A buddy and I are trying to load 110gr vmax bullets for my 308. His reloading manual says the fastest and most accurate load is 52 grains of the powder that we are using. THe problem arises that 52 grains of powder will not fit in the 308 casing. I would include the type of powder but the stuff is at his house and i cant remember which it is. He reloads 30-30 and 45 so his scale is not broken. WE arent sure what is going on but any advice or help would be appreciated. The casigs were once shot federal premiums.

I have seen this with IMR 4064 in the 308 case. The trick is to trickle the powder into the case a little at a time, using either a drop tube (best way) or swirling it around the funnel as it flows into the case. I eventually decided to use a powder that fit more comfortably.

As always, be sure to check and recheck powder charge and type, work up the load from below, etc.

Other manuuals proabably stop earlier than 52gr. of that mystery powder. Would be a lot better to try a few loads at less than max. before jumping into the deep end.

IF you have a powder funnel, then try holding the cse to the funnel, and trickling the charge in slowly...for the last bit, amy have to hold case and funnel together and tap the case side with a pencil.

Still wonder thwere the 52gr. data comes from...and if it is in-line with other sourses. Always get a bit suspisious of loads that are way differenct from one manual to the other.

Find out what that mystery powder is and get back to us. We can check every current manual between us. Sometimes one manual is way over the rest of them, particulary if it's an old one.

Bye
Jack

The powder is IMR 4350. My buddy is going to try trickling it into the case this evening and see if that does anything. He uses 4350 on his 8mm and M1 carbine and has never seen anything like this before

The powder is IMR 4350. My buddy is going to try trickling it into the case this evening and see if that does anything. He uses 4350 on his 8mm and M1 carbine and has never seen anything like this before

That's listed as a compressed charge in most manuals, and the 52gr. laoding will be safe...but I'd be surprised it it worked all that well with that 110gr. bullet. Powder is really too slow for that sized case and that weight bullet..usually don't see it in the loading charts until bullet weight gets up to 150-165 grains. At least I'm reasoanbly sure you guys won't get enough 4350 in there to over load a case.

Haven't a clue how he'd get an M1 Carbine to cycle with 4350.

Lyman's is the only manual I've got that lists 52 grains and it's not near the best velocity. Looks like the best you can do is trickle in as much as the case can hold and see if it's an accurate load. Download the IMR rifle manual here.
http://www.imrpowder.com/pdf_reload.html

Bye
Jack

Hey Fellas,
Interesting that ID Shooter mentioned IMR 4064. My old Speer #10 manual lists 52 grains of 4064 as being the powder of choice with speedy 110 grain loads at 3311 FPS with no mention of this being compressed.
The #12 manual indicates that 48.5 grains of 4064 will achieve 3007 FPS and is compressed.
Funny thing is I tried the first load myself some years back and was puzzled as to how Speer fit that much 4064 into the same 308 cases.
:confused:
Ah well, one of lifes little mysteries. Guess even the load developement guys have problems now and then.

Happy shootin"
Bryan

Ab - that is the load I was thinking of, but I don't have that manual anymore. You CAN fit all that powder in, but it's a pain... I killed a few groundhogs with that load and the 110 gr SP.

love2shoot,
As far as 4350 with a 110gr bullet - I don't predict happy results. Of course, if you don't chronograph it, you may think it's just fine! ;)