I'm waiting on my Barnes manual to get here but I'm wanting to load/shoot this weekend. Can any of you get me started with some data for my 308 with 130 XLC's. I've never loaded Barnes' before and keep reading they are dif animals than typical bullets??? I have plenty of 4064/Varget/RE19 but I'm thinking they may be a little slow burning for the light bullets???

Chris

Chris:

The RL-19 is a bit slow for the 308 with any bullet but the other two should be excellent. I started with 44 gr./varget /130 X and std. primers and worked up. The same start load should be OK w/4064.

Two things that I found in my two 308 cased rifles, (former 308 & current 7-08)

#1 Barnes bullets seemed to reach max. pressure about 1-1.5 gr. lower than other bullets of same weight. (vels. are similar, just less powder to get there)

#2 While never any great shakes for accuracy for me, they did their best when seated about .060 off the lands. Most other bullets worked best @ about .015 off the lands.

Good luck-JimF

I dont have my load data here at work ...but I seem to recall that W748 and BL-C2 worked well for me with Fed 210M primers. May take a few groups before they settle down as you may need to get a good even coat of the blue stuff down your barrel. They are awesome on Whitetails.
Good Luck
Dave

Varget From 45.0 grains to 50.0 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer

I prefer AA-2460 From 40.5 grains to 50.0 grains
Remington 9-1/2 Primer for the bullet you are planning on using, however.

JimF makes a good point about the barnes bullet using less powder to get similar velocity. It has to do with the fact that barnes bullets tend to be longer since they are made from copper to achieve same bullet weights. this raises pressures considerably so watch for poressure signs and bolt sticking.
I've been loading the 180g XLCs over 44.5(max charge) of Varget. I am fairly satisfied with the results although accuracy could be better. Ansd like Jim said .050 -.060 off the lands is probably a good bet for accuracy. Again due to bullet length the Barnes need a little more free bore or space before engaging the rifling. Mine seemed best at about .055. Barnes reccomends .030-.050 as preferred.

I may try seating mine a little deeper and using a lighter bullet.

Let us know how it goes.

Snow, I load the uncoated 130's with BLC-2 and have had great accuracy. I use a Remington case and WLR primer.This is in a Savage model 11. Let me know if you want the whole recipe.