question about .308 load

[tkmech21]

I'm loading .308 for the first time and I have a question. I have loaded before (.460 s&w) just no .308. I am using a 180 gr Hornady SST bullet with 41Gr of hodgdon H4895, based on the hodgdon website loading data the starting load is 40.0 Gr and the max 42.5 Gr. I weighed 41.0 Gr and started to seat the bullet, The case mouth is a hair away from being in the cannilure but the power seams compressed, and I'm not too sure about going that much further. Is that something I should worry about or just go down a grain on the rest? Neither charge show that they should be compressed, but I'm thinking it may have something to do with the acctual bullet, The hodgdon website lists the 180 grn bullet they were using for the data was a sierra. Any ideas? Info? suggestions?

Thanks

[jwest]

If you are new to reloading .308 - do not start with compressed loads.

Are you reloading for semi-auto? If so the cannelure is very important as you know.

I checked ammoguide.com - use a starting load of 40 to 41 grains - it isn't showing as compressed. I haven't checked loadbooks yet.

[buffybuster]

I'm loading .308 for the first time and I have a question. I have loaded before (.460 s&w) just no .308. I am using a 180 gr Hornady SST bullet with 41Gr of hodgdon H4895, based on the hodgdon website loading data the starting load is 40.0 Gr and the max 42.5 Gr. I weighed 41.0 Gr and started to seat the bullet, The case mouth is a hair away from being in the cannilure but the power seams compressed, and I'm not too sure about going that much further. Is that something I should worry about or just go down a grain on the rest? Neither charge show that they should be compressed, but I'm thinking it may have something to do with the acctual bullet, The hodgdon website lists the 180 grn bullet they were using for the data was a sierra. Any ideas? Info? suggestions?

Thanks

Tap the side of the case gently or put your finger over the casemouth and hold the case against a running case tumbler. That should settle the powder down. BTW what make cases are you using? Military cases generally have less capacity than commercial cases.

[J-cat]

The SST is longer than the Sierra. Use Hornady data for Hornady bullets.

[sonnyt650]

The Hornady manual indicates minimum COL for the 180 grain SST is 2.74", so if the case is trimmed short the crimp won't go into the cannelure. More importantly looking over the picture it looks like the cannelure is forward of say the SP, BTSP, and RN bullets -- might be the cause of compressed powder. Most importantly the max load for H4895 is 40.2 grains -- might be the cause of compressed powder.

[tkmech21]

If you are new to reloading .308 - do not start with compressed loads.

Are you reloading for semi-auto? If so the cannelure is very important as you know.

I checked ammoguide.com - use a starting load of 40 to 41 grains - it isn't showing as compressed. I haven't checked loadbooks yet.

Nowhere near an expert but not new to it either. Yes its for semi-auto (AR-10)

Quote: Tap the side of the case gently or put your finger over the casemouth and hold the case against a running case tumbler. That should settle the powder down. BTW what make cases are you using? Military cases generally have less capacity than commercial cases.

The particular case in question was a commercial case, I do have some Military cases too, I just stopped at that first one.

Quote: If you are new to reloading .308 - do not start with compressed loads.

Are you reloading for semi-auto? If so the cannelure is very important as you know.

I checked ammoguide.com - use a starting load of 40 to 41 grains - it isn't showing as compressed. I haven't checked loadbooks yet.

I was using a going for a middle of the road load off of Hodgdon's website, it was not showing as a compressed load. This straight from the Hodgdon Site:180 GR. SPR SP Hodgdon H4895 .308" 2.800" 40.0 2454 41,200 CUP 42.5 2595 49,700 CUP: Showing the min load at 40.0 grn and the max at 42.5 neither showing compressed. And yes loading for semi-auto

Quote: The SST is longer than the Sierra. Use Hornady data for Hornady bullets.

Thats where I think my problem lies.

Quote: The Hornady manual indicates minimum COL for the 180 grain SST is 2.74", so if the case is trimmed short the crimp won't go into the cannelure. More importantly looking over the picture it looks like the cannelure is forward of say the SP, BTSP, and RN bullets -- might be the cause of compressed powder. Most importantly the max load for H4895 is 40.2 grains -- might be the cause of compressed powder.

That makes sense, and I'll have to get a Hornady manual, or borrow my buddies, I have always wondered why one book won't work for everything, but now that I think about it every bullet is different and may require different charges etc.

Thanks everyone for all the input. I haven't messed with it anymore since the first round, so I'll have to do more research with the right info, then try again. Thats why I have a bullet puller . Thanks again