Expert Advice

Wilkster · February 26, 2019, 04:52 PM

I have a service issue 308 which I handload but on the light side
I used some generic Hodgson data that I thought was ok but looked harder and found some better data. the generic data started at 43.7grs and better data started at 45grs . I loaded 147gr fmj and 42grs blc2 with fed210 primer in commercial brass mostly ppu some rem , coal 2.80”
Is this going to be a problem? 3grs of powder ? It’s just plinking load for 100yrds

big al hunter · February 26, 2019, 11:12 PM

First, welcome to the forum.

I assume that a 308 service issue is a semi auto. Not sure if that light of a load will cycle the action reliably. If it causes jambs I would work it up a bit until it operates the way it should. Then add a half grain more for good measure.

I don't own any AR rifles, but I have dealt with other auto loaders. Shouldn't be very different.

**44 AMP** · February 27, 2019, 12:05 AM

I've got data for BlC2 ranging from 40gr starting to 44 max, and other data starting at 42 and maxing at 47gr. Different guns, have different tolerances, different brass makes a difference, everything makes a difference, so start low, just in case. Just because they got X with their stuff doesn't guarantee that you will.

Wilkster · February 27, 2019, 09:43 AM

My real concern is it safe to shoot or is 42grs of blc2 to light ,its for a FNAR with a 18”
If not should pull the bullets or fire them off ?

RaySendero · February 27, 2019, 11:20 AM

I too, reload.
I had some issues below recommended starting powder charges.
Since I do not go below the recommend starting charge.

**44 AMP** · February 27, 2019, 01:09 PM

Ball C2 is not one of the powders noted for getting squirrely when the load is slightly reduced. You just get a bit less...

Considering medium burn rate powders generally allow a fairly wide range of flexibility, I doubt your load (below someone's listed starting load, but above someone else's) will cause any kind of remotely dangerous situation, PROVIDED, its enough to send the bullet out of the barrel.

It may, or may not cycle your gun's action, but its highly unlikely to be dangerous.

I'd say fire one, or two, and see what you get. Then, go from there...

T. O'Heir · February 27, 2019, 01:52 PM

42 grains of BlC2 is below minimum for a 150 grain(close enough. 3 grains of bullet weight won't matter.) jacketed bullet. The 43.7 grain you saw is for a solid copper bullet, not a regular jacketed bullet. Nor is it "generic". Use the Nosler BT data for a regular lead cored bullet. Just don't expect fabulous accuracy using a milsurp bullet.
Now, that being said, the regular Start load is 45.0. 1.3 grains under that is not going to cause any grief to whatever a "service issue" rifle is. And BlC2 is one of the original 7.62NATO powders. Works really well in .308. Regardless of the action type.

Wilkster · February 27, 2019, 08:52 PM

Thanks guys for the info, I wanted expert advice and I think I got some , worst case scenario is that it might not cycle in my Rifle

Wilkster · March 1, 2019, 06:15 AM

I think might just pull the bullets if they won’t cycle

big al hunter · March 1, 2019, 07:34 AM

I would shoot a few to see first. If the load runs your gun, you have the low pressure easy on your gun load you were looking for.

February 26, 2019, 04:52 PM	#1
Wilkster Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2019 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 4	Expert Advice I have a service issue 308 which I handload but on the light side I used some generic Hodgson data that I thought was ok but looked harder and found some better data. the generic data started at 43.7grs and better data started at 45grs . I loaded 147gr fmj and 42grs blc2 with fed210 primer in commercial brass mostly ppu some rem , coal 2.80” Is this going to be a problem? 3grs of powder ? It’s just plinking load for 100yrds

February 26, 2019, 11:12 PM	#2
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	First, welcome to the forum. I assume that a 308 service issue is a semi auto. Not sure if that light of a load will cycle the action reliably. If it causes jambs I would work it up a bit until it operates the way it should. Then add a half grain more for good measure. I don't own any AR rifles, but I have dealt with other auto loaders. Shouldn't be very different. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

February 27, 2019, 12:05 AM	#3
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,821	Welcome to tfl! I've got data for BlC2 ranging from 40gr starting to 44 max, and other data starting at 42 and maxing at 47gr. Different guns, have different tolerances, different brass makes a difference, everything makes a difference, so start low, just in case. Just because they got X with their stuff doesn't guarantee that you will. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 27, 2019, 11:20 AM	#5
RaySendero Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2010 Location: US South Posts: 857	I too, reload. I had some issues below recommended starting powder charges. Since I do not go below the recommend starting charge. __________________ *Ray*

February 27, 2019, 01:09 PM	#6
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,821	Ball C2 is not one of the powders noted for getting squirrely when the load is slightly reduced. You just get a bit less... Considering medium burn rate powders generally allow a fairly wide range of flexibility, I doubt your load (below someone's listed starting load, but above someone else's) will cause any kind of remotely dangerous situation, PROVIDED, its enough to send the bullet out of the barrel. It may, or may not cycle your gun's action, but its highly unlikely to be dangerous. I'd say fire one, or two, and see what you get. Then, go from there... __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

February 27, 2019, 09:43 AM	#4
Wilkster Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2019 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 4	My real concern is it safe to shoot or is 42grs of blc2 to light ,its for a FNAR with a 18” If not should pull the bullets or fire them off ?

February 27, 2019, 01:52 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	42 grains of BlC2 is below minimum for a 150 grain(close enough. 3 grains of bullet weight won't matter.) jacketed bullet. The 43.7 grain you saw is for a solid copper bullet, not a regular jacketed bullet. Nor is it "generic". Use the Nosler BT data for a regular lead cored bullet. Just don't expect fabulous accuracy using a milsurp bullet. Now, that being said, the regular Start load is 45.0. 1.3 grains under that is not going to cause any grief to whatever a "service issue" rifle is. And BlC2 is one of the original 7.62NATO powders. Works really well in .308. Regardless of the action type. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

February 27, 2019, 08:52 PM	#8
Wilkster Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2019 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 4	Thanks guys for the info, I wanted expert advice and I think I got some , worst case scenario is that it might not cycle in my Rifle

March 1, 2019, 06:15 AM	#9
Wilkster Junior Member Join Date: February 26, 2019 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 4	I think might just pull the bullets if they won’t cycle

March 1, 2019, 07:34 AM	#10
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	I would shoot a few to see first. If the load runs your gun, you have the low pressure easy on your gun load you were looking for. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!