.308Win Receipe for Saigas ???

Anyone handload for these self-loaders?

If so, please let me know your best propellent type & quantity for this application out of a 16-3/4" or 21" pipe, depending. Me? I'm thinking of using Remington bulk 125-grain softpoint pills but will try 147-grain FMJs too.

TIA for any advice you can give. Cheers!

I think I read 167-8 grainers are the better bullet for coefficients.

I handload for the 308 Saiga. The 308 Saiga seems to prefer the 150 grain bullets over heavier bullets. Hollow points are more accurate than FMJ's. You can use 147 to 168 grain bullets.

With 147 to 150 grain bullets

43.0 grains H-335 - accurate

43.0 grains AA-2460 - accurate

43.0 grains Ramshot TAC (max load)

43.0 grains IMR-4895 (43.5 grains is max)

42.5 grains H-4895 (might be the best choice) (43.0 grains is max)

41.0 grains IMR-3031

41.5 grains Benchmark

45.2 grains W-748 (factory load)

45.0 to 46.0 grains BLC(2) (still working on this one)

165 to 168 grain bullet loads

42.0 grains H-335

42.0 grains AA-2460 - most forgiving powder

42.0 grains Ramshot TAC

39.0 to 39.5 grains IMR-3031

39.0 to 40.0 grains Benchmark

40.0 to 41.0 grains H-4895 (40.0 grains is good load)

40.5 to 41.5 grains IMR-4895 (41.0 grains good load)

43.0 to 43.5 grains W-748

43.0 to 44.0 grains BLC(2) (not well tested)

no Varget data?

no Varget data?

No, I found Varget too slow for the 308 Saiga. Too much gas port pressure or downloaded, not enough velocity.

Interesting. What were the signs of to much gas port pressure?

Allesennogwat, great data above. Many thanks for it. I'm heading out to the reload center right now.

Now, what length barrel were you loading for? I've got one of both tho am thinking I'll be loading for shortie to begin with.

Will start w/ Remington bulk 147-grain FMJ, but am eager to try some 125-grain softies as soon as practicable, and, of course, 110-grain FMJ.

I tend to avoid using pills on the heavy side of the ledger in auto-loaders and some bolties (viz. milsurps); just a personal preference.

It's stunning what common reloading components are being offered for these days by the old mainline distributors! Pity the young-uns coming up during the current era. I really mean it.

Hi ho, hi ho, it's to the reloading bench I go ... follow the bouncing ball.

I have both barrel lengths too. The longer one of my two is more accurate than the shorter one but I'm not saying the shorter barrel can't be just as accurate. The two I have just happen to compare that way.

Interesting. What were the signs of to much gas port pressure?

In autoloader first it's slamming the bolt to the rear. Second is hard extraction and last is case head separation.