I’ve been reloading 223 only for the last 12 years and never once stepped outside that caliber until now.
I’ve been reloading about the last 3 years strictly for xtc matches and my powders have narrowed down to TAC, R15, and SWMR.
I bought 100 pieces of small primer pocket Peterson 308 brass because I have plenty sr primers. 41, 400, 450, and ARmatch.
So for anyone experienced with this, of those choices, what would be a good starting point as for as powder and primer combo.
This will mainly be for hunting. Projectiles will be 150gr Barnes TSX and and Hornady 150gr interlock.
I’ve decided to go the components first, optics second, and rifle last route so I don’t wind up short on reloading components or a cheap optic.
Rifle will definitely be a bolt gun, but I’m still not sure what make.
What’s the rifle to be used for? Hunting?
On .308, I’d certainly be using a magnum primer—I’d likely start with 450s.
I’ve used both TAC and RL15. I found both to be acceptable in accuracy and velocity, though both a bit temperature sensitive.
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Mainly hunting and maybe a midrange match here and there. We(brother, myself, our sons, and our dad) are planning a guided antelope hunt in 2023 and I just want a nice kit to take with me. I will also be getting on a local hunting lease this spring.
For hunting, Mag primers are probably not a bad idea for reliable ignition. I’ve messed with the Lapua Palma brass, and had poor results with my favorite mild primer. I ended up using Win Small Rifle (standard) primers with decent results… BUT the equivalent charge of Varget netted me like 40-50 fps LESS velocity. So I side lined that brass for now.
I’d start with the 450’s and likely switch primers only after exhausting my bullet/powder combos without getting the results I wanted. I’ve settled on loads in the past then switched primers to measure the difference and rarely have I found results worth the bother.
TAC and RL 15 are great for .308. My personal favorite is Varget, 8208 XBR, 4895 and Big Game work well, too. 150 TSX and Interlock will be fine for deer and antelope, if you ever go after elk consider bumping up to the 165 grain class if you can get enough velocity for reliable expansion.
I’ve been very impressed with the Ruger American as far as inexpensive bolt actions go. I know a lot of guys who like Tikka as well.
I like my Savage, but if I had it to do over again, I’d buy a Ruger American with one of Magpul’s stocks (and AICS mag compatibility), or I’d step up to a Bergara (which I still might do, someday).
Proprietary mags are a horrible idea (and Savage’s, especially, suck).
The “savage shuffle”. I laugh every time I see a savage owner fighting to feed a live round. It NEVER gets old.
Yeah, I love that my FCP-SR was inexpensive (barely $500 out the door) and that it’s more accurate than I am (<3" groups at 300yds, with factory ammo).
I don’t like that it’s basically a single-shot…
I’m seriously considering nearly doubling my investment in the gun and buying a Magpul stock for it, when they come out next year. Just changing out the bottom metal wouldn’t be much less expensive.
Well in fairness, my rem 700 308 is a single shot because I’m too cheap and lazy to put bottom metal on it, and it won’t feed the last round.
Savage barrels are almost always laser accurate, but their feeding is bad.
You could use this as a general guide.
I will say use caution with using standard data with copper solids of the same grain.
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A Bergara is definitely on my radar. My brother has one with an NXS on it and I really like it.
Thanks
For the Barnes:
https://www.barnesbullets.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/308WinchesterForWeb.pdf
Also Tikka makes some damn fine rifles that run smoother than Salvage or Boogera.
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Their only downside is proprietary mags no? We’ve looked at those guns before, but it’s chaos already with the mag and suppressor bag we haul out each week as it is.
It’s interesting that the Barnes loads recommend a much higher charge than Sierra. At least on grooved bullets.
Compare their copper load vs lead load. You can’t substitute them.
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Eh not really a downside per se. Savage has its own mags too, depending on model. AI mags are slowly becoming standard. I believe the Tikka CTR mags are the same as a TRG, and the hunting rifles are little polymer jobs that work great. If a guy wants AI mags, lots of conversions out there by buying new bottom metal. If you’re building up a complete gun, the replacement chassis systems all use AI mags.
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It’s not really the question you asked, but I think that you’re letting the tail wag the dog. Buying small rifle primer 308Win brass may cost you performance and money in the long run. A SR magnum primer just isn’t going to do when a LR magnum primer is called for. If I was in your shoes wanting to buy a 308Win rifle for hunting, I’d buy factory loaded 147gr or 150gr FMJ 308Win or 7.62x51 to start off with. It’s unlikely that you’d be able to load 308Win for less given that you’re having to buy the brass. Use this factory loaded ammunition to sight in the rifle. You’ll end up with brass that’s been fireformed to your chamber. Then resize this once fired brass using full length sizing dies to bump the shoulder back 0.003" to 0.004". This will give you great feed reliability while keeping the brass as tight in the chamber as you’d want for hunting.
Why would you want a LR Magnum primer in .308? I don’t even like them in Magnum cartridges. The whole point of Palma brass is to get a consistent ignition in 308 and allow shooters to load hotter ammo.
If I was in your shoes wanting to buy a 308Win rifle for hunting, I’d buy factory loaded 147gr or 150gr FMJ 308Win or 7.62x51 to start off with.
Why mess with ammo that won’t match the performance/characteristics of the actual powder he will use?
It’s unlikely that you’d be able to load 308Win for less given that you’re having to buy the brass.
By using Palma style brass, his casings will last for much longer than Large primer brass. There’s some savings there. Plus he knows his brass better since he’ll re-use it all the time.
.308 doesn’t call for a magnum LR primer.
Those shooting F-T/R and pushing .308 to its limits are all CHOOSING the PALMA brass for more consistent results, longer lasting case heads, etc. Many won’t entertain large rifle primers anymore.
Buying the military stuff to shoot, dealing with lower quality brass, prepping the primer pockets, etc is chasing your tail. The brass won’t last as long. The excuse of “sighting in” with it is silly as that shouldn’t take but 3-5 rounds, when when you load an actual hunting bullet, you have to sight in again.
At the end of the day buying Lapua brass, especially the PALMA is going to be a winning endeavor so long as you do it right and follow the process.
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