CCI #34 primers and Reloader 15

[glennv]

Just go into reloading and have a few questions. I'm reloading .308 with Sierra Matchking 155gr with CCI #34 primers(all I could find) with Reloader 15 powder.

Reloader lists a few different recipes for anything but the 155 grain Speer.

Am I ok with the #34s for an AR-10 and my bolt .308? And do I just search for any recipes that have a 155 grain bullet, ensuring the OAL and power throws are in the right range?

 

[Grumulkin]

The #34 primers will be fine for your AR-10 and your bolt action 308 Winchester.

You can use any recipe for a bullet of similar weight and construction. In fact, as long as you start low, you can use the date for jacketed lead bullets for all copper bullets of the same weight.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Alliant has load data on their site for the .308, RL-15 and a 150gr bullet. You can safely use that data as long as you start 10% below the max charge listed on the Alliant site and work up slowly stopping just shy of the max listed. A difference in weight of only 5grs isn't all that much when you're talking about a 155gr bullet percentage wise. (3%) The newest Hornady manual uses the same combined data for all their 150gr and 155gr bullets so if they don't think it's dangerous, I think it's safe.

The data for the Hornady 155gr A-Max bullet in the .308 from Hornady #9 is:
38.3gr - 2300 fps
40.1gr - 2400 fps
41.9gr - 2500 fps
43.6gr - 2600 fps
45.4gr - 2700 fps
47.2gr - 2800 fps

The Hornady data is in line with the Alliant/Speer data where they show a max charge of 49.0gr RL-15 for a 150gr Speer SP bullet @2919 fps.

Hope this helps and please be careful with any data you get on the Internet. Even though I tried to be sure not to make a mistake typing the data mistakes can and will happen.

*EDIT*
The COAL in the Hornady manual is 2.800" and the COAL for a 155gr Lapua bullet is also 2.800" so I'm fairly sure your 155gr Sierra bullet will be close to that number too.