Quote Originally Posted by Bindi2 View Post
I cracked the three front lugs on a range rifle that was built and proofed for 144gn NATO. There was no deformation to the cases. The load was showing no pressure signs on the cases or primers. I was using 175gn projectiles in a load the Data sheets showed was not near max. The rifle was not made to use that load. The L42a1 was not designed or built for 308 loads The 144gn NATO is in the upper ends of its safety. 168gn are over the top 175gn is well over the top. I have a L42a1 I reload and use a load similar in pressure to lower than the 144gn NATO to preserve a collectable rifle.
The 7.62*51 & 308 Winchester have the same maximum pressure - 60 191 psi (CIP) / 62 000 psi (SAAMI). I looked at the Never Exceed Pressures for various powders and bullets from 140gn to 175gn and none exceeded the SAAMI pressure (let alone for starting pressures). The L42A1 was proofed for 308W as it is the same as 7.62*51. Whatever killed your range rifle was probably not down to a simple load to specs.