While doing a bunch of research regarding reloading for an AR platform in 308, I came across several references to specific primers for use in AR's due to the floating firing pin and the potential for a slam fire. Any suggestions from the the forum?

Also, what about crimping? Totally necessary or not? These loads will be used specifically for hunting. Planning on starting with Sierra bullet wise.

Thanks!

I will watch this thread as I am heading down this road with this caliber in an AR-10 too. I am going to use CCI large rifle primers in mine. Read somewhere that the possibility of floating pin firing is reduced. I've had excellent luck with the CCI small rifle primers in my 6.8, .300BLK, and 5.56 reloads for my AR-15. I am a crimper and use LEE FCD's on all AR loads. Many good arguments for and against but I do it for peace of mind. I will be using the 165gr Sierra Game Kings for the .308. So much love for that bullet I don't need to see any reason to re-invent the wheel. Will be using Varget and would love to hear a good recipe for 165gr SGK's and Varget.

There is no need to crimp as long as you have .002 neck tension or greater.

CCI No 34 primers are a safer bet because they have a harder cup. But, match primers in a .308 AR platform are not an issue. I've run thousands of them with no problem in DPMS, Armalite, GAP-10, etc.

The real issue with slam fires occur in the M1A platform. An M1A will slam fire on match primers.

Thanks for the quick reponses.

NTRP-Are you referring to match primers in CCI or any brand of match? I am partial to Fed Match for some other loads and would probably continue if possible (if I can even find any).

Any other things I should be paying attention to? This is my first AR to reload for.

Fed 210M are actually some of the softest cupped primers there are, which makes them the most sensitive. I've shot a lot of them in AR-10 type platforms with no problem. I prefer CCI LR or BR2 primers because I get better consistency with them. The CCI No 34 are the hard cupped military primers, which are still large rifle primers.

Just found some 165grain BTSP Hornady bullets. Using Varget powder do any of you have a range narrower than 32.6-44.0 grains to use under this projectile? I suspect I can start off in the upper half of that range if my experience with Hornady's recommendations holds true. NOTE: 16" AR-10 with 1/11 twist.

I shoot the same twist in my TRG..I load 42.0 grains of RL 15 w/Fed 210 Primer 165 gr Nosler B/T Ballistic, 43.5 gr 4064 w/150gr Hornady Interlock/Interbond, 165 grain Sierra B/T 46.0 grains of Varget..1 hole groups..Hope this gives you a place to start..w/you loading an Automatic, I'd start up to the max slower
than w/a bolt..Don

thanks Don- your Varget load is right at the max for the chart that Hodgdon puts out. Hornady bullet chart shows max charge for Varget to be 44.0 (165gr BTSP) I load some up and see how it works out.

No issues with my ar-10 and primers slam firing. 4895 and rl-15 are great

No problems with slam fire using Winchester primers in AR10 and an M1A.

Slam fires are cured by shortening the length of your firing pin, might be out of spec, check it. If slams still continue, seat primers deeper in pocket! Always use #34 primers, somewhat harder cups.....