.308 loads

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  • Last Post 15 September 2025
fa38 posted this 13 September 2025

Looking for loads for a cast plain base 170 gr. bullet in the .308 with w/ wc820,Win 296, AA9 

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Bud Hyett posted this 13 September 2025

W-W 296 is not recommended for reduced loads. There is much controversy about this edict from W-W.

I know this is a rare occurrence, but I've been there when a Remington 700 was stuck shut with 296. The report was an obvious over-pressure. The bolt would not open even hammering on it with a 2X4. 

It eventually took five people to get the bolt action open.

  • Two people holding the rifle.
  • Two people holding a 2X4 against the bolt. 
  • One person with a 2X4 hitting the 2X4 against the bolt. 

The extractor in the bolt head was solidly fused into the bolt and needed replaced. 

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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lotech posted this 13 September 2025

I know many use #2400, a much better powder for .308 cast loads than 296. #9 is pretty close to #2400, but I've never tried it in the .308. However, Lyman sources show #9 only with 200 gr. cast bullets in the .308. Perhaps not a great powder for lighter bullets?

I don't know what WC820 is. 

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trapdoor4570 posted this 13 September 2025

 I can’t help you with the listed powders, they are faster than what I use.  I would suggest in that weight class, 4227 or 5744.  I can keep most ten round targets at 100 around an inch usually less, in a 40x.  The charge I prefer is 18 to 20 grains of 4227 with a Dacron wad to hold the powder to the flash hole.  For me in this weight class I prefer 311291 and 311332 sized.309.  I hope this helps you, I personally don’t like the faster powder you can get in trouble with a double or triple charge.  I have used Red Dot and Bullseye at 100 yards but was disappointed with the group sizes.

 

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fa38 posted this 14 September 2025

Looks like I will pass on using it.

Used to shoot in my 32 Miller Short type cartridge. Sold that rifle.

Thanks for the replies.

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SkinnerD posted this 15 September 2025

I use 6-10 gn as a start load of a shotgun/pistol powder such as RedDot, 700X or equivalent. If starting lower check bullet clears barrel. For most such powders 12 -13gn is max..Beware these powders peak pressure suddenly. Approach max load very slow and careful. I find in the vicinity of 10gn with a 150 to 215 gn bullet, 303B, 30-30, 308 gives me in the vicinity of 1400 to 1600fps. Above that accuracy goes south and pressures go up. Do any of this at your own risk..do not use fillers..definitely not required.

John - New Zealand

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pat i posted this 15 September 2025

I use #9 with powder coated plainbase bullets ranging from 170 to 230 grains cast out of WWs in my 30/06. I use 16 grains with the 170-185 grain bullets for 1580 fps. I don't know the load used with the 225-230 grain bullets because I just cut it back until I was getting around 1350 fps and it shot decent. If it was me I'd probably start around 14 grains in the 308 and go from there but as always YMMV.

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