Speer 180gr #2053 load data (.308)

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rush709

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So I've got a moose hunt coming up, and I'm set on shooting it with a hand rolled bullet. I've got some Sierra 180g SBT ordered, but in case they dont arrive on time (I think it's gonna be cutting it close), I've sourced some Speer 180gr HCSP #2053 bullets locally. I've got load data for the Sierra from here: http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf

But I dont have anything in print for the Speer bullets. Cant find anything for that specific bullet on the Speer website, only this: http://www.speer-bullets.com/pdf/308Win_180gr_2043_DC_DataFile.pdf

Not my bullet and it doesnt list H380, which is what I was planning on using. I've got the Lee manual, but that doesnt list specific brands, only bullets by weight. Will going by the Lee load data for generic 180gr bullets be fine?

The hunt is going to be in a fairly heavily wooded area, I dont think I'll be shooting more than 200 yards, tops. Moose vitals are pretty large, so i'm not too concerned with dialing down to same hole accuracy in my limited time frame (I'm away from home until three days before the hunt, i'll probably just make up two or three loads, test fire a group with each prior to the hunt, and pick whichever gives me the best result to shoot the moose with)

It'd be greatly appreciated if anyone who has a manual that lists that specific Speer bullet could post a pic of the page with the load data. Otherwise, I guess I'll go with the Lee manual generic 180gr load data, starting somewhere in the middle of min and max loads.
 
Oh, and I just noticed something... I was looking at a PDF of the first edition of Lee when I was looking up charges. I opened my physical copy of the 2ed edition and to my surprise, no H380 listed for .308. If its in the first version I would think it would be safe to use, right?
 
Called Cabela's, my order still wasnt shipped out, so I paid the extra for express shipping and now I'm pretty confident I'll have the Sierras on time, so the Speer question is a bit of a moot point now...

And I did manage to find a PDF of the Speer manual online after. I'm glad the Sierras will be arriving in time though. The Speer manual has a pretty small load window (44.0-48.0gr, with 48 being a compressed load and it suggesting magnum primers for H380... Being new to this I'd rather not be messing with compressed loads, and now I can use the primers I have on hand). The Sierra's have a window of 38.7-47.2gr and doesnt list any as compressed.
 
Either way it sounds like you are set. I would just use 'generic' 180 grain data of you have to, carefully. I don't feel the need to push pressure limits. It may be late, but I wouldn't rule out a 165 grain bullet, gaining a few FPS.

I recently went on an elk hunt, used a 300WSM. I realize the rage is the 180 grain 'premium' bullets. I looked into a few, but settled with a 165 grain Gameking. One shot to the neck and my hunt was over. The 165 GameKings shot great, loaded to a mid level, nothing crazy. I was ready for the 200 yard shot, the actual distance was about 30 yards.

Good luck on the moose hunt. Should you get twisted up over ammo, just buy some 180 grain loads at the store. I know, no what a reloader would want to do, just as backup.
 
Originally Posted By: muskrat30 Either way it sounds like you are set. I would just use 'generic' 180 grain data of you have to, carefully. I don't feel the need to push pressure limits. It may be late, but I wouldn't rule out a 165 grain bullet, gaining a few FPS.

I recently went on an elk hunt, used a 300WSM. I realize the rage is the 180 grain 'premium' bullets. I looked into a few, but settled with a 165 grain Gameking. One shot to the neck and my hunt was over. The 165 GameKings shot great, loaded to a mid level, nothing crazy. I was ready for the 200 yard shot, the actual distance was about 30 yards.

Good luck on the moose hunt. Should you get twisted up over ammo, just buy some 180 grain loads at the store. I know, no what a reloader would want to do, just as backup.

Yea, I think I'll manage now, regardless of which bullet I go with. Paying the extra $20 for express shipping will be worth it for my peace of mind having a larger charge spread to do a few charges with I think. If I went out and bought the Speer bullets, while I would imagine I'd eventually make use of them, that would have been an extra ~$50 that I spent on something I had coming in the mail anyway.

I wouldnt have ruled out a smaller grain sized bullet, but for some arbitrary reason I decided on the 180gr. Where I'm hunting is heavily wooded, I'm not expecting any long range shots, and most likely will take the head or neck shot like I usually do.

I've got some Federal factory ammo as backup. I've used a good bit of that over the years, so I wasnt worrying about not being able to take a moose if it came to that, it's just with this newfound reloading hobby, I'm looking forward to taking my first animal with a hand loaded bullet. Congrats on the elk btw.
 
Yes, the 180 grain bullets would be the more conventional choice for moose. I'm not sure if I come out much ahead as a Handloader, but I do like to tailor my loads.

As an example, the buddy was getting his 300 Win mag ready for the elk hunt. All he had was off the shelf mag 180 grain loads. He complained about recoil. With my 300 short mag I 1st started with oddball 150 grain bullets I had and light loads with H-4895, pussycat loads. Once I got the scope close I transitioned to my hunting loads, which were still a bit below max. The recoil was there, but nothing the average 30-06 user can't handle.

Then one can pick from the plethora of bullets offered. To bad you had to pay for expedited shipping, but likely still a small portion of the moose hunt expense. Keep an eye out for a wolf too.
 
Originally Posted By: muskrat30 Yes, the 180 grain bullets would be the more conventional choice for moose. I'm not sure if I come out much ahead as a Handloader, but I do like to tailor my loads.

To bad you had to pay for expedited shipping, but likely still a small portion of the moose hunt expense. Keep an eye out for a wolf too.

Yea, I'm not sure handload vs factory is going to put me any further ahead for this hunt. Hit within a dinner plate sized area of the moose and down it goes. Not a hard feat to accomplish with factory ammo, and that's all I've ever used up to this point anyway...

The expedited shipping is gonna be a drop in the bucket compared to the rest of the expense, so it's not a big deal. New freezer I ordered yesterday, gas to drive across the province to get to the hunting zone and back, hotel for the first night (it'll be late time we get to the area, so the plan was hotel first night so we don't have to setup camp in the dark), and my father is flying down to join me which isn't cheap. Looking forward to it all the same, and I am happy to pay what it costs to go hunting...

There arnt many wolves in Newfoundland anymore, they were hunted to extinction quite a while ago (Newfoundland is an island). An occasional one does come across the ice. I used to hunt them when I lived further north on the mainland though. My license is for in a national park this year, and moose is all ill be able to hunt, hunting is closed for everything else there (moose was only opened in recent years in the park due to over population and they destroy a lot of trees).
 
Originally Posted By: sandy hicksSpeer is not real popular right now but they make good stuff. I have used a bunch of hot cors with excellent results.

I may try the Speer ones eventually. Seeing as I can get them locally. It's probably not that big a deal, but I liked the look of the Sierra load data better haha (There was a larger range of powder charges for me to play with and none of them were compressed loads).

What a hassle i've had with Cabela's the last couple days, though it's all worked out now. They told me they'd upgrade the shipping to express on my order, though someone in the warehouse made the mistake of assuming they were dangerous goods (they're not, just lead and copper, nothing that cant be shipped via air). They were trying to intercept the package and change the shipping method, but that turned out to not be possible. After a bunch of time on hold they got back to me and said they'd ship me out a free box of the Sierras and I pay the shipping. That sounded ok, I went to go get my credit card and time I got back on the phone the customer service person told me their supervisor just got back to them and said they could comp the bullets and express shipping. I was planning on paying express shipping on the original order anyway, now I dont have to pay that cus it went out standard, plus there's a free box on the way with free express shipping. Score!
 


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