throat length for .308?

[Hondo64d]

Having a .308 put together on a short 700. Need to be able to reach the lands with bullets from 125 to 165gr, and still have them function through the magazine. Plan on shooting mostly 150s. What length freebore do I need to specify to the 'smith I'm using?

Thanks,

John

 

[Eddie Harren]

I would contact Dave Kiff at PT&G, and ask him. Then have him grind a reamer for you.

 

[Hondo64d]

I would contact Dave Kiff at PT&G, and ask him. Then have him grind a reamer for you.

My 'smith already has a .308 reamer, and conducts throating separately from chambering...

John

 

[Rustystud]

Hondo64D:

The factory OAL for a .308 is 2.808. This will universially fit any 308 length magazine box. My PT&G 95 Palma 308 reamer is designed to shoot bullet weights 150-155grain. My PT&G .3085 throating reamer will extend the throat much farther out than the box magazine will accomodate loaded cases. I shoot a 308 with 210 grain Sierra HPBTM bullets. They are loaded with the bullet seated to the neck throat juncture. They have a OAL of 2.995. They will not fit in a short magazine box. I shoot them in a LA reciever w/o any problem.
Rustystud

 

[Eddie Harren]

"My 'smith aiready has a reamer and does throating separately"
Then it's a no brainer. Select the bullet you wish to use, seat it so it fits the magazine and have your 'smith throat it to that lengrh.

 

[Hondo64d]

Then it's a no brainer. Select the bullet you wish to use, seat it so it fits the magazine and have your 'smith throat it to that lengrh.

I understand, but I am trying to come up with a throat length that will allow me to reach the lands with bullets from 125 to 165 grains, and have them still function through the magazine. My concern is that if I have him throat it based on a specific bullet, that others may not work. My instinct is to have him throat it for the shortest bullet I am likely to shoot, but I am not positive that is the way to go... I was comparing the Hornady SST and Nosler Ballistic Tips, and there is a substantial difference in where the bullet ogive is in relation to the nose for those bullets. It appears that the SST would need a much shorter throat.... Thoughts?

John

Thanks,

John

 

[memilanuk]

Try seating a dummy round w/ the *longest* bullet you plan on using so that the base of the boat tail is just ahead of the base of the neck/shoulder junction... how far is up to you. This is probably the deepest you'll want to be seating bullets into the case ideally. Measure the seating depth w/ a Stoney Point tool or similar, and then seat one of the shortest bullets you plan on using to the same seating depth... general value I've heard bandied about is that you want at least 1/2 caliber,in this case 0.150) of bullet still in the neck. If you've got that, maked up some dummy rounds and send 'em to the gunsmith.