Using LC 7.62x51 brass for reloading 308

erhodes · January 30, 2013, 10:17 PM

I am just getting into reloading for my new remington 700 with a 26" bull barrel and have heard that the loads are different if you are not using 308 brass. I just purchased 500 LC 7.62 brass and was wondering how much lighter I need to make the loads compared to normal 308 brass reloading.

I am wanting to test a few different powders to see what my rifle likes best so I have some H-335, Winchest 748, and IMR 4895. I am looking to use 178 grain hornady a-max and match bullets. I am going to start with light loads but I didn't know how high I could go. Thanks for your help in advance.

Jimro · January 30, 2013, 10:34 PM

Use normal load data, do not exceed max. The case volume differences don't mean much to starting loads with the powders you listed and probably won't manifest any problems once you reach max, but do the normal load workup.

Jimro

Hummer70 · January 30, 2013, 10:35 PM

It is hard to beat 40 gr. 4895. No pressure problems, long case life with 168 match bullets.
For 180 gr. I dropped to 39 gr.

Bart B. · February 1, 2013, 03:25 PM

Lake City's best accuracy ammo for the 7.62 NATO round has used about 42 grains of IMR4895 under 168, 172 and 175 grain bullets. Exact charge weight's determined as to what produces best accuracy, average pressure and average muzzle velocity within their specs. Actual charge weights I've measured varied +/- almost half a grain around 42 of 'em.

A 1/10th grain charge weight change for each 10 grains of case weight's been a good standard; heavier cases, less powder.

wogpotter · February 1, 2013, 04:58 PM

Back off about 1~1 1/2 grains & work back up from whatever your commercial case loads are for the same projectile, powder & primer.

My data shows a slight variation year to year in LC brass but I've had loads up to 45.5 Gr of WW748 BR with Sierra 165 gr gamekings.
NOTE: THIS IS A MAX LOAD, START LOW & WORK UP CAREFULLLY CHECKING FOR PRESSURE SIGNS.

Fatelvis · February 2, 2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

It is hard to beat 40 gr. 4895. No pressure problems, long case life with 168 match bullets.

Great for semi-auto rifles

Quote:

Lake City's best accuracy ammo for the 7.62 NATO round has used about 42 grains of IMR4895 under 168, 172 and 175 grain bullets.

Great for bolt guns, and a little warm for semi-autos

January 30, 2013, 10:17 PM	#1
erhodes Member Join Date: January 27, 2013 Location: Triad, NC Posts: 31	Using LC 7.62x51 brass for reloading 308 I am just getting into reloading for my new remington 700 with a 26" bull barrel and have heard that the loads are different if you are not using 308 brass. I just purchased 500 LC 7.62 brass and was wondering how much lighter I need to make the loads compared to normal 308 brass reloading. I am wanting to test a few different powders to see what my rifle likes best so I have some H-335, Winchest 748, and IMR 4895. I am looking to use 178 grain hornady a-max and match bullets. I am going to start with light loads but I didn't know how high I could go. Thanks for your help in advance.

January 30, 2013, 10:34 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Use normal load data, do not exceed max. The case volume differences don't mean much to starting loads with the powders you listed and probably won't manifest any problems once you reach max, but do the normal load workup. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

January 30, 2013, 10:35 PM	#3
Hummer70 Senior Member Join Date: June 22, 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 203	It is hard to beat 40 gr. 4895. No pressure problems, long case life with 168 match bullets. For 180 gr. I dropped to 39 gr. __________________ Distinguished Rifleman High Power & Smallbore Prone President's Hundred (Rifle) US Palma Teams(2) US Dewar Team (2),4 Man Natl.Champ Team SB Prone Cert Test Dir. Sm Arms and Ammo,Aberdeen Pr Ground, Firefighter I, AC4HT

February 1, 2013, 04:58 PM	#5
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Back off about 1~1 1/2 grains & work back up from whatever your commercial case loads are for the same projectile, powder & primer. My data shows a slight variation year to year in LC brass but I've had loads up to 45.5 Gr of WW748 BR with Sierra 165 gr gamekings. NOTE: THIS IS A MAX LOAD, START LOW & WORK UP CAREFULLLY CHECKING FOR PRESSURE SIGNS. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”

February 1, 2013, 03:25 PM	#4
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Lake City's best accuracy ammo for the 7.62 NATO round has used about 42 grains of IMR4895 under 168, 172 and 175 grain bullets. Exact charge weight's determined as to what produces best accuracy, average pressure and average muzzle velocity within their specs. Actual charge weights I've measured varied +/- almost half a grain around 42 of 'em. A 1/10th grain charge weight change for each 10 grains of case weight's been a good standard; heavier cases, less powder.