Reloading 308 Bullets.Volume or Weight More Import
I have always thought the gunpowder charge weight was more important when i load my 308 bullets.
But was reading some RCBS stuff today that stated volume was more important than the gunpowder charge weight??
Do i really need to load my match 308 bullets gunpowder to a fraction of a grain like i've been doing for so long??
But was reading some RCBS stuff today that stated volume was more important than the gunpowder charge weight??
Do i really need to load my match 308 bullets gunpowder to a fraction of a grain like i've been doing for so long??
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If I was shooting @600 yds. I'd weigh each charge with anything but ball powder. if the unweighed load grouped well at 200&300 I'd shoot it. if you want consistant charge weights you might want to go to AA2460 it's close to H or IMR 4895 the highly exalted powder of the High power legends and being a ball powder drops true from most any measure. the long range load would benifit from H-380 under the 175 MK's w/ br2's it crony's very tight about 35fps.in the semi auto on the extreme spread and you don't have to go to extrems with case prep. I wouldn't shoot the H380 across the course since it's quite dirty. my across the course load was around 40.5 gr of N-135 under 168 mks.a little slow but a clean burner with a fair spread in a gas gun. 0 -
99% of the bench shooters go by volume. If you have a super good measure, and use the EXACT same procedure all the time, it works out great with Ball Powder.
Not being one of them I weigh all my charges on a Model 90 RCBS Digital scale for everything I load for. I guess I sleep better at night knowing that I have it exactly right every time and then it's just one more varible not to worry about.
If you have the exact same weight all the time, then I think that would be the exact same volume all the time, with the exception of stick powder maybe, that can bridge in a measure and throw the weight off.
Gun control is hitting what your aiming at.0 -
ooops must have been a hiccup[:D] 0 -
Hi Point Blank,
The answer to your question depends upon the application of the load being developed and the amount of ammunition to be reloaded.
Good volumetric measures can ususally throw a charge within 0.2 grain very consistently. Volumetric measures are essential for loading large quantities of ammunition in a short time. Loads with powder thrown by a volumetric measure can be very accurate. Most pistol and shotgun reloading machines rely on a volumetric measure of some kind.
Weighing the mass of powder charge is a more precise method to reload and requires significantly more time to dial in the correct charge. Much slower than the volumetric measure and impractical if large quantities of ammunition need to be reloaded. However, if the load is intended for match competition or hunting at long ranges, and accuracy is of the utmost importance, weighing the powder charge will deliver the most consistent velocity and downrange trajectory.
People tend to scoff at the volumetric powder measure as being inaccurate, but they are usually very accurate. There is nothing wrong with using one of these. All progressive reloading machines, pistol, rifle and shotgun, use one form or another of a volumetric measure and many bench mounted powder dispensers are volumetric.
Weighing the mass of powder charge is equally important for precision shooting such as bench rest shooting and match competition. Bench rest shooters will even weigh and sort brass and bullets so that they are within a tenths of a grain for consistency. Also the scales should be used to check the weight of the throw on volumetric measure after setup and periodically to ensure the proer charge weight.
I have used both methods of powder measures for years. It just depends on the purpose of the reloaded cartridge.
Regards,
Heavyiron[8D]
"If I don't see you nomore on this world, I'll meet you on the next one, and don't be late!" - Jimi Hendrix0 -
Ive been a rifle enthusiast for more years than I like to think about. One certainty that never changes is "every rifle is a separate individual" . What works in one wont work in another.Usually a powder that fills the case at least 90% is better than a faster powder at less volume. on a normal powder/ bullet combination variation of a half to a full grain of powder wont make any difference.Go to the range and watch the bench rest boys reload at the bench with a dipper and shoot one holers, if you dont believe it.
When you find a bullet that your rifle likes and the powder that works a volume measure will work as good as weighing and trickling exact fractions 99% of the time.
My favorite load in 308 is the Speer 130 gr hollow point # 2005 and H-380 powder. Now this is where the fun starts. Size & prime your cases then pour them full to the rim with H380 ,wipe it off level full and seat the bullet . This is a lightly compressed load (harmless to do).If you check the loading manual you will learn that the max load of this powder/bullet is a few grains more(heavily compressed).There is no way to pour more powder into the case than the max ,you will always be under the max by a few grains. My 308 rifles , I have two , shoot fantastic group swith this simple load.My 98 Mauser rebarreled as a sporter regularly puts three shots in one ragged hole at 100 yd. So much for exact measureing . This bullet is a great hunting round ,Instant death on a deer, If you dont believe it try it.
I gave this load to a friend and he shoots 3/4 in at 200 yds. The velocity is 2900 fps +.
No you dont have to use match grade bullets and meticulously weighed powder to achieve great accuracy in all situations.0 -
Well, for what it's worth.... I shoot mainly military surplus guns. I forget which measure it was, but using Lee's cheap powder dippers and AA2460 I got exactly the same results as with powder charges weighed to the .01th of a grain. I was using Sierra 168gr HP matchkings at 100y out of my 03 Springfield. Average group sized benched was 2.5" for the weighed, 2.58" for the unweighed. Was this because of slightly different powder weights? Perhaps. Significant enough for me to worry at 100 or even 200 yards? No way. Coincidence? Probably. Even Lee dippers, as a form of volume measuring, are accurate to about a quarter of one grain, and given bullet weight variation, case variance, etc.... I would say, don't worry about it.
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conf0 -
A bench rest shooter started me off with a Belding and Mull powder measure years ago. It measures volumes very accurately. That is what I have used for 40 years to load rifle catridges. I do believe that volume is much more critical than weight. 0
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