We have the max. OAL for .308, but the Min.?

Ignition Override · June 29, 2011, 01:02 AM

My only previous reloading was .303 for over a year. I never knew or read about the preferred or required minimum OAL for that round either.

Recently I bought a Spanish FR8 Mauser. Please, so let's not waste time on NATO 7.62 vs. Win .308 etc-that is not the point, and have spent six hours reading about the issues and misundersandings, partly due to the Huge conversion factor between C.U.P. and Saami psi., unknown to many people.

Used 41 grains of IMR 4064 for 170 gr. bullets, a few minutes ago.
I just seated the first .308 bullet and went very slowly, in order to allow the length to far exceed the OAL which is 2.800.

The only objective is to be safe, and this rifle is used for plinking.
Anyway, about how far can you safely go under 2.800?

Also, these very shiny match .308 bullets do Not have any crimping groove, and are 170 grain on my digital device.

Doodlebugger45 · June 29, 2011, 09:39 AM

The min and max OAL will be determined by your rifle's chamber in an ideal world. If you exceed 2.800 by too much, then the bullet ogive will hit the lands of the barrel. That will vary by the shape of the bullet as well. For instance, I have one 165 gr bullet, a Sierra BTHP that jams into the lands at 2.785". But the Hornady 165 gr SST BT bullet is fine to seat out past 2.800"

As far as minimum OAL length, I guess you wouldn't want to seat it so that the ogive (the area where the bullet starts to taper down from 0.308") is below the case mouth. I think 2.750" is the norm for most bullets in .308, although one time I loaded up some 110 gr bullets and I had to seat them a bit below 2.700" because they were so short. There was barely enough length on them to seat and get a good neck grip.

Ignition Override · June 29, 2011, 12:21 PM

Doodlebugger45: Thanks very much for the response.

I read last night that this can be a complex subject, but for simple fun with a Shoot N See target or plastic bottle from 50 yards with a Spanish FR8 Mauser, it should not be so murky.

When I grind down the necks to be within 2.015 inches, sometimes the cases end up about 2.00".

June 29, 2011, 01:02 AM	#1
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,886	We have the max. OAL for .308, but the Min.? My only previous reloading was .303 for over a year. I never knew or read about the preferred or required minimum OAL for that round either. Recently I bought a Spanish FR8 Mauser. Please, so let's not waste time on NATO 7.62 vs. Win .308 etc-that is not the point, and have spent six hours reading about the issues and misundersandings, partly due to the Huge conversion factor between C.U.P. and Saami psi., unknown to many people. Used 41 grains of IMR 4064 for 170 gr. bullets, a few minutes ago. I just seated the first .308 bullet and went very slowly, in order to allow the length to far exceed the OAL which is 2.800. The only objective is to be safe, and this rifle is used for plinking. Anyway, about how far can you safely go under 2.800? Also, these very shiny match .308 bullets do Not have any crimping groove, and are 170 grain on my digital device. Last edited by Ignition Override; June 29, 2011 at 03:10 AM.

June 29, 2011, 12:21 PM	#3
Ignition Override Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2008 Location: About 20 nm from the Big Muddy Posts: 2,886	Doodlebugger45: Thanks very much for the response. I read last night that this can be a complex subject, but for simple fun with a Shoot N See target or plastic bottle from 50 yards with a Spanish FR8 Mauser, it should not be so murky. When I grind down the necks to be within 2.015 inches, sometimes the cases end up about 2.00". Last edited by Ignition Override; June 30, 2011 at 12:10 AM.

June 29, 2011, 09:39 AM	#2
Doodlebugger45 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2009 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,717	The min and max OAL will be determined by your rifle's chamber in an ideal world. If you exceed 2.800 by too much, then the bullet ogive will hit the lands of the barrel. That will vary by the shape of the bullet as well. For instance, I have one 165 gr bullet, a Sierra BTHP that jams into the lands at 2.785". But the Hornady 165 gr SST BT bullet is fine to seat out past 2.800" As far as minimum OAL length, I guess you wouldn't want to seat it so that the ogive (the area where the bullet starts to taper down from 0.308") is below the case mouth. I think 2.750" is the norm for most bullets in .308, although one time I loaded up some 110 gr bullets and I had to seat them a bit below 2.700" because they were so short. There was barely enough length on them to seat and get a good neck grip.