I have a bunch of LC Match brass. I'm told that since the walls are thicker that I should back off the powder some. I'm loading 168gr SMK with Varget. Is 43.5 @ 2.75 a good starting point or should I go lower. My book (Lyman) doesn't make any reference to LC Match brass.
- Thread starter fishcharmer
- Start date
Re: LC Match Brass
I, personally, would start lower as I don't have a 168 load developed.
However, if you have an already developed load for the 168 SMK at 2.750 in your gun, you can start 2.0 gr lower for the LC cases, and work back up from there.
I, personally, would start lower as I don't have a 168 load developed.
However, if you have an already developed load for the 168 SMK at 2.750 in your gun, you can start 2.0 gr lower for the LC cases, and work back up from there.
Re: LC Match Brass
2.75" might be a little tight for 43.5 grains...
2.75" might be a little tight for 43.5 grains...
Re: LC Match Brass
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jhnmdahl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.75" might be a little tight for 43.5 grains... </div></div>
I thought the same but that's what my Lyman 49 book specs for 168gr BTHP
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jhnmdahl</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2.75" might be a little tight for 43.5 grains... </div></div>
I thought the same but that's what my Lyman 49 book specs for 168gr BTHP
Re: LC Match Brass
I load WW and RP brass w/ 45.0 Varget under 168 SMK's. COAL is 2.850 for my bolt guns.
LC brass is thicker...used it to make AR-10 loads w/43.0 grains Varget at 2.8" to fit the Armalite mags.
I load WW and RP brass w/ 45.0 Varget under 168 SMK's. COAL is 2.850 for my bolt guns.
LC brass is thicker...used it to make AR-10 loads w/43.0 grains Varget at 2.8" to fit the Armalite mags.
Re: LC Match Brass
Sorry...my Lyman 49th says 2.775 OAL, but still...
Sorry...my Lyman 49th says 2.775 OAL, but still...
Re: LC Match Brass
the LC brass is thicker.... but i personally havent dealt with it in a way to see all the pressure problems people talk about that you have to back off a whole 2 grains! I never go below .5 grains or lower when I switch to LC brass from Hornady or RP..... but again i dont try to load 45-46 grs. of rl-15 or varget in with a 168gr bullet either.... so I guess thats why ive been lucky. JMO
the LC brass is thicker.... but i personally havent dealt with it in a way to see all the pressure problems people talk about that you have to back off a whole 2 grains! I never go below .5 grains or lower when I switch to LC brass from Hornady or RP..... but again i dont try to load 45-46 grs. of rl-15 or varget in with a 168gr bullet either.... so I guess thats why ive been lucky. JMO
Re: LC Match Brass
I try to use the most current data on the internet vs older reloading manuals...2.800 is pretty standard nowadays.
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon BL-C(2) .308" 2.800" 44.0 2569 39,400 CUP 47.0 2754 50,200 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H335 .308" 2.800" 39.0 2451 37,700 CUP 42.0 2631 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4895 .308" 2.800" 41.0 2551 38,300 CUP 43.5 2703 49,500 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Benchmark .308" 2.800" 38.0 2416 38,100 CUP 42.0 2630 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Titegroup .308" 2.800" 8.0 1080 25,000 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Clays .308" 2.800" 8.0 1060 26,800 CUP
NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM
I try to use the most current data on the internet vs older reloading manuals...2.800 is pretty standard nowadays.
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon BL-C(2) .308" 2.800" 44.0 2569 39,400 CUP 47.0 2754 50,200 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H335 .308" 2.800" 39.0 2451 37,700 CUP 42.0 2631 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4895 .308" 2.800" 41.0 2551 38,300 CUP 43.5 2703 49,500 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Benchmark .308" 2.800" 38.0 2416 38,100 CUP 42.0 2630 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Titegroup .308" 2.800" 8.0 1080 25,000 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Clays .308" 2.800" 8.0 1060 26,800 CUP
NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM
Re: LC Match Brass
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I try to use the most current data on the internet vs older reloading manuals...2.800 is pretty standard nowadays.
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon BL-C(2) .308" 2.800" 44.0 2569 39,400 CUP 47.0 2754 50,200 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H335 .308" 2.800" 39.0 2451 37,700 CUP 42.0 2631 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4895 .308" 2.800" 41.0 2551 38,300 CUP 43.5 2703 49,500 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Benchmark .308" 2.800" 38.0 2416 38,100 CUP 42.0 2630 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Titegroup .308" 2.800" 8.0 1080 25,000 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Clays .308" 2.800" 8.0 1060 26,800 CUP
NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM </div></div>
Where did you get this info? Which brass? Thank you
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BigBore56</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I try to use the most current data on the internet vs older reloading manuals...2.800 is pretty standard nowadays.
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.800" 42.0 2520 41,200 CUP 46.0C 2731 50,600 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon BL-C(2) .308" 2.800" 44.0 2569 39,400 CUP 47.0 2754 50,200 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H335 .308" 2.800" 39.0 2451 37,700 CUP 42.0 2631 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon H4895 .308" 2.800" 41.0 2551 38,300 CUP 43.5 2703 49,500 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Benchmark .308" 2.800" 38.0 2416 38,100 CUP 42.0 2630 49,300 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Titegroup .308" 2.800" 8.0 1080 25,000 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Clays .308" 2.800" 8.0 1060 26,800 CUP
NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM </div></div>
Where did you get this info? Which brass? Thank you
Re: LC Match Brass
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
They don't specify brass but as you know the LC has a smaller internal capacity.
I would load them at 2.800" to start and then figure out my length of the chamber.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp
They don't specify brass but as you know the LC has a smaller internal capacity.
I would load them at 2.800" to start and then figure out my length of the chamber.
Re: LC Match Brass
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fishcharmer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry...my Lyman 49th says 2.775 OAL, but still... </div></div>
Does it specify that load for 7.62 brass, or is it a standard load for .308 brass? If you use .308 load data for a 7.62mm case, you can end up compressing the powder for a load that might be designed to be only 96% full of powder, given that the Lake City brass has a smaller internal volume than .308.
I'd go with 2.8 OAL, start around 42 grains, and work up to 43.5-44 grains.
John
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: fishcharmer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sorry...my Lyman 49th says 2.775 OAL, but still... </div></div>
Does it specify that load for 7.62 brass, or is it a standard load for .308 brass? If you use .308 load data for a 7.62mm case, you can end up compressing the powder for a load that might be designed to be only 96% full of powder, given that the Lake City brass has a smaller internal volume than .308.
I'd go with 2.8 OAL, start around 42 grains, and work up to 43.5-44 grains.
John
Re: LC Match Brass
Here's my numbers on some 168 custom comps with LCLR brass.
The OAL number is to the ogive not true OAL (true OAL is going to be around 2.9" and I use Varget.
Here's my numbers on some 168 custom comps with LCLR brass.
The OAL number is to the ogive not true OAL (true OAL is going to be around 2.9" and I use Varget.
Re: LC Match Brass
OAL is a minimum. You can go longer. Longer REDUCES pressure. Though if you go so long as to touch the lands, it may increase pressure.
OAL is a minimum. You can go longer. Longer REDUCES pressure. Though if you go so long as to touch the lands, it may increase pressure.
Re: LC Match Brass
Not meaning to divert the thread but I've seen on the Hodgdon site several low pressure rifle loads using pistol powders...
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Titegroup .308" 2.800" 8.0 1080 25,000 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Clays .308" 2.800" 8.0 1060 26,800 CUP
What's the purpose for these ???
Not meaning to divert the thread but I've seen on the Hodgdon site several low pressure rifle loads using pistol powders...
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Titegroup .308" 2.800" 8.0 1080 25,000 CUP
168 GR. SIE HPBT Hodgdon Clays .308" 2.800" 8.0 1060 26,800 CUP
What's the purpose for these ???
Re: LC Match Brass
The pistol powders give under approx 1100 fps for subsonic loads.
The pistol powders give under approx 1100 fps for subsonic loads.
Re: LC Match Brass
I have used some 93 LC match brass and have had good results using between 41 and 43 grains of Varget with a 168 or 178 grain AMAX. Seating is usually between 2.865 and 2.875. I have never gone over 43 grains due to the smaller internal case volume. Hope this helps.
I have used some 93 LC match brass and have had good results using between 41 and 43 grains of Varget with a 168 or 178 grain AMAX. Seating is usually between 2.865 and 2.875. I have never gone over 43 grains due to the smaller internal case volume. Hope this helps.
