Author Topic: loading the 307 Winchester (Read 393 times)

Haywire Haywood · « **on:** August 30, 2004, 07:54:07 AM »

I am considering loading for the 307 Winchester. I see some manufacturers list their dies for the 307 and the 308 but I like Lee dies for their collet sizer and economy and they do not list their 308 dies as working for the 307. My questions are: If I get the right shell holder will the Lee 308 dies work for the 307? Also, Is the loading information for them interchangable? I understand that the 307 is just a rimmed 308 with no other changes.

good shooting,
Ian

ricciardelli · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2004, 11:54:02 AM »

Can't answer about the Lee dies...I use RCBS for 99.99% of my loading.

About loading data...

On the lower end of the scale you can use the same data for both cartridges, but once past the middle scale, they are not interchangable.

The bullets have to be seated deeper in the .307 than in the .308. And when you get to the upper end, they are two completely different animals.

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2004, 03:36:49 PM »

Thanks Steve, I did a little reading and Hornady backs you up. Externally they are almost identical but the 307 has thicker brass, reducing it's case capacity. It falls behind the 308 by 150fps with 150gr bullets according to the charts.

thanks,
Ian

edit: Typo correction.... Grrrrrrr

SLAVAGE · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2004, 05:30:15 PM »

what is the 307?

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2004, 10:45:19 PM »

The 307 is a rimmed version of the 308 that Winchester came out with in the early 80s to go in one of their lever action rifles. I am thinking of converting a 308 H&R Handi-Rifle to 307 since the general consensus is that they have less case sticking problems with rimmed cartridges.

Ian

warf73 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2004, 11:35:02 PM »

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/307win.php

307 WINCHESTER
CASE: WINCHESTER

BBL: 20"
PR: WINCHESTER LR

150 GR. HDY RN
COL: 2.520"

H4831 49.0 2349
H4350 48.0 2453
H414 49.0 2562
H380 48.0 2543
BL-C(2) 46.0 2593
H335 44.0 2590
H4895 42.0 2604
H322 41.0 2513

180 GR. HDY RN
COL: 2.730"

H4831 47.0 2289
H4350 47.0 2416
H414 46.0 2470
H380 45.0 2440
BL-C(2) 43.0 2474
H335 40.0 2417
H4895 39.0 2373

http://www.hodgdon.com/data/rifle/308win.php

308 WINCHESTER
CASE: WINCHESTER

BBL: 24"
PR: FEDERAL 210M

150 GR. NOS BT
COL: 2.800"

VARGET 47.0 C 2937 50,300 CUP
BL-C(2) 48.0 2839 50,000 CUP
H335 44.0 2787 51,200 CUP
H4895 45.5 2870 51,000 CUP
BENCHMARK 43.0 2752 49,000 CUP
H322 40.0 2702 50,500 CUP

168 GR. SIE HPBT
COL: 2.800"

VARGET 46.0 C 2731 50,600 CUP
BL-C(2) 47.0 2754 50,200 CUP
H335 42.0 2631 49,300 CUP
H4895 43.5 2703 49,500 CUP
BENCHMARK 42.0 2630 49,300 CUP

175 GR. SIE HPBT
COL: 2.800"

H414 49.0 2629 50,100 CUP
VARGET 45.0 C 2690 48,600 CUP
BL-C(2) 46.0 2706 50,300 CUP
H335 41.3 2592 50,100 CUP
H4895 42.7 2647 49,000 CUP
BENCHMARK 41.5 2590 50,800 CUP

All info was taken from Hodgon web site.

Warf

Haywire Haywood · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2004, 05:07:12 PM »

Yea, I was looking at the load charts, the 307 test barrel is always a 20 incher and in this case the 308 is sporting a 24 so that should bring them a little closer together velocity-wise.

Lee Shaver over at egunsmith.com said he could do the conversion for $30-$40 plus return shipping. I'm thinking I might do it.

Ian

warf73 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2004, 09:59:09 PM »

Sounds like a winner :grin:

Warf