.308 Reloading Help

csocs_wolf · December 24, 2017, 03:04 PM

Last time I reloaded was close to 20 years ago (showing my age). Couple quick questions I'm hoping someone might be able to help with.

Info: Hornady 3031 .30 CAL 150GR SP
Received free from a Die Set rebate, or I'd have picked something else.

I have a few powders here that should work, as similar bullets are listed on Alliant's site:

Primer: Fed 210
Powder: AR-Comp
Starting Charge: 44.5gand Alliant

Primer: CCI 200
Powder: RL-10X
Starting Charge: 39.5g

Also have PP Varmint, which should work. Problem is, none of the 3 are listed in Hornady book, and Alliant doesn't list the projectile.

Any suggestions?

Also, just getting back into this, any major difference between Fed 210 and CCI 200? Either burn hotter or reason they are better?

Thank you.

HiBC · December 24, 2017, 03:47 PM

I appreciate that you are trying to use powders that you have. I'm not using any of those ,so I can't say much.
I can tell you Varget is pretty well distributed and its an excellent 308 powder .

csocs_wolf · December 24, 2017, 04:05 PM

I plan on picking up some Varget & RL-15 for .308 and H335 for .223. Sportsmans had a sale on Alliant, so I picked up a few of varieties they had left (RL-22 for my 7mm mag, Unique for 9mm, etc).

I liked that the AR-Comp, Varmint, and 10x could be used for both .223 and .308, so grabbed the last 1 lbers. Figured I'd find a use eventually. I understand I should've checked the books first....but price point overrode common sense.

1stmar · December 24, 2017, 04:41 PM

Lee manual has the following:

3031 min 40.2 max 43.5
Reloader 10 min 34.8 max 39.5

Nothing for ar comp and 150

csocs_wolf · December 24, 2017, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Reloader 10 min 34.8 max 39.5

Thanks! I need to go grab a Lee manual.

RC20 · December 24, 2017, 05:50 PM

I would suggest either the Hornady or Sierra Manuels

Hornady X is new.

Each shows a wide variety of bullet types and powders.

1stmar · December 24, 2017, 05:53 PM

The lee has the most variiety of all the manuals i have seen. I have an older hornady and speer, good information on cartridge history etc but lee has the most load data

csocs_wolf · December 24, 2017, 06:11 PM

I have Hornady (9th), and Nosler. They have a lot, just not what I was looking for. Appears Lee might have some non-standard info I would be happy to play with.

RC20 · December 24, 2017, 07:24 PM

Must be missing what you are looking for. Illuminate please.

Hornady, Sierra will list the most applicable powders. Nossler pretty decent as well though would have to look.

I think Serra has the most.

What are good about those two are the wider powders listed with just about any variety of bullet type as well and weights, if not spot on, close.

csocs_wolf · December 24, 2017, 07:42 PM

RC20,

Was initially looking for info on what to do with powders/projectile combos "not" listed in the Hornady or Alliant manual tests. Where to start. I can and will eventually go get other powders. But as these were "free" bullets, figured I'd see what I could do with what I have, opposed to running out and spending money. They will probably only be used to hit paper and polish my really rusty reloading skills.

As someone above posted relevant info from the Lee manual, it spurred the side manual conversation. Manuals wasn't the point of the post, but was helpful.

And after reading some other posts here, I'm sure I'll eventually get some IMR4064, opposed to the Varget - as some have stated temperature variances. While not relevant for these "free" bullets, it's not abnormal for me to be hunting deer in +80 degrees one month and hunting elk in -20 degrees the next. Additionally, IMR4064 is listed in Nosler for my 7mm Mag 160 gr Accubonds. Multipurpose is good.

BBarn · December 25, 2017, 07:48 AM

As you noted, Alliant provides limited 150 gr. data for the 308 using AR-Comp and 10X. Nosler also has a load using AR-Comp (40.0gr. start, 44.0gr. max with Fed brass and primer).

I couldn't find any data for the Hornady 150gr. bullet using the three powders in the OP. So of the three powders you already have, I would suggest starting with either AR-Comp or 10X. A safe starting point would be any of those published 150gr or 155gr. loads reduced 10% below the maximum listed charge. Any standard large rifle primer could be used with that reduced starting load. You should probably reduce a little more if using mil surplus brass, unless the published load data you are using was developed using mil spec brass (such as some of the Alliant 10X data [IMI cases are Mil capacity]).

cptjack · December 25, 2017, 09:01 AM

plenty of reload data from manufacturers online

T. O'Heir · December 25, 2017, 03:34 PM

The data on Alliant's site are MAX LOADS, not start loads. Reduce by 10% for the start load.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx
"...similar bullets are listed..." The only thing that matters is the bullet weight. Not who made 'em or their shape. You do not require bullet specific data.
The Hornady bullet is a deer bullet.
Bullets like GMX's though are solid copper and those need their own data. Has to do with their density.
Alliant's AR Powder data for a 155 grain A-Max bullet is close enough though. 5 grains won't make any difference. Mind you, the .308 really likes Varget and IMR4064.
Alliant does list an RL-10X load for Speer 150's.
There is no .308 Pro Varmint data on their site. Usually just means they didn't test the powder with .308 loads. There might be data in their manual.
If you're using milsurp brass, you must reduce the start load by 10% and remove the primer crimp.
The difference between a CCI 200 and a Federal 210 is that the CCI are 20 cents more per 100 at Midway.

**Unclenick** · December 25, 2017, 03:56 PM

AR-Comp is newer than the Lee manual, so it won't help with that one. Bryan Litz has found some bullet and powder combinations like the Federal primer better and some like the CCI better. All you can do is try both.

RC20 · December 25, 2017, 04:45 PM

You could get the One Cartridge (Caliber) One book. Pretty cheap.

It has the entire gamut of power mfg and bullet mfgs.

As was noted, Aliant ia a max and you have to back off for a start.

I don't know how often they update.

One of the few that shows loads for R-17 (though Hornady does)

csocs_wolf · December 25, 2017, 07:16 PM

I'll start of 10% low and go from there with a few rounds of the the AR-Comp first. See how it goes. If it's not, I'll move on to another, or save the powder and get another (Varget / IMR 4064). No hurry here.

Thanks again all. Tons of help.

RC20 · December 25, 2017, 08:20 PM

I would experiment during the powder outage.

Now its cleared up I have moved to the go to powders in my calibers.

More you get better results from the listed powders that are suited for the caliber.

Really nice to have the choice again.

hdbiker · December 26, 2017, 05:04 PM

Pick the bullet brand you want to load, buy that manual, everything you need to know is there. The powders I've used for. 308 Win with good results are IMR 4064, Varget, Win 748, AA 2520. hdbiker

Arbrn Rngr · December 30, 2017, 05:40 PM

Anybody have any experience with slinging 180 grain bullets from a 1:12 twist .308? I have played with my powders and COL and the group is more of a shotgun blast then rifle.

I know it is not The Styer, 1/2 mannlicher, I can put 150 grain bullets on top of each other all day long. Wanted a little more for Elk and whitetails, but I'd be lucky to hit an elephant with the grouping. Hate to waste 100 Combined Technology Silver tips.

jmr40 · December 30, 2017, 10:31 PM

I've had excellent results with 178 gr Hornady ELD-X bullets in my 308's. Two have 1:12 barrels and one is 1:10. They all shoot that bullet very well. I'm loading 44.5gr Varget into Hornady brass with Winchester primers. A 1:12 twist should work with MOST 180 gr bullets, but probably nothing heavier.

I'm getting 2620 fps from the 22" barrels, 2575 fps from the 18" barrel.

I have no idea on COL. I load them as long as I can and still fit in the magazine. I've tried to load them a little shorter, but that length has always worked best for me and I can't load them any longer unless I want a single shot.

Arbrn Rngr · December 31, 2017, 10:29 AM

jmr40,

Thanks for the reply. You wouldn't think 2 more grains of bullet wt. would make a difference.

I am using fire formed starline brass with win. large primers and 41.6 grains of Varget. I trim all my brass to the same length.

I realize 41.6 grains is on the low end, but from min-max, climbing up by .2 grains, 41.6 actually gave me a grouping that was within 1.5 MOA @ 100.

Frustrating, 1.5 sounds ok for some, but I'm OCD about accuracy. My .243, 5.56, are shooting sub 1/4' MOA @ 100.

Perhaps I just need to bite the bullet on the 180's and jump back down to 150's...or try something besides the CT....my .243 loves them.

December 24, 2017, 03:04 PM	#1
csocs_wolf Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2016 Posts: 14	.308 Reloading Help Last time I reloaded was close to 20 years ago (showing my age). Couple quick questions I'm hoping someone might be able to help with. Info: Hornady 3031 .30 CAL 150GR SP Received free from a Die Set rebate, or I'd have picked something else. I have a few powders here that should work, as similar bullets are listed on Alliant's site: Primer: Fed 210 Powder: AR-Comp Starting Charge: 44.5gand Alliant Primer: CCI 200 Powder: RL-10X Starting Charge: 39.5g Also have PP Varmint, which should work. Problem is, none of the 3 are listed in Hornady book, and Alliant doesn't list the projectile. Any suggestions? Also, just getting back into this, any major difference between Fed 210 and CCI 200? Either burn hotter or reason they are better? Thank you.

December 24, 2017, 05:50 PM	#6
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,330	I would suggest either the Hornady or Sierra Manuels Hornady X is new. Each shows a wide variety of bullet types and powders. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 24, 2017, 07:24 PM	#9
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,330	Must be missing what you are looking for. Illuminate please. Hornady, Sierra will list the most applicable powders. Nossler pretty decent as well though would have to look. I think Serra has the most. What are good about those two are the wider powders listed with just about any variety of bullet type as well and weights, if not spot on, close. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 24, 2017, 07:42 PM	#10
csocs_wolf Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2016 Posts: 14	RC20, Was initially looking for info on what to do with powders/projectile combos "not" listed in the Hornady or Alliant manual tests. Where to start. I can and will eventually go get other powders. But as these were "free" bullets, figured I'd see what I could do with what I have, opposed to running out and spending money. They will probably only be used to hit paper and polish my really rusty reloading skills. As someone above posted relevant info from the Lee manual, it spurred the side manual conversation. Manuals wasn't the point of the post, but was helpful. And after reading some other posts here, I'm sure I'll eventually get some IMR4064, opposed to the Varget - as some have stated temperature variances. While not relevant for these "free" bullets, it's not abnormal for me to be hunting deer in +80 degrees one month and hunting elk in -20 degrees the next. Additionally, IMR4064 is listed in Nosler for my 7mm Mag 160 gr Accubonds. Multipurpose is good. Last edited by csocs_wolf; December 24, 2017 at 07:53 PM.

December 25, 2017, 03:56 PM	#14
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,738	AR-Comp is newer than the Lee manual, so it won't help with that one. Bryan Litz has found some bullet and powder combinations like the Federal primer better and some like the CCI better. All you can do is try both. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

December 24, 2017, 03:47 PM	#2
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,350	I appreciate that you are trying to use powders that you have. I'm not using any of those ,so I can't say much. I can tell you Varget is pretty well distributed and its an excellent 308 powder .

December 24, 2017, 04:05 PM	#3
csocs_wolf Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2016 Posts: 14	I plan on picking up some Varget & RL-15 for .308 and H335 for .223. Sportsmans had a sale on Alliant, so I picked up a few of varieties they had left (RL-22 for my 7mm mag, Unique for 9mm, etc). I liked that the AR-Comp, Varmint, and 10x could be used for both .223 and .308, so grabbed the last 1 lbers. Figured I'd find a use eventually. I understand I should've checked the books first....but price point overrode common sense.

December 24, 2017, 04:41 PM	#4
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	Lee manual has the following: 3031 min 40.2 max 43.5 Reloader 10 min 34.8 max 39.5 Nothing for ar comp and 150

December 24, 2017, 05:53 PM	#7
1stmar Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,378	The lee has the most variiety of all the manuals i have seen. I have an older hornady and speer, good information on cartridge history etc but lee has the most load data

December 24, 2017, 06:11 PM	#8
csocs_wolf Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2016 Posts: 14	I have Hornady (9th), and Nosler. They have a lot, just not what I was looking for. Appears Lee might have some non-standard info I would be happy to play with.

December 25, 2017, 07:48 AM	#11
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	As you noted, Alliant provides limited 150 gr. data for the 308 using AR-Comp and 10X. Nosler also has a load using AR-Comp (40.0gr. start, 44.0gr. max with Fed brass and primer). I couldn't find any data for the Hornady 150gr. bullet using the three powders in the OP. So of the three powders you already have, I would suggest starting with either AR-Comp or 10X. A safe starting point would be any of those published 150gr or 155gr. loads reduced 10% below the maximum listed charge. Any standard large rifle primer could be used with that reduced starting load. You should probably reduce a little more if using mil surplus brass, unless the published load data you are using was developed using mil spec brass (such as some of the Alliant 10X data [IMI cases are Mil capacity]).

December 25, 2017, 09:01 AM	#12
cptjack Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2014 Posts: 319	plenty of reload data from manufacturers online

December 25, 2017, 03:34 PM	#13
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	The data on Alliant's site are MAX LOADS, not start loads. Reduce by 10% for the start load. http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx "...similar bullets are listed..." The only thing that matters is the bullet weight. Not who made 'em or their shape. You do not require bullet specific data. The Hornady bullet is a deer bullet. Bullets like GMX's though are solid copper and those need their own data. Has to do with their density. Alliant's AR Powder data for a 155 grain A-Max bullet is close enough though. 5 grains won't make any difference. Mind you, the .308 really likes Varget and IMR4064. Alliant does list an RL-10X load for Speer 150's. There is no .308 Pro Varmint data on their site. Usually just means they didn't test the powder with .308 loads. There might be data in their manual. If you're using milsurp brass, you must reduce the start load by 10% and remove the primer crimp. The difference between a CCI 200 and a Federal 210 is that the CCI are 20 cents more per 100 at Midway.

December 25, 2017, 04:45 PM	#15
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,330	You could get the One Cartridge (Caliber) One book. Pretty cheap. It has the entire gamut of power mfg and bullet mfgs. As was noted, Aliant ia a max and you have to back off for a start. I don't know how often they update. One of the few that shows loads for R-17 (though Hornady does) __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 25, 2017, 07:16 PM	#16
csocs_wolf Junior Member Join Date: April 24, 2016 Posts: 14	I'll start of 10% low and go from there with a few rounds of the the AR-Comp first. See how it goes. If it's not, I'll move on to another, or save the powder and get another (Varget / IMR 4064). No hurry here. Thanks again all. Tons of help.

December 25, 2017, 08:20 PM	#17
RC20 Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2008 Location: Alaska Posts: 7,330	I would experiment during the powder outage. Now its cleared up I have moved to the go to powders in my calibers. More you get better results from the listed powders that are suited for the caliber. Really nice to have the choice again. __________________ Science and Facts are True whether you believe it or not

December 26, 2017, 05:04 PM	#18
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	Pick the bullet brand you want to load, buy that manual, everything you need to know is there. The powders I've used for. 308 Win with good results are IMR 4064, Varget, Win 748, AA 2520. hdbiker

December 30, 2017, 05:40 PM	#19
Arbrn Rngr Member Join Date: November 15, 2017 Posts: 33	Anybody have any experience with slinging 180 grain bullets from a 1:12 twist .308? I have played with my powders and COL and the group is more of a shotgun blast then rifle. I know it is not The Styer, 1/2 mannlicher, I can put 150 grain bullets on top of each other all day long. Wanted a little more for Elk and whitetails, but I'd be lucky to hit an elephant with the grouping. Hate to waste 100 Combined Technology Silver tips.

December 30, 2017, 10:31 PM	#20
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,973	I've had excellent results with 178 gr Hornady ELD-X bullets in my 308's. Two have 1:12 barrels and one is 1:10. They all shoot that bullet very well. I'm loading 44.5gr Varget into Hornady brass with Winchester primers. A 1:12 twist should work with MOST 180 gr bullets, but probably nothing heavier. I'm getting 2620 fps from the 22" barrels, 2575 fps from the 18" barrel. I have no idea on COL. I load them as long as I can and still fit in the magazine. I've tried to load them a little shorter, but that length has always worked best for me and I can't load them any longer unless I want a single shot. __________________ "If you're still doing things the same way you were doing them 10 years ago, you're doing it wrong" Winston Churchill

December 31, 2017, 10:29 AM	#21
Arbrn Rngr Member Join Date: November 15, 2017 Posts: 33	jmr40, Thanks for the reply. You wouldn't think 2 more grains of bullet wt. would make a difference. I am using fire formed starline brass with win. large primers and 41.6 grains of Varget. I trim all my brass to the same length. I realize 41.6 grains is on the low end, but from min-max, climbing up by .2 grains, 41.6 actually gave me a grouping that was within 1.5 MOA @ 100. Frustrating, 1.5 sounds ok for some, but I'm OCD about accuracy. My .243, 5.56, are shooting sub 1/4' MOA @ 100. Perhaps I just need to bite the bullet on the 180's and jump back down to 150's...or try something besides the CT....my .243 loves them.