I have between a 1/3 and a 1/2 pound of some IMR4320 my dad had some 3006 loads made with in the late 70's that looks and smells to be in good condition. I want to use it up and made up 7 different powder charges for my son's 308win using some 130gr TTSX. 2@49.1, and 3 each from 48.8 to 47.3 in 0.3gr increments seated at 2.80" coal. I have just over 1400gr left. Rather than burn it up to find the "best" charge, what would a solid middle of the road recipe be so I can get a little bit more mileage from the powder. Not interested in 1/2" groups, just something moa or close to it for deer hunting up to 150yds, 200 max. Any suggestions. I have some Varget and TAC on the way to use for it and my 223rem so I'll have a replenishable supply going forward.
308win loads IMR432O
- Thread starter Nimbus73
- Start date
I haven't shot them yet because I have some other loads I'm working on. Weather permitting I may have a chance to test as early as Monday, but more than likely it will be a few weeks at the soonest.
I keep reading trying to find other shooter's data for 4320 in a 130gr 308 load, particularly Barnes TTSX or at least TSX. I'm wondering if the sources I'm basing my loads from are too hot. The reason I say that is because I originally had a powder range starting at 48.5 and going to about 51. When I dropped my 1st charge of 48.5gr I thought I punched the wrong load into my chargemaster because the powder was well into the neck. When I dumped it back and charged again I thought there's no way this brass will hold 51gr, so I started over using 48.8 as my max and after tapping the case a little to help it settle I loaded my last 2 rounds at 49.1gr. I seated the bullets at 2.81" because the magazine won't fit past 2.83". Even then I can only barely detect any powder shake in the least 2 charges on my ladder. Hodgdon lists 52gr as a max charge and compressed, and 49.0gr compressed on a 150 Nos Ballistic Tip.
That's the main reason why I asked what others load with the IMR4320. Even though the books tell me I'm below max load range, my case fill makes me doubt.
Like I said before, I'm just trying to make up quick usable hunting load with what little bit of this powder I have. As it stands now, I have enough powder for about 30 +/- rounds with no further development.
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I was planning on trying an OCW method test at 200yds instead of a single shot velocity ladder at 100yds and correlating velocity flat spots and respective bullet POI for loads to focus in on, but maybe, instead of the OCW round robin, I can just choose a load where 2 or 3 charge wts give me the smallest Vdelta on my chrono. That way I might end up with about 40 huntable bullets minus a few sighters. I guess when I get to the range and fire off the first round I will decide what the target looks like.
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Before the deer season last year, I got bored and re-barreled one of my 700s into another 308 Win. I happen to have left over 150 grains Berger FB from M14 sling days for 300 rapid. And, still have an 8 # 4320.
First trip to the range I zeroed with old lot of M852s.
Next trip I tried the handloads. 45 grains did great for me in 300 rapids. Looks like this barrel likes it as well.
Deer season came I just sub 155 TMK, rezeroed and dropped this at 240 yards
First trip to the range I zeroed with old lot of M852s.
Next trip I tried the handloads. 45 grains did great for me in 300 rapids. Looks like this barrel likes it as well.
Deer season came I just sub 155 TMK, rezeroed and dropped this at 240 yards
Still have the touch. Congrats
That's what I've determined as well. I'll be watching close at my pressure tattletails.If I reach a threshold before my max charge, I'll just pull the bullets and add the powder back to the can. I wonder why Hodgdon says 52.0gr. that seems like way too much to jam in that case.
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I read that also from multiple sources. The temp sensitivity isn't a real concern because they won't be shot at ranges that velocity really affects POI and with such mild temps during Louisiana deer season and the temps the loads get developed in there shouldn't be a super huge Tdelta.
FWIW, I got 2# each of Varget and TAC in the mail yesterday. I'll end up using one or both of those powders going forward.
With 4320 and 130's, you can just about scoop the case full and seat the bullet. This will give you about 48 grains. If I'm working with an unfamiliar powder, I don't load higher until I have at least fired one of the starting load. I learned this when I was14 and loading for my 303! WH
64Rambler
Gold $$ Contributor
"Not interested in 1/2" groups, just something moa or close to it for deer hunting up to 150yds, 200 max." That should be just about anything you load. I've found the best consistency a near full fill with the bullet seated - i.e being able to hear the powder rattle. Take book max from Barnes (48.0 gr) and go down a few 0.3 gr steps from that. So 47.1, 47.4, 47.7, and 48.0. That's 12 rounds, leaving 18-ish with the available powder. Load your best results (smallest group - ES and SD at 200 yards won't matter much), then zero for 175 yds (+1.3" @ 100yds) with as few rounds as possible. DON'T CLEAN IT. Then go back on a cold morning and see where your cold bore shot hits.
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