a little more speed if I can get it.

I’ve played with GRT quite a bit and used max OAL 2.82” iirc for my initial calculations. Now if I start at Hornady length 2.735” it reduces charge below what folks on here seem to be running judging on speed which I guess means they’re running a different OAL. Obviously replicating the Gamehead length it reduces further…

I have help on hand for the actual putting together but unfortunately he only reloads .270 so it’s just the homework I’d love some help on.

Thanks in advance.

Just buy factory superformance 150sst. You won't be able to load them any faster, and handloading takes forever to pay for itself

Originally Posted by Ryan_Songhurst

Just buy factory superformance 150sst. You won't be able to load them any faster, and handloading takes forever to pay for itself

This 100% especially if you only ever intend to reload for a single caliber. ( unless you already have all the equipment )

I’ve got access to all the equipment and it’s around 60% to reload plus time spent obviously. Aim here is to run a better projectile at same/better speeds with less SD while saving a bit if possible. I’ve avoided reloading till now due to the money in setup and f around sorting a load but now I’ve got access to the gear it seems like a decent idea. If I was shooting 60 odd rounds a year I’d buy superformance but I’m biffing goats and can drop 20 rounds every second weekend so that starts to add up pretty quick.

I was using Belmont as it was cheap and worked but that hasn’t been an option for a fair while now, went to g/pro 150gn loved it then that dried up, then to Gamehead which is a trip to auck or mail order to get. I wanted one gun to do everything and it’s worked for me so far. I looked at .223 but it’s more outlay and similar cost on factory ammo to the reloading path. Judging on comments here it seems a lot of people reload .308 so I figured I’ve got nothing to lose. End of the day I’ve got everything I need so it’s happening anyway If it doesn’t pan I’ll jump back on the Gamehead and go forth.

308-winchester-with-trophy-bonded-tippdf-165gr.pdf

This might help

My own load is 45gn Pro Varmint with 168gn Maker speed is 2650 in 16 inch barrel.

Like all things reloading start low and go up slowly with powder charge, never rely solely on what someone else says they use/is safe!!!

@Ryan_Songhurst what speeds did you get from your 16" superlite howa with factory superformance ammo?
Or is your barrel shorter than that?

Originally Posted by Brad S

@Ryan_Songhurst what speeds did you get from your 16" superlite howa with factory superformance ammo?
Or is your barrel shorter than that?

One of his comments I saw when searching was 2730fps/14.5”.

14.75" and it did 2730, the superformance match 168eldm does 2625

Reloading is a great hobby that helps you to get the best rom yr rifles. ADI call their "handloaders guide" a guide for good reason. It's a guide, each bullet, powder and rifle combination will give various results.
AR2206h is a good choice.
Their data for 308 using AR2206h with a 150gr bullet suggests:
Start 42gr- abt 2700fps
Max 45.5gr - abt 2800fps 24" barrel.
I would just load something along the lines of:
42,
43,
43.7
44.4
45.1
45.5
3 of each.
Then if one shows promise try a couple of loads a tad above and a tad below that load, groups of 4 or 5.

Each bullet is shaped differently. Throats vary too. 0.020" (0.5mm) off the lands is generally a good spot.
Find out the OAL touching the lands then seat all your bullets 0.020" further in.

For the time being stay away from grt. I would stick to the basics.

For the time being stay away from grt. I would stick to the basics.

Originally Posted by Northlandnewbie

Beginning the reloading journey…have done a fair bit of reading but the more I read the more complicated it seems to get. Hoping someone can throw up a load using the same components with length so I don’t end up throwing coin away unnecessarily.

Rifle is a .308 T3x 16”currently shooting 150gn Gamehead at 2664fps. 2.677” OAL.

Components I have are Sako brass, 2206H and SST 150gn. I’d like a little more speed if I can get it.

I’ve played with GRT quite a bit and used max OAL 2.82” iirc for my initial calculations. Now if I start at Hornady length 2.735” it reduces charge below what folks on here seem to be running judging on speed which I guess means they’re running a different OAL. Obviously replicating the Gamehead length it reduces further…

I have help on hand for the actual putting together but unfortunately he only reloads .270 so it’s just the homework I’d love some help on.

Thanks in advance.

110gr TTSX with 47gr 748. Defy you to show me any stag that can walk away from being stung by that load. They dont walk they drop on the spot.

Originally Posted by TeRei

110gr TTSX with 47gr 748. Defy you to show me any stag that can walk away from being stung by that load. They dont walk they drop on the spot.

Looked at most of the options including TTSX based on info on here just couldn’t go past the price of SST for what I’m doing.

Originally Posted by Oldbloke

Reloading is a great hobby that helps you to get the best rom yr rifles. ADI call their "handloaders guide" a guide for good reason. It's a guide, each bullet, powder and rifle combination will give various results.
AR2206h is a good choice.
Their data for 308 using AR2206h with a 150gr bullet suggests:
Start 42gr- abt 2700fps
Max 45.5gr - abt 2800fps 24" barrel.
I would just load something along the lines of:
42,
43,
43.7
44.4
45.1
45.5
3 of each.
Then if one shows promise try a couple of loads a tad above and a tad below that load, groups of 4 or 5.

Each bullet is shaped differently. Throats vary too. 0.020" (0.5mm) off the lands is generally a good spot.
Find out the OAL touching the lands then seat all your bullets 0.020" further in.

Cheers yep understand everything’s different much like tuning a car. I’ll check lands and load up as suggested and see what works.

I was mainly using GRT to get an idea of what to use for best performance before buying components but definitely wouldn’t be running with it as gospel. Thanks for the help mate.

In that rig I’d just load up a grain below max, a half grain higher then max charge to fit in mag. Shoot three of each. If no pressure issues at max, load up ten, shoot a group. If it’s 1.5 inches or lower, go hunting. If no good, try drop a large powder increment like a grain or 1.5 grain and try again. Don’t muck around with small powder increments or seating depth stuff. Plenty data around now showing it don’t do jack shit for hunting type scenarios with factory gear.