Match quality load for 308

M

mrappe

New member
I took my Savage Model 10 Tactical out to shot it after about 12 years in storage and used some reloads that I had made about that time using WCC brass, Sierra Matchking 168 grn BTHP, CCI primers and IMR4895 and shot them today at 100 yrds. They shot OK but I noticed that most of them had split case mouths after shooting. I don't remember exactly how mich powder I put in them at the time but it was probably around 42 grns. The brass had been loaded about 2-3 times only. I guess that I should have annealed the brass. The rifle has had only about 150 rnds through it. I am not sure what caused the spiting. Would it only be because the necks were not annealed? Also, I am looking for a new recipe for this gun. What do others use for accurate loads?

Thanks.
 
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Lots of things can cause split necks so I'm not willing to hazard a guess. For an accurate load though I've played plenty with my 308 Win since getting it and I've settled on Varget and Hornady 178 grn Match bullets with Lapua brass and CCI BR primers. My rifle likes a max load, my sons 308 likes a mid tier and my cousins seems like lighter loads.
 
42 might be on the high side for surplus brass. Move down in .5gr increments. You should be able to find something that really sings with IMR4895 and a 168SMK.
 
It could very well be that your 12 year old ammunition, with who knows how old of gunpowder, has deteriorated to the point that the gunpowder has caused the case neck splits.

Gunpowder outgasses nitric acid gas as it ages and that will cause case neck splits.

I wrote extensively on old gunpowder in this thread, last week:

Signs of Overpressure in 20 Year Old Handloads

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9938200
 
And the other possibility is the traditional one: season cracking. If this ammo was stored anywhere near a kitty litter box or any other source of ammonia gas, that will do it. Annealing does mitigate the problem.
 
. If this ammo was stored anywhere near a kitty litter box or any other source of ammonia gas, that will do it. Annealing does mitigate the problem.
Click to expand...

haha , is that for real ? I have two cats and use cat boxes . It turns out my gun room and the laundry room ( where the cat boxes are ) could not be farther from each other but that is still an interesting premiss .

I think I just came up with a new test to try :D

OP : IMR 4064 works real well for 308 . I'm about to test some RL-15 here as soon as the bullets get here . Sorry I don't often shoot bullets less the 175gr and when I do they tend to be in the 150gr area so I have no loads I could recommend for you and that bullet . In the process you'll find the right load for your gun .

How ever

40.7gr IMR 4895 and 175gr smk is a nice mild load . I started this load out using WCC-06 cases FWTW
40.3gr IMR 4064 and 178gr A-Max is another nice mild load .

I have hotter loads for the above combos that work well but there is no need to put that info out there because you'll need to work up to any higher charge anyway .
 
My AR 308 likes 42g of either IMR4895 or Varget, with a slight preference to Varget. CCI 200 primers, ADI, Hornady, or winchester 308 brass (not NATO). It did not like IMR4064 at all. These are with 168 SMK or Hornady Match, I cant really tell a noticeable difference, so I use the Hornadys as they are much cheaper. Venturing into the 175-178 grainers next.

You should not be getting split necks at that charge after only 2-3 firings. I have shot 5 loads out of my brass and they seem fine, and no I dont anneal. And thats with a semi auto which are harder on brass than bolts. Do you know how far off the lands you are seating the bullet?
 
My go to powder for My .308 Savage is IMR 4064. I have worked up to 43.5 gn with berger 168's and Nosler brass. I have tried 4895 and my groups open up.

IMR 3031 has been good for me with 150 gn Hornady SST's.
 
43.5 grains of IMR 4064 with Federal 210M primer and Federal brass is what Federal loaded under the original 168 SMK GMM load. Change the brass (Federal is pretty soft), but keep the 210M and work up to exact powder charge in your alternate cases of choice.


Metal god,

Look up the Wikipedia entry for Season Cracking. It's a perfectly good description of the phenomenon.
 
168 serria Match, GM210M Primers, 43.2 gn RL-15, My COL was 2.81 but yours might like sommething else
 
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I have a case of 880 rounds(60's surplus) that my mosin splits the mouth on every shot. doesn't do it to my brass reloads, thank goodness. I chalked it up to old "steel", obviously not the same thing, but maybe similar reasons.
 
Savage FCP

Winchester Brass
41.4gr H4895
Winchester LR Primer
168gr Hornady Amax
2.810 OAL

I worked up this one for quite some time before settling on it. I found it to out perform Federal Match consistently.
 
I found that I had bought 100 Lapuna brass cases years ago when I was reloading for 308 and have never used. I an going to try them for the next batch. I have a Stony Point OAL Gauge but did not measure it for this gun at the time. I just did it last night and the Max (touching the lands) was 2.825 so I need to determine where to start with the OAL. I still have 4895 and I bought some 4064 before I quit loading 308 so I am not sure which one I will start with. The Varget sound good but I haven't found any around here and I hate to waste the other powders.
 
If your loading for match target shooting . I'd start with IMR 4064 . OAL , I like to start .020 off the lands so 2.800 or 2.805 would be where I start . You can play with seating depth later if need be . You'll likely find something nice with those OAL's

FWIW , I have real good loads worked up using both IMR 4064 & 4895 so either will work . 4064 does a tad better for me .
 
I favor IMR 4064 40.5 gr. under a 168 gr. Sierra HPBT bullet OAL 2.800, I measure from the ogive though. For bench rest shooting this load is very accurate for me 200 yard zero, Maximum distance for Rifle Ranges on LI,NY. Mild load easy on the barrel, I use a light hold rear bag with a bi-pod average group 1/2" Caliber is 308, Rifle started out as a Remington 700 LTR Changed barrel after 4000+ rounds to a Rock Creel M24 5R 11.27 twist, Jewell trigger set at 10 oz. HS Precision 700P stock Devcon Bedded Rock solid. Just love shooting this rifle. Try to shoot every weekend in the warm months. The brass I use is ADI F/L size, head space from bolt face to datum .001 No problems with split necks, try installing a bullet in a fired case,if the bullet can drop in the case neck, your chamber at the neck my be alittle large, bushing dies my help to size down the necks in two steps,maybe over working your brass if sized down more then .005 in one step. Hope I helped in some way. BE Safe, Chris
 
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