So this is my first go at reloading. I reloaded some mil surplus 7.62x51 cases with hornaday 168 BTHP bullets with 42 grains of varget to start. They were too hot as it had very hard extraction (even chipped my extractor) and flattened primers. I know that surplus cases use less powder but how much less? I made five rounds with 40 and 41 grains but need to get the extractor changed before testing. Anyone has a good starting load data? OAL is 2.780 ran through a Browning x-bolt.

would reduce charge by 1 to 2 grains for gi cases.

There was a post online somewhere that said the NATO brass was 3% smaller in case volume than regular brass...

I use 39.5 grains of varget and have not had any signs of high pressure. At 40 and above the primers were flat..

Load some at 38 and work your way up by .5, you'll find the sweet spot....

So this is my first go at reloading. I reloaded some mil surplus 7.62x51 cases with hornaday 168 BTHP bullets with 42 grains of varget to start. They were too hot as it had very hard extraction (even chipped my extractor) and flattened primers. I know that surplus cases use less powder but how much less? I made five rounds with 40 and 41 grains but need to get the extractor changed before testing. Anyone has a good starting load data? OAL is 2.780 ran through a Browning x-bolt.

I would also suggest checking the calibration and accuracy of the scale you are using. Is the scale level? While I don't load for this cartridge after seeing the load data on the Hodgens website it sounds like your powder charge might be higher than you think.

There was a post online somewhere that said the NATO brass was 3% smaller in case volume than regular brass...

I use 39.5 grains and have not had any signs of high pressure. At 40 and above the primers were flat..

Load some at 38 and work your way up by .5, you'll find the sweet spot....

My Speer reloading manual #14 says reduce by 3% for mil-surp and lists starting (commercial) at 42 and 46 max.  I will try a few at 38 and start from there. I've read some going as much as 10% less charge which is close to 38 grains with 42 as a start. I just didn't know if there would be any ill effects of a charge that's too low

Scale is accurate (confirmed to +/-  .2g with my digital scale) and each charge was carefully measured. I will go and borrow a friends to triple check though.

I was using the CBC military brass, SMK 168 HPBT when I loaded the 39 grains varget and was .015 off the lands on a rem 700.

I started off at 41 and worked up to 44.5 grains varget, each jump in grains all came out hot. So much for the manuals being conservative.

Just wanted to pass on info I learned when starting to reload. Wasted lots of powder and bullets doing the load test, but had fun shooting....

I was using the CBC military brass, SMK 168 HPBT when I loaded the 39 grains varget and was .015 off the lands on a rem 700.

I started off at 41 and worked up to 44.5 grains varget, each jump in grains all came out hot. So much for the manuals being conservative.

Just wanted to pass on info I learned when starting to reload. Wasted lots of powder and bullets doing the load test, but had fun shooting....

Thanks for the info, it's much appreciated.    I'll pull the rounds that I made and will start at 37-38 and see what happens. I'm .010 of the lands no crimp.

My hornady 9th edition for 308 service rifle 22" barrel 1:10 twist,168gr bthp:start with varget is 35.5gr @2100fps working up to max load of 42.7gr @2600

The 2 CBC NATO brass had flat primers while the CBC 308 win was fine.




From Lyman book...

Thanks guys. I went out today to test some loads. Went really well starting at 38g and working up to 41g in .5g increments. Settled with 38.5 - 39g. Going to play with little increments and OAL a little.

Right on!!! Just keep blasting away!!!!

Thanks guys. I went out today to test some loads. Went really well starting at 38g and working up to 41g in .5g increments. Settled with 38.5 - 39g. Going to play with little increments and OAL a little.

The best way is to chrono your loads to find out what kind of muzzle velocity your load is producing on your gun.

The best way is to chrono your loads to find out what kind of muzzle velocity your load is producing on your gun.

I don't have one yet but I definetly will test it when I do. As of now I'm just going off of case readings and group size. Hopefully I can get one soo though.