AR10 308 loads for 150 or 165 gr??

[djporter]

A friend of mine picked up a AR10 in 308 cal.. He wants a deer load for 150 or 165 gr bullets. I was hoping that maybe someone could get us started with some load help.
Thank you

 

[wildchild]

varget and 168 nosler BT will be his friend.

 

[hogan]

First, your buddy needs to OWN a loading manual or several.

He probably paid $1500+ for his AR-10, if an Armalite. Semi-auto rifles will not function safely with maximum loads or many powders intended for bolt actions. Slow burn powders will damage the gun and may injure the shooter if used in a max load. Many reloaders are not aware of pressure signs and think their over-max load is safe to share because their rifle hasn't blown up (yet) and seems fine to them...

The Hornady manual probably eclipses the Sierra these days. No new Sierra manual for almost 10 years. The Lee Manual is also excellent with info no other company offers regarding pressure in psi for each load.

Varget, IMR 4064, Reloader 15, IMR 4895, are the classic powders for M1a or Armalite type semi-auto rifles. Also need a hard cup primer to withstand the firing pin indent and resist slam-fire conditions. Read up on Slam-Fire...

Sizing is also CRITICAL, ammo must be sized .003 to .005 UNDER headspace to guarantee function tolerances. OAL dimension also matters. 2.825 is about the max length can use for magazine functioning. Bullet design may require deeper seating depth. Probably don't want to use hunting bullets with much lead exposed. Speer Grand Slam are very good for minimal lead tip exposure.

Armalite does not recommend handloads in their rifles.

 

[Kingfisher]

My DPMS LR-308 does VERY well with 165 gr. Nosler BT's and Varget.

 

[djporter]

Thanks for the help!