S&W HE
SWCA Member
Please share your favorite load recipes for the 7.62x58mm/308Win cartridge using Winchester 748 powder under 168 & 175 grain SMK and similar BTHP/BTSP projectiles.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
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W748 / 308 load data
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ArchAngelCD
Moderator, SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
You should not trust data from strangers on a forum. As I'm sure you know your gun is different than my gun and may not like the same loads anyway.
Try here:
Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading
If you decide to change powders I'm partial to IMR4064 myself.
Good luck
EDIT:
It seems Hodgdon does not supply data for W748 under those heavier bullets in the .308. That tells me they don't consider that powder suitable for that application. Try IMR4064, Varget or the new Enduron powder IMR4166 instead. If you want to stick with a Winchester powder go with W760/H414 but I would try one of the other 3 I mentioned first.
Try here:
Take Aim at Rifle Reloading Data | Hodgdon Reloading
If you decide to change powders I'm partial to IMR4064 myself.
Good luck
EDIT:
It seems Hodgdon does not supply data for W748 under those heavier bullets in the .308. That tells me they don't consider that powder suitable for that application. Try IMR4064, Varget or the new Enduron powder IMR4166 instead. If you want to stick with a Winchester powder go with W760/H414 but I would try one of the other 3 I mentioned first.
Last edited:
SuperMan
Member
I use the following in both bolt guns and AR10s..
Federal Case
CCI LR Benchrest Primer
46.0 grains of 748
Any 165-168 grain bullet seated so that the base of the shank is even with the base of the case neck
Velocity 2750+- from a 20" barrel depending on the bullet
Bullets used with this combination:
165 Sierra HP
165 Hornady SST
165 Hornady BTSP
168 Sierra Match
165 Nosler Petition
Rifles used:
SAKO TRG 20"
Ruger Gunsite 18"
Remington LTR 20"
Remington 700 Youth 20"
TC Encore 26"
Remington 600 18.5"
DPMS AR10 18"
Ruger Frontier 16.5"
Savage Hog Hunter 20"
Remington 700 Police 26"
Will run in the .25-.75 MOA range depending on the gun/shooter.
If you do some checking you will find that 748 is one of the top rated powders for .308 for both velocity and accuracy. Top loads in the manuals I have top out between 44 and 47 grains for 165-168 grain bullets. I started load development at 43 grains and worked up .5 grains at a time to 47.0 till the groups began to spread. 45.5 and 46.0 were the most accurate. As soon as I hit 46.5 the groups opened up.
Bob
Federal Case
CCI LR Benchrest Primer
46.0 grains of 748
Any 165-168 grain bullet seated so that the base of the shank is even with the base of the case neck
Velocity 2750+- from a 20" barrel depending on the bullet
Bullets used with this combination:
165 Sierra HP
165 Hornady SST
165 Hornady BTSP
168 Sierra Match
165 Nosler Petition
Rifles used:
SAKO TRG 20"
Ruger Gunsite 18"
Remington LTR 20"
Remington 700 Youth 20"
TC Encore 26"
Remington 600 18.5"
DPMS AR10 18"
Ruger Frontier 16.5"
Savage Hog Hunter 20"
Remington 700 Police 26"
Will run in the .25-.75 MOA range depending on the gun/shooter.
If you do some checking you will find that 748 is one of the top rated powders for .308 for both velocity and accuracy. Top loads in the manuals I have top out between 44 and 47 grains for 165-168 grain bullets. I started load development at 43 grains and worked up .5 grains at a time to 47.0 till the groups began to spread. 45.5 and 46.0 were the most accurate. As soon as I hit 46.5 the groups opened up.
Bob
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SuperMan
Member
SAKO at 800...168 Sierra
Am using a lot of 748 with Sierra 168 hpbt.
168 Sierra hpbt, Fed (or heavy military brass), CCI Mag primer, non expanded case neck and 43.2 grains (semi), or 43.5 grains (bolt). Not the fastest, but reliable and excellent accuracy. Getting about 2600 fps from 24 inch barrels.
Lighter brass and primers you can up the charges appropriately. Hodgdon's old 2007 annual manual just reprinted the charges from the even older Win manuals. Have used it for the new Sierra 178 TMK, but the charges were specifically for a long throated rifle and exceeded max col.
While older, 748 is an excellent powder for 308, even the 168 grainers. Am not finding any relevance to whether Hodgdon uses it in their newer manuals. Nosler's older manual omits it for the 150 grainers, where it simply excels at velocity and accuracy.
168 Sierra hpbt, Fed (or heavy military brass), CCI Mag primer, non expanded case neck and 43.2 grains (semi), or 43.5 grains (bolt). Not the fastest, but reliable and excellent accuracy. Getting about 2600 fps from 24 inch barrels.
Lighter brass and primers you can up the charges appropriately. Hodgdon's old 2007 annual manual just reprinted the charges from the even older Win manuals. Have used it for the new Sierra 178 TMK, but the charges were specifically for a long throated rifle and exceeded max col.
While older, 748 is an excellent powder for 308, even the 168 grainers. Am not finding any relevance to whether Hodgdon uses it in their newer manuals. Nosler's older manual omits it for the 150 grainers, where it simply excels at velocity and accuracy.
Last edited:
OP
S&W HE
SWCA Member
Thanks gents!
Bob (Superman), your Win 748 information is much appreciated and your sub-MOA groups truly impressive. Like you I'm also loading for multiple rifles... an Armalite AR10/16", a Sako Forester/24", and a Remington 700 Varmint/20".
Zeke, I totally agree that Win 748 is an excellent powder for the 308 as well as several other cartridges including the 223 Rem. Your 43.2/43.5 grain loads are right where I am at this time.
I've been using 748 since I first started hand loading 1972 when it was 748BR in Sierra's first (1971) manual.
It's interesting that 748 was the 308 powder to use in the 1970s. Since then the 308 powder has progressed through most of the IMR extruded (pencil lead) powers... the latest being 4064. And then there's Reloader 15 and now Varget, which has replacing IMR 4064 as the got to use powder.
I've tried most all of the 308 powders and am currently loading 4064, Varget, and 748 in 7.62x51 LC Match cases. All shoot well but only 748 meters to the 10th grain through my RCBS and Dillon powder measures.
Bob (Superman), your Win 748 information is much appreciated and your sub-MOA groups truly impressive. Like you I'm also loading for multiple rifles... an Armalite AR10/16", a Sako Forester/24", and a Remington 700 Varmint/20".
Zeke, I totally agree that Win 748 is an excellent powder for the 308 as well as several other cartridges including the 223 Rem. Your 43.2/43.5 grain loads are right where I am at this time.
I've been using 748 since I first started hand loading 1972 when it was 748BR in Sierra's first (1971) manual.
It's interesting that 748 was the 308 powder to use in the 1970s. Since then the 308 powder has progressed through most of the IMR extruded (pencil lead) powers... the latest being 4064. And then there's Reloader 15 and now Varget, which has replacing IMR 4064 as the got to use powder.
I've tried most all of the 308 powders and am currently loading 4064, Varget, and 748 in 7.62x51 LC Match cases. All shoot well but only 748 meters to the 10th grain through my RCBS and Dillon powder measures.
Attachments
It has been a long time, (back in the mid 80's), but I loaded the Sierra 168gr. BTHP Match bullet over 43.0 Gr. 748. CCI Primer. This is out of a Hornady loading manual at the time. From my Rem 700 Heavy Barrel Varmint it would consistently group right around 1/2" at 100 yds.
With your rifle, do as the book recommends, start lower and work up the load. I did not have a chronograph at the time, so don't know the velocity. The book stated around 2800 if I recall correctly.
With your rifle, do as the book recommends, start lower and work up the load. I did not have a chronograph at the time, so don't know the velocity. The book stated around 2800 if I recall correctly.
OP
S&W HE
SWCA Member
Thanks Richard. I've already worked up to 44.0 grains of 748 in all three rifles with no abnormal pressure signs. And 43.5 grains under Sierra's 168 grain Match Kings chronograph in the mid-2600 fps range for all... which is in line with Sierra's latest manual.
Use 748 for 223, 30-30, 308, 307 and 300 savage. Extremely consistent in charge weights and accuracy suit me fine. That and it is usually available. Use a mag primer for all except 30-30.
in 308 am loading for semi's, bolts and lever.
in 308 am loading for semi's, bolts and lever.
GavinLee
Member
One of 748's attributes is it's low flame temperature. Very useful powder.
