Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
I have done 44 grains of RL15 in Lapua brass with 168gr Hornady A-maxes and found it a little warm, especially on summer days. ( pun intended). Backed off to 43.5, still a stout load but not excessive. Averages a hair over 2700fps, and accurate enough for me out of my 24" 10FP.
Are you using the 168's or 175's? I don't think you stated, unless I missed it.
Oh, and welcome to the forum, and to handloading. Both are extremely addictive.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Oh yeah, forgot to say I was starting with the 168 smk first. Thanks Barrel-nut for your help, you are correct about the addiction. I can't wait to shoot every week. I'm fortunate that my son shoots juniors small bore and soon junior high power cmp. Gives us excuses to shoot once a week.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
That's great! Get them shooting young. Great way to bond with the kids!
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Since you are using Winchester brass, which as you stated may have slightly greater capacity, I'd leave the 44 and 44.5 as they are and try them, assuming the manual lists 45 gr. as max as you stated. They may be alright in your gun. Just start with the lowest charge you have loaded and work up slowly, watching for pressure signs as you go. If it becomes excessive, you'll know it.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
You could probably tighten up groups if you measure overall length (OAL) to the ogive of the bullet rather than the tip. Length to the tip can vary as much as .026". Roughly, the ogive on the bullet is the point where the cylindrical portion of the bullet starts it's taper to the nose. Hornady sells a good tool for measuring OAL, it requires a modified case of the caliber being used. A sized case with two slits cut with a Dremel can also work though it's a little harder to remove the case w/o disturbing the measurement. With practice it too is a viable measuring option.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Quote:
Originally Posted by GaCop
You could probably tighten up groups if you measure overall length (OAL) to the ogive of the bullet rather than the tip. Length to the tip can vary as much as .026". Roughly, the ogive on the bullet is the point where the cylindrical portion of the bullet starts it's taper to the nose. Hornady sells a good tool for measuring OAL, it requires a modified case of the caliber being used. A sized case with two slits cut with a Dremel can also work though it's a little harder to remove the case w/o disturbing the measurement. With practice it too is a viable measuring option.
+1
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Would you guys be so kind as to show me which tools you are recommending.
Thanks again for your help
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Awesome you guys rock ;D
I will order these up tomorrow.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Maybe I am too anal but I find paying attention to case headspace to be an important part of my resizing as well.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
Quote:
Originally Posted by stangfish
Maybe I am too anal but I find paying attention to case headspace to be an important part of my resizing as well.
+1
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
I use 49.9 grains of RL-15 with a Remington 9.5 primer in Remington Brass with the Hornady 168 gr. A-max. I use this load in Arizona summer heat and have not seen any excessive pressure sign. This load is deadly accurate in my Remington 5-R and with 48.7 gr. It shoots nearly one hole out of my friends 10 FCP-HS.
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
abrasivereshaping -
I have the exact same rifle - a 10FCP w/HS - 1:10 twist. The most accurate load that rifle has ever shot was 43gr. RL15 under a SMK .010 off the lands, BR2 primers, Winchester brass. Primers are flat as a pancake but not cratered or pierced. 41.5gr of IMR4895 under a 168SMK .010 off the lands was a very close second. Both loads are running around 2650fps on my chrony, in low humidity, 75DegF temps at 5500ft elevation. Both loads in that rifle shoot under .250 when I do my job. I assume you aren't shooting the 5R 1:11.5 twist model. I use a RCBS precision mic to measure the seat depth and ensure that I have seated the bullet the prescribed .010 off. I also use a Redding competition seating die and a Redding competition collet neck sizing die using a .330 collet for the Winchester brass. I find that I need to full length size about every 4-5 loadings - but by that time I usually start seeing loose primer pockets in the Win brass and into retirement they go...........
You are going to love reloading - and all the work you put into tuning your loads for your rifles will pay off in smaller groups!
Cheers,
Re: .308 Loads with RL-15
[img width=576 height=768]http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz200/txhunter35/photo4.jpg[/img]
100 yd
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/z..._7606231_n.jpg
200 m'
This is out of 10 pc All same load, oal 2.150 with Hornady oal gauge. Only run about 2405 out of 20" barrel.
RL-15 results @ 300 yards
Well I think my load is very close with RL-15.
New Winchester Brass
44.0 gr RL-15
168gr SMK
COAL @ 2.810
I need help posting pics
according to OnTarget the gun is doing
Max: 2.007", 0.639 moa
ATC: 0.795", 0.253 moa
Width: 1.741", Height: 1.500"
Target Distance: 300.0yd
I also have a 600 yd target on the same day as well I'd like to post
