308 in bulk

brdds · February 26, 2010, 07:40 AM

I got a new AR in 308. 16" barrel, 1 in 10" twist. I already reload 308, but in smaller quantities for hunting. I plan on having a lot of fun sending alot down range. My plan is to purchase 1000 inexpensive rounds that I can then reload. Anything that will get me 5 MOA is good enough.

What are good options for cartridge purchase?

What are good inexpensive bullets to buy in bulk? My first thought was Rem Core Lokt 150gr.

Do I need a different powder than 4895 for this shorter barrel?

closetgunnut · February 26, 2010, 09:03 AM

First----Welcome to the forum!!!

I don't load 308 but I do load 30-06 so I can't tell you anything about ammo or powder. Someone else will have to chime in on that.

I do know a couple places where you can get some cheap .308 fmj's though...

Try "Pat's Reloading": http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm
Scroll down a little ways and you'll find some mil-surp .311 bullets resized to .308. I don't know what quality they are but they're about .10 each.

Try "Widener's" also: http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.c...ir=278|281|727
They're .16 each +s/h here but they are in stock.

There are other places out there. You just have to look around...

Good Luck!

Closet

alloy · February 26, 2010, 09:08 AM

I'm not convinced yet because of the weather, but I think I'm getting better results with IMR 3031.
I know that 4064 has worked better for me than 4895....but both of these opinions are with an 1 in 11 twist, the only 16" barrel I have.

The flat base rem bullets seem to work well for me.

**Unclenick** · February 26, 2010, 10:05 AM

If you use 150 grain bullets, IMR 3031 is about optimal. It fills the case well over the load range, weighs less per charge than most other suitable powders, which is good for economy, and is fast enough that it produces relatively lower muzzle pressures than the other powders mentioned, and that cuts muzzle blast and recoil some (both important with a lighter, shorter barrel gun). The 4895 speed powders are better with heavier bullets, say, 165 grains and up.

brdds · February 26, 2010, 05:42 PM

Thanks for the replies.

closetgunnut I'm not sure if I want to try pulled bullets of unknown quality, but 0.16 each for new seems reasonable from wideners.

I'm still searching for a good place to buy reloadable ammo for a supply of brass to get started.

Unclenick thanks for the tip on the powder. A little less in each shot will add up after a couple of thousand and I kind of thought a little faster powder would be better.

rc · February 26, 2010, 08:33 PM

see if your local walmart has the blue box 308 hunting rounds by federal. There is not a lot of "cheap" mil surplus 308 available and much of what is out there has crimped primer pockets that are a pain to reload. FYI consider the primer crimp before you purchase a bunch of ammo to "reload"

February 26, 2010, 07:40 AM	#1
brdds Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2010 Posts: 2	308 in bulk I got a new AR in 308. 16" barrel, 1 in 10" twist. I already reload 308, but in smaller quantities for hunting. I plan on having a lot of fun sending alot down range. My plan is to purchase 1000 inexpensive rounds that I can then reload. Anything that will get me 5 MOA is good enough. What are good options for cartridge purchase? What are good inexpensive bullets to buy in bulk? My first thought was Rem Core Lokt 150gr. Do I need a different powder than 4895 for this shorter barrel?

February 26, 2010, 10:05 AM	#4
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,738	If you use 150 grain bullets, IMR 3031 is about optimal. It fills the case well over the load range, weighs less per charge than most other suitable powders, which is good for economy, and is fast enough that it produces relatively lower muzzle pressures than the other powders mentioned, and that cuts muzzle blast and recoil some (both important with a lighter, shorter barrel gun). The 4895 speed powders are better with heavier bullets, say, 165 grains and up. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

February 26, 2010, 09:03 AM	#2
closetgunnut Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: Western Pa. Posts: 83	First----Welcome to the forum!!! I don't load 308 but I do load 30-06 so I can't tell you anything about ammo or powder. Someone else will have to chime in on that. I do know a couple places where you can get some cheap .308 fmj's though... Try "Pat's Reloading": http://www.patsreloading.com/patsrel/prices.htm Scroll down a little ways and you'll find some mil-surp .311 bullets resized to .308. I don't know what quality they are but they're about .10 each. Try "Widener's" also: http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.c...ir=278\|281\|727 They're .16 each +s/h here but they are in stock. There are other places out there. You just have to look around... Good Luck! Closet

February 26, 2010, 05:42 PM	#5
brdds Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2010 Posts: 2	Thanks for the replies. closetgunnut I'm not sure if I want to try pulled bullets of unknown quality, but 0.16 each for new seems reasonable from wideners. I'm still searching for a good place to buy reloadable ammo for a supply of brass to get started. Unclenick thanks for the tip on the powder. A little less in each shot will add up after a couple of thousand and I kind of thought a little faster powder would be better.

February 26, 2010, 08:33 PM	#6
rc Senior Member Join Date: April 28, 2001 Location: CA Posts: 1,930	see if your local walmart has the blue box 308 hunting rounds by federal. There is not a lot of "cheap" mil surplus 308 available and much of what is out there has crimped primer pockets that are a pain to reload. FYI consider the primer crimp before you purchase a bunch of ammo to "reload"