New 308 Reloader - Doesn't Seem Right?

[Raralith]

I finally got my 308 reloading equipment together, and I'm making my first set of loads but something does not seem right. This is what I am using:
- "Reconditioned" brass from topbrass, full length resize and checked length
- Varget powder
- Winchester LRP
- Prvi 155 grain projectile
Using the load data from Lyman's 49th edition, starting for Varget is 43 grains with max at 48 grains; I'm starting my ladder test at 44.5 grains and will adjust from there. My problem is that when I loaded 44.5 grains, the powder is past the neck and maybe half an inch from being completely full; when reloading 223, the powder is a bit below the neck of the brass. I looked at the bottom of the brass and it's Lake City with the Nato stamp. Did I just load 7.62 brass which has a thicker casing? Is there supposed to be so much powder? I have no idea how it would even be possible to fit 48 grains in this brass because it looks so full.

[joelogic]

In your loading guide is there a "c" next to 48gr? That would mean compressed.

For an auto loader you are stuck with mag length but for a single feed you can go long and fill'er up.

[afrancke]

Yes, that's 7.62 brass. You will need to start much closer to 43 gr, maybe more like 42.5.

[Raralith]

In your loading guide is there a "c" next to 48gr? That would mean compressed.

For an auto loader you are stuck with mag length but for a single feed you can go long and fill'er up.

Ahh OK, gotcha. There is a "+" which means compressed.

Yes, that's 7.62 brass. You will need to start much closer to 43 gr, maybe more like 42.5.

Is this gun kaboom bad enough that I need to pull them? 48.0 is the max based on 308 brass and 155 projectile, and doing some research, military brass is suggested 1-2 grains less.

[Fjold]

You won't blow the gun up at 44.5 grains

[Spyder]

Don't pull them, just load some starting a bunch lower and work up to them. Chances are they are fine, and if you aren't seeing pressure signs at the lower work up, you can use them as part of it.

[Spyder]

You won't blow the gun up at 44.5 grains

And listen to this guy. He knows his stuff.

[ar15barrels]

My standard 308 load with 155gr SMK's was 46.5gr of varget in federal brass using Sierra 2156's at 2.830" or 47gr of varget with Sierra 2155's at 2.830" oal.

[damndave]

Perfectly normal.

[C3nt3rMa55]

Normal you would have the same thing if using varget in .223

[J-cat]

Get a powder funnel with a long drop tube and pour in the powder slowly.

[rsrocket1]

As J-cat said, a drop tube is what you need. You can also get the powder sticks to settle better if you can vibrate the case with the top covered. You'll find out that you can get a lot more into the case without "crunching" the sticks through these methods.

Unfortunately, that's the nature of the beast with stick powders such as Varget and 3031. Great performing powders if you can get enough of it into the case without going crazy.

[DSMeyer]

Separate your brass into two categories before reloading. 1) Military ; will have production local followed by a year date, anything with 7.62 on the headstamp or anything with the NATO symbol (circle with crosshairs in it), I'm sure there are others but they elude me. 2) commercial: this is what all the reloading books base their charges off of. Commercial brass will almost always be labeled 308 win and the mfg name on headstamp.
Military brass should have the charge values dropped by one full grain of powder and then look for signs of over pressure when at the mid upper end of scale.
Also look at the load data books. Some powders will have a "c" note next to it for compressed others will give a percentage ex. 98% capacity or 65% etc.. The powders that are compressed or at 98% in the load data books have all kinds of notes and such to look at. But generally are good to go. The powder is generally slow and burns/propels more as the bullet travels the length of the barrel.

On a side note for separating brass. Military brass will need more case prep. Nine out if ten times you'll have to swedge the primer pocket. The only military primer pockets that I have come across that didn't need swedging were '65 and '66 LC national match headstamped brass. These were most likely used for competition bolt guns and were not crimped, just lacquer sealed.
Once you separate them, keep them separated, shoot them in separated lots sat to make your reloading experience easier in the future.

[Raralith]

Just a follow up since there is great advice here, and it may help someone in the future:
- 155 grain Prvi FMJ BT, Varget powder, Winchester LP, remanufacruered 7.62 NATO brass (once fired, full length resize, swaged, reamed, and trimmed)
- 10x rounds 43.0, 43.5, 44.0, 44.5, 44.5 grains
- No pressure signs on any loads
- 44.0 was sub MOA at 100 yards, roughly 0.6900" center to center; my first time firing this rifle too
I am very happy with the results and will further test the ~44.0 grain range. Wish I had a chrono to test velocities so I'm tempted to get that next...