a 308 load for semi autos? - 07/01/10
As in all things reloading - for safety sake consult your manual and ignore everything I post.
I read through the thread on 308 pet loads and I'll be trying some from there-in, but tack driving high velocity loads are not what might be best for a semi auto rifle. I need a load that will cycle a semi's action reliably, but not batter the action to pieces.
That said, my semi auto load of choice is 43.5 grains of IMR4350 for .308 147 grain FMJ (or 150 grain SP) projectiles. Nope, it isn�t fast but it does hit what I point it at and I�ve killed one buck with the SP load so far.
In the interest of full disclosure - I am NOT shooting clover leafs. But with iron sights and military style semi automatic rifles, mixed brass (including both Win308 and 7.62x51 mm cases from a half dozen countries; surplus projectiles that vary +/- 2 grains of weight; and the cheapest primers I can find - I am getting 6 inch groups at 100 yards from several rifles. If I shoot a full magazine, every bullet is on a paper plate at 100 yards with every rifle and I really can�t ask for more than that.
But I'm never quite completely satisfied. I'd love to shrink those 6 inch groups to 3 inch groups. So in a quest for a 'better' load for my semi auto 308s I have IMR4895 loaded up in half grain increments from 40 to 44.5 grains just waiting my next trip to the range.
And I also recently discovered a load in the manual for 25 grains of Alliant�s 2400 behind a 150 grain 308 bullet.
I loaded up 5 of those, but have not had a chance to try them.
A friend of mine recommends 43 grains of IMR4320, but I have yet to acquire that powder.
I am open to other suggestions. Does anyone else have a pet load for semi autos shooting 308?
Thanks in advance,
Mike
I read through the thread on 308 pet loads and I'll be trying some from there-in, but tack driving high velocity loads are not what might be best for a semi auto rifle. I need a load that will cycle a semi's action reliably, but not batter the action to pieces.
That said, my semi auto load of choice is 43.5 grains of IMR4350 for .308 147 grain FMJ (or 150 grain SP) projectiles. Nope, it isn�t fast but it does hit what I point it at and I�ve killed one buck with the SP load so far.
In the interest of full disclosure - I am NOT shooting clover leafs. But with iron sights and military style semi automatic rifles, mixed brass (including both Win308 and 7.62x51 mm cases from a half dozen countries; surplus projectiles that vary +/- 2 grains of weight; and the cheapest primers I can find - I am getting 6 inch groups at 100 yards from several rifles. If I shoot a full magazine, every bullet is on a paper plate at 100 yards with every rifle and I really can�t ask for more than that.
But I'm never quite completely satisfied. I'd love to shrink those 6 inch groups to 3 inch groups. So in a quest for a 'better' load for my semi auto 308s I have IMR4895 loaded up in half grain increments from 40 to 44.5 grains just waiting my next trip to the range.
And I also recently discovered a load in the manual for 25 grains of Alliant�s 2400 behind a 150 grain 308 bullet.
I loaded up 5 of those, but have not had a chance to try them.
A friend of mine recommends 43 grains of IMR4320, but I have yet to acquire that powder.
I am open to other suggestions. Does anyone else have a pet load for semi autos shooting 308?
Thanks in advance,
Mike