Using small rifle primers for 308

[White250]

I can't find and large primers so I bought some 308 small primer cases from starline. I've got varget, rl-15, and 2000mr to work with. I also have several 165, 168, and 175 bullets. Does anybody have an idea of where I should start? I'd like to load some 165sst and maybe some Nosler's 175 RDF'S.

 

[Skg_Mre_Lght]

I shoot SRP Lapua for 6.5 Creedmoor, and LRP for my 308s which are all gas guns. Loading is going to be no different than LRP brass except you may have difficulty with ball powders in cold weather. Start 10 percent load and work up as always. Pressure signs will tend to start showing later than LR rounds, FYI.

 

[straightshooter1]

I can't find and large primers so I bought some 308 small primer cases from starline. I've got varget, rl-15, and 2000mr to work with. I also have several 165, 168, and 175 bullets. Does anybody have an idea of where I should start? I'd like to load some 165sst and maybe some Nosler's 175 RDF'S.

You can start with the same loads you used with the large rifle primers and if need be, you can then make the minor changes to better tune the load for the small rifle primers. Back in june I switched my .308 to the small rifle primers firing 168 SMK's pushed by IMR-4064 and AR-Comp. I found little difference, though my SD's and ES's actually improved.

If you environmentals for shooting is going to be particularly cold, then you might go with the Small Rifle Magnums.

In any case, be on the lookout for cratered or punctured primers as than can happen depending on your firing pin configuration. Often, the cratering can be the result of a lot of space between the firing pin the the firing pin hole, which can be solved by having a smith install a bushing to tighten that up.

 

[White250]

Thanks for the replies. When I got my 6.5C built. I ordered 300 rounds of lapua srp before the smith finished with my rifle. I guess I was just a little worried about the extra case capacity with the 308. Looks like I'm starting all over again. Gotta wonder how many small primers I'm going to burn.

 

[Mr Tibbs]

I can't find and large primers so I bought some 308 small primer cases from starline. I've got varget, rl-15, and 2000mr to work with. I also have several 165, 168, and 175 bullets. Does anybody have an idea of where I should start? I'd like to load some 165sst and maybe some Nosler's 175 RDF'S.

Well the first place i would start would be the Alliant Web site, then hit Hodgdon’s site.
Plenty of load data there, good luck

 

[padom]

Here is detailed OCW testing/load data for 308 using Lapua small primer brass and 175smk and 175 TMK.

308win Bartlein 5R vs Krieger 4 Groove Accuracy Testing

So some of you may have seen the debate a few months back about which 308 barrel is more accurate. Some smiths only use Krieger 4 grooves, some only use Bartlein 5R's. Some wont even chamber one and vice versa. I had a bunch of people asking me to do a side by side, all else being equal test...

www.snipershide.com