Help with very first 308 load

[KnightOfNee]

Well, I decided to start reloading for my Savage 10fcp-k 308 1/10 twist barrel. This is my first load that I have ever done and cant seem to find much info on the config of the parts.

I am going to load:
178gr Amax
Hodgdon Varget powder
CCi Br2 primers.
Hornady brass

What is a safe range of the amount of powder that I can use on this load without hurting my rifle?

 

[doorgunner762]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

My current load for my 308

Load:
178 Amax/175 SMK
Hodgdon Varget
CCI BR2's
Lapua brass
C.O.A.L. 2.820"

44.0 Varget will get you about 2640 FPS from a 25" barrel. The sweet spot for a 308 shooting the 178 AMAX/ 175 SMK is around 2600-2750 FPS.

Start your load low and work up the load slowly and watch for over pressure signs!

Good luck and be safe!

 

[KnightOfNee]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doorgunner762</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My current load for my 308

Load:
178 Amax/175 SMK
Hodgdon Varget
CCI BR2's
Lapua brass
C.O.A.L. 2.820"

44.0 Varget will get you about 2640 FPS from a 25" barrel. The sweet spot for a 308 shooting the 178 AMAX/ 175 SMK is around 2600-2750 FPS.

Start your load low and work up the load slowly and watch for over pressure signs!

Good luck and be safe! </div></div>

I am kinda worried about pressure difference from using the br2 primers, doesnt seem like many are using them with this load.
I have a 24" barrel

I was thinking of going to the range with x4 1gr increments 6 rounds of each load, or would it be better to do .5gr increments?

 

[Country]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

As long as you start with the lower recommended loads first and then work up from that.
I would start at 42 grains of Varget behind the 175 and work up .5 grain at a time to 43 grains and over 43 grains work up .2 grains at a time to 44 as long as no pressure signs come before that point.
At 45 grains it is starting to become a compressed load and is max in my load manual. However all guns are slighly different as to when they show the pressure signs. So you start low and build up watching the accuracy and checking the pressure.
When the primers start to flatten the pressure is up there. When they start to crater and the bolt lift is harder it is time to back off .
Accuracy is more important than velocity in most cases so until you get more experience opt for the lower pressure load that shows good accuracy .

 

[doorgunner762]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

You should be ok with other brands of primers. I've used Federal 210M, Wolf-LR,Wolf-LRM, CCI BR2's.

Just start your charge low (41.0 grains and increment in .5 grains) and work up the load that will give the best grouping. Experiment with other brand of primers and powder. Find one that gives you the best grouping and the low ES & SD.

It's trial & error, you will have to find a combination that will give you the accuracy you want.

Good luck

 

[Gene Poole]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Knightofnee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

I am kinda worried about pressure difference from using the br2 primers, doesnt seem like many are using them with this load.
I have a 24" barrel

I was thinking of going to the range with x4 1gr increments 6 rounds of each load, or would it be better to do .5gr increments? </div></div>

I'm using a 24 inch REM700 (1:12 twist) with no problems. My pet load is:

178 A-Max
44.5 gn Varget (compressed)
CCI BR2
Austrian Surplus 7.62 NATO cases (1979 vintage)
2.815 COAL.

I Arrived at 44.5 from OCW workup and that node is good for me from about 44.1 to 44.8 so I can just use a powder thrower and just spot check every 5th load or so. My Lee Perfect Powder Measure does +- 0.1 gn for most throws and never more than 0.2 gn. with Varget.

 

[repiv]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

You use the same components as me with the exception of the brass. I use Lapua. Different brass will make a difference in your charge weight. But I would bet you find a sweet spot between 43gr and 45gr and possibly 2. I finally settled on 44.8 gr. I do my testing with 5 rounds each of .2 gr increments. Start low and watch for signs of pressure. After this go round if there is a sweet spot I will test .1 gr increments 3 above and 3 below the sweet spot and the spot itself. If you find 2 sweet spots or nodes try to stay with the higher one if it dosent show signs of pressure. After this fine tuning you can play with seating depth using the same small increments. It takes time to get a load just right but its worth it when you do.

 

[Bluesop7]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

Slightly different bullet but my pet load is

175 SMK
45.1gr Varget
2.224" to ogive
Lapua Brass
CCI BR2 Primer

It's definitely compressed but shows no pressure signs whatsoever in my rifle. Gets me right at 2,710 fps

 

[Bennyboy]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

My Savage 10 FCP-K Load
Lapua brass
Win Primers
42.5 gr Reloder 15 (start lower and work up)
178 AMAX
This makes for a great load in this rifle, and velocity is 2670.

 

[ricklaut]

Re: Help with very first 308 load

I too have a Savage 10 FCP-K.
Win Brass
Win LR Primers
42.6 gr Varget
175 SMK
2.833 (I'm just off the lands, and I re-check with each batch of new SMKs).
2650 FPS