Loading 208gr AMAX in .308

[1slow01Z71]

Their 3.34 COL for 300WM and 208 amax is laughable. You literally cannot seat the bullet that far in with the powder charge they recommend. I wonder how they ckme to their load data because they damn sure didnt actually shoot that combo.

 

[dee]

You might check with their website as they released some info on a few typos. I don't remember if the 300wm was in it though.

 

[Dawico]

The Lyman #49 and Richard Lee 2nd Edition do not even list the 208 gr in 308 loads. They both go up to 200 gr and that is all.

I can get you those loads if that will help.

 

[Dawico]

This is the Hornady 9th Edition.

And yes, in general, the Hornady book sucks.

 

[Younggun]

The Lyman #49 and Richard Lee 2nd Edition do not even list the 208 gr in 308 loads. They both go up to 200 gr and that is all.

I can get you those loads if that will help.

I have the Lyman 49th. I like it for most loads but I can usually find more powder options using the Hodgdon site.

 

[Dawico]

The Richard Lee book is excellent but doesn't cover that weight. It has a ton of loads and is fairly cheap though.

 

[A.Texas.Yankee]

I have a 16" barrel and COAL isn't much more than SAMI. I tried 200ish gr bullet and couldn't get them to work. If you do, I have some Nosler Accubond 200 gr rounds I'm trying next and would be curious how you do it.

 

[dee]

Since Dawico hooked you up with Hornady data here is data from Berger and Sierra for their comparable bullets.

 

[Younggun]

Bout to go shoot some and see what they do, and what kind of velocities I get.

Thanks for the data, I will look it over when I get back to the house.

 

[Younggun]

Testing done.

Couple of surprises. I didn't do my part all that great today. Perishable skills I guess. Gonna sort through the targets and chrony data.

 

[Younggun]

FUCKKKKKKK


Just deleted the chrono data for the 175s.

Why do they have to put "delete string" where "delete shot" should be?

 

[Younggun]

Ok, only lost data for one string, but it surprised me a little. Not sure if I had chino graphed this load in the past, can't find it anywhere. Recorded two shots before I lost the data.

175gr SMK, 43.5gr IMR 4895, OAL 2.860

Velocities I was able to get, 2699, 2721

Shots 1, 2, 5, and 7 I had my head further forward than I'm used too. Think I need to pull the scope back a little to get a comfortable cheek weld. Need to spend more time on the range also.

____________________________


208gr AMAX, 39.1gr IMR 4895, OAL 2.950

One thing that was just awesome about this load, 8fps extreme spread on the velocity.

1. 2314
2. 2318
3. 2318
4. 2310
5. 2314

The vertical spread is awesome on these. Really want to do some more testing to see if I can tighten up the horizontal. I'm thinking a lot of it is operator error. May not be able to get the veloticity needed for really stretching the distance, but could be an awesome 600 yards load. Maybe further.

Ran another 5 rounds stepping the powder from 39.4 to 40.2.

1. 2322
2. 2359
3. 2376
4. 2368
5. 2389

I should be able to go up another grain or so without having any pressure issues so getting ~2425fps or so shouldn't be a problem. Will do another ladder test and look for another sweet spot near max for a load worth fine tuning.

 

[dee]

Pretty good speed from the 208. The one group looks to have some great potential.

 

[Dawico]

Not bad at all. The last group leaves something to be desired in size and deviation. It sucks that hot loads seldom shoot well.

 

[Mike_from_Texas]

I can run some numbers for you in Quickload for some hypothetical velocities, although it has been pretty darn accurate for my rifle.

Make sure I have your stats right. 308 caliber, 18" barrel, 208 AMax, H4350 powder, 2.950" oal?

I think you'll see better velocities with RL17 powder.

What all are you using in your pics above?

 

[Dawico]

I can run some numbers for you in Quickload for some hypothetical velocities, although it has been pretty darn accurate for my rifle.

Make sure I have your stats right. 308 caliber, 18" barrel, 208 AMax, H4350 powder, 2.950" oal?

I think you'll see better velocities with RL17 powder.

What all are you using in your pics above?

"Ballistic" app only for Apple products.

 

[Younggun]

Not bad at all. The last group leaves something to be desired in size and deviation. It sucks that hot loads seldom shoot well.

The last group wasn't really a group. Each shot had the powder load increased by .2gr to see where the POI settled and check for any signs of pressure. Like where shots 3 and 4 landed pretty close together. If I decided to work a load in that range I would probably start with a powder load in that range.

 

[Younggun]

I can run some numbers for you in Quickload for some hypothetical velocities, although it has been pretty darn accurate for my rifle.

Make sure I have your stats right. 308 caliber, 18" barrel, 208 AMax, H4350 powder, 2.950" oal?

I think you'll see better velocities with RL17 powder.

What all are you using in your pics above?

I'm using IMR 4895. All other information was correct.

 

[Mike_from_Texas]

I'm using IMR 4895. All other information was correct.

Ok. I'll run you some numbers in a bit.

Thanks for the information on the app. I have that on my phone but haven't used it much.

 

[Younggun]

I like it. Can keep a log of each range trip, velocities, group sizes, etc. took a bit to really figure it all out though.