loads for bushmaster 308 carbine

[Jeff92]

anyone have any loads worked up for a bushmaster 308 with a 1 in 10 twist 16 inch barrel. I'm specifically looking for something for 150 gr. hornady spire points.

[Shooter2675]

Do you have a reloading manual? I have never done what you said but am thinking a reloading manual might be your best source for accurate and safe loads. Shoot safe!

John

[Jeff92]

I have 5 of them but with limited range time this time of year I was looking for info on anything already proven to work out of this gun. All my other 308's have barrels from 20 to 26 inches, not the 16 this one has.

[Shooter2675]

Sorry, can't help you too much on this. But while I wait for more experienced reloaders to say something, let me suggest you read up on some slightly faster burning powders which should give you better velocities in the shorter barrel. Depending on what your twist rate is, you are limited to a certain range of bully's to attain maximum accuracy.

John

[Jeff92]

Thanks anyway. I'll wait a couple more days then start with the faster powders if no one else responds.

[oldpapps]

Not 16 inches but these do work in my weapons.

308 FMJ 150 748 43 2468 Rem 600 11/13/11 18.5 inch 1 in 10 twist
308 FMJ 150 748 43 2677 M1A 11/13/11 22 inch 1 in 11 twist

308 JSP 150 748 42.6 2502 M1A 12/8/10 22 inch 1 in 11 twist
308 JSP 150 748 42.6 2381 Rem 600 12/8/10 18.5 inch 1 in 10 twist

Copy and paste from a spread sheet doesn't do all that well, sorry.

I have found that what works well in a short/er barrel also works well in a long/er barrel. I've tried the 'fast' route in short barrels and nothing panned out. Going with the slow powders does give a lot more flash and

Keep searching. If you find one, let me know.

Enjoy,

OSOK

[zeke]

Do not have a Bushmaster 16 in, but do have a RR 16 incher with 1::10 twist. It does not like any 150 grainers (oe lighter) for good accuracy, much preferring 165+ grainers . For hunting bullets, the 165 hdy sst does particularly well, and does not have a soft lead tip to mangle. It can be seated out past the cannelure, to further enhance accuracy.

There are plenty of well proven powders for loading 308 in semi's. The same powders that work in longer barrels , also work in shorter barrels. H4895,IMR 4895, 748, Varget just to name a few.

While that may not be the answer you were looking for, picking the right bullet may be more difficult than picking a powder/charge combo.

Are you just using up the 150 grain spire points, or looking for a hunting load?

[Jeff92]

I'll give the 748 a try and see how that works. I got almost 1k of the hornady's sitting around from their free bullet giveaway's over the last two years. I wouldn't use them for hunting or serious target work so I figured with the addition of this new rifle now would be a good time to make up a good range plinker with them.

Thanks for the info

[zeke]

Jeff-you're welcome. Am using 748 for almost all of my 308 reloading. It does seem to have a preference for magnum primers, for best accuracy. Specific case volume and primer type has a affect on determining powder charge.

Good luck, and perhaps tell us how they work out?

[Jeff92]

Zeke, I am planning on using the cci mil-spec primers which I've been told are similar to the magnum primers I'm hoping to get to the range early next week and will post back what seems to be working the best. I plan on trying a few different powders to include RL15, 748, BLC-2 and H4895. I for some reason have never found a load I was happy with using Varget powder. Thanks again

[Mike / Tx]

I run a little Ruger Compact and while it isn't what you have it does have the 16.5" barrel on it.

As mentioned the same loads used in the long barrels will shoot in the shorter one. Going faster with powders isn't going to get you wnat you want especially with the auto. Things in the RL-15 and H4895 are the powders I have had the bst luck with and nothing faster. Mine didn't like Varget either no matter how hard I tried to make it work.

Funny thing is, when I bought the rifle I also picked up thre boxes of 150 Rem CL's simply to sight in with and go hog hunting that following weekend. Wasn't looking for much from them just something that would put meat on the ground at around 50-75yds. They suprised me shooting 1" groups right out of the shoot, so I stuck with them. Back then I could pick up a box for around $10 just before, or right after deer season, and I would buy 10 boxes. WHen everything went sky high, I got down to my last couple of boxes and had to start loading for it. I tried several brand name bullets, powders and primers galore. THen on a whim I loaded up some of the bulk 150 Rem CL's I had purchased for my Contender. I used H4895 and worked them up to the velocity I was getting form the factory stuff. Low and behold, not only did I get a few FPS on the factory load but the accuracy also was better. It will shoot the handloaded ones into 1" or less easily if I do my part which I think is wonderful for a 6.5# stubby little rifle.

[Kosh75287]

I'm far from expert in the workings of AR-pattern rifles, but if you have an adjustable gas regulator, a la FN-FAL, then you MIGHT be able to exploit the faster burning powders some. With a non-adjustable gas regulator, I don't think I'd want to use any powder faster burning than IMR-3031, and I'd proceed most gradually, with reliable function serving as your end point, no matter the velocity.
Of the "service rifle-suitable" powders that I'M Aware of, it looks like BLC(2) or WIN 748 are the fastest burning. If 3031 doesn't work out, then perhaps one of these will. You'll prolly end up with .300 Savage performance, but for a short handy little rifle, that's STILL not bad!