.308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

[Johncalloway]

I don't know if I should go with a lighter bullet because of the shorter barrel. I really only have experience with nosler BT in my 22-250, but I am going to be reloading for my savage 10fp. So I was just getting some info about where I should start. I think I will use the same powder as I use in my 22-250 (H380). Unless someone says that there is a much better powder that I should use for 308. Thanks.

This will be mostly for target shooting, but I would like to use a bullet that would be suitable for deer to just in case of a back up. I also want to use it for 1000 yards. This may be a lot to expect of a bullet, but I had to ask.

PS: I don't want to shoot deer at 1000yards.

 

[nodark]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

I used a 190gr Sierra MatchKing from my 19" and now from my 21". Very good results out to 1K. I hadn't tried H380 but have used both IMR4064 and RL15 with good results. The other bullet that I've shot with great results inside of 400yds is 165gr Nosler BT over IMR 4064.

 

[Fritzcat]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

I have been using 168SMK with 45.5gr Varget, and recently went to Nosler 168. Also used 46gr BL-C2 in 24" & 26" barrels. In 20" barrels the 168gr with 45.5 Varget went 2670 fps. with no pressure signs at all. I have mainly went varget for heard temp. sen. The BL-C2 shot good when thrown and I like best in .223. I am now trying REL7 in .223 because of availability and seems OK.

 

[USMCj]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

Use Lapua 155gr Scenars under 46.5gr Reloder 15, that should get you to 1K with your 20" barrel. It has a higher BC than 168SMK's and even better than 175SMK's.

 

[Johncalloway]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Use Lapua 155gr Scenars under 46.5gr Reloder 15, that should get you to 1K with your 20" barrel. It has a higher BC than 168SMK's and even better than 175SMK's. </div></div>

I think I will give this a try. What brass are you using? And primers?

 

[USMCj]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

Lapua brass, CCI BR2 primers.

 

[desertHK]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

I would suggest the 155 scenars. Great BC. Performs well with match accuracy and cappable of doing the job on light/medium skin game.

 

[Johncalloway]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

ok thanks.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

175gr. smk and don't look back.......

 

[USMCj]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

lumpy, 175SMKs aint got nothing on the Scenars. Its got a higher BC and it will run a lot faster than the SMKs.

 

[KHOOKS]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

You may also give the Hornady Amax bullets a look. The 178 grainers work great out of my LTR 20" w/ 1/12 twist out to 1000 yards. The Amax bullets are designed for hunting but they are very accurate also. They have them in 155/168/178/208 grains the choose is yours. I choose the 178gr bullet cause out of my 20" barrel the 168's where passing through the sub-transsonic zone, doone ok at 900 yards but went wild at 1000 yards. I also didn't want to shot the 155's fast and shorten the barrel life with the hotter load 155's would produce. The 155's take a little more powder also.

 

[AugeredIn]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Use Lapua 155gr Scenars under 46.5gr Reloder 15, that should get you to 1K with your 20" barrel. It has a higher BC than 168SMK's and even better than 175SMK's. </div></div>

Are you using a 1:10 twist with that load? I have had a hard time finding a good 155 scenar load in my 24" 1:10 twist. I have not spent much time trying though as I have focused on heavier bullets. I must also say, I have not given Reloader 15 the respect it deserves.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

USMCj, tell me more about Scenars would you.
My load out of a HateCa built SS Shilen select match .308 1/10 @ 26" is FGMM case f/l sized Br2 44.0 Varget w/175 smk on top. Sub. 1/2" MOA all day WHEN my old eyes do what they did 30 yrs ago.
Thanks for your time AND sevice.
Respectfully,
LG( Father of 3 combat vets.Army Ranger, Army Armor, USMC aircrew HMM-165)

 

[Tyler Kemp]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

208 Amax? You could get 2300 fps and it would hit fairly hard.

 

[Peteroy01]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

shot 155.5 bergers yesterday with 44.4gr RL15 that produced avg .56moa. shot 5x5 @400yd. thats my best load so far. with a kimber 8400 tactical.
24in 1/12
80deg

i've tried H380 with 168gr a-max, 168gr and 175gr matchkings. the H380 just doesnt hold the groups that RL15 does. but im not using mag primers like the manuals says. so...

 

[USMCj]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lumpy grits</div><div class="ubbcode-body">USMCj, tell me more about Scenars would you.
My load out of a HateCa built SS Shilen select match .308 1/10 @ 26" is FGMM case f/l sized Br2 44.0 Varget w/175 smk on top. Sub. 1/2" MOA all day WHEN my old eyes do what they did 30 yrs ago.
Thanks for your time AND sevice.
Respectfully,
LG( Father of 3 combat vets.Army Ranger, Army Armor, USMC aircrew HMM-165)
</div></div>

Lapua Scenars have a BC of .508, which is higher than the SMK's but at 155 grains, you can launch them at 2950fps out of a 24-24" barrel and 2800-2850 out of a 20" barrel. they will shoot flatter and faster than the SMK's. Its a win win.

 

[USMCj]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: AugeredIn</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: USMCj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Use Lapua 155gr Scenars under 46.5gr Reloder 15, that should get you to 1K with your 20" barrel. It has a higher BC than 168SMK's and even better than 175SMK's. </div></div>

Are you using a 1:10 twist with that load? I have had a hard time finding a good 155 scenar load in my 24" 1:10 twist. I have not spent much time trying though as I have focused on heavier bullets. I must also say, I have not given Reloader 15 the respect it deserves. </div></div>

Mine is a 11 twist.

 

[AugeredIn]

Re: .308 bullet for 20" Barrell 1-10 twist

Thanks. I will try some similar loads in the 10 twist and see what happens.