Josh Kunz at Patriot Valley Arms (PVA) and I have been working on crazy project: a 308 that shoots with, or out-shoots, magnum cartridges shooting the best Berger bullets. Key to this is Josh's/Warner Tool's 198grain Flatline bullet: https://warner-tool.com/collections/flat-line-projectiles/products/30-caliber-198gr
The 308 rifle, built by PVA, is on a Big Horn long action, so it can feed the long 198gr from a magazine (we are using the Magpul 30-06 mag and its great). Barrel is a 8.7 twist Hawk Hill at roughly 30 inches. With Lapua small primer 308 brass and 47.0gr of 2000MR, it drives the 198gr comfortably at 2740 to 2770 fps (depending on temp). The resulting ballistics match/exceed a 300 Win Mag shooting 230gr Bergers, at least on paper.
Here is a picture of the rifle deployed:
Ranges from Vectronic PRLF10. This unit had no problems returning target ranges with repeated 'same range' returns.
Spotting: Leica 15x binos, with spotting by my good buddy Oliver, who is a Montana local and another good buddy, Matt, who traveled with me from Virginia.
Ballistic solutions by my Kestrel 5700 AB. 198gr BC we were using: 0.410 G7 (derived from drag data provided by Hornady, customized to my MV's). MV was solved for dynamically based on the temperature sensitivity of the powder.
We had some issues with the optic on the rifle, which we worked thru, but this was a challenge.
Results: overall very good, I believe meeting the objective of creating a 308 that can shoot ELR with the magnum cartridges shooting the best Berger bullets.
Over 100rds fired against targets 1200yds and well beyond, with nearly all hitting target on 1st or 2nd round, and repeatedly. No problem shooting consistent impacts. Wind of course is the biggest challenge but the bullet wants to hold its line and hits were possible in changing wind conditions. Vertical was not a problem with consistent results on the vertical plain, close to the solutions provided by the Kestrel AB. At 198gr and still carrying nearly 700ft-lbs at 2000yds, splash and impacts are relatively easy to see, a huge factor in ELR shooting.
The load starts to get 'tired' after 1900yds or so. Wind and come-up gets harder here as the bullet is reaching the 1100fps tran-sonic barrier. Hits are possible but not easy.
Longest hit was at 2070yd and it was the first round. The 2nd round fired at 2070yd target also hit. I was not able to hit the final target, at 2150ish yards with the three rounds I sent at it. My buddy Matt, with a 7 SAUM shooting 180gr Bergers did hit it, on his third round. The 308 was right with the 7SAUM thru out the day, so I don't view the 2150yd failure as a NO GO.
Conclusion: Josh and Warner Tool has successfully pushed the ballistic edge with their Flatlines. These bullets clearly result in huge increase in hit percentage, operational range, and consistency.
The 308 rifle, built by PVA, is on a Big Horn long action, so it can feed the long 198gr from a magazine (we are using the Magpul 30-06 mag and its great). Barrel is a 8.7 twist Hawk Hill at roughly 30 inches. With Lapua small primer 308 brass and 47.0gr of 2000MR, it drives the 198gr comfortably at 2740 to 2770 fps (depending on temp). The resulting ballistics match/exceed a 300 Win Mag shooting 230gr Bergers, at least on paper.
Here is a picture of the rifle deployed:
Ranges from Vectronic PRLF10. This unit had no problems returning target ranges with repeated 'same range' returns.
Spotting: Leica 15x binos, with spotting by my good buddy Oliver, who is a Montana local and another good buddy, Matt, who traveled with me from Virginia.
Ballistic solutions by my Kestrel 5700 AB. 198gr BC we were using: 0.410 G7 (derived from drag data provided by Hornady, customized to my MV's). MV was solved for dynamically based on the temperature sensitivity of the powder.
We had some issues with the optic on the rifle, which we worked thru, but this was a challenge.
Results: overall very good, I believe meeting the objective of creating a 308 that can shoot ELR with the magnum cartridges shooting the best Berger bullets.
Over 100rds fired against targets 1200yds and well beyond, with nearly all hitting target on 1st or 2nd round, and repeatedly. No problem shooting consistent impacts. Wind of course is the biggest challenge but the bullet wants to hold its line and hits were possible in changing wind conditions. Vertical was not a problem with consistent results on the vertical plain, close to the solutions provided by the Kestrel AB. At 198gr and still carrying nearly 700ft-lbs at 2000yds, splash and impacts are relatively easy to see, a huge factor in ELR shooting.
The load starts to get 'tired' after 1900yds or so. Wind and come-up gets harder here as the bullet is reaching the 1100fps tran-sonic barrier. Hits are possible but not easy.
Longest hit was at 2070yd and it was the first round. The 2nd round fired at 2070yd target also hit. I was not able to hit the final target, at 2150ish yards with the three rounds I sent at it. My buddy Matt, with a 7 SAUM shooting 180gr Bergers did hit it, on his third round. The 308 was right with the 7SAUM thru out the day, so I don't view the 2150yd failure as a NO GO.
Conclusion: Josh and Warner Tool has successfully pushed the ballistic edge with their Flatlines. These bullets clearly result in huge increase in hit percentage, operational range, and consistency.
