Saami Specs for Small Primer .308 Case?

[243Mendoza]

Are there SAAMI max pressure specs for the small primer pocket 308 case?

 

[watercam]

Not sure about SAAMI spec but in my experience SRP cases hold up to pressure MUCH better/longer than LRP. With Lapua brass I am getting 30+ firings with a max load of Varget. Could keep going but I start losing my nerve!

 

[Ned Ludd]

See p. 359, 3rd listing from the top:
https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...99.4-CFR-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

I don't believe SAAMI discriminates between types or brands of brass. They list 62K psi as their MAX average pressure for .308 Win. I can tell you from personal experience that .308 Win Varget or H4895 loads with 185 gr bullets predicted by QuickLoad to be around 61K to 62K psi are hard on standard brass (LRP); maybe 4 to 5 firings before the primer pockets become too loose. Palma brass (SRP) seems to withstand those, or even slightly higher pressures, without any issue.

 

[LVLAaron]

See p. 359, 3rd listing from the top:
https://saami.org/wp-content/upload...99.4-CFR-Approved-2015-12-14-Posting-Copy.pdf

I don't believe SAAMI discriminates between types or brands of brass. They list 62K psi as their MAX average pressure for .308 Win. I can tell you from personal experience that .308 Win Varget or H4895 loads with 185 gr bullets predicted by QuickLoad to be around 61K to 62K psi are hard on standard brass (LRP); maybe 4 to 5 firings before the primer pockets become too loose. Palma brass (SRP) seems to withstand those, or even slightly higher pressures, without any issue.

I see the same thing. My 185 load in Lapua large primer will flatten primers and end brass in 4-5 firings. small primer seems to last as until I lose track of where I put them.

 

[Laurie]

I don't believe SAAMI discriminates between types or brands of brass.

This was an issue raised when the US Palma teams tested then adopted this form with Lapua making some experimental lots at their request, 12 maybe 15 years ago and was much discussed on the US Teams' Long Range Forum. Many in the sling shooting world were dubious of the innovation, some openly critical and opposed to it. An early to appear attempt to kill SP brass off was the assertion that their use would break ICFRA's regulations re cases having to comply dimensionally with the appropriate SAAMI specs for 223 and 308. The short answer was that nowhere does SAAMI specify primer size, type, or anything else (same for flash-holes) for those cartridges (or any other for that matter). ICFRA had in fact been consulted at an early stage and agreed there were no objections.

Another stillborn objection was that if the new cases performed as claimed (third or more reduction in MV ES/SD values) it would give US international teams an unfair advantage. That was easily countered by pointing out Lapua had by then added these cases to its product range and they'd be on worldwide sale well before the next major international teams fixture.

The original benefit was seen entirely in smaller velocity spreads. It only became apparent later that the type will run for longer at high pressures and while the original impetus came from sling shooters, it was F/TR competitors who avidly seized the opportunities SP brass provided in this respect.

 

[D-4297]

Ned Ludd & Laurie covered it pretty good . I tried my 185 FTR loads in LRP brass . Once ....Then I threw those 10 cases in the re-cycle brass bucket . Cause that's all they were good for . Primer pocket ? More like primer sewer .

 

[Laurie]

Once ....Then I threw those 10 cases in the re-cycle brass bucket . Cause that's all they were good for .

Hah! Been there, got that Tee shirt too.