Reloads in the .308MX

[Chuck 100 yd]

Finaly got to shoot a few handloads from my Marlin .308MX (22" blued)

Marlin .308MX load development 1-13-08 50yd.

Leverevolution factory 160 gr. Load
5 @ VEL.=2524 ES =20.4 SD= 8.4 (clean barrel) 5 in 1"
5@ VEL= 2542 ES = 86.7 SD= 37.1 (dirty barrel) 5 in 3/4"

Below = Sierra 125gr HPFP bullet , H335, WLR Hodgden data

#1– 39.0 gr H335 , Vel.=2542 ES= 39.0 SD=15.8 5 in 1 1/4"
This may be a very accurate load (3 in 3/8" 2 high)

#2– 40.0 gr.H335 , Vel.=2596 ES= 75.0 SD= 27.7 5 in 2"+
This is a warm load , primers are flat

#3– 41.0 gr. H335 , Vel. = 2651 ES= 45.1 SD= 19.0 5 in 3/4"
This load is hot and very accurate

#4– 41.5gr. H335 , Vel.= 2680 ES= 31.2 SD= 13.3 5 in 2"
This load is VERY HOT , huge muzzle flash, primers extruding into
Firing pin hole.

#5– 42.0 gr. H335 , Vel.=2714 ES= 38.1 SD= 15.9 5 in 1 ½"
TOO darn HOT Huge muzzle flash, very loud, Not a good powder for this rifle.accuracy only fair.


NOTE bullet wont slip into fired case. Need to take chamber cast to determine neck clearance. May be too tight causing high pressure found in loads from Hodgden`s data.

#2Marlin .308 MX Load development 1-13-08

Below , Speer 150gr. FP bullet , Hodgdens BL-C(2) , WLR

#1– 40.0 gr BL-C(2) Vel. = 2255 ES= 63.4 SD= 27.8
5 in 1 ½" 4 in 3/4" This looks like a good load

#2– 41.0 gr. BL-C(2) Vel. = 2319 ES= 32.4 SD= 13.2
5 in 1 ½", 3 in 3/8" This looks like a good load

#3– 42.0 gr. BL-C(2) Vel.=2362 ES= 44.4 SD 16.3
5 in 2" opening up, vertical stringing, Getting too hot!!
This is 1 gr. Below Hodgdens max. load

Note Need to take chamber cast to check neck clearance!

I took a chamber cast and found there is .006 clearance between loaded case neck and chamber and that is about normal with factory chambers.
Also the bore cast at .3105 so too tight a bore is also not the problem.

I ran into pressure signs that make me uneasy to shoot this rifle way before I get to maximum loads listed by Hodgdens and the velocity is not near Hornady levels. Note: this rifle is about 140fps slower than Hornady lists for the factory LE 160 gr load in a 24" barrel.

I don`t see how anyone can come near what the factory claims for velocity.
I was not trying to make tiny groups but just put the cross hair on and fired due to the frigid weather. The range was under water beyond the 50yd.line.
This rifle is very accurate when I am driving it with intent to hit small.

As many have said, it is a legitimate factory loaded .30-30 AI in all respects. But I still like it. Cant wait for my Ranch Dog mold to come in March.

[TedH]

Looks like your loads with the 150 gr. bullet are on par with a standard 30-30. What kind of pressure signs were you getting?

[Chuck 100 yd]

Pressure signs with the 150 and BL-C(2) were on par with the factory LE ammo wich runs at 46,000 acording to Ranch Dogs pressure trace equip. Flattened primers mostly but with the 125 gr bullet and H335 I was geting primers start to extrude into the firing pin hole at 2gr. below Hodgdens max load.
The .308MX seems to have a very stout / hard case because any .30-30 loads this hot would show imprints of chamber tooling marks on the case.
There are none with the hottest load I shot. I think I will try some CCI 200 primers next time. The WLR`s are soft and may be giving me false pressure signs.
I have never clocked any .30-30 load above about 2100 fps from my guns.

[Don McDowell]

Looks like if a person gets away from the factory loads the mx is just a remake of the 30-30. Guess folks best stock up on factory ammo.

[TedH]

I have never clocked any .30-30 load above about 2100 fps from my guns.

I chronoed Remington and Winchester 150 gr. factory loads last year just for a base line when I started fooling with my 30-30 Ackley. They were both right at 2260 fps give or take 10 fps or so. This was out of a 18.5" barrel too.

[Don McDowell]

I've had several loads with 150's that'll do 2410 from a 24 inch 30-30 and only about 100 fps behind with the 20 in.

If I was going to set out to try and reload for the 308 mx I'ld look to rx 15, 4320 and possibly some h414.