First time reloading and first time posting to a forum. Take it easy on me.

I've decided to handload some long range hunting 308 rounds for my Bergara Wilderness Ridge. My goal for this ammo is to achieve half MOA, to reach out and hit targets at 1000yds, and to be lethal out to around 600yds although I will probably never shoot at an animal that far. The specs for my setup are a 20" 1-10 twist barrel with a Sandman S mounted up and an internal magazine that restricts my possible OAL. Before I begin with my reloading process, I'd like to say that all the testing is done prone at 100yds with sandbags and a bipod also allowing the barrel adequate time to cool between shots. I make sure that everything on my rifle is torqued to spec prior to testing and my rifle is capable of regular half MOA with quality match factory ammo. So with some of the usual suspects out of the way, let's begin.

Components:
Federal Gold Medal 210M Primers
Lapua Brass
Varget
Hornady ELD-X 178gr

P.S. I have already loaded and shot the first firing of the brass but do to my lack of confidence is the testing procedures I used I decided to trash all of the data I gathered from the first firing.

My reloading process is as follows:
Deprime using universal depriming die
Clean out primer pockets on Frankford Arsenal Work Station
Use super fine steel wool to remove carbon on case necks
Brush out case necks with bronze bore brush
Tumble 2-3 hours in corn cob media
Clean out Redding Type S FL Bushing (.336) die and lube cases with Hornady one shot
Bump shoulders back .002" (All dimensions of sized brass was around +-.001")
Retumble 1 hour
Trim to 2.005" on Frankford Arsenal Work Station
Chamfer and Deburr
Swab out Case mouth
Prime cases to the stop (not necessarily crushing) using a Frankford Arsenal hand primer
Throw powder in RCBS Chargemaster
Seat bullets with Redding Competition seating die

My results so far in my second firing are less than ideal.
I performed a Modified OCW Ladder Test that consisted of loading in .3 grain increments 3 rounds a piece from 41-43.7 grains. Shooting over a chronograph (Caldwell G2) as well as round robin style for groups allowing 2 minutes between shots. The groups I have shot are a train wreck and seem to have no pattern or meaning to me. All groupings from this reloading project have been atrocious ranging from 1"-4". The velocity however pointed to a node at 41.9-42.2 (2450 FPS) and another at 42.5-42.8 (2500 FPS). I stopped at 43.7 grains because in my past testing I had some consecutive hard bolt lifts although I have not experienced that at all since so I loaded another ladder from 41-44.3 grains and again the nodes were the same and I also seemed to have no pressure signs. So next, I chose the lower node and loaded 6 groups of 3 at 42 grains and loaded CBTO of 2.152"-2.122" in .006" increments. The resulting groups were not ideal ranging between 1.4"-2.6" and the velocities ranged from 2451-2528 FPS. I have struggled with this chrono more than anything and getting random velocities as well as missing shots completely although it is always 15 feet away from the muzzle and in the most optimal light I can use. One day I can get 2450 with a particular load and the next day I come out with seemingly identical conditions and I will get +-100 FPS with the same load.

So here are my questions
Is it normal in a bad load to give you velocities that vary so drastically day to day?
Is there a problem in my reloading process causing these poor results?
Is it just that I chose a bad bullet? If so give recommendations for a good long range hunting match grade bullet please.

Sorry for writing a book.. Anything helps, Thanks.

I have finally gathered all of the parts for a new hunting rifle. Thanks to SH as all of these parts were purchased from Hide Members or SH Commercial Sale Suppliers.

Defiance Anti-X - 7PRC
Proof CF 24" 1:8
Manners
MCS-LRH Elite Hunter Micro Chassis in Everglades
Hawkins Bottom Metal and Magazine
Nightforce NX8 4-32x50 F1
American Precision Arms .90 Tru-Loc Rings
Flatline Ops Halo-X Scope Level
Triggertech Diamond Model 700 Single Stage
Thunderbeast Ultra 7

Building my first 6 dasher. I’ve been off the loading bench for 4 years and I’m out of the loop.
Does anyone have any bushing size recommendations.
My plan is to use Peterson Brass, (Lapua is not out of the question either though) and since I have 1000 108 Berger hybrid target lying around, and at least that many 108 ELDMs I wonder if anyone has a good starting point or range so I get get loading and shooting a bit quicker.
Using a Proof 6Dasher Stainless Prefit
Peterson or Lapua Brass
108 Berger or 108 ELDMs.
Any advice as to a good starting point and decent loads would be greatly appreciated.
I’m impatient obviously and I’m trying to get some stuff ordered before action and barrel arrive.
Thanks in advance!
Layne Z.

bucks. Firm. Thanks.

For sale or trade Leupold Mark 5HD 5-25x56 asking $1,800 with Leupold rings and factory box. In mint condition. Looking for upper end after market 700 short action stocks , other scopes but in MOA and 34mm 1 peice scope base

GA-Precision GAP-10 in .308 Caliber up for sale. This has been a Safe Queen and has had only 120 rounds Total shot down the pipe and properly cleaned per the barrel break in procedure. Comes Loaded with all of the Upgrades from GAP including Geissele HS National Match Trigger, Threaded Barrel 5/8x24 TPI, AAC 51T BrakeOut Suppressor Brake, Noveske SwitchBlock that works Awesome for use with a Suppressor, MagPul PRS Stock, Etc. I am also including a BT Accu-Shot MonoPod, Harris SBR Bipod with Pod Lok, and a Geissele SR25 Super Precision Scope Mount in 34mm.

This Rifle is a Laser and Very Accurate like all of the early GAP-10 Rifles, plus this one has the Tightest Receiver Lock-Up I have ever seen with Absolutely no play or wobble between the receivers which helps aid with Ultimate Accuracy.

Will come shipped in a Hard Shell Case with 2 P-Mags. You will not find a nicer or cleaner GAP-10 anywhere. Like New.....

Only $OLD Shipped & Insured.

Sold to djarecke

Just curious if anybody has heard the suppression of a 338 ultra vs a raptor 10 with 5inch reflex on say a 6 creedmoor, raptor 10 sounds very quiet on videos I've watched. I have a 338 ultra

Looking for a little load data.

I have a 6.5 creedmoor with 24inch barrel.

Staball 6.5 powder

I have 123gr and 130gr bullets.

I’m looking for a new Noveske chainsaw or gen4 stripped upper. If anyone has one or any leads on one let me know . Thanks

Used for the last 2 years in comps. Comes with the honey comb weights one is missing but I think it’s under my bench. Also has the L3 anshultz brass weight. Comes with APA RTG DBM

FOUNDATION MG2 RH SA
Impact inlet
$old
PayPal friends family or add the 3%

I have for sale a new AI AXSR .308 bolt body, new and unfired. Also have a 20 in .308 factory AI barrel, black, unfired, comes with A419 thread tenon protector and thread protector. 5/8x24.

Asking 1500 OBO for both but willing to split if need be.

New to posting here, have tons of feedback on Tacswap and ARFCOM under same username, feel free to message me to verify.

28 inch
Cut by Ts customs
Impact
5/8 x 24
Alpha reamer
.180 freebore
Mtu + contour
Ts lighting paint job.
Brand new.
shipped

Super lightweight (one of the lightest ever made @ 1.14 ounces!) grip for AR-15 or XLR Chassis guns (and other chassis that use AR style grips). I have two of these. Includes bolt and washer. $100 each
https://xlrindustries.com/products/carbon-grip

Any hype here about this cartridge? Will be interesting to see if any other companies adopt it.

Thanks for the Welcome. I'm in Katy TX.

Building my first Remington 700 300 wsm and was looking for advice and best materials. This led me to the Sniper's Hide. Setting up a gun up for a first trip to South Africa in July 2025!

So far for this build
AG composites Chaulk Branch stock
Trigger Tech Special single action trigger
Zermatt TI3 short action
Proof pre-fit barrel 24"
Hawkins Hunter DBM and flush mag
Jury is still out on a scope and rings but leaning towards another Mark 5HD 3.6-18x44

Open to any recommendations from the professional degens.

Firmly believe life is too short to shoot ugly guns.

I have a like new, needs a battery MDT Crush It Timer. $230 shipped and also will throw a pressure switch in.

Just as the titled states.
Used a few times then switched out of bra.
60 bucks shipped.

Less than 1000 rounds through the barrel. This is an 18” Ace Kurkri profile with fluting done by Area 419 when barreled action was purchased. 125$ shipped. Prefer Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal F&f.

McMillan HTG M40A1 stock, M40/M24 barrel channel, 3lbs 4 oz, molded in forest camo, stock has been inlet cut for M5 bottom metal, currently Hawkins bottom metal in it. Will come with bottom metal. $850.00 shipped.

I'm seeing that the face of the Tikka action has a little bevel or chamfer around the circumference. Because of that, you can't spin on a 1.200" barrel without a little trench forming there at the junction. I'm seeing that some people have their receiver faces turned down to eliminate that bevel. My questions are 1. To get it completely flat, do any of the threads start getting removed when facing that receiver? 2. For those of you that have had theirs faced, what are the max barrel outside diameters that you can run now?

Used beggars B-14 HMR. Has 180 rounds through the barrel. $900 shipped to your ffl. I’m in Cheyenne Wyoming so if you’re within driving distance we can work something out. I also have some lapua brass. 40 rounds once fired 60 virgin I can through in for another $50

I have a new never fired 6 Dasher Prefit for an Impact 737R for sale. Cut by SFS Customs.

Bartlein Barrel, MTU Steel, 150 FB, 7.5T, 28”, with 5/8x24 muzzle thread.

Asking $575 shipped OBO. PP F&F or you pay the fee’s

I’m looking at a Steiner T432 prism red dot 4X36MM. Does anyone have any experience with one or with Steiner In general. I haven’t seen many reviews out there for them. I’m curious what others think before I purchase. Link below to optic im referring to.



https://palmettostatearmory.com/steiner-t432-ar-rapid-red-dot-sight-w-5-56-reticle-8797-556.html

Krieger Blank 6mm
HV contour
.236
5R
29”

$300 shipped CONUS

Remington 700 in 308, in HS Precision PST012 stock inlet for M5 bottom metal. Includes Badger M5 DBM and 1 Magpul mag. UPDATE - Just the BA for sale

Now, for the “M24” part. The action is a G series, with factory 8-40 scope base holes, bolt is Sandstrom Gray coated and last 4 are stamped on the bolt handle. Factory Remington M24 barrel stamped “308 WIN” with Remington proof marks. Has some finish wear. Only weird thing about the rifle is it had old school rifle sights installed by Remington. Don’t ask my why. The upside is the front screw holes are the correct position and spacing for a redfield front sight base (I have a .225 one if needed). Downside is the rear scope holes on the barrel just sit there. Cover them with a MIRS or MARS and no one will be the wiser.

$700 shipped for the Barreled Action.

SOLD