Hey all! I'm creating this thread to follow my load development and work up with 215 Berger Hybrids in my custom Remington 700 chambered in .308 Norma Magnum wearing a Bartlein 1-9 twist barrel. My current load is with 208gr Hornady ELDs, RL26, Bertram brass, and Federal 215s. This load goes 3050FPS, has very low ES, and shoots 3/8" groups. I have decided to test the 215s after having such awesome luck with Berger 175 Elite Hunters in my .284 Win. I also have heard nothing but praise for the 215 Hybrid, so I'm giving it a try.
I'll be using Norma brass this go around and will continue using RL26 and Federal 215s. I have started off at 68.4gr of RL26 and have loaded one round each up to 71.0gr, which is my load with the 208s. The Norma brass has ~2gr more case capacity over the Bertram, so I suspect I'll need more powder to reach pressure. I still have a lot of room left in the case even with the 71.0gr load. I'm shooting for at least 2950FPS with the 215s while having an ES under 20 and groups under 1/2 MOA, preferably 3/8 MOA. The 215 @ 2950 equals my 208 load out to 1000 yards. Any added velocity over 2950 will be great, just as long as the load meets my criteria and there's no excessive pressure
I started off by truing the primer pockets in my new Norma brass, mandrel sizing the necks, trimming the cases to the minimum 2.540" spec, and chamfering the inside and outside of the case mouths. I used a Lyman VLD inside chamfering tool to leave a nice smooth chamfer. I have found it doesn't ever cause the bullet jackets to be smeared by the case mouth.
I had to use the press to seat the Federal primers in this brass because the primer pockets are tighter than any others I've ever experienced. We found this the case with newly manufactured Norma 7mm Rem Mag brass as well. My Dad has 10+ firings on some of his Norma brass in his 7mm pushing 162s @ 3070FPS and his primer pockets are still super tight. I believe Norma has improved their brass because this is some heavy duty and top notch brass! I hope to see at least 10 firings with a 215 @ 2950+ in my Norma Mag.
I loaded my rounds in 0.2gr increments and trickled charges to the kernel using my Bald Eagle scale that has resolution to 0.02 grains. I seated the bullets 0.010 off the lands and will do seating depth work after finding my velocity node and getting a consistent load. The Berger 215 fits this chamber nearly perfectly with the boattail/bearing surface junction seated just at the neck/shoulder junction with the bullet 0.010 off the lands. I seated bullets with a standard Redding seating die.
These rounds have 0.002 neck tension and my loaded necks have 0.005 clearance from the chamber walls. These 14 rounds all have base to ogive measurements within 0.001 of each other. This ammunition is loaded to very high standards and is using some of the best components available. I have high hopes for this bullet and this load! I'll keep you guys posted.
I'll be using Norma brass this go around and will continue using RL26 and Federal 215s. I have started off at 68.4gr of RL26 and have loaded one round each up to 71.0gr, which is my load with the 208s. The Norma brass has ~2gr more case capacity over the Bertram, so I suspect I'll need more powder to reach pressure. I still have a lot of room left in the case even with the 71.0gr load. I'm shooting for at least 2950FPS with the 215s while having an ES under 20 and groups under 1/2 MOA, preferably 3/8 MOA. The 215 @ 2950 equals my 208 load out to 1000 yards. Any added velocity over 2950 will be great, just as long as the load meets my criteria and there's no excessive pressure
I started off by truing the primer pockets in my new Norma brass, mandrel sizing the necks, trimming the cases to the minimum 2.540" spec, and chamfering the inside and outside of the case mouths. I used a Lyman VLD inside chamfering tool to leave a nice smooth chamfer. I have found it doesn't ever cause the bullet jackets to be smeared by the case mouth.
I had to use the press to seat the Federal primers in this brass because the primer pockets are tighter than any others I've ever experienced. We found this the case with newly manufactured Norma 7mm Rem Mag brass as well. My Dad has 10+ firings on some of his Norma brass in his 7mm pushing 162s @ 3070FPS and his primer pockets are still super tight. I believe Norma has improved their brass because this is some heavy duty and top notch brass! I hope to see at least 10 firings with a 215 @ 2950+ in my Norma Mag.
I loaded my rounds in 0.2gr increments and trickled charges to the kernel using my Bald Eagle scale that has resolution to 0.02 grains. I seated the bullets 0.010 off the lands and will do seating depth work after finding my velocity node and getting a consistent load. The Berger 215 fits this chamber nearly perfectly with the boattail/bearing surface junction seated just at the neck/shoulder junction with the bullet 0.010 off the lands. I seated bullets with a standard Redding seating die.
These rounds have 0.002 neck tension and my loaded necks have 0.005 clearance from the chamber walls. These 14 rounds all have base to ogive measurements within 0.001 of each other. This ammunition is loaded to very high standards and is using some of the best components available. I have high hopes for this bullet and this load! I'll keep you guys posted.
