Load info. needed for.308 w/18 to 20in BBL

[Cap'n Red]

Just got a Rock River .308 with a 20 inch barrel. All my other rifles have at least 24 in barrels and are bolt actions. Looking for powder and starting point. Not sure that the powder I have is of the proper burn rate.

Thanks in Advance

[Jack]

Use the same powder you'd use for a 308 with a longer barrel- contrary to what you might think, using a faster powder in a short barrel doesn't have any advantage. The same medium speed powders like Varget, Reloder 15, Winchester 748, Accurate 2520, IMR 3031, etc, will do well in any length barrel.

[wrenchman]

The thing is to find out what the twist is on the rock river might be a little faster

[Cap'n Red]

Originally Posted by wrenchman

The thing is to find out what the twist is on the rock river might be a little faster

Rock River twist is 1 in 10 (should handle barnes TSX 130 grn OK)
Remington's tatical is 1 in 12 , both have 20 in barrels

[Ol` Joe]

A 1/10" twist should stabilize bullets up to 220gr in a 30 cal rifle. Personally I`d not worry about stabilizing anything you plan on shooting from your barrel.
The same powders you use in any other 308 will work just as well in your shorter one. I`d stay with Varget, 4064, R15 etc. What ever is on hand.

[mattbowen]

Cap;
I am new here but not new to shooting and reloading and I have to agree with Ol'Joe that little difference shouldn't make any difference that you could notice. Now that being said I also know that rifles are like people, each one has it's own personality and their own likes and dislikes and you may have to try different powders to get the right combination that you rifle likes. I had a buddy that had the same rifles in the same calibers as mine (308 and 3006) both of us shot 165gr Sierra SPBT in both rifles, in the 3006s we were able to shoot the same load but in the 308 he used H-335 and I had to use Varget to get the best results. What I would do is to shoot what I had and maybe tweak it a little and if that doesn't work change powders, but I wouldn't change bullet weight unless you want to.

Good Luck

Matt

[Jack]

Welcome to Huntchat, Matt.

[mattbowen]

Thank you Jack I appreciate that.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I'm not familiar with the Rock River....is that a semi auto? I've had some trouble with extraction/ejection issues in my Chicom M-14; best I've found (for function in a semiauto) so far has been H4895, and I've heard that IMR 4895 is good as well. I'm shooting 150 grain Remington PSP bullets.. the bulk stuff.
Having said that, as far as accuracy goes, I've done well with IMR 4064 and 150 grain bullets, and H335 and 165 grain bullets. Hope this helps......

....and Welcome to the boards, Matt!

[Adam Helmer]

Capt and Matt,

Welcome here guys. You came to the right place for reloading expertise. The guys have lots of smarts and they will give good advice. I hope you also have bought a current reloading manual put out by Lyman, Speer, Hornady , or any other powder or bullet maker.

Whatever Internet Reloading Reciepes you recieve SHOULD be compared to CURRENT Reloading data to keep you on the SAFE side. Be well.

Adam

[mattbowen]

Adam;
Thank you for the welcome, I agree with you about staying on the safe side. I have been loading for seventeen years now and have seen a few miss haps and definitely want to avoid all of them, that is why I have several reloading manuals and I always check the Hodgdon's website for the most current data.

Thanks again

Matt

[mattbowen]

Mr. 16;

Thank you for the welcome. For my 3006 I use IMR4350 and for my 308 I use Varget. I could never H-335 to work in my 308.

Matt

[elkman12]

cap'n red

Done a lot with 308 reloading. Gunsmith told me once "find what your rifle likes". I find the slug was making more difference than changing the powder charge. I fond one manufacturer of slugs varied as much as 8 gr through the box. Tough to get a good group with that variation. I do use 3031 and Varget. I use a Rem 700 heavy barrel with some gun smithing and a 16X Mark4. Good day I can get 1/4 moa. 100 yards.

[GoodOlBoy]

You might also take a look at Ramshot TAC. I don't personally use it, but I know folks who swear by it in the ar15-ar10 platforms which means it should work in the RR LAR-8 platform as well. You naturally would want to start with a starting load and work your way up. The thing here is you will want to load a slightly heavier bullet (165grain MIN I would think but I don't shoot 308) because of rate of twist, BUT you also want to be able to reliably cycle the action without doing slam damage to the internals. Most of the powders mentioned should fill the bill, but I suggest TAC because the folks I know of who use it say it is VERY clean burning, so you have less malarky to clean out of your action later on.

Let us know what you decide and how it goes!

Welcome to both Cap, and Matt.

GoodOlBoy

[mattbowen]

GoodOlBoy;

Thanks for the welcome