308 soft load

Traderjac · July 16, 2006, 05:56 PM

I own a Mas in .308. I noticed firing factory loads signs of high pressure, i.e. flattened primer. What I would like is to know how to lower the pressure safely. I would like to shoot a 100 grain bullet with as little powder as possible to avoid the pressure problem.
I have never read any thing on minimum charges, it is always about maximum charges so I am lost.

JohnSmallTX · July 17, 2006, 03:04 AM

For lite loads in 30 cal cases I use the Speer 100 grain plinker bullets with 10 grains of Unique powder. I prefer the Speer bullets over the Hornady. The Speer have a slightly rounded bottom which makes the bullet seating easier.

Dave R · July 18, 2006, 12:55 AM

I use the same bullet as John, but at a slightly faster loading.

100gr Speer "plinker"
???? Powder charge of H4198
CCI standard (not magnum) large rifle primer.

Shoot, I can't remember the powder charge, and I'm away from my reloading data.

Anyway, the velocity on this is about 2,000 fps, so its about the level of an M-1 Carbine load. Fairly accurate out of the 2 .308's I've tested it in.

I also use the load in my K-31, with good results.

brselman · July 18, 2006, 04:48 PM

try this link:

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/index.php#top

Dave R · July 21, 2006, 12:35 AM

Finally made it back home. The load I use is:

100gr Speer "plinker"
26gr. of H4198
CCI standard (not magnum) large rifle primer.

Shoot, I can't remember the powder charge, and I'm away from my reloading data.

Anyway, the velocity on this is about 2,000 fps, so its about the level of an M-1 Carbine load. Fairly accurate out of the 2 .308's I've tested it in.

I also use the load in my K-31, with good results.

amamnn · July 21, 2006, 02:40 PM

Flattened primers are certainly a sign of overpressure, but also one of the hardest signs to read. If you truly have overpressure then you will have case head expansion and if you mic that, you'll have no doubt as to what's going on.

castnblast · July 21, 2006, 05:06 PM

1+ on flattened primer. some primers are softer than others. I had flattened primers on my 22-250 winchester factory rounds, but w/ a load I loaded that was .2 gr. over max, I had no flattened primer. It all depends on the alloy in the primer. All reloaders should own a mic, and that is a sure test. Also, if you had trouble opening the bolt, that is a prime sign of too much pressure.

tINY · July 21, 2006, 05:41 PM

Aren't MAS chambered for 7.62x51 NATO?

Those are spec'd to lower pressures than 308 win.

Make sure to check the headspace on that rifle. If it's out, and you reload, you may be able to load brass fired from it with the bullet seated forward to get it to shoot right.

-tINY

**Unclenick** · July 21, 2006, 06:36 PM

NATO ammo is all over the map, except external dimensions. Bullet weights from 122 grains to 186 grains. Powder charges variances as high as 10 grains, and more typically 3 grains. I have a bunch of old M118 that flattens primers like a pancake. Ditto some old Portuguese stuff. Read this before you believe the standardization of 7.62x51 was really successful.

Flat primers are not a reliable indicator, but just one possible indicator among several. Cratering usually gets a little closer to the truth. Expanding case heads was in vogue at one point, but has proven not to be reliable either. Please read Denton Bramwell's analysis of the error, if you have been depending on this indicator.

Nick

July 16, 2006, 05:56 PM	#1
Traderjac Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2006 Posts: 1	308 soft load I own a Mas in .308. I noticed firing factory loads signs of high pressure, i.e. flattened primer. What I would like is to know how to lower the pressure safely. I would like to shoot a 100 grain bullet with as little powder as possible to avoid the pressure problem. I have never read any thing on minimum charges, it is always about maximum charges so I am lost.

July 17, 2006, 03:04 AM	#2
JohnSmallTX Junior Member Join Date: November 7, 2004 Posts: 13	308 Lite For lite loads in 30 cal cases I use the Speer 100 grain plinker bullets with 10 grains of Unique powder. I prefer the Speer bullets over the Hornady. The Speer have a slightly rounded bottom which makes the bullet seating easier.

July 18, 2006, 12:55 AM	#3
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,068	I use the same bullet as John, but at a slightly faster loading. 100gr Speer "plinker" ???? Powder charge of H4198 CCI standard (not magnum) large rifle primer. Shoot, I can't remember the powder charge, and I'm away from my reloading data. Anyway, the velocity on this is about 2,000 fps, so its about the level of an M-1 Carbine load. Fairly accurate out of the 2 .308's I've tested it in. I also use the load in my K-31, with good results. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

July 21, 2006, 12:35 AM	#5
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,068	Finally made it back home. The load I use is: 100gr Speer "plinker" 26gr. of H4198 CCI standard (not magnum) large rifle primer. Shoot, I can't remember the powder charge, and I'm away from my reloading data. Anyway, the velocity on this is about 2,000 fps, so its about the level of an M-1 Carbine load. Fairly accurate out of the 2 .308's I've tested it in. I also use the load in my K-31, with good results. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

July 21, 2006, 02:40 PM	#6
amamnn Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2006 Location: WA, the left armpit of the USA Posts: 1,323	overpressure signs Flattened primers are certainly a sign of overpressure, but also one of the hardest signs to read. If you truly have overpressure then you will have case head expansion and if you mic that, you'll have no doubt as to what's going on. __________________ "If the enemy is in range, so are you." - Infantry Journal

July 18, 2006, 04:48 PM	#4
brselman Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Johnson City, TN Posts: 78	try this link: http://www.hodgdon.com/data/youth/index.php#top

July 21, 2006, 05:06 PM	#7
castnblast Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2006 Location: Corpus Christi TX Posts: 1,143	1+ on flattened primer. some primers are softer than others. I had flattened primers on my 22-250 winchester factory rounds, but w/ a load I loaded that was .2 gr. over max, I had no flattened primer. It all depends on the alloy in the primer. All reloaders should own a mic, and that is a sure test. Also, if you had trouble opening the bolt, that is a prime sign of too much pressure. __________________ VEGETARIAN...old indian word for bad hunter

July 21, 2006, 05:41 PM	#8
tINY Senior Member Join Date: April 26, 2005 Location: Orygun Posts: 2,589	Aren't MAS chambered for 7.62x51 NATO? Those are spec'd to lower pressures than 308 win. Make sure to check the headspace on that rifle. If it's out, and you reload, you may be able to load brass fired from it with the bullet seated forward to get it to shoot right. -tINY

July 21, 2006, 06:36 PM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 9,163	NATO ammo is all over the map, except external dimensions. Bullet weights from 122 grains to 186 grains. Powder charges variances as high as 10 grains, and more typically 3 grains. I have a bunch of old M118 that flattens primers like a pancake. Ditto some old Portuguese stuff. Read this before you believe the standardization of 7.62x51 was really successful. Flat primers are *not* a reliable indicator, but just one possible indicator among several. Cratering usually gets a little closer to the truth. Expanding case heads was in vogue at one point, but has proven *not* to be reliable either. Please read Denton Bramwell's analysis of the error, if you have been depending on this indicator. Nick __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Patron Member