.308 Reloading Advice / Powder Load Data

[Heartsbane]

I've not reloaded .308 Winchester before, but recently purchased two types of 180gn , 30-caliber bullets:

• Federal Trophy Bonded Tip (hunting/match)
• Berry's Bullets Plated Spitzer (general target/plinking)

I have Winchester large rifle primers (WLR) and Hodgson CFE223 and BL-C(2) powder on hand, but I'm not totally sure if I can put together a reliable build for these bullets.

The Lee Modern Reloading manual includes some load data for 180gn jacketed bullets and the two powders I have on hand, but I'm not sure how closely the bullets I'm reloading perform to typical jacketed bullets.

For the bonded tip bullets, I found one powder load sheet that listed load data for a single powder (Alliant Reloader 15) but it seems pretty limited/restrictive.

Does anyone have any builds they have successfully used for these bullets they can share, or have any general feedback/advice?

Thanks!

 

[Heartsbane]

In the Federal load data sheet, the charge weight for RELODER15 goes from 42.0gn to 44.0gn (C).

In the Lee reload manual, the charge weight for RELODER15 (180gn jacketed bullet) goes from 39.6gn to 45.0gn.

It's got me wondering if CFE223 or BL-C(2) would be viable on the higher end of their Lee load data specs?

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/
Since the powders you have are Hodgdon products, try looking up comparable 180 grain bullet loads here.

 

[D the D]

Berry's website has a faq that includes "Where can I get load data" in the list.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/faqs/

It gives links to the Hodgdon, Alliant, and Accurate load data websites.

 

[Heartsbane]

https://hodgdonreloading.com/rldc/
Since the powders you have are Hodgdon products, try looking up comparable 180 grain bullet loads here.

I have looked at this site for .308, 180gr load data -- I'm just unsure which of the listed bullets there is a good match (if any?) to the two types of bullets I have.

The only bullet that lists BL-C(2) or CFE223 load data is the "180 GR. SPR SP" but I don't know how that compares to the bullets I have on hand.

 

[Heartsbane]

Berry's website has a faq that includes "Where can I get load data" in the list.
https://www.berrysmfg.com/faqs/

It gives links to the Hodgdon, Alliant, and Accurate load data websites.

Thanks for this link -- I hadn't seen it before. This info seems particularly helpful:

Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:

• The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
• Berry’s max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)
• Do not over-crimp the bullet.
• Cartridge Overall Lengths (COL) are found in the load data being used. DO NOT EXCEED SAAMI MAX COL SPECS

Looking at the bullet product page, it lists a max muzzle velocity of 1,400 fps, so that's definitely going to be my biggest challenge if I want to load these in .308 Win. Min loads for 180gr bullets in the Lee reloading handbook start in the 2,100+ range. The other 30cal rifle I have is a 30-30 and even those start over the 1,400fps range. Looks like I made a naive purchase with the Berry's and makes me wonder what platform they are intended for.

 

[rockhound78]

Possibly intended for subsonic loads in the 300 Blackout.

 

[CJ6]

I wouldn't push those Berry plated bullets any faster than subsonic speeds.

 

[D-4297]

Would strongly suggest you call Berry's to get some help on their Bullets . They are very friendly and co-operative when it comes to this type issue .
Berry's Mfg.
401 North 3050 East Street
St. George ,
Utah 84790

1-800 - 269 - 7373
1 - 435 - 634 - 1682

 

[MGYSGT]

Thanks for this link -- I hadn't seen it before. This info seems particularly helpful:

Load data from any load manual or website can be used. Full-metal jacketed, lead bullet, or plated bullet load data can be used as long as the following standards are adhered to:

• The data contains the correct grain weight of bullet.
• Berry’s max recommended velocity is not exceeded. (This info is displayed on bullet boxes and product webpages.)
• Do not over-crimp the bullet.
• Cartridge Overall Lengths (COL) are found in the load data being used. DO NOT EXCEED SAAMI MAX COL SPECS

Looking at the bullet product page, it lists a max muzzle velocity of 1,400 fps, so that's definitely going to be my biggest challenge if I want to load these in .308 Win. Min loads for 180gr bullets in the Lee reloading handbook start in the 2,100+ range. The other 30cal rifle I have is a 30-30 and even those start over the 1,400fps range. Looks like I made a naive purchase with the Berry's and makes me wonder what platform they are intended for.

Berry's are plated, hence the lower MV

 

[Heartsbane]

I did reach out to Berry's. I actually have two different bullets from them, a .223 FMJ (which is their ONLY jacketed bullet rated for higher velocities) and the .308 plated spitzer. Sure enough, the plated bullets are intended for subsonic use (300 AAC Blackout) and don't really suit my situation, so I have returned them.

For some initial reloading experience and learning/testing, I'm going to try and work up some bullets using Winchester LRP, Hodgson BL-C(2) powder, and the Federal 180gr bonded tip bullets -- mainly because that's what I've got on hand and it sounds like it could be viable outside of long-range and/or serious hunting applications. From there, I'll look into powders that are more suitable for accuracy/consistency and heat tolerance and for some basic FMJ-BT (e.g. Hornady 150/168) bullets for target ammo.

Thanks again for the advice, looking forward to building more experience and confidence in my reloading skills!

 

[450BM]

It’s worth the money to have at least one reloading manual. I know “everything” is on the Internet now but a manual goes through all the steps in one place.

Otherwise, you’re doing it right. Experienced reloaders will always steer you in the right direction and there is tons of experience here. And you have to start somewhere so one bullet and a couple of powders is a good way to get going.

Keep asking questions and don’t get too frustrated if the bullet doesn’t shoot great. I’ve been loading for 47 years and I’m still getting surprised by bullets that I ”know” should shoot great and don’t, and bullets that I only expect they’ll hit the target and group better than everything else. Keeps it fun for me!

 

[DHD]

Loading for 308 is one of the "easy button" cartridges IMO. That being said (by me at least), the easy button has always been using a match style bullets and one of the common extruded powders (Varget, Re15, N140/540/150, etc).

When I saw the Berry's bullet listed I cringed a touch. Subsonic or just over subsonic IMO. The Trophy Bonded may be a fine hunting bullet and may be accurate too, but there are less expensive bullets that are arguably better for hunting and clearly better for targets.

What do you plan to do with your 308? Target or hunting? If it's both, which would you use it for the most? Load for that. Sierra 175 gr SMK for target and possibly the Sierra 165/180 gr Gameking for a hunting bullet. Either can be found and it is not a bad place to begin. Once you get some more understanding/experience, branch out however you want.

I can't offer anything about the ball powders you listed but they both can be used easily. I have CFE223 in bulk but use it for other things. If you can swing it, the powders I listed are all known to be great, if not ideal, for 308.

 

[Blackthorn]

For hunting applications I was running Nosler Partitions 150/180gr with IMR-4064. Great accuracy and game performance.