Have a good friend wanting me to load some 308's for him for an elk hunt later this year, he has the brass, bullets, and dies. I just happened to have some H380 i don't use for anything i thought i could use for him as powder is scarce around here. Brass is Lapua and he has 175gr Barnes LRX BT. Anybody loaded this or similar have a safe starting point? I'm not sure what gun he has but it is a factory rifle so it will be magazine length which i imagine will be limiting.
308 Win with H380 Load Starting point
- Thread starter drenner43
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sourdough44
Well-Known Member
I looked at Hodgdon's site, they don't show H380 with any 308 loadings. You could probably find some data looking though several manuals.
How about a little faster powder? Anything near H4895 & TAC would be more centered. I'd be inclined to load a sturdy 165 grain bullet in the 308, 2nd choice, 180 grain.
How about a little faster powder? Anything near H4895 & TAC would be more centered. I'd be inclined to load a sturdy 165 grain bullet in the 308, 2nd choice, 180 grain.
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QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
I think the powder will be too slow to make you happy with the results.
307 Win, which has ~5gn less water capacity than the 308 Win, maxes out at 46.0gns for 2429fps behind a 170gn Interlock.
I was surprised when I checked the SAAMI book to see they listed the same max pressure for each, considering the 307 Win is a lever action case, but apparently the case walls are thicker.
52000 CUP for both the 307 and 308 WIN under the crusher data. 308 Win is 62000psi using a transducer, but that works out to 52000 CUP.
PSI = -17,902 + 1.516 x CUP
307 Win, which has ~5gn less water capacity than the 308 Win, maxes out at 46.0gns for 2429fps behind a 170gn Interlock.
I was surprised when I checked the SAAMI book to see they listed the same max pressure for each, considering the 307 Win is a lever action case, but apparently the case walls are thicker.
52000 CUP for both the 307 and 308 WIN under the crusher data. 308 Win is 62000psi using a transducer, but that works out to 52000 CUP.
PSI = -17,902 + 1.516 x CUP
sourdough44
Well-Known Member
Another relatively minor issue, that all copper bullet at 175 grains is a tad long with the 308, 'normal' twist rates. I do think Barnes bullets are very good, if all copper, I'd consider a little lighter/shorter.
Not saying the above wouldn't work, I see Barnes recommends a 1/11" or faster twist in the 308 with that bullet.
I went Elk hunting 2.5 years ago, one shot with the 165 grn gameking & the 5x5 was down. I'm a stickler with shot placement.
Not saying the above wouldn't work, I see Barnes recommends a 1/11" or faster twist in the 308 with that bullet.
I went Elk hunting 2.5 years ago, one shot with the 165 grn gameking & the 5x5 was down. I'm a stickler with shot placement.
Thanks for the info gentlemen. I will be the first to admit also, the powder and bullet neither one are ideal for the cartridge i don't think. i'd have went with a lighter bullet as well in a 308, and the H380 option was just presented as i have it already and don't use it for anything else so i thought we'd see if it will work for this scenario.
From the chart above it looks as though 43gr might be a good starting point
From the chart above it looks as though 43gr might be a good starting point
H380 is one of my favorite powders. I've used it in 22-250 up into short mags. I'll look it up when I get home. Almost always loaded it in .308. Sierra and Lyman manuals will have it listed.
xsn10s
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I'd compare these loads to Barnes load data, it's on the net. I've never loaded using Barnes but as you know when you change components you run the risk of increasing pressures. This is especially true when running mono's compared to cup and core bullets. Which is why I said call Barnes. They may have loads in their ballistics lab that they don't list in the load data.
QuietTexan
Well-Known Member
The bullet is a mono, I wouldn't use more than 90% of book max for cup and core bullets to start. 42.5gn, maybe even lower at 42gn.
I'm normally comfortable starting out at 93%, but if it's an unlisted combo I'll ladder up from 85-90% of max to start.
I'm normally comfortable starting out at 93%, but if it's an unlisted combo I'll ladder up from 85-90% of max to start.
I've seen real good accuracy with H-380 in a couple 308s,but with 150 and 165 NBTs.Mostly mid range loads, not really long range hunting type loads,but we had two or three that really tightened up with the combination. I use H-380 in my 30/06 also,with 150s for all my deer loads,and have for many years.
