.308 reloading question

[jvpark]

I was reloading .308 using IMR 4064 and tried to add 44 grains with a 165 Hordnay SST bullet.

I felt like I had to ram the bullet head in and it felt like a real tight fit... It did not feel right, but did not know if that was normal.

When I reloaded in the past, I can usually shake the cartridge and hear the powder "shaking" in the cartridge.

The powder was below the neck and wondered what is the considered safe?

[Bill Steele]

I was reloading .308 using IMR 4064 and tried to add 44 grains with a 165 Hordnay SST bullet.

I felt like I had to ram the bullet head in and it felt like a real tight fit... It did not feel right, but did not know if that was normal.

When I reloaded in the past, I can usually shake the cartridge and hear the powder "shaking" in the cartridge.

The powder was below the neck and wondered what is the considered safe?

44gr should be fine (if your scale is right).

Compressing 4064 is not a problem. One thing that can help when loading extruded powders like 4064 is to pour the powder into the case via a funnel, where you pour it along the side so it feeds in slowly. Another option is to use a longer drop tube, again giving the powder time to settle. This will allow you to get the maximum amount of powder in the case.

[Pete1979]

+1, 44 gr is up there but probably not max. Its a long grained extruded powder and takes up a lot of space. How many times have the cases been loaded? After enough firings, the necks get thicker and harder.

[hanover67]

I use 40gr of 4064 with a Sierra 168gr Matchking. Very accurate out to 600 yards. I have also used 4350 with a 190gr Matchking - very crunchy when seating.

[classwarfare]

Sounds like you have a compressed load although I would think a .308 would hold more. I believe the Nosler Reloading Guide tells what percentage of the case a given charge should occupy.

[BLR81]

The Lee Loading Manual has 308 Winchester case capacity at 3.43 cc, and they list the starting load at 42.0 gr of IMR 4064 as 3.20 cc. I believe that 46.0 grains of IMR 4064 is full capacity of 3.43 cc.

Lee also shows the max for 165 gr jacket with IMR 4064 as being 46.3 gr, and that is a compressed load. So 44 gr is probably only 0.10 cc short of a compressed load. Lee also has 2.750" as the Min OAL, so be very careful of the seating with that load.

[sigstroker]

In that circumstance, I also tap the side of the case for a few seconds to help settle the powder before seating the bullet.

[CobraRed]

See how your rifle likes a longer oal, and tray trimming cases to 2.10-2.12,. Both can help accuracy assuming it works well with your rifle.