A solid load for a Ruger SR762

[Stats Shooter]

So I just completed testing/development of a hunting load for a Ruger SR 762. 16.12" barrel. 1:8 twist.

Powder CFE-223
Primer CCI-200
Bullet : Sierra BTHP 165 grain
Case: Lake City (7.62x51)
Trim: 2.005
Powder charge: 45.8 grains
Bullet Jump .005
COAL: 2.735
Best group at 100 yards: .33 inches
Worst Group at 100 yards: 1.25 inches
Average group: 0.67 inches
Average velocity: 2696.4
ST. Deviation 8 fps
Air temp 85 degrees

Notes: at 46.2 grains primers begin to crater.
At 46.6 grains a primer was pierced so testing was discontinued at or beyond 46.6 grains.
Keep in mind this is lake city 7.62 NATO brass...so though the load is about 2 grains below the max .308 published by hodgdon, the pressures will be higher due to reduced case volume. Also my Ruger 762 appears to have a short throat.

I am however pleased with this load...A sub moa load with a velocity 104 fps below the published max out of a 16" barrel. Also, it was sub moa at 45 and 45.4 grains so hopefully it will perform well in a bit colder weather.

 

[Unclenick]

Good job! I note you DID NOT just start in the middle of Hodgdon's published load range, but worked up from the start. If you had started in the middle, as some people insist on doing, you'd have been over 46.6 grains and already piercing primers and gas cutting your bolt face.

In your case that's probably in part because you used the nice strong, but lower capacity LC brass, while Hodgdon used the higher capacity Winchester brass, and possibly in part because you used the CCI 200 primer rather than the Federal 210M used by Hodgdon. But there are folks that will tell you those things don't make a difference, either.

In any event, you navigated the waters perfectly. Congratulations on arriving at a good load.

 

[Stats Shooter]

short throat

Thanks unclenick.
I was a bit surprised at the short throat. Had I not test using an old case that I cut using a dremil tool, the round would not have seated too long. The ogive needed to be .01 shorter and that was jammed into the lands. I tested a few and this would not cycle. So I pulled back another.005 and it cycles flawlessly.

Perhaps a short throat means longer life since it is usually the throat that wears.