Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Old loading manuals

I have a 4th edition sierra manual that list 46.1 gr. of imr4046 in a 150 gr. .308 as their accuracy load. My hornady 5th edition shows a max of 44.9 of same powder with same weight bullets. Which is safe? Is it safe to use the sierra data being older data? Thanks, working on building an all around load for 4-5 .308 rifles.

Why not start with the 44.9gr. load and work up from there watching for signs of excess pressure? You may find an accurate load before reaching 46.1gr..

What kind of brass was used in each data set?

As measuring equipment became more sophisticated and accurate, loads were reduced. This along with an increasingly litigious society saw max loads decrease. Depending on your rifle you may be able to exceed published data. Just realize that you may be dancing on the ragged edge.

Sierra 5 shows 45 grs max
Nosler online shows 48 grs max

That's what has me confused. So many different levels of max loads. Just trying to find something close to 2800 fps with a 150 sst. Trying to duplicate an old hornady custom load that was factory. Have shot lots of whitetails with that load over the years. Can't find it anymore so working on building something close.

Best to use current data with current components, Stated by more than one manufacture and publisher. Blacktailer's advice is spot on

I have an old Speer manual and compared to the newer version. Turns out some loads are more, some are less, some are the same.

One of the great things about the Internet is the availability of endless reloading data, from the bullet and powder manufacturers, as well as other sources, to compare loads with. I like to access as much data as possible before deciding upon a starting load for a new rifle or bullet weight. I usually find the loading manual recommendations as to the 'most accurate' load for a particular bullet to be fairly useless- every rifle barrel is a case unto its own.

Better methods of measuring pressure in recent years has changed some accepted loads. Also, old standby powders have changed some too. Different bullets of the same weight can and often do generate different pressures.

Lots of good data on the internet, but it's still nice to have a couple recent load manuals on hand.

You need to chronograph the loads and work up to the velocity.

2800 fps with a 150 gr. bullet should be easily doable out of a 308. I mostly use the online powder manufacturers data, IMR's website shows 47.7 gr. IMR 4064 as max with a 150 gr. bullet giving 2937 fps. I'd probably start at about 45 gr. and work up over a chronograph. If 4064 didn't yield what I wanted in accuracy and/or velocity then I'd try some Varget.

I agree with Bighorn about the stated "accuracy load" being mostly useless.

Have you tried any reloading manual's "accuracy load"? I have and in several instances it has proven to be accurate, so I would not condemn the info without at least giving it a try.

I have. Got an awesome load for 22-250 out of the same sierra manual. Why I was wanting to try that data for 150gr. .308. Just load data was higher than other books and being a hornady bullet didn't know if pressures changed due to bearing surface or not. Gonna have to work up the load the old fashioned way and just not have it ready next week like was wanting.