Loading for new 308

[Kelsey Cooter]

I've finished bedding my heavy barreled howa 308 so now I'm going to load some 150gr sierra gamekings for it. Is there any point to doing a ladder test from the start or should I just load 50 of the same load and get them down the barrel 1st before getting keen on finding what goes best?

Anyone want to suggest what powder to start with?

[Rod_outbak]

Kesley,

You'll get a dozen recommendations for powder to best use in a .308...

I use AR2208 in either of my .308's (in fact most of my rifles), and run 45.0Gns of AR2208 behind a 150Gn Ballistic Tip.

However, that was the load that a mate came up to for my rifle, so you should start at the powder-manufacturers starting load, and work up from there.
Starting load for a 150GR. Speer Soft Point Boat Tail(Closest I can see for a 150 SGK) is 44gns of AR2208, and Max recommended is 47.5.

Have fun.

[bigrich]

this is my hunting load for a sako A7 308 . my rifle did not like 150sst hornady's at all. i switched to 165 gn speer soft point boat tails with good results. this particular bullet is supposed to give good expansion on light medium game as well as larger stuff . 45.5 gn of ar 2208 , new norma brass , fed 210M primers. seems to like these primers better than the standard 210's. this load chronoed 2690 FPS average out of a 22" barrel

[JimTom]

Mate when I got my new .308 I loaded up 15 at the starting load and put them through it, then started shooting my different loads until I found the most accurate.
I know different shooters have their own opinions on breaking in a new barrel first but it has worked for me with my rifles.

[bigrich]

I've finished bedding my heavy barreled howa 308 so now I'm going to load some 150gr sierra gamekings for it. Is there any point to doing a ladder test from the start or should I just load 50 of the same load and get them down the barrel 1st before getting keen on finding what goes best?

Anyone want to suggest what powder to start with?

i thought you only bedded this rifle ? if it's a new barrel go with what JT said and run it in with starter loads. i've tried ar2206h and ar2208 and in my rifle. the ar2208 seems to work best. ar2208 is a "go to" powder from what i've heard and read

[JimTom]

In addition mate I have had the most success with BM8208, and AR2208. Have also done some loading with AR2206H.

[Kelsey Cooter]

I've finished bedding my heavy barreled howa 308 so now I'm going to load some 150gr sierra gamekings for it. Is there any point to doing a ladder test from the start or should I just load 50 of the same load and get them down the barrel 1st before getting keen on finding what goes best?

Anyone want to suggest what powder to start with?

i thought you only bedded this rifle ? if it's a new barrel go with what JT said and run it in with starter loads. i've tried ar2206h and ar2208 and in my rifle. the ar2208 seems to work best. ar2208 is a "go to" powder from what i've heard and read

Yeah shes all new mate, bedded the action because the bell and carlson stock had the barrel sitting off center in the channel, and I was keen on learning how to bed so was a good excuse

[bigrich]

I've finished bedding my heavy barreled howa 308 so now I'm going to load some 150gr sierra gamekings for it. Is there any point to doing a ladder test from the start or should I just load 50 of the same load and get them down the barrel 1st before getting keen on finding what goes best?

Anyone want to suggest what powder to start with?

i thought you only bedded this rifle ? if it's a new barrel go with what JT said and run it in with starter loads. i've tried ar2206h and ar2208 and in my rifle. the ar2208 seems to work best. ar2208 is a "go to" powder from what i've heard and read

Yeah shes all new mate, bedded the action because the bell and carlson stock had the barrel sitting off center in the channel, and I was keen on learning how to bed so was a good excuse

ahh, the joy of a new toy

[Cooper]

Hi Kelsey Cooter. Is that a 26inch barrelled Howa? Will be interested to see how your load development goes.

[Kelsey Cooter]

Hi Kelsey Cooter. Is that a 26inch barrelled Howa? Will be interested to see how your load development goes.

nah I went with the 24inch, I looked into the 26" but for what I want I thought the 24" would suit me better

[tom604]

BM2,is the powder that i use in my .308 but im running 130 speer's

[JimTom]

BM2,is the powder that i use in my .308 but im running 130 speer's

Is that the Hp’s or the HCFN 130’s mate?
I use the 130 Hp with BM8208 and they shoot exceptionally well. Unfortunately I didn’t get the same success with HCFN 130’s.

[tom604]

BM2,is the powder that i use in my .308 but im running 130 speer's

Is that the Hp’s or the HCFN 130’s mate?
I use the 130 Hp with BM8208 and they shoot exceptionally well. Unfortunately I didn’t get the same success with HCFN 130’s.

hollow point,,,they are a good thing