reduced .308 loads

[crest117]

Note, I am fairly new to reloading. I have been playing around with reduced loads for .308 using H4895 and 150 grain FMJBT bullets. I want to stay in the 2100 to 2400 FPS range. Is there any reason why such a load could not be just as accurate at 100 yds as a full power load of 2750 FPS?

 

[454PB]

No reason, I shoot cast bullets in my .308 at 1500-1800 fps. and they group nearly as well as my full velocity jacketed loads.

 

[Nature Boy]

This is on my list of "to do's" as well. I have a question. At what distance would you expect to see accuracy start to fall apart with a reduceded .308 load running in the low 2,100-2,400 fps range?

 

[rsrocket1]

This is on my list of "to do's" as well. I have a question. At what distance would you expect to see accuracy start to fall apart with a reduceded .308 load running in the low 2,100-2,400 fps range?

Certainly not at 50 yards


OP,
You can certainly shoot 2400 fps comfortably. As you work down to 2100, look for opening up of groups without closing at a lower charge. If they open up and don't close back up at a lower charge, you've reached the limit of the powder. It probably can't generate enough pressure to burn evenly.

 

[GooseGestapo]

It's about the performance characteristics of the powder.
H4895 is renowned for maintaining accuracy down to 60% of maximum.

To go below that level, going to another powder will be necessary.
The now recently discontinued SR4759 was great for that level of load. I've found Acc#5744 to be a worthy successor.
Others are #2400, 4198, and Reloader7. Add in 4227 too. RedDot has a huge following with what is called "the load".
I've always been fond of Unique for for obvious reasons.

The only other thing you need to watch for is sticking a bullet in the bore.

 

[Bart B.]

Sierra Bullets developed their 30 caliber 168-gr. International Hollow Point Match King in 1958 for the US Army International Rifle Team's free rifles shot in 300 metre matches. They shot it out though 1:11 and 1:12 twist barrels at 2200 fps or thereabouts. Won matches and set records in matches.

I caution folks loading the .308 Win more than 10% below maximum with its normal powders. Their shoulders set back a few thousandths when fired and if full length sizing them does note push the shoulder forward for at least a 1.630 inch case headspace, incipient head separation will start as the case headspace gets shorter for each additional load on the case. I've seen new .308 Win cases having their primers sticking out near .010 inch from the case head with 12% reduced loads of 168's having 38 grains of IMR4064. No problems with 40 grains.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I do it all the time for the 30-06 and the ammo is accurate in my guns.

Just a note, if you decide to go further and download ammo for hunting use a bullets designed for the 30-30 so you get proper expansion on game at the reduced velocities.

 

[destroyer85golf]

I load reduced loads for the .308 as well. I use the 95 grain semi jacketed .308 bullets from hornady , With a fast pistol powder. It shoots great and every time I take the kids out, they run me out of the reduced rounds!

Edit, I leave out the type and charge weight , because using fast powders is very dangerous. You could charge a case 2 or even 3 times over.

 

[redbullitt]

I have had good luck with the light Nosler ballistic tips at 2000 fps. Cast bullets at 1850 do very well too. Groupings are under 2 MOA with either loads from any of my good rifles.

5744 does a good job with the cast, as well as 4198.

Even lighter stuff can be done with fast pistol powders and trail boss, but the 2000 FPS loads are a nice middle of the road deal that don't drop too much and are plenty capable of taking deer etc.