.308 Question?

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

I'm new to reloading. Yes I read a Lee reloading book. My question is can i use less powder than the chart says?
I will be loading .308 using 175gr bullets and Varget.
The chart says 42 of Varget. I was wanting to use 39 to push it.
Would this be ok? Or should I just go by the chart low at 42 ?
Thanks for any help.

[FLIGHT762]

My Sierra manual recommends a starting load of 36.3 to a maximum of 41.7 of Varget for the .308 Winchester with their 175 gr. Matchking. Your 39 gr. starting question is within that recommendation.

What manual shows 42.0 gr. of Varget for a "low" starting load?

[bumpo628]

This is why it's important to check load data from multiple sources.

[bfoosh006]

If I may ask... what rifle ?

[five.five-six]

IMO, 42 grain varget + 175 grain SMC = very flat primer


some data will only show max load and state, start at 10% under max load


loading much under that can be problematic, especially in semi rifles

[joelogic]

What's the point? Saving money or trying to find the lowest point to work the action? Lowest charge may not be very accurate.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

AR-10 Rifle.
To save eome money.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

On line

NEVER EXCEED MAXIMUM LOADS

www.hodgdon.com www.imrpowder.com www.wwpowder.com

[joelogic]

Reloading saves money in the first place. If you really want to save buy cheaper powder. Ramshot or pulled milsurp. For that matter buy cheaper bullets. Cheaping on 5 grains of powder is about a penny.

[Triple R Munitions]

a penny saved; a penny earned!

R

[Fjold]

At 7000 grains per pound and $30 per pound of powder, cutting back one grain will save you about .4 cents per round which is 8 cents per box of 20.

[joelogic]

Sure if you take the 1 pound price it is a lot but 8 pounds of varget is $135 cutting the cost down. Especially if you are chasing pennies buy in bulk.

[five.five-six]

this thread makes no sense, if you want to save money and are not all that worried about accuracy, don't use varget, also, IIRC there is a guy over at 1919a4 fourms that is selling pulled .30 cal bullets for $100/k... might even be less

[joelogic]

8lbs of pulled powder is $85 at Hi-tech.

[Suhleen]

At 7000 grains per pound and $30 per pound of powder, cutting back one grain will save you about .4 cents per round which is 8 cents per box of 20.

$30 a pound?!?! That's crack prices!

Like others have said, if you're trying to save some $$$ go with a cheaper powder and/or cheaper bullets.