.308 Win and 2400?

[selmerfan]

Does anyone use 2400 in their .308 Winchester? I'll be doing load workup for my FN PBR XP for deer hunting next fall and would like to have this powder in the available list. I'm looking at 4198, Varget, RL7, 4227, and 2400. Any other suggestions? Looking for 1800-2100 fps range.

[Rocky Raab]

Based purely on the fact that 16.0 2400 makes a great 2000 fps load in my 30-30 with a 170- cast bullet, I am going to power up my crystal ball and predict your .308 will do likewise with 18.0 grains.

[Ben]

My 308 Win. ( see photo below ) loves the Lee 155 gr. spire pt. intended for the 7.62 X 39 mm round.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/VZ%2024%20Flutted/IMG_1075.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/VZ%2024%20Flutted/PICT0017.jpg

[Char-Gar]

2400 will work just fine in the .308 cartridge. However, 1.8 - 2 K fps is pushing the upper limits of what 2400 can do with accuracy. I try and keep 2400 loads below 1.8 K fps. If I want to go above that a slower powder will most often do better.

I have had sterling results with 50/WC872 and your cast bullet of choice in the .308 round. This load will give all the accuracy my .308s have to give. I have a Remington 700 VHS, a Savage 16 and two Winchester 99s in .308.

Although not a bullet I would choose for hunting, RCBS 165 SIL has done very well in my rifles and the gas check does not drop below the short neck of the case.

[selmerfan]

I'll be shooting HP 311299 or Ben's HP 311290s that he so kindly traded to me.

[Ben]

selmerfan:

That's a " unique " avatar that you've got. Is there a story behind the photo ?

Ben

[Larry Gibson]

Selmerfan

You don't say with what bullet (?) so assuming a 170 - 200 gr bullet I agree with charger; 2400, while a very good cast bullet powder, is not the best choice for this. If a heavier bullet is used then the Varget may work ok. With the powders shown I'd work with RL7. Better yet, again depending on the bullet, I'd look at getting some 4895 or AA4350, maybe RL19.

Larry Gibson

[selmerfan]

I have some RL19 and 4895 on the bench as well.

[Doc Highwall]

I have been happy with AA5744 in my 308 Win.

[Larry Gibson]

I'll be shooting HP 311299 or Ben's HP 311290s that he so kindly traded to me.

Those are both good bullets. Suggest starting with 4895. Start at 27 gr with a 1/2 - 3/4 gr dacron filler and work up in 1/2 gr increments until accuracy goes south. Depending on the twist of the barrel expect very good hunting accuracy in the 2000 - 2200 fps range, maby a little higher depending on the rifle and your accuracy requirements. Also if those are cast soft, say like with 50/50 or straight WW, I suggest cleaning the barrel between 5 - 8 shot groups.

Best accuracy probably will be in the 1800 - 2000 fps range which may be perfect for those HPs, depending on the max intended range.

Larry Gibson

[Ben]

selmerfan:

That's a " unique " avatar that you've got. Is there a story behind the photo ?

Ben


selmerfan,

Thanks for taking the time to share.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=114024

That is VERY EYE OPENING ! !

Ben

[1Shirt]

For what it is worth, 2400 is my go to powder for most every thing cast in most all cases with med to heavy weight blts. It is one of those that if I had to have only one powder for cast, it would undoubtedly be 2400. For 308, I started with 150 lee and 16 gr, and then went up to 20 gr, with 18.5 being the most accurate in my rifles. Used the same formula for the lee 180, and 200, as well as the 165 RD, and 311291, ,311284HP, 311413, 31141, and 311644 with good sucess with all or them. I use dac fillers with all of these, as I seem to get better accuracy with rather than without, but maybe that is just me. Like most others, will not recommend it to any one else, but it works for me, and I try not to fix what works.
For lighter loads and lighter 30 cal blts, I am quite fond of Trail boss. Have a RD 6 cav. on the way from RD with his 170 gr. in plain base. Really looking forward to finding a minute of beer can load with that blt and TB.
Good Luck!
1Shirt!:coffee:

[CWME]

I will second the 4895... 30grs and a 311291HP shoot very well in two different 308 rifles.

[DragoonDrake]

Hey Ben, You have a white spot on the stock of your rifle. :)

[Ben]

DragoonDrake

Yea, don't know how that happened ?

I'll simply replace that one with a different photo.............

[btroj]

For 2000 fps I would go with 4895 or Varget type powders. I agree with Chargar, 2400 is great in the 15 to 1700 fps range but that is all I want to try and get from it.
The powder, bullet weight, and target velocity need to be in balance. This is why you might use different powders with one bullet- what velocity do you want?

[DragoonDrake]

Ben that is a pretty rifle.

[Ben]

DragoonDrake:

Thanks,
It shoots much better than it looks ! !

Ben