I've been asked by a friend to load some .307 Winchesters for his Winchester lever rifle. He has supplied me with 100 new WW-Super brass and Barnes "X" 150 gr. 30/30 Flat Nose bullets.

The shell holder isn't an issue and I'll use .308 Winchester dies, a .308 Win. Lee Trimmer Gauge & a .308 Win. Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Only powder I've got available that is suitable from Quick Load and other sources is H-4895.

Any expereince, watch-outs & helpful suggestions from others who have loaded this cartridge?

If it was my gun,, I would START with 39.5 grs. of 4895 and the bullets you have, seated to within .010" of the lands, IF the resulting OAL would work through the mag tube and action. Then, if things worked all right on test firing, I'd work my way up in half-grain increments to no more than 40.5 grs of the same powder.

The rifle is likely safe with even slightly hotter loads, but who knows without working their way up? I wouldn't go any hotter than the 40.5 grain load even if I could, just because of the action-locking design, and the fact that I wouldn't want to shoot it loose over the ensuing years.

It is, after all, a rare & valuable gun and going to become a heck of a lot more valuable.

I'd start with the bullet loaded to Max OAL
and see how far the ogive is off the lands.

Barnes recommends starting at 0.050"


if you are thinking of buying any propellant might I recommend WW748?

IMR-3031 might work and H335 is another possibility
as is RL15.

AD

Albert, Allan,
Barnes bullets don't even START shooting until .05 off, and you'll see best accuracy on .065-.080 ...

back off 2% from published 307 loads and work up.

I believe aliant and hodgedon have loads listed

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
Albert, Allan,
Barnes bullets don't even START shooting until .05 off, and you'll see best accuracy on .065-.080 ...

jeffe

jeffe- I pretty much have found the same as you with Barnes X-bullets, and generally seat them well away from the lands.. Guess I mis-read his original post. I thought he had said he was given Hornady bullets. Don't know why I got that from it, but I did, therefore the recommendation of about .010 off....

Thanks Guys,

For your remarks on the cartridge & bullet, all helpful.

Cases being prepped now and I'll start with the suggested H4895 load.

Allan, thanks for your powder suggestions, got the same from Pet Loads & Mettallic Cartridge Reloading but figured since I'm doing a buddy a fovor I'll go with the powder I've got on hand.


I'll do my level best to ensure his Winchester lever rifle digests everything fine.