Range Report 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

[dntfxr]

I made it to the range today and found some loads that my rifle likes. This is from a factory .308 LTR with an extended box magazine that allows for the longer oal rounds to feed. I tested from 45g - 48g in half grain increments. The 46 and 48 it really seems to like. 45-46.5 were all nice groups but 47,47.5 opened up to about .8",most was horizontal which I think was from the wind. The 48g load is a MAX load in this gun at this OAL, and the 46g seemed a more OCW. I'll test more around these charge weights to see what I come up with. These are 3 shot groups @100 yards.

I lost 1 round capacity with the magazine, but it was well worth it to me to reach the lands!

dntfxr

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

BTW, I'm not recommending these charge weights by any means, only posting MY experience in MY rifle. These are WAY over published max loads, so don't try this at home, etc, etc...

dntfxr

 

[Joe-n-TX]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dntfxr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">BTW, I'm not recommending these charge weights by any means, only posting MY experience in MY rifle. These are WAY over published max loads, so don't try this at home, etc, etc...

dntfxr </div></div>

@ 48gn I was thinking that myself.

 

[el gordo2]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

Wow, 48 grs of Varget must nearly fill the 308 case up. Are you chronographing them?

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

48g makes a pretty full case but at 2.968oal in once fired brass from the generous factory chamber its not as compressed as you'd think. I'm gonna try Win brass to see if it will ease pressure just a little more and still shoot. The 47 and 47.5 loads were scattered at about .75" so it is probably a fairly narrow accuracy node and I dare not go any higher. But if the Win brass helps and it still shoots, I think I can find a use for the 48g load. 46g will probably be what works out better though, and not be so hard on brass. I haven't had a chance to chrono them yet but I'm thinking 48g is between 2730-2770 from my 20" tube. I'll roll some more and chrono them in the next few days and get an idea of SD,ES.

As a side note, the 48g load did show some pressure signs but no case head expansion or loose primers and such. Still its borderline and I won't shoot it on a warm day, just too close for comfort.

dntfxr

 

[Quicky06]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

I shoot 46 grains with no problems. Going to wait for a hot summer day to work it up any higher. I prefer hornady brass compared to Remington I know in has more case capacity and everything I've read says It has the most. Out of any brass.

I figured the more capacty the less pressure. But that's my two cents.

Also I Would be happy with any of those goups the large one with the flyer maybe shooter error. That's why I shoot 5 shots for group comparision

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

Yeah,I think the 46g node will allow for more forgiveness and cover a broader range of powder charges, like maybe 45.7- 46.6, whereas the 48g is the limit and 47.5 didn't shoot nearly as good. The flyer very well may have been on me, especially with a 10 power scope. It was only initial workup so I only loaded three each but I plan on shooting 5 shot groups when I go back. But like you said the Win brass has slightly more capacity plus its a little harder so it just may work out, or it may reduce pressures enough that it shoots like the 47.5g. I'll update.
dntfxr

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

I made it to the range this weekend. I had 5 rounds each of 46.0,46.3,46.6,48.0- the last was in Win brass. Conditions weren't great, wind was gusty around 20mph. The lower charges did nothing special, but again the 48g load is lights out. I'll blame the flyer on the wind. I think my chrono missed one shot, but the average of 4 came to 2740 with no over pressure signs <span style="font-weight: bold">IN MY GUN</span>. Again, this is a warm load so I'm not recommending it to anyone, it just happens to be what my rifle prefers. I'll load a few to see how they do at 600 next week.
dntfxr

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

Just ran the numbers and it should be around 36moa to 1000. I'll shoot some more to see what my ES/SD numbers are.

 

[Quicky06]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

What's your barrel length? I'm getting 2740 with 46 gn of varget at 168's put of a 26" factory gun with a fte.

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

It's a factory LTR, 20" tube. I don't know what OAL you had your FTE, but at 2.968" I have around 3 grains more powder capacity than at 2.8 which has alot to do with lower pressure. It's still a stout load, I figure around 65000 psi. I definitely would NOT try this load in your rifle though.
Dntfxr

 

[vman]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

dntfxr whats this extended box mag you are talking about?

 

[Chickeneye]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">dntfxr whats this extended box mag you are talking about? </div></div>
i was wondering the same thing

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

It is a center feed box magazine that replaces the factory box and follower and allows longer rounds to feed. It is extended front to back, not top to bottom. The bottom of the receiver has to be milled out slightly and the bolt stop shortened for it to fit. It then allows you to feed rounds with the bullets seated out closer to the lands on long throated chambers such as a factory 700. My pard had this box in stock and I assume it is a Wyatts, but I'm not positive. I originally wanted to set my bbl back and rechamber but he recommended this and I couldn't be more pleased.
dntfxr

 

[dntfxr]

Re: 168 Amax @ 2.968 OAL, touching the lands...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dntfxr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It's a factory LTR, 20" tube. I don't know what OAL you had your <span style="font-weight: bold">FTE</span>, but at 2.968" I have around 3 grains more powder capacity than at 2.8 which has alot to do with lower pressure. It's still a stout load, I figure around 65000 psi. I definitely would NOT try this load in your rifle though.
Dntfxr </div></div>

Oops, I misunderstood your "fte". I'm thinking "failure to eject" from overpressure, but you probably meant a muzzle break. Sorry for any confusion.
dntfxr