Progress on My .308 Load Workup
- Thread starter RangeHot
- Start date
Hi RangeHot:
I don't have a 308, but I do have 223, 556, 270Win, 303-Brit, 45-90, 45ACP, 44-Mag, 22 LR and an assortment of other antique relics, BP pistols and shotguns!
As a retired engineer, I am addicted to data, and enjoy the ability to model loads, specific to a given rifle / pistol, intended use, bullet weight, powder, primers... add barrel length, twist rate... that a huge matrix of variables. I have found it useful to research a load, and thus save a bunch of $$$$ and time on loading "bad ideas". If you're looking for accuracy that's fine, but what range, just paper targets... ?
I presume you reload, and have choices of powders, bullet weights / brands, hopefully a chronograph? Accuracy is about repeatability, in everything you do.... That includes cases, primers, powders, bullets / seating... then you get to tune that load to your rifle. It takes time, but that's why we do this!
You can download a gazillion "best 308" loads from the web... please be careful! It may be best to consult the manufacturers for load data... Then tinker or explore options.
I have several ballistic software apps, some internal (internal to the gun) and several external thus bullet flight path etc.
I recently found a huge asset to this task, Gordon's Reloading.. a very smart German gent, sadly recently deceased.
His software is amazing, allowing you to explore powders, loads, and is free.
I'd recommend you take a look and use this powerful tool to estimate what you need to accomplish and load to suit.
I'm heading to my Missoula Range on Thursday, I have some 45-90 loads I need to tweak, target, plinking and possible large angry beasties!
These are smokeless 45-90 loads...
Try this link to download the app... (it's basically Windows only..) Gordon's Reloading App.
Attached is a screenshot of an example of a quick 308 load, the app is powerful and will eat many hours your time! Ask me how I know...
I tweaked some loads for 303 Brit, a BTHP 174 gr 0.311, and with my Enfield No4. Mk2 I get about 1.2 MOA with Irons!
Good luck, and welcome to yet another rabbit hole!
Steve1
I don't have a 308, but I do have 223, 556, 270Win, 303-Brit, 45-90, 45ACP, 44-Mag, 22 LR and an assortment of other antique relics, BP pistols and shotguns!
As a retired engineer, I am addicted to data, and enjoy the ability to model loads, specific to a given rifle / pistol, intended use, bullet weight, powder, primers... add barrel length, twist rate... that a huge matrix of variables. I have found it useful to research a load, and thus save a bunch of $$$$ and time on loading "bad ideas". If you're looking for accuracy that's fine, but what range, just paper targets... ?
I presume you reload, and have choices of powders, bullet weights / brands, hopefully a chronograph? Accuracy is about repeatability, in everything you do.... That includes cases, primers, powders, bullets / seating... then you get to tune that load to your rifle. It takes time, but that's why we do this!
You can download a gazillion "best 308" loads from the web... please be careful! It may be best to consult the manufacturers for load data... Then tinker or explore options.
I have several ballistic software apps, some internal (internal to the gun) and several external thus bullet flight path etc.
I recently found a huge asset to this task, Gordon's Reloading.. a very smart German gent, sadly recently deceased.
His software is amazing, allowing you to explore powders, loads, and is free.
I'd recommend you take a look and use this powerful tool to estimate what you need to accomplish and load to suit.
I'm heading to my Missoula Range on Thursday, I have some 45-90 loads I need to tweak, target, plinking and possible large angry beasties!
These are smokeless 45-90 loads...
Try this link to download the app... (it's basically Windows only..) Gordon's Reloading App.
Attached is a screenshot of an example of a quick 308 load, the app is powerful and will eat many hours your time! Ask me how I know...
I tweaked some loads for 303 Brit, a BTHP 174 gr 0.311, and with my Enfield No4. Mk2 I get about 1.2 MOA with Irons!
Good luck, and welcome to yet another rabbit hole!
Steve1
The copper bullet issue, or is it issues?, are interesting, odd metal fouling, the mixing "normal" gilding metal jacketed with pure copper, etc. etc.
I shoot a lot of BP stuff, cap and ball pistols, muzzleloading flintlocks, so copper isn't an option, its also damned expensive!
One thing copper has done is to accentuate the new calibers designed to shoot hi-BC bullets, copper bullets for the same weight are longer!
For existing rifles, a heavy copper bullet may not stabilize well...
That said, copper is now used by Uncle SAM, the M855A1 is a copper bullet, with a steel nose insert.... who knows! Best.
