Load to replicate Hornady 308 factory 150gn SST ammo

Hi, I'm looking to replicate the Hornady factory load for 150gn SST in 308. Loading for a mate whose rifle apparently likes the factory stuff. Yes he has projectiles.

Any info on loads re powder and charge to come close woukd be welcome. Feel free to PM me if you prefer not to make public

I can chrono 3 of his last factory rounds out of his rifle which is has an 18in suppressed barrel.

I have a couple of suitable 308 powders but prefer not to waste by guessing.

I have either Winchester or Federal LRP, may so have some CCI

Thks

If you make his loads to the same coal as factory in the same pill, 2206H or 2208 will get you identical results. Biff the Winchester primers in the bin.

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Originally Posted by 257weatherby

If you make his loads to the same coal as factory in the same pill, 2206H or 2208 will get you identical results. Biff the Winchester primers in the bin.

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Ok thanks, specifics on the Win primers?

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Originally Posted by Jhon

Ok thanks, specifics on the Win primers?

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They have a tendency to detonate around the side of the primer, and that leads to erosion on the face of your bolt that matches the diameter of the primers.

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Originally Posted by Husky1600

They have a tendency to detonate around the side of the primer, and that leads to erosion on the face of your bolt that matches the diameter of the primers.

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Even new ones? I thought that was a problem from quite a while ago?

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Originally Posted by Husky1600

They have a tendency to detonate around the side of the primer, and that leads to erosion on the face of your bolt that matches the diameter of the primers.

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Same here, got some cutting in the bolt face of my .308 courtesy of them. Real bastard considering I'd just purchased 1000

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Originally Posted by Jhon

Hi, I'm looking to replicate the Hornady factory load for 150gn SST in 308. Loading for a mate whose rifle apparently likes the factory stuff. Yes he has projectiles.

Any info on loads re powder and charge to come close woukd be welcome. Feel free to PM me if you prefer not to make public

I can chrono 3 of his last factory rounds out of his rifle which is has an 18in suppressed barrel.

I have a couple of suitable 308 powders but prefer not to waste by guessing.

I have either Winchester or Federal LRP, may so have some CCI

Thks

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I run 45.5 grain 2206h and 150sst in my 16 inch tikka for 2750 fps. Think the 2206h gives better velocity and accuracy for some lads with short barrels.

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Originally Posted by Link

I run 45.5 grain 2206h and 150sst in my 16 inch tikka for 2750 fps. Think the 2206h gives better velocity and accuracy for some lads with short barrels.

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Primer?

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Originally Posted by Link

I run 45.5 grain 2206h and 150sst in my 16 inch tikka for 2750 fps. Think the 2206h gives better velocity and accuracy for some lads with short barrels.

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That will do it. I run the same but with 150gr NBT. 45.5g is book max from memory so work up to it.
Can't help with primers other than to say that I have only ever used fed 210 and never had an issue.

The win primer thing is historical now. It was related to a few lots of large primers winchester supposedly got made outsourced over 10 years ago.
Somewhere i think i have the lot numbers. I quite happily used mine up in cast loads However these old lots keep coming up for sale now and again which perpetuates the myth.

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

The win primer thing is historical now. It was related to a few lots of large primers winchester supposedly got made outsourced over 10 years ago.
Somewhere i think i have the lot numbers. I quite happily used mine up in cast loads However these old lots keep coming up for sale now and again which perpetuates the myth.

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Thank you, I thought I had read somthing to that affect but was not sure. With componets being in such short supply chucking them in the bin is a pretty drastic step!.

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Originally Posted by Jhon

Primer?

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used to use CCI large rifle, last loading session I couldn't find any so used fiochhi large rifle and I can't notice any difference

@Marty Henry. I'd be grateful if you can find the lot numbers. I've got a case of 1000 I was going to use. They're definitely quite old. Cheers

Attachment 193184

That's the lot that gave me issues, only noticed after maybe 50-100 rds after switching from CCI. Purchased around 6 or 7 years ago?

I'd like to know the load to replicate PPU 303 180gn and 150gn.

In theory, if you load the same projectile so it's doing the same speed as the factory ammo, it should have the same accuracy (and POI). To do this you'll need to use a chronograph.

Has anyone chronographed the factory ammo? And if so with what barrel length?

2650 out of a 16 inch barrel

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Originally Posted by Jhon

Hi, I'm looking to replicate the Hornady factory load for 150gn SST in 308. Loading for a mate whose rifle apparently likes the factory stuff. Yes he has projectiles.

Any info on loads re powder and charge to come close woukd be welcome. Feel free to PM me if you prefer not to make public

I can chrono 3 of his last factory rounds out of his rifle which is has an 18in suppressed barrel.

I have a couple of suitable 308 powders but prefer not to waste by guessing.

I have either Winchester or Federal LRP, may so have some CCI

Thks

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Greetings @Jhon,
Most 22 inch barrels will give around 2,750 fps with factory loads and 80 fps less (20 fps per inch lost) or 2,670 fps from 18 inch. Check this by chronographing your mates factory loads. Hodgdon max is 45.5 grains of AR2206H for 2,870 fps with the 150 grain in the .308. This works out to about 2,720 fps in your mates 18 inch barrel. So reducing the load to about 44.5 grains should be near matching velocities for him.
I recently chronographed 44 grains of AR2206H with the 150 grain Hornady Interlock in the 20 inch barrel of my .308 which produced 2,670 fps. This was using Winchester cases same as Hodgdon and Hornady cases are about the same weight. The 0.5 grain less powder and the 2 inches more barrel are close to balancing things out. Begin with the start load of 43 grains of AR2206H and chronograph. Then calculate how much extra powder you need to get to 2,670 fps or whatever your mates rifle is giving at 50 fps per grain of powder and work up to that chronographing as you go. You can use the same technique using other powders. Best of luck.
Regards Grandpamac.

Are you talking the superpreformance load???????
from what I saw....it will be hotter than a $2 pistol....waaay too hot for my liking.

your 180grn PPU shouldnt be too hot... hell its a .308,it should poke any half decent load out just fine n dandy...they ARENT FUSSY....

Thks for all the input. Normally I would just go off of published load data, do an incremental load development in the top half of the published charge and most times the 2nd from top in the ladder turns out to be the best node. With current shortages its a case of waste not, want not. The guy is very happy with factory ammo performance but is hurting at current prices - who isn't? So checking with the team seemed a good place to start.

I'll now chrono 3 of his factory rounds to see exactly how they are running from his barrel, then extrapolate from there, as Grandpamac suggests, for a couple of powders I have on hand - starting with 2208 & 2206h. Should not be too hard at all to match his factory velocity.

cheers

Yep, without testing in the actual rifle, this is largely speculation but a good starting point.

So I went to the range last night with the youngster and his very nice Browning XBolt Superlite. Shot 3 factory Hornady 150gn SST for an average of 2860 fps on my chrono. Very tight little group at 50m without really being focused on shooting groups. I also made up 4 x 200gn cast with 10gn of a certain Shotgun powder. These Chrono'd at 1160fps but no holes in paper at all- took the last one up to 15 mtrs and it went thru the bull sideways with a good thumb length tear. A bit of quick research established this rifle only comes in 1:12 twist. So will try with some 151gn casts and see how those go. In the meantime some 2206H loads coming up to see how close we can get to factory.

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Originally Posted by Jhon

So I went to the range last night with the youngster and his very nice Browning XBolt Superlite. Shot 3 factory Hornady 150gn SST for an average of 2860 fps on my chrono. Very tight little group at 50m without really being focused on shooting groups. I also made up 4 x 200gn cast with 10gn of a certain Shotgun powder. These Chrono'd at 1160fps but no holes in paper at all- took the last one up to 15 mtrs and it went thru the bull sideways with a good thumb length tear. A bit of quick research established this rifle only comes in 1:12 twist. So will try with some 151gn casts and see how those go. In the meantime some 2206H loads coming up to see how close we can get to factory.

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The 151gr casts will be fine, they shoot well in my 1:12 twist 308 and 30-30.

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Originally Posted by Jhon

So I went to the range last night with the youngster and his very nice Browning XBolt Superlite. Shot 3 factory Hornady 150gn SST for an average of 2860 fps on my chrono. Very tight little group at 50m without really being focused on shooting groups. I also made up 4 x 200gn cast with 10gn of a certain Shotgun powder. These Chrono'd at 1160fps but no holes in paper at all- took the last one up to 15 mtrs and it went thru the bull sideways with a good thumb length tear. A bit of quick research established this rifle only comes in 1:12 twist. So will try with some 151gn casts and see how those go. In the meantime some 2206H loads coming up to see how close we can get to factory.

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Greetings Jhon,
2,860 fps for 150 grain in a .308 with an 18 inch barrel? Sounds very high to me unless it is some of the Hornady Light Magnum in which case you won't be able to match it with canister powders. Perhaps that was a typo.
Regards Grandpamac.

GPM I have typed this out before...mate bought new left hand bolt action,either sako or browning...cant remember which...think sako as it was super smooth n sexy...he bought 40 rounds of hornady ammunition to go with it...superpreformance stuff.... it was HOT...hotter than a $2 pistol hot... some primers popped back out,some were flattened and one popped right out altogether.... flinch making hot...... he changed to 180grn winchester bog standard stuff on my advice and ZERO issues.... I fired a few of the factory hornady stuff and it was shockingly hot/loud ...just plain naaasty.
stuff that for game of soldiers ...no need for all that extra pressure..stalk 50 yards closer.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

GPM I have typed this out before...mate bought new left hand bolt action,either sako or browning...cant remember which...think sako as it was super smooth n sexy...he bought 40 rounds of hornady ammunition to go with it...superpreformance stuff.... it was HOT...hotter than a $2 pistol hot... some primers popped back out,some were flattened and one popped right out altogether.... flinch making hot...... he changed to 180grn winchester bog standard stuff on my advice and ZERO issues.... I fired a few of the factory hornady stuff and it was shockingly hot/loud ...just plain naaasty.
stuff that for game of soldiers ...no need for all that extra pressure..stalk 50 yards closer.

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Just checked and the Light Magnum ammo has gone, replaced with the Superformance stuff. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the Superformance powder used in the .308 is not available to the public. The stuff that is is too slow.
GPM.

he sent me photo this morning of his second stag..them 180s are working great.

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Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings Jhon,
2,860 fps for 150 grain in a .308 with an 18 inch barrel? Sounds very high to me unless it is some of the Hornady Light Magnum in which case you won't be able to match it with canister powders. Perhaps that was a typo.
Regards Grandpamac.

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Well I guess my chrono could be suspect but I don't think so. It has never given results that have caused me to doubt it before. And no, its not a typo, and no, its not an 18in barrel its a factory 16in. I'd be happy to test my chrono alongside someone else's but I don't know anyone with one handy.

And if it is crook, it will also read crook for any handloads. So it won't really matter because it will be a comparison of relativity which really is what we are after. If the real world number is a couple of hundred less I'm not sure the deer will notice.

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Originally Posted by Jhon

Well I guess my chrono could be suspect but I don't think so. It has never given results that have caused me to doubt it before. And no, its not a typo, and no, its not an 18in barrel its a factory 16in. I'd be happy to test my chrono alongside someone else's but I don't know anyone with one handy.

And if it is crook, it will also read crook for any handloads. So it won't really matter because it will be a comparison of relativity which really is what we are after. If the real world number is a couple of hundred less I'm not sure the deer will notice.

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Greetings @Jhon,
Your chrono coukd be right if your friends ammo is the Superformance type which claims 3,000 fps in a 24 inch barrel. Otherwise bright sunlight can cause reading errors, often high. In any case as the rifle has a 16 inch barrel the best data to use is that umder the pistol section on the Hodgdon Load Data website. This is for a 15 inch barrel. H4895 is AR2206H, Varget is AR2208 and Benchmark 8208 is IMR8208XBR. I'm assuming you will be using Hornady cases which have a weight and hence capacity close to the Winchester cases that Hodgdon used in the data. Usung the data you should be able to work up to about 2,700 fps in your barrel. Hornady cases weigh around 165 grains or a little more without primer. Heavier cases will give a both more velocity and pressure. If you are chronographing try for an overcast day which should give more reliable readings.
Regards Grandpamac.

Jhon just realized the figure that i posted above was for 165g super performance not 150s so your crono will be right the powder that hornady use in making them is not available to the public so you wont be able to match it my theory though is that if you only use one shot per deer it doesn't matter what it cost to buy the ammo still cheap meat

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Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings @Jhon,
Your chrono coukd be right if your friends ammo is the Superformance type which claims 3,000 fps in a 24 inch barrel. Otherwise bright sunlight can cause reading errors, often high. In any case as the rifle has a 16 inch barrel the best data to use is that umder the pistol section on the Hodgdon Load Data website. This is for a 15 inch barrel. H4895 is AR2206H, Varget is AR2208 and Benchmark 8208 is IMR8208XBR. I'm assuming you will be using Hornady cases which have a weight and hence capacity close to the Winchester cases that Hodgdon used in the data. Usung the data you should be able to work up to about 2,700 fps in your barrel. Hornady cases weigh around 165 grains or a little more without primer. Heavier cases will give a both more velocity and pressure. If you are chronographing try for an overcast day which should give more reliable readings.
Regards Grandpamac.

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They were chronographed late arvo near 5pm in light cloud on a dullish day. If the light gets too low my device returns errors when it sees the bullet with one of the sensors but not the other. In bright sunlight I use the supplied opaque white hoods for the sensors and only get declared errors if I shoot too high which I try to avoid as the bullet passes a tad too close to the hoods.

And I checked- the factory ammo is the Hornady Superperformance 150gn SST. I will be reloading his Hornady cases

Thanks for the other info, very useful!

that is the HOT stuff...use with caution on a warm day...

ADI also publish data for 15" barrel 308 Win in their Pistol section

Further, Hornady SuperPerformance is in fact offered by Hogdon. Not that that necessarily means it is available. Or that I'd want to use it.

https://hodgdon.com/superformance/

correct but its different to whats in the loads sold ...... plenty of folks have pulled loads and done the try to reverse engineer thing..... from memory the superpreformance powder is somewhat like 2213 but its not the same....where its good its awesome but it has narrow band of usefullness...really good in dirty06 with heavies etc but not so good with lighter loads...some guys had great results in .270win...others just as pedantic reloaders got erratic results....


bottom line your mate wants load something close to what he is buying....if you seat the same projectile the same depth and use a top end powder charge of whatever powder you have on hand....you arent going to be a million miles away from achieving goal..... dont believe you need to over think this...its a .308 and GENERALLY they arent fussy critters.

this is why I like them Attachment 193910 thats after going through two deer found just under the skin we were shooting at night took a shot at a hind siting down went over and found two dead deer

Update: so in the end I went straight to 45.5gn AR2206H behind the Hornady 150gn SST. The young feller got to take them out today. No chrono but here is the photo of his 100m (paces) group. He's pretty happy. He hasn't told me yet what variance he got on the POI with scope still zeroed for the factory Superformance. Can't imagine it is too far off tho. Don't think we will stray too far from this load for a hunting load. Be good to next see how it is out at 300m.

Attachment 194965