Can anyone safley get 3000 FPS or better from a 150gr bullet in .308? My Speer book lists
2900 FPS with RE15 and AA2520 with a compressed load of 49.0 grs. Is a magnum primer
needed when comperssing loads in the 308WIN? How much will a magnum primer increase
pressure. Is this gain in pressure unecessary. Will it just take away from the amount of powder
you would be able to use because you are at your max perssure limit with the magnum primer?
Or is perssure, pressure no matter how you get it. because I don't get it!

In my 22" Win Model 100 I could never exceed 2800fps, factory 150's clocked 2700fps. I just put a 26" barrel on a M98, and the factory loads that clocked 2700fps, now do 2900fps! So I would think I can exceed 3000fps with this barrel.

bearlake,
AA2520 data requires the use of a magnum primer but Speer does not require one for the Re15 loads. I wish to ask if the extra 100 FPS is really that important? You see, when I load I usually find a really accurate load at about 97% of maximum that goes away as I approach maximum loads. I would rather have the sub-MOA accuracy than the minimal increase in velocity.

PaulS

I suspect 3000 is pushing the old pressure envelope a good deal...I'd hate to get one in a 99 Savage or Browning BLR...

Of the three 150gr Partition loads I tested last week, my Rem M7 SS clocked 2985, 2900, and 2996fps averages (3-shot). Those are from shallowest to deepest seating depths, with the 2900 being the most accurate.

The load was RL15 half-grain under Hodgon #26 max with Fed standard primers. They were definitely hot (primers flattened, but bolt lift OK). I'm backing off another half-grain.

The absolute best accuracy in this rifle (bedded, free floated 20" factory barrel) has been with 165 gr. (.72 MOA) Partitions. It's a hunting rifle so I don't waste my time finding accurate loads with bullets I'm not going to hunt with. I'm looking for a load to set and forget, and the 165gr. Partition load is probably the one, though I'm going to try a few more 150s.

[ 03-25-2003, 14:51: Message edited by: steve y ]

Let me be the first to ask, why do you need 3000fps from a 150 gr. bullet in a .308, why not just get a .30-06 and be done with it, or better yet, be happy with 2800 fps and shoot your gun longer? If you're hunting you'll never know the difference between the two velocities from terminal performance, trust me, I shoot a .308 and a .30-06, one is just as good as the other. The .308 is fine cartridge without making it something that it's not intended to be.
Yardbird

Thanks for the info guys. I was just wondering if it was possible to get 3000FPS from the 308.
I have no need to though. What about magnum primers increasing perssure?

[ 03-26-2003, 03:23: Message edited by: bearlake ]

It depends on the barrel length, but, generally you can't get that speed unless opperating at extremely high pressures.

Unless you have pressuring measuring equipment, it's just a guess as to the effects of various primers on pressure.

If the .308 isn't enough, then get a 300 win mag, you can push 150's 3300 fps, which is a much bigger gain then straining your .308 to gain an extra 100 fps, which won't do didly in the field.