codyadams
Well-Known Member
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180 Berger Elite Hunter or 215 Hybrid in .308 Win???
- Thread starter codyadams
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MudRunner2005
Well-Known Member
Yep, this is why I've been shooting the 210/215's in my .308 Win for years. Welcome to the club. 
codyadams
Well-Known Member
Finishing up my OCW work up, the next set of loads will be 3 shot groups, ranging as follows:
45.2
45.5
45.8
46.1
46.4
I estimate these charges will range from 2500-2550 fps. I feel since my first signs of pressure were at 47, with a faint ejector mark, staying .6 grains under that mark or more, will give a fair safety margin on pressure, as this load development is being done at approximately 70 degrees, and it doesn't get too much hotter than that here in Wyoming. We may hit 90 on a day or two during summer, and Pronghorn season may get into the low 80's, but if I settle on a load of say 45.8 grains, that is over a full grain under any pressure signs and should be safe. Plus, this is in softer Hornady brass, which tends to show signs a little earlier than most other brass I have used.
Something I forgot to add to my previous posts on load development, those 7 rounds were rounds 11-17 fired through this rifle, so I would not be surprised at all if this rifle picks up some speed. And when loading, this was Hornady brass right out of the box. I did not have my dies, so I could not square up the necks, my father had my dies. I picked out the brass with the least messed up necks, certainly not concentric or even neck tension, and used a .30-06 bullet seater die to seat them. This set of loading I had my forster bushing bump sizing die, so I'm looking forward to my results.
Once these first 100 rounds of brass are fireformed by my buddy, I will just do a quick work up ranging over a few tenths of grains to account for the brass being formed and not cushioning the expansion by forming to the chamber. May have to drop the charge a few tenths to stay safe with pressure/same velocity.
45.2
45.5
45.8
46.1
46.4
I estimate these charges will range from 2500-2550 fps. I feel since my first signs of pressure were at 47, with a faint ejector mark, staying .6 grains under that mark or more, will give a fair safety margin on pressure, as this load development is being done at approximately 70 degrees, and it doesn't get too much hotter than that here in Wyoming. We may hit 90 on a day or two during summer, and Pronghorn season may get into the low 80's, but if I settle on a load of say 45.8 grains, that is over a full grain under any pressure signs and should be safe. Plus, this is in softer Hornady brass, which tends to show signs a little earlier than most other brass I have used.
Something I forgot to add to my previous posts on load development, those 7 rounds were rounds 11-17 fired through this rifle, so I would not be surprised at all if this rifle picks up some speed. And when loading, this was Hornady brass right out of the box. I did not have my dies, so I could not square up the necks, my father had my dies. I picked out the brass with the least messed up necks, certainly not concentric or even neck tension, and used a .30-06 bullet seater die to seat them. This set of loading I had my forster bushing bump sizing die, so I'm looking forward to my results.
Once these first 100 rounds of brass are fireformed by my buddy, I will just do a quick work up ranging over a few tenths of grains to account for the brass being formed and not cushioning the expansion by forming to the chamber. May have to drop the charge a few tenths to stay safe with pressure/same velocity.
codyadams
Well-Known Member
I agree, if it was myself I would try either Peterson or Lapua small rifle primer brass, but this hornady is what my buddy had. And I wanted anything over 2450, preferably 2500+, and I'm getting exactly that, so I'm pretty happy with it. Heck I may even put a little longer tube on my Savage .308 like a 26" or 28", and I can load them right out to 2.990" OAL, HBN coat the bullets and see if I can get over 2600 without pressure!!
