Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

[rommel500]

I am looking at working up loads for my AR-308 with a 20 inch barrel.

I have two powders, IMR 4895 and Varget. IMR is 38.2 grains and varget is 38.7 on starting loads supposedly to get ~ 2400 fps with a SMK 168gr. Primers are CCI and brass is Federal GMM, Privi and Winchester.

Should I start with those loads and work up? What percentage or grains should I bring my loads down from a standard bolt action load listed in the Sierra manual? TIA!

 

[4Rail_Gunner]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1463024&page=1

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1209919&page=1

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=323517#Post323517

Here is some reading.
Start Low, Work up.
.3gr steps is what I do.

Other peoples loads for a longer barrel than yours will work also. You will just have less velocity.
But if you use someones load, step it down and work back up to what they are shooting while watching for pressure signs.

 

[Lt. Arclight]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

My load for my 24" DPMS is 42.0gr.RL15 in a Remington case(cheap and don't care if I lose them)Fed210 primer with a 175SMK. 2.800 coal. sub moa through a 1/10" twist.

My semi-auto loads are 1.5 to 2 grains less than used in my GAP TIS.

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

Loading with IMR 4064, my bolt load is only .5 grains more than my AR-10 load. They will both shoot the 43 grain load, but I only have a 100 yard range, and pushing a 168 hpbt to the limit is a waste on powder, and hard on the throat, for no good reason. I can tell when the 43 grain load comes out of the AR by where it throws the brass, as well are the felt recoil.

 

[Dreamweaver]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

DPMS LR-308 16" AP4

42.2 Gr Varget
175 SMK
WIN brass
WIN Primer
2.800 COL
2.005 Trim

Sub MOA if i do my part.

~Mike

 

[colt933]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

Noveske 18" barrel
Sierra 155gr Palma
Varget 46.0 gr
CCI 200 primer
Winchester commercial brass
OAL <2.8"

Noveske 18" barrel
Sierra 155gr Palma
Varget 45.0 gr
CCI 200 primer
LC Match 81 brass
OAL <2.8"

Noveske 18" barrel
Sierra 175gr MK
Varget 44.0 gr
CCI 200 primer
LC Match 81 brass
OAL <2.8"

Noveske 18" barrel
Sierra 168gr MK
Varget 44.0 gr
CCI 200 primer
LC Match 81 brass
OAL <2.8"

 

[grmroper001]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

DPMS LR-308 24" tube, box stock
BHG and Hornady match brass full length sized, 2.005 trim
155 smk both the 2155 and the 2156
win primers
45.4 RL-15
2.8 OAL
right at 2770 fps avg
4200' ASL

So far my gun likes this load the best. Have printed 2 five shot groups under 1/2"

 

[wildbill9ball]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

168gr sierras
41,5 grs IMR4895
210 match primers
lake city match brass

here`s 7rds at 100 yds

 

[BCP]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

I would use the above guy's load as a starting point. As far as powder data goes I would only use the manufacturer's website. Sierra Book is a good resource but they are very conservative and 38-39grains would probably cause short stroking (I know 41 grains 4064 short stroked in mine).

FWIW mine is 44grains AA2520 168BTHP bullet out of an 18" 1:10 twist barrel. It has a carbine stock and a mid length gas system, and was a bit frustrating to load for at first because it likes hotter loads. I should mention that it has been about 40-45 degrees here though so when summer comes around I will probably load a little less.

As far as brass goes the only stuff I've had problems with is federal.

 

[rommel500]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

I just bought some varget today at the local reloading supply store.

Would 41gr of varget be a good starting point with 168gr hornady HPBT or sierra 168gr HPBT?

This is for my semi auto 20" barreled POF 308.

TIA!

 

[rommel500]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

Anybody? I am going to start working on my loads this week. I am now thinking of starting at 40gr and working up to 43gr. Anybody have any suggestions? This is with Varget powder and Federal and Winchester cases and CCI BR2 LR primers.

 

[BCP]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rommel500</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Anybody? I am going to start working on my loads this week. I am now thinking of starting at 40gr and working up to 43gr. Anybody have any suggestions? This is with Varget powder and Federal and Winchester cases and CCI BR2 LR primers. </div></div>

If you check the section titled "Reloading Depot" there is a thread about .308 loads, lots of varget in there.

Most of the guys I see using it in semis are using larger amounts, 43-45 grains.

 

[colt933]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

I think you're going to end up at 45-46 grains of Varget.

 

[acehigh]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

AR10-T Armalite Rock 5R 24"
same load as all my bolt action 308's
You may notice a difference in case capacities with your listed brass though. Follow the above advice and start low with each brass type.
44.5 Varget
Lapua
Fed210M
175SMK

 

[rommel500]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

Thank you all for the info, so I think I will start at 41gr of Varget and work my way up.

 

[colt933]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as brass goes the only stuff I've had problems with is federal.
</div></div>

Loading for a friend's POF .308 gun a couple of years ago, the FGMM (factory and handloads) brass was RUINED with one firing in this gun. Its extraction is extremely violent and stretched/mangled the case heads at the extractor.

 

[rommel500]

Re: Load Data for 308 AR Style Rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: colt933</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As far as brass goes the only stuff I've had problems with is federal.
</div></div>

Loading for a friend's POF .308 gun a couple of years ago, the FGMM (factory and handloads) brass was RUINED with one firing in this gun. Its extraction is extremely violent and stretched/mangled the case heads at the extractor. </div></div>

This is true on some cases of Federal, I had to pitch a few cases due to the case heads being damaged. Other brass has no issues... Hornady, Winchester, and PMC cases don't have any issues...