.308 win loads - The Firearms Forum

jon fennell · 12-07-2009, 12:39 PM

Hi
Anyone have loads for .308 win in 145grain FMJBT. Cannot find anything to date
Cheers Jon

jim brady · 12-07-2009, 03:57 PM

I have loaded the .308 Win (7.62 NATO) for over 30 years. I load to original specifications only. The following are loads I use in an M1A (M-14) and have used these loads for both informal and Match shooting:
147 grain FMJ = Rem 9 1/2 LR Primers, 43.0 grs IMR-4895 = 2628 FPS (M-80)
168 gr Sierra = Rem 9 1/2 LR Primers, 41.5 grs IMR-4895 = 2550 FPS (M118)

I use military cases, prefer same lot batch, remove military crimp. Trim, size and seat to military specs. These loads are very accurate in my rifle. I stay with IMR-4895 powder. The only other powder I would use with the M1A gas system is the BL-C (2) powder, but I ONLY use IMR-4895 in my rifle.

With bolt-action rifles, you may find other useable powders, but with the gas system in the M1A and the M-1 Garand rifles you have to be very careful in powder selection due to the gas pressure curve. If you can find an article on-line by John C. Clark, he explains this in great detail. He is an expert on the M-1 Rifle, and if I recall, the article I read was on "Building Competition Grade M1 Garand Match Rifles". Hope this helps.

scrat · 12-07-2009, 10:33 PM

all i have is for 150
150 grain JSP (Spitzer or Spire Point)
IMR 4895 44.5 gr. 2,780 FPS
H4895 44.0 gr. 2,830
IMR 3031 45.0*gr. 2,830
2400 25.0 gr. 2,215
Reloader 7 37.0 gr. 2,750
Reloader 15 46.3 gr. 2,880
H380 51.0 gr. 2,876
A2230 43.5 gr. 2,712
A2460 45.0 gr. 2,765
748 48.5 gr. 2,865
* compressed load

jon fennell · 12-08-2009, 01:25 PM

Thanks again for all the help. I think 145g is unusual weight for .308. All my reloading books only quote for 150 etc (nearest weight) Think I will put these aside for a while and try a more conventional weight
Jon

scrat · 12-08-2009, 09:25 PM

any reloading manual i believe will tell you when a load data is not available. to use the nearest load. Then use 10% less than that load and adjust as needed. With that i would make up 3 different types. Say you are using H4895 make 3 with 40 grains, 3 at 42 grains and 3 at 44 grains. use a sharpie and write down the load on the side of each. then go to the range and shoot the 3 40 grains record the results. Change target. then do the same on the others. You will find the spot your gun likes

jim brady · 12-09-2009, 10:10 AM

Jon - you are talking 145 grain vs. the 147 grain that the Government specifies for the M-80 7.62 Nato. If you have a couple hundred of these, you are going to find them wieghing any where from 144 to 149 grains - so lighten-up, Bro. Two grains is not that much. Now if you are loading up high end loads, I'd be cautious will each and every detail on my component list. Don't sweat the fact that your .30 FMJ bullets weigh 145 grains vs. the 147.

You are gonna get folks telling you that you have to use the EXACT bullet, or the EXACT primer, sometimes even the EXACT make of cartridge case. While reloading is a craft, it is not rocket sceince. If you are waiting for a Commercial reloading manual to give you a load for your 145 grain .30 FMJ loads, you are gonna have a long wait. This is one of those time when you need to 'step out of the box' a little.

As per TM 43-0001-27, "Army Ammunition Data Sheets - Small Caliber Ammunition - FSC 1305" Dated June 1981, page 11-17, Cartidge, 7.62-MM, Ball, M80 = Propellant WC 846, 46 grains, Projectile 146 grains, Chamber pressure 50,000 psi, Velocity 2750 FPS, 78 feet from the muzzle.

So Jon, if you want to load it, go for it. If you don't - don't do it.

scrat · 12-09-2009, 12:25 PM

+1 with JIM

jon fennell · 12-09-2009, 01:07 PM

HI I am sure your right. I will give it a go and let you know!
Cheers
Jon

12-07-2009, 12:39 PM	#1
jon fennell Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hampshire England Posts: 15	.308 win loads Hi Anyone have loads for .308 win in 145grain FMJBT. Cannot find anything to date Cheers Jon -->

12-07-2009, 03:57 PM	#2
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: .308 win loads I have loaded the .308 Win (7.62 NATO) for over 30 years. I load to original specifications only. The following are loads I use in an M1A (M-14) and have used these loads for both informal and Match shooting: 147 grain FMJ = Rem 9 1/2 LR Primers, 43.0 grs IMR-4895 = 2628 FPS (M-80) 168 gr Sierra = Rem 9 1/2 LR Primers, 41.5 grs IMR-4895 = 2550 FPS (M118) I use military cases, prefer same lot batch, remove military crimp. Trim, size and seat to military specs. These loads are very accurate in my rifle. I stay with IMR-4895 powder. The only other powder I would use with the M1A gas system is the BL-C (2) powder, but I ONLY use IMR-4895 in my rifle. With bolt-action rifles, you may find other useable powders, but with the gas system in the M1A and the M-1 Garand rifles you have to be very careful in powder selection due to the gas pressure curve. If you can find an article on-line by John C. Clark, he explains this in great detail. He is an expert on the M-1 Rifle, and if I recall, the article I read was on "Building Competition Grade M1 Garand Match Rifles". Hope this helps.

12-07-2009, 10:33 PM	#3
scrat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 86	Re: .308 win loads all i have is for 150 150 grain JSP (Spitzer or Spire Point) IMR 4895 44.5 gr. 2,780 FPS H4895 44.0 gr. 2,830 IMR 3031 45.0gr. 2,830 2400 25.0 gr. 2,215 Reloader 7 37.0 gr. 2,750 Reloader 15 46.3 gr. 2,880 H380 51.0 gr. 2,876 A2230 43.5 gr. 2,712 A2460 45.0 gr. 2,765 748 48.5 gr. 2,865 compressed load

12-08-2009, 01:25 PM	#4
jon fennell Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hampshire England Posts: 15	Re: .308 win loads Thanks again for all the help. I think 145g is unusual weight for .308. All my reloading books only quote for 150 etc (nearest weight) Think I will put these aside for a while and try a more conventional weight Jon

12-08-2009, 09:25 PM	#5
scrat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 86	Re: .308 win loads any reloading manual i believe will tell you when a load data is not available. to use the nearest load. Then use 10% less than that load and adjust as needed. With that i would make up 3 different types. Say you are using H4895 make 3 with 40 grains, 3 at 42 grains and 3 at 44 grains. use a sharpie and write down the load on the side of each. then go to the range and shoot the 3 40 grains record the results. Change target. then do the same on the others. You will find the spot your gun likes

12-09-2009, 10:10 AM	#6
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: .308 win loads Jon - you are talking 145 grain vs. the 147 grain that the Government specifies for the M-80 7.62 Nato. If you have a couple hundred of these, you are going to find them wieghing any where from 144 to 149 grains - so lighten-up, Bro. Two grains is not that much. Now if you are loading up high end loads, I'd be cautious will each and every detail on my component list. Don't sweat the fact that your .30 FMJ bullets weigh 145 grains vs. the 147. You are gonna get folks telling you that you have to use the EXACT bullet, or the EXACT primer, sometimes even the EXACT make of cartridge case. While reloading is a craft, it is not rocket sceince. If you are waiting for a Commercial reloading manual to give you a load for your 145 grain .30 FMJ loads, you are gonna have a long wait. This is one of those time when you need to 'step out of the box' a little. As per TM 43-0001-27, "Army Ammunition Data Sheets - Small Caliber Ammunition - FSC 1305" Dated June 1981, page 11-17, Cartidge, 7.62-MM, Ball, M80 = Propellant WC 846, 46 grains, Projectile 146 grains, Chamber pressure 50,000 psi, Velocity 2750 FPS, 78 feet from the muzzle. So Jon, if you want to load it, go for it. If you don't - don't do it.

12-09-2009, 12:25 PM	#7
scrat V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 86	Re: .308 win loads +1 with JIM

12-09-2009, 01:07 PM	#8
jon fennell Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Hampshire England Posts: 15	Re: .308 win loads HI I am sure your right. I will give it a go and let you know! Cheers Jon