.308/7.62 NATO load recommendations

Bed Wetter · Aug 9, 2015

In my quest for longish range glory, I'm looking to cook up some hand loads for target/deer hunting. Here's the specs:

20" bbl, 1/10 twist, semi-auto (so some gas will bleed off to cycle the bolt)

I'm leaning 168gr A-max for overall versatility, dependability, and decent BC. I could be persuaded to try a different bullet.

I have no idea where to begin with powder. My present thoughts are that I'll have to fiddle with seating depth to keep groups tight. If my powder pellets are sticks, it might burn too slow for a (relatively short) 20" bbl but if the powder burns to quick it's harder on the bbl and could create some funky harmonics.

On a related note, I'm looking for a gun cleaner that'll remove carbon but not copper.

Reconmendations for suitable powder? Cleaner? Maybe bullet?

SDMF · Aug 9, 2015

Remington Core-lokt round nose 30-30 bullets. H380. Hoppe's #9.

Kurtr · Aug 10, 2015

Varget . 168 amax is good till about 800 then looses stability. They kill deer dead that's what I shot in my 308.

Bed Wetter · Aug 10, 2015

Kurtr said:
Varget . 168 amax is good till about 800 then looses stability. They kill deer dead that's what I shot in my 308.

Think it'd do better beyond 800 if I went to 178gr Amax?

SDMF · Aug 10, 2015

Slim said:
Think it'd do better beyond 800 if I went to 178gr Amax?

You're thinking in the wrong direction.

Bed Wetter · Aug 10, 2015

SDMF said:
You're thinking in the wrong direction.

lighter bullet + 1/10 rotation = more stability?

SDMF · Aug 10, 2015

Lighter bullet w/higher BC + more velicity = win/win. Throw in a side order of less recoil to sweeten the pot.

Twist only really matters when there isn't enough, you got enough.

Bed Wetter · Aug 10, 2015

SDMF said:
Lighter bullet w/higher BC + more velicity = win/win. Throw in a side order of less recoil to sweeten the pot.

Twist only really matters when there isn't enough, you got enough.

but doesn't KE fall off too much if you shave off weight? I want that buck dead @ 1k, not just irritated.

SDMF · Aug 10, 2015

Slim said:
but doesn't KE fall off too much if you shave off weight? I want that buck dead @ 1k, not just irritated.

What about retained KE via retained velocity via higher BC?

Go to JBM and plug in some numbers, Ft/Lb of energy is one of the fields it'll spit out.

Enslow · Aug 10, 2015

Ranging a deer at 1k is not any easy feat. Ranging my gongs at 600 for plinking can be challenging.

cpete00 · Aug 10, 2015

Are you thinking TSX/TTSX Clay?

Norske · Aug 12, 2015

For semiautos, use data for 7.62 semiautos in reloading manuals. That's for the proper pressure at the gas port. A too slow powder will stress the semiauto mechanism. Handloaders after WWII learned this by beating M1 Garands apart and what they learned is still true.

SDMF · Aug 12, 2015

155gn SMK/Scenar w/BC just over .5 and velocity of ~2725-2750 via 20" bbl.

Bed Wetter · Aug 12, 2015

SDMF said:
155gn SMK/Scenar w/BC just over .5 and velocity of ~2725-2750 via 20" bbl.

This makes my loins burn with desire.

krhuntin · Nov 3, 2015

I Have been reloading with the following:
Varget
H4895
IMR4895
IMR 4064. I have found my best groups to be with the IMR 4064 using 44.5 grains, Lapua brass, using either Hornady A-Max i believe they were 168 and Speer HPBT 168 with CCI BR2 primers. My COAL was around 2.841. Velocity from four shots were 2771, 2769, 2774, and 2770. I am able to shoot out to 750 yds consistently with this load. I may need a 178grain bullet for longer than that as they will keyhole past that range. Hope this helps.

sbe2 · Nov 3, 2015

155 grain Sierra Palma Matching with a nice warm load of Varget, RL15, or IMR 4895 and that 308 will do what you want it to do. The SMK will shoot good at magazine length so it can be shot as a repeater and doesnt seem to mind bullet jump as much as some others out there. The SMK has a good BC for its weight as well. For that matter you could even try the Sierra 155 grain tipped matchking, it has a slightly higher BC that its non tipped counterpart and might work better for animals.

PrairieGhost · Nov 3, 2015

I shoot a 185 gr Burger VLD with Varget to 1000 yards. I went heavy when a military sniper told me the 175 SMK would stay supersonic to 1000 yards, but the 168 would not because of the lower ballistic coefficient. The higher ballistic coefficient makes up for slightly lower velocity. I have a custom rifle with 1/10 twist and it will stabilize the 185 at subsonic velocities for use with a can. No need for a 300 Whisper.
I noticed they recommend less powder for the Amax in the reloading manuals. I loaded my standard load for the SMK using Amax and blew primers. Also in the 6.5 Creedmoor with the same grains of powder that Hornady uses my Burger VLD's average 2724fps and my Amax average 2666fps. Still I shoot a lot of Amax. Mostly because they are half price of the Burgers and nearly as good to 800 yards.

Kurtr · Nov 3, 2015

2666 that seems really slow.With 41.5 of h4350 I am at 2710 and I know guys pushing the amax right at 2900 but lose primer pockets.after 4 loads this is in the creedmoor

.308/7.62 NATO load recommendations

Bed Wetter

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