I'm using 168 grain Smk with 42.5 grains of benchmark with a cci primer and Remington nickel casings. I have been trying alot of other loads lately and Was just curious what everyone else uses? I'm very new to long range shooting.
What is everyone using for a .308 load?
- Thread starter hillbillydelux
- Start date
what are the specs on your gun (barrel length and twist) and what distances are you planning on shooting with it?
I am currently shooting 178g Amax, 44.4g Varget, Federal cases, Fed 210M primers = 2720fps consistently below 3/4 MOA out of a FN SPR 24" 1:12 twist.
I am currently shooting 178g Amax, 44.4g Varget, Federal cases, Fed 210M primers = 2720fps consistently below 3/4 MOA out of a FN SPR 24" 1:12 twist.
Both of these are Max loads in my rifle.
175 SMK, Win brass trimmed to 2.15, Wolf large rifle primers, 45 grains of Varget, loaded to 2.81". 2,669 fps out of 20"
178 Amax, LC brass trimmed to 2.15, Wolf large rifle primers, 45 grains of Varget, loaded to 2.83". 2,713 fps out of 20"
Both of these loads have single digit SD and are in the upper node for my barrel. For some reason, my rifle likes the hotter loads.
175 SMK, Win brass trimmed to 2.15, Wolf large rifle primers, 45 grains of Varget, loaded to 2.81". 2,669 fps out of 20"
178 Amax, LC brass trimmed to 2.15, Wolf large rifle primers, 45 grains of Varget, loaded to 2.83". 2,713 fps out of 20"
Both of these loads have single digit SD and are in the upper node for my barrel. For some reason, my rifle likes the hotter loads.
I am running the 178 AMAX. Got so much different brass that I run anywhere from 43 to 44.5 gr of Varget. Hit 2650 and it does it out of my guns. Shoot it out of my bolt guns and my GAP 10.
Tons of .308 info. There is a thread here in the reloading depot with pages of loads. Mine is as follows:
LC LR brass
44.4gr Varget
175 SMK
FED 210M
Shoots great out of my OBR.
LC LR brass
44.4gr Varget
175 SMK
FED 210M
Shoots great out of my OBR.
Bear my rifle is a savage 10fcp-sr 24 inch barrel with 1:10 twist rate the range I shoot at only goes out to 570 yards but I would like to go further when I get the chance. thanks for the info guys it's great to hear what everyone is doing out there!
Your 168 SMK's will work just fine for you at 600-800 and under but if you want to shoot further than that on a regular basis you should get some 175 SMK's, 178amax, 178 BTHP, or one of the berger or sierra 155g bullets
I also have a Savage 10 FCP-SR. A recent load development is 42.5gr of IMR 4064, 2.815 OAL, FGMM primers, Lapua neck sized brass. Shoots like a dream. Also, 43.3gr of 4064 with the Hornady 168gr A-MAX is excellent. 2.808oal. Definitely work up to these loads!
I am a huge, HUGE fan of the lapua 155 Scenars for my savage rifles. Its not the very best 100yd group load, but its a great 600-1k load if launched at 2850+
I'm not Loading mine as hot as some, only 45.1gr varget and 2.820oal, clocked at 2877 from my magneto speed crony out of my savage HS precision. But beyond 200 its a killer projectile, and I've gotten better scores with it than i ever have from the proverbial 175sk at both 600 and 1k round matches.
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I'm not Loading mine as hot as some, only 45.1gr varget and 2.820oal, clocked at 2877 from my magneto speed crony out of my savage HS precision. But beyond 200 its a killer projectile, and I've gotten better scores with it than i ever have from the proverbial 175sk at both 600 and 1k round matches.
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Took all your advice and worked up some loads this was my first 4 shot group the shot that is to the side was my cold bore at 100 yards. shot
175 SMK, CCI BR2,43.5 Varget, LC match brass. gives about 2650 out of my TRG22, and 2666 out of my DPMS LR308. I don't want to have two different loads, and this one gave the best combinations of velocity, and accuracy out of both rifles. Sub MOA in the TRG, and MOA, often a wee bit less out of the LR308.
"Was just curious what everyone else uses?"
Now, me, I just don't know what everyone else uses. But if you want something that will work for you will take personal experimentation with your own rig. Wanting someone to tell you what might work better for you and your rig is about as helpful as asking other guys what's their best "pick-up" line for brown-eyed 112 lb. redheads with tripple A breasts and flat feet.
Now, me, I just don't know what everyone else uses. But if you want something that will work for you will take personal experimentation with your own rig. Wanting someone to tell you what might work better for you and your rig is about as helpful as asking other guys what's their best "pick-up" line for brown-eyed 112 lb. redheads with tripple A breasts and flat feet.
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168AMAXs, lapua brass, CCIBR primers, 47grs CFE223 or 2000MR. 42grs RE15 worked very well at 300yds, too.(.374moa for 5 shots.)
The only reason I ask is because there is alot of different combos and if alot of people are using 175 Smk and varget (just an example) that is probably tried and true. It is all info I can use as a starting point. And it has helped so far. Everyone here is very helpful!
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Have a variety of loads all molly coated
43.5gr of Varget in LC90 brass with a 155gr SMK (200/300yd line load)
43.5gr of Varget in LC90 brass with a 175gr SMK (600yd line load)
45.5gr of Varget in LC90 brass iwth a 175gr SMK (old Palma load)
47.5gr of Varget in LC LR brass with 155gr SMK (600yd line and Fullbore load)
45.5gr of Varget in Lapua brass (45 gr in LC LR) 185gr LRBT (palma Load)
43.5gr of Varget in LC90 brass with a 155gr SMK (200/300yd line load)
43.5gr of Varget in LC90 brass with a 175gr SMK (600yd line load)
45.5gr of Varget in LC90 brass iwth a 175gr SMK (old Palma load)
47.5gr of Varget in LC LR brass with 155gr SMK (600yd line and Fullbore load)
45.5gr of Varget in Lapua brass (45 gr in LC LR) 185gr LRBT (palma Load)
"The only reason I ask is because there is alot of different combos and if alot of people are using 175 Smk and varget (just an example) that is probably tried and true. It is all info I can use as a starting point. And it has helped so far. Everyone here is very helpful!"
I am being helpful. The point is, you can get a lot of answers that are comforting but really aren't helpful at all. You know your chosen bullet and powder and that's as close as anyone can honestly say, if that much. Everyone who gives you an answer is speaking for his own rig and theirs ain't yours and rifles are at least as variable as women.
Experiment.
I am being helpful. The point is, you can get a lot of answers that are comforting but really aren't helpful at all. You know your chosen bullet and powder and that's as close as anyone can honestly say, if that much. Everyone who gives you an answer is speaking for his own rig and theirs ain't yours and rifles are at least as variable as women.
Experiment.
175 HPBT Match Sierra bullet
Winchester brass
45gr. Varget
CCI BR2
Seated to 2.215 measured with a Hornady comp from Ogive
Gun is a custom trued 700 with a Pac-Nor barrel 1:10 twist.
"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"
Winchester brass
45gr. Varget
CCI BR2
Seated to 2.215 measured with a Hornady comp from Ogive
Gun is a custom trued 700 with a Pac-Nor barrel 1:10 twist.
"ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ"
I use the exact load with Lapua brass. It's a hammer in both my Gradous truck gun and my GAP-10. A lot of people dig the 44.4gr Varget pushing the 175 SMKs.
I'm at 44.7 Varget, behind a 168. Try my "pet load" 37.3 Viht 135' behind a 168. Shoots "one hole", in my 5R. I know it's "slow", but it works. Just me.
43.5gr Varget, CCI 200 primer, Lapua brass, Berger 175 OTM seated 2.810 in a 24" 11.25 Kreiger barrel. (4 groove) Shoots 2720 fps and 9.3 mil to 1000 yards in 80* temps at TVP. Is stable out to a mile (5 hits last summer) at 28mil give or take depending on the conditions.
I just worked up a plinking load over the weekend.
175gr SMK
RP brass (had it laying around)
44.0 gr Varget
2.800" COAL
Winchester LRP
When my Bergers finally get here I'll us good brass & primers, and play with seating depth.
175gr SMK
RP brass (had it laying around)
44.0 gr Varget
2.800" COAL
Winchester LRP
When my Bergers finally get here I'll us good brass & primers, and play with seating depth.
My go to load for my 700 VS is a 168 SMK over 44.6 gr. of AA 2520, FGMM case, and CCI LR primers.
At 100 yrd. you can barely tell that there is more than one bullet hole for a five shot group. Best 200 yrd. group miked at 0.565". Best 300 yard group is under 7/8". All five shot groups.
At 100 yrd. you can barely tell that there is more than one bullet hole for a five shot group. Best 200 yrd. group miked at 0.565". Best 300 yard group is under 7/8". All five shot groups.
168 grain A-Max with 45.0 grains of Varget. Any brass / any primer. Easy on the bass, easy on the barrel, easy on the shoulder, very consistent.
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Rem AAC-SD 20" bbl 1:10 twist
175SMK
Hornady brass, trimmed to 2.005"
44.7gr Varget
Fed 210M
COL 2.84"
AVG 2565FPS
SD 9
175SMK
Hornady brass, trimmed to 2.005"
44.7gr Varget
Fed 210M
COL 2.84"
AVG 2565FPS
SD 9
If not suggested yet, try these. Out of my Custom M- 40s I build, I load Sierra 168gr. MatchKing HPBT. with 42grs. of IMR. 4064. Vel= 2,550fps. You will need to figure out your optimal OAL. For more Extreme Distances and better for bucking wind, my load is: Sierra 175gr. MatchKing HPBT on top of 42.2grs. of IMR 4064. Vel=2,500fps. Also try: 175gr. MatchKing charged with 44.2 grains of Winchester-Olin's WC 750. It is very similar to what the M118 LR. was. Hope this info helps you out... Aim Small Miss Small..
My old pet load is 42.5gr H4895 in Remington BR basic brass, CCI BR primers (this brass uses small primers), and 168gr Nosler Match bullets. The bullet was seated to the lands and grooves then an extra turn on the seating die. It will not work out of the magazine due to OAL.
The target on the right is pretty representative with a called flyer.
That was out of a stock 700 BDL VS, bedded and floated, and an old 6.5x20 Target Leupold scope.
Work up to this load as it will not fit in military brass.
The target on the right is pretty representative with a called flyer.
That was out of a stock 700 BDL VS, bedded and floated, and an old 6.5x20 Target Leupold scope.
Work up to this load as it will not fit in military brass.
I use BL(C)2. Old school but it meters very well. 43grs with 175 SMK. Velocity 2500. Works for me because the max distance at my range is 450yds.
Started using Norma brass with imr4895 41.3 grains and this was my first group at 570 yards today. 
