Powder not fully burning?

[Gnatz]

Hey all, I tried searching for my answer first but was unable to find a suitable answer. I'm working up some loads for my savage 10fp .308, 24" barrel. I'm using speer boat tail 150 gr bullets, imr 4064 powder, cci large rifle primers and assorted brass. I have only recently started reloading an am only using a lee loader. It comes with a powder dipper that is 3.1cc if i'm remembering correctly. of the loads I have fired so far, I'm maintaining around 1 moa accuracy, some slightly better, however, after each shot, there are anywhere from 1 to 3 granules of unburnt powder left in the barrel at various distances from the chamber. Any ideas what could be causing the powder to not fully burn?

 

[ksthomas]

Gnatz,

If you're using the Lee dippers, they are purposely (and wisely) chosen to give very mild charges. Powders need a certain range of pressure to burn properly, and I suspect that yours are simply on the low side of that range, hence the unburned kernals. Not a big deal, in any way. As you progress (and accquire a scale), you'll be able to step up to warmer loads, which should alleviate this issue.

In the meantime, don't worry about it, it's perfectly normal/

 

[milo 2.0]

Are you weighing the charge on a scale, or just going off the dipper. Your powder is within burn rate range, and your barrel is plenty long, so unless you're putting way to much powder in the case, I wouldn't worry about.
The .308 case isn't the most efficient round out there.

 

[Gnatz]

Thank you for the quick, precise answer! A scale is in fact the next item on my list!