.308 Win - 208gr Hornady ELD with Hodgdon Varget

Published on April 2, 2017
Duration: 21:04

This video details the process of reloading .308 Winchester ammunition using 208-grain Hornady ELD-Match bullets and Hodgdon Varget powder. The instructor demonstrates brass preparation through neck sizing, primer pocket cleaning, and priming. He then proceeds to weigh powder charges and seat bullets to a specific overall length, adhering to Hornady manual recommendations. The video also covers initial testing and observations regarding bullet stabilization in different rifle twist rates.

Quick Summary

Reloading .308 Winchester with 208gr Hornady ELD-Match bullets and Hodgdon Varget involves careful brass preparation, including neck sizing and primer pocket cleaning. The Hornady manual suggests a maximum of 40.0 grains of Varget with an overall length of 2.800 inches. Rifle twist rate is critical; a 1:12 twist proved insufficient for stabilizing these heavy bullets, causing keyholing.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Scope Mounts
  2. 00:53Brass Preparation & Bullet Selection
  3. 01:14Introducing the 208gr Hornady ELD-Match Bullet
  4. 02:03Chamber Measurements & Magazine Length Constraints
  5. 03:16Primer and Powder Selection (Winchester WLR & Varget)
  6. 03:39Hornady Manual Load Data for Varget
  7. 04:06Planned Load Development Range (38-40 Grains)
  8. 04:40Neck Sizing vs. Full Length Sizing
  9. 05:13Neck Sizing Process with Redding Die
  10. 06:01Sizing Complete & Case Length Check
  11. 06:41Case Mouth Chamfer & Primer Pocket Cleaning
  12. 07:28Priming Process
  13. 08:17Powder Weighing with Beam Scale
  14. 09:35Bullet Seating for Heavy Bullets
  15. 10:06Achieving 2.800" Overall Length
  16. 11:45Range Day: Initial Problems with Savage Rifle
  17. 12:30Tikka Rifle Performance & Initial Groups
  18. 13:21Chronograph Data & Velocity Readings
  19. 14:52Testing 39.0 Grains of Varget
  20. 15:57Testing 39.5 Grains of Varget
  21. 16:27Testing 40.0 Grains of Varget
  22. 16:38Reviewing Shooting Results & Savage Issues
  23. 17:16Tikka Groups Analysis
  24. 18:02Determining Rifle Twist Rates (Savage 1:12, Tikka 1:11)
  25. 18:30Bullet Twist Rate vs. Rifle Twist Rate
  26. 19:11Velocity Observations vs. Manual Data
  27. 19:50Conclusion on Heavy Bullet Performance
  28. 20:04Preview of Next Bullet Test (Lehi Defense)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the recommended load data parameters for .308 Winchester with 208gr Hornady ELD-Match bullets and Hodgdon Varget powder?

According to the Hornady manual, for .308 Winchester with 208gr ELD-Match bullets and Hodgdon Varget powder, the maximum charge is 40.0 grains, with a recommended overall length of 2.800 inches. Load development in the video ranged from 38.0 to 40.0 grains.

Why did the 208gr Hornady ELD-Match bullets keyhole in the Savage rifle?

The 208gr Hornady ELD-Match bullets keyholed in the Savage rifle because the rifle's twist rate was measured at 1:12, which is too slow to adequately stabilize such a heavy projectile. The bullet box itself indicated a 1:10 twist rate is recommended for these bullets.

What is the difference between neck sizing and full-length sizing for reloading brass?

Neck sizing resizes only the neck of the cartridge case, maintaining dimensions closer to the firearm's chamber for better fit and potentially accuracy. Full-length sizing resizes the entire case, which is necessary for semi-automatic firearms or when cases have significantly stretched.

What overall cartridge length is recommended for .308 Winchester when using heavy bullets in magazine-fed rifles?

For magazine-fed rifles like the Savage and Tikka tested, the maximum overall cartridge length is constrained by the magazine. For the Savage's rotary magazine, it's around 2.8 inches. The Hornady manual suggests 2.800 inches for these 208gr bullets, which fits within magazine constraints but requires a significant jump to the rifling.

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