Max load for 168gr BTHP and IMR4895 in .308

[JNewhouse]

Could someone please tell me what their manual states the maximum load is for this combination? I thought that I saw it in another thread, but it wasn't quoted straight from a manual.
Thanks.

[Target Shooter]

My book shows 39.5 grains of IMR 4895 as max load for the Hornady 168g BTHP Match bullet.
Commercial brass, Federal 210 primer.

TS

[JNewhouse]

I was looking the the most recent Lyman book today and it listed 42.5 as the max load. I had heard someone tell me once that I could go up to 46....this doesn't seem right. But I loaded 10 rounds with 43.5 (that is was the dipper happened to put out) to test at the range. I thought that it may be safe because the max load for 180 gr bullet was 42.5 in one of my manuals. hmmm. Maybe I need to pull and reload them again.

[Mike / Tx]

I'm not exactly sure why you are looking for a MAX load for this combo. Most of the time the lower loads are far more accurate.

As for the load that you are contemplating the future of, its always best too sneak up on a max load than to find out its already there. A load in one gun might be safe but in six others might be an overload. Its always better to work up to a listed level and then decide on how it is than to just pour and shoot.

I have loaded for a good while and for a number of different calibers. I have found that the listed MAX is sometimes below what the book says in some guns and above in others. Without a chronograph or other means to check pressure and velocity at the same time one should stick to the listed loads and work for accuracy.

Good Luck,
Mike / Tx

[JNewhouse]

I want to know what the listed max loads are in various manuals my fellow TFL'ers because I cannot afford to buy more manuals right now. (I spent the money on a chronograph) I realize that I do not need to use the max load. I want to know what it is so that I can knock 10% off of it and start with that.

I mentioned that I loaded 10 rounds at 43.5 because if the max were around 46, this would not necessarily be unreasonable. However, if it is around 42.5 ......I guess I will be pulling those bullets.
Does anoyone else have any load info from other books that they can share with me? I would really appreciate it.

[HankL]

What are you going to be shooting this load in? Just curious.
Hank

[bergie]

Hornady 5th Ed. lists all 4 of their 165 and 168 gr. bullets together, with a max load of IMR 4895 being 43.3gr.
As a comparison, Nosler (doesn't make a 168 BTHP) lists their 165 gr. bullets with IMR 4895 max load 43.0 gr.
I would pull them.
I don't know how many calibers you load for, but if it is just the .308 then maybe you ought to check out the LoadbooksUSA Complete Reloading Manual for the _______ (fill in the caliber, your choice of about 60). (not to be confused with Midway's LoadMAP series) They take all the info from all the bullet and powder manufacturers and put it in one book. It is not a complete, comprehensive manual, mostly just whatever listings the different manufacturers give them, in fact, most of the pages look like copies of the different manual listings. They can be had for $10 or a little less.
If you can't find it locally you can call them at (805) 250-8493.
Loadbooks USA, Inc.
18826B Soledad Canyon Road
Canyon Country, California 91351

Hope this helps,
bergie

[Mike / Tx]

I apologize for totally missing the point o your thread. I have this to offer if it might help : http://www.imrpowder.com/reload.html

It's IMR's webpage for loading data. The following data IS for a 180 gr bullet and is from their site.

IMR Powder (grains) (ft/sec) (cup)

IMR 4895 42.5C 2540 50900

I looked up the 168gr Speer in their # 11 manual and it list the following:

Charge fps
41.0 2581
43.0 2674
45.0 2818
Velocities listed are from a 29" Match barrel

Sorry for the earlier confusion, hope this helps.

Mike / Tx

[JNewhouse]

Hank - I will be shooting my Savage 10FP Tactical. It has a 24 inch barrel.
Bergie - Thanks for the info on the load books on the specific calibers. I am going to check that out. It looks like something I could use in this case. I reload a couple of other calibers. But those are just for fun. I usually just load them to plink with.

I am using a Sierra bullet. I wonder if there is a difference in the Speer 168 gr and the Sierra? When I had 43.5 grains of powder sitting in the case, it came up to the shoulder. It really didn't look like I could squeeze in 45 grains. Even if I can use that much, I think that I have decided that I am going to work up to it starting with 38 grains.

[HankL]

You should be fine starting out with the 38 grain load. I am sure that you know that other available powders will probably serve you better in this application though.
Best Regards,
Hank

[alan]

If memory serves, U.S. 7.62mm NATO Match Ammunitition(308 Win), ala Lake City was loaded with about 41.5 grains of a non-canister grade of 4895 under the FA Match Bullet, nominally 173 grain, but usually 175 grain, and slightly larger than .308" dia.

This load did not present pressure problems in rifles fireing it. The following might serve as a "guyide" for your loading activities. Of course, always proceed with caution.

[Cheapo]

JNewhouse & others--

In the .308/7.62 NATO, be very, very careful about what brass you are using. Case weights, which affect internal capacity and peak chamber pressure, are all over the map between different makers.

General rules:
U.S. commercial brass is the lightest, takes more powder to reach max.

USGI brass is heavier, often requiring between 5% and 10% less in powder charge to stay safe.

Sorry, I don't remember which brass was the heaviest.

At Camp Perry one year back when chronos and presure equipment were both exotic and esoteric, the friendly military guys set up a Chrono and offered to test the shooters' pet loads. A published sampling of the results was eye-opening, to say the least. A very small percentage of .30-06 loads were on the ragged edge of safety, but several .308 loads were in the neighborhood of 70,000 CUP, back before they called it CUP!

[Phil in Seattle]

As Bergie said the Hornady 5th Ed. lists all 4 of their 165 and 168 gr. bullets together, with a max load of IMR 4895 being 43.3gr for 308 Winchester but as Cheapo pointed out there is a difference if you are using 7.62x51 brass the Hornady 5th Ed. lists 41.4 grs of IMR 4895 being the max for 7.62x51.

Sorry if anything is redundant but I'll be reloading 308 very soon and I just upgraded my loading manuals yesterday. I've been furiously reading them and I'm anxious to but them to good use.

Disclaimer: The first thing I did was to check loads I am currently using against the new data and then read all of the stuff in the front part of the book, you know the stuff we all normally flip right past without giving it a second thought.

[ShaneA29]

imr 4895 168 matchking or boatail bullets of same is 46g and 175 are 45g

[Bud Helms]

Old thread alert, Shane! ;)