Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 308 Win for Big Game: 180gr out of 20" Barrel

When I can reload Win 308 cases 10+ times with snug pockets, I'm comfortable with the pressure.

Here's some relative comparisons of boltface pressure based on case head diameter, and operating pressure of a few common rounds chambered in the Rem 700 action.

338 Lapua - 16,564 lbs pressure (.588" head diameter (.272 sq-in),60.9K lbs psi max pressure)

300 SAUM - 14,560 lbs pressure (.534" head diameter (.224 sq-in), 65K lbs-psi max pressure)

308 Win - 10,912 lbs pressure (.473" head diameter (.176 sq-in), 62K lbs-psi.)

You'd have to run the 308 at about 90K psi to get boltface pressure in the 15K range.

Long way of saying, it's gonna take some trying to blow up a 308, with a powder like RL17. If primer pockets are still tight, after 10+ compressed loads, I'm nowhere close.