Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Advice for Reloading semi-auto rifle

I have been reloading bolt action rifles for 30 years. I have acquired a lot of knowledge over the years for bolt guns. However I've just purchased a Browning Bar in 308 win that I would like to reload for.

I'm wondering if someone can lead me to some good books/manuals for reloading semi-autos?

Thanks,
Adams

Anything you load in a bolt gun will work fine in a BAR.

Just mind sizing with them and keep them clean. Easy guns to get shooting.

Can’t help you on any books, but…

FL resize. Some say you need small base dies, but that’s not my experience with BARs

Stay away from slow burning powders. Probably not an issue in 308, but an issue with 30-06 and 270. The issue is cycling.

Stay away from max loads, as these also can cause excess wear of the action and cycling issues.

When developing a load, look where the brass is landing. Settle on a load that shoots accurately and where the brass all lands with it a 2’ circle. You may find a load that shot accurately but sprays brass all over the place. Stay away from that load.

Keep in mind pressure signs may be different than you may be used to with Rem action bolt faces, as you won’t see a round the ejector mark.

I never used small base dies when I had a BAR in 270. As for the powder, a little research led me to IMR4064 for the 130 gr bullets. You’ll want to pick the right burn rate powder.

IMR 4895, 165 Hornady flat base and regular full length resizing dies worked great in mine.

I was always told that the the BAR’s generally needed cartridges that met Saami spec and therefore reliability meant you should full size your brass. I also recall never seeing any sharp shouldered cartridges offered in the BAR line up. Same goes for tight necks or bullets seated long like you do with many bolt guns trying to snuggle up to the landes. My Brother had one in 280 Rem once ( kind of rare ) that shot factory ammo better than anything he could load and he was one hell of a wildcatter and loader.

Rick

They’re chambered in WSM, Win Mag, Rem Mag, 270 and 25-06. All full steam loaded cartridges. Load them sane and you’ll like the way they work.

Thanks for the responses. I've decided to try 3 or 4 boxes of factory ammo to see if I find something that shoots good. If not then might go to hand loading. I've been reading that IMR 4895 is a good powder to start with. Again thanks!

Adams

Get a small base FL die set. You may not need to use a small base sizing die, but it won't hurt.

It may hurt with respect to brass life.

It may but how much does the average person shoot a BAR?

I have loaded for three different BAR's and never used a small base die set.

Dave I’d pretty much agree with this observation but my Late Brother who was a guide and wrangler for years in Wyoming and Idaho told me toward the end of his guiding life he saw more and more BARS showing up in camp. Mostly Southern clients but they were accurate enough and sucessful rifles

Rick