.308 load question

[Point of Impact]

Question for the pros. I've developed an accurate load for my .308 bolt gun but am having doubts about the charge. I'm loading a 168 gr SMK under 45.1gr of varget with a winchester standard large rifle primer. Max listed for this bullet is 46.0 on hodgon's site, 44 gr on my hornady manual for their 168 gr bullets, and 46 gr on the speer manual for their 168 gr bullets. It's a bit compressed in the WCC 07 nato brass trimmed to 2.00" twice fired Bullet is being seated to produce an average OAL of 2.83". These rounds are pushing 2670 fps avg out of a howa 1500 20" barrel.

I am experiencing increased bolt lift resistance with this load, which I am aware is a sign of overpressure. I am also experiencing resistance when closing the bolt with the fired brass. Primers still have some round edges, no gas leakage around them. I mic'd the resized brass just above the extractor groove, measuring .4682". After firing the brass measures .4690" in the same spot. brass grew to a length of 2.004" Question: How does this growth look to you guys?...excessive? I am backing off my charge for the next trip out because I would rather not risk anything for the sake of an accurate load. What do you guys think? Anyone else running a similar recipe? Any insight is greatly appreciated.


Called the dropped shot otherwise it would have been a pretty good 5 shot group. I measured .310" on the top 4 shots. (.618" from edge to edge minus bullet diameter of .308")

[bjl333]

You didn't say how many times you've loaded the shells. Did you measure length of the brass or neck thickness?

[Point of Impact]

You didn't say how many times you've loaded the shells. Did you measure length of the brass or neck thickness?

Fixed,Trimming brass to 2.00". Brass grew to 2.004" after firing. twice fired brass.

[buffybuster]

You're reloading miltary brass. Those have a smaller internal volume than commercial brass (which that load data was developed from). Chances are, even though you are below "book maximum" that, due to the smaller volume of the military brass, you are at or somewhat above maximum. Though it's probably nothing too excessive since your primers still look fine. Back off .5gr and see how your bolt lift is and the velocity you get.

[bjl333]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=322814

Check this thread out, it has info that might be useful.

[uscbigdawg]

Primer status is a late sign of pressure in bolt rifles. If you're not having issues lifting the bolt after firing, you're GENERALLY okay.

Without naming names, one of the top rifle shooters in the country develops his loads by throwing .5 grain charges until he can't easily lift the bolt handle and then starts the fine tune from there. I'm not advising it, but both his, my and just about everyone else I know loads over the tables.

Rich