Howdy, Gents.

I could not find this topic in a search, so here goes.

I've 4 lbs Hodgdon Universal. I cannot find published data for reduced power reloads in 7mm-08, jacketed bullets.

I've Seafire's comments for several other propellants in this caliber, which I intend to use.

Specifically, has anyone tried Universal for .308 class cartridges? I'm hoping that I could consider it to be roughly similar to Blue Dot in burning rate. Thanks.

Jack from PA
[email protected]

I use 10 gr Universal in the 308 with 165 gr cast bullets for plinking loads, runs about 1440 fps.

You will find it almost a substitute for Unique. Probably not exact but was designed to compete with Unique.
Rick

Is this something you came up with through experimentation, or did you get it from a source?

H4895 you can reduce the load down to 60% of max.
Trail Boss is also good for reduced loads.

10 gr Unique is a very popular load in several cartridges for light cast bullet loads. Universal is very similar.

I should hope a "source" would come up with something through experimentation.

jsmvmd;
Good afternoon and welcome to our cyber 'Fire from north of the medicine line. I trust you're well.

While I believe I've chronographed these at one time, I'm unable to successfully search the memory banks for where I wrote it down, so please take that into account.

Way back in the day I wanted to build a "grouse load" for my '06 and had access to 100gr Hornady Half Jackets and Speer Plinkers.

As well, there was always a supply of WW231 and Hercules Unique for handgun reloading, so that's what I used.

My goal was to find a load which shot as close as possible to point of aim at 25yds when the rifle was sighted for it's usual big game load.

The method I settled on was starting with the '06 case with 4gr of WW231 and working up from there a half grain at a time until it was as close as I could make it without too much noise. I want to say in the '06 case I might have gone as high as 10gr of WW231.

They worked so well on both grouse and for relaxing big game that needed a little bit of help crossing over that I loaded some up for a .308 carbine my wife hunted with at the time. Again I want to say I started at about 4gr of WW231 and still going off of foggy memory found a sweet spot at 5.5gr or perhaps 6gr.

I've also played with 170gr cast bullets with the same powders since I have a nearly unlimited supply of them since I make my own. This time I consulted the Lyman Reloading Manual, started quite low again and stayed there when decent accuracy was achieved.

It appears that Universal isn't too much slower than Unique so I'd surely give it a try.

Hopefully that was useful to you or someone out there.

Again welcome and good luck with your reduced loads.

Dwayne

Instead of guessing go to Hodgdon's website and search for reduced power loads.

I wear glasses due to a reduced load in a 17 Remington. The gun blew up and destroyed my left eye.

I use a lot of Universal in mid-range revolver loads, looks like I may have to give it a try with rifle cast bullet plinking loads also.

I also have a lot of Universal on hand and would like some data for 158 gr. bullets in a 35 Remingotn.

Universal is made by ADI in Australia where its known as AP-70 so searches on that might help turn up something.

This is ADI's load data for 308. It lists light loads with trailboss and also AS-30N ( which is sold in the US as Clays) but not AP-70 sorry.
http://www.adiworldclass.com.au/data-rifle/308-winchester.
The AS-30N /Clays load for interest sake is 8 grains with a 168 GR. Sierra HPBT for 1060 fps and 26800 cup..

Maybe try emailing ADI on AP-70/universal in rifles.

That is your huckleberry

I use 11gr. of Trailboss and a 150gr. cast gas checked, moly coated lead bullet in the 6.5 Creedmoor. it gives about 1050-1100f/s and a decent surpressed load. Of course you're going to have lots of drop at 100 yds. Trailboss is good because it has enough bulk. It should work about the same in the 308. Case capacities are similar. You can start low and work up to what you want.

Posting your question in the Bullet Castng forum might get some more responses.