Accurate 3100 in .308, 200gr boolits

[DanWoz]

Hello everyone!

I am new to casting and reloading, so is my equipment.
Have been reading the forum before I bought the equipment.
So I wonder:
.308, 25" barrel rifle,
1 : 12 twist
Choice of projectiles would be either
Lee C309-200R(EDIT: Gas-checked, maybe polymer coated) or
190gr match J-word
Would like to try both - boolit for 300yd max, J-word over 300yd.

I've got Fiocchi rifle primers(non magnums) and
a pound of Accurate 3100(actually, Lovex S062, but it is Accurate3100 under other name - or so I heard). And absolutely no load data other that Richards Lee rule of thumb on reduced loads (from His book).

How should I approach this load to keep myself, my rifle and other shooters around me intact?

[bgmkithaca]

Accurate 3100 is very likely way too slow for your application. there are dozens of powders that will fill the bill much more efficiently. Start by getting a good reloading manual rather that getting all your information from the internet-some of it is good but some is rather dubious. I would rather put my trust in published data from a reputable source. Good luck and welcome to casting and reloading.

[popper]

Varget or H4895 to start. Go to Hodgdon reloading page for loads - use starting jacketed (or look for youth loads for plinkers).

[Silverboolit]

There is a section in Lee's book just for cast bullets. I have been using IMR 4350 with a 200 gr lead boolit in my .308 and it seems to work pretty well.

[edwin41]

Are you reloading for a semiautomatic OR a boltaction rifle ?

[DanWoz]

I am reloading J-word now, gave up on experimenting - first I am learning how to do it standard way. Cheers!

[Jack Stanley]

Many years ago when I still had the Remington 788 in .308 Winchester . I used that powder with the Lyman 311334 and didn't have any issues . It did have a ten inch twist If that makes a difference to you .

Jack

[rockrat]

If you check the powder burn charts, I believe you will find the 3100 close to 4831

[Deano]

I have used MR 3100 quite a bit in my 308 M1 launching the Lee 200. It's burning rate is very close to 4831 so start with that data. In my rifle 37.5 gr gave a bit over almost 1900 fps, perfect function and 2.5 MOA out to 200 yards. The only issue I had was getting that coarse powder to run through my powder measure.

[ShooterAZ]

A3100 powder is the cat's meow in my Rem 700 30-06 with 200 grain paper patched cast boolits. As others have mentioned it's close to IMR 4831 in burn rate. PP is a whole different animal though. With paper patching we typically start with the minimum listed load for a given weight for jacketed bullets, and work up. I can get top velocity with excellent accuracy with it. Too bad it's been discontinued, as I don't have much of it left.

[runfiverun]

the LEE is a bit too parallel sided for the velocity's you'll get with the 3100.
If I were to give it a go I would start at about 42-43grs with a filler of Dacron [.5-.7grs] and work forward.
3100 burns best with some compression on the powder, so the Dacron will be a big help in keeping the bits and pieces cleaned up.