.308 favorite accuracy loads

Bladeweaver

Bladeweaver

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Minuteman
Dec 3, 2009
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Wisconsin
#1
I'm going to be off to the test range soon and I have worked up some loads for trying to see what shoots best out of my gun.

What are your favorite .308 loads?

I am going to be shooting 165gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 168gr. Sierra BTHP, 168gr. Hornady Moly BTHP, and 178gr. Hornady Moly A-Max. I have loaded 15 of each of these with IMR 4064, Win 748 and Reloader 15. I am shooting all of them around 2400-2500fps.

I also have a bench rest for my gun so that I am totally out of the equation. I am shooting a Remington 700 TWC with M4 scope.

I was looking for some Varget but it seems scarce around my neighborhood for right now. I know all loads don't shoot the same out of all guns, so lets hear what you like and I will be happy to try it myself and see how it does for me.
 
#3
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

One of Dan Newberrys OCW favorite Recipes:

175 SMK
45 gr Varget
Lapua Brass
Win Primer

100 and 200 yard groups range 0.3 to 0.54 MOA.
Velocity avg 2770 fps.

Stock Rem PSS in McRees stock.

A bud saw these groups and is now using this load in his JP LR308 and in his son's stock Rem 700.

Good Luck
 
#6
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Yes, to all the above.

I like RL 15 under a 175g SMK, but if I run out of that powder, I will go with some Varget or IMR 4064. That is the beauty of the .308- it does well with lots of different components.

As a note, you might want to play with some 155g Sierra Palmas. I got in 500 a couple of weeks ago and they look sweet!.
 
#8
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

To get the same results I get with 44.8 of Varget I use 43.6 of the RL15, produces identical speeds and accuracy out of my Savage 10FCP with the 175 SMK's, Lapua brass, with Federal 210M primers, runs around 2710fps over my Chrony. Need to work up to the load because it is a max load in most antibody's book.
 
#9
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

You are only getting 2400-2500 fps with 168s? Sounds a bit on the slow side unless you are running on the low end of the charge scale. I am still trying to fine tune my load and seating depth. I have been running 168 SMKs with 42 gr of RL15 as suggested in the Sierra manual and seating about 0.04" from the lands, and have been getting about 0.5 MOA on a good day. I just loaded some Varget and IMR 4064, so we'll see what kind of precision that yields.
 
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#11
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't ever rely on the Sierra manual. Its loads are really light. </div></div>

Except fot the H335 data, pushing 50gr pills, in a .223! 28gr max load
crazy.gif


I like 168gr SMK over 43gr Varget, for a nice mid level load. 2680fps out of my 20" 10FP
 
#12
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Hey Palmik! you and Wil sleeping or shooting together.
confused.gif
That 42 grs of RL-15 was what Wil recommended to me. I know, you guys read the same manual. I just read you guys.
wink.gif
Thank you very much!

Have not shot the load yet, getting what I want from 4064 in 168's. Also, working the RL-15 load with 69ers in .223.

Always looking for another powder, just in case. Appreciate you guys for the start point information.

Old shooters never die, we just get....RELOADED.
 
#13
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Bro
Slow down, hit pause
read alil here, save your self sum $$ and time.
Then chose a bullet, yep a single make/brand/weight

Now incase reading/researching is not yer thing, follow ALONG
155 lapua scenar

Powder selection....hint if your serious about reloading invest in Quickload

4895 IMR or H if you can find it milsurp

Vargay works but lot to lot inconsistencies make it a PITA

RE15 also pert good

browse thru reloading dept for more info

Bottom line select a single powder

workup a load

enjoy
 
#14
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Jedi, I hear you.
Now I don't know how powder availability is in Aus. Tx., but it sucks here in So. Fl. My point is to build a data base with multiple powders, so when one is not in the store, I can choose another from shooters who have some, and hopefully, a lot of experience with it.

I have 3+lbs plus of IMR 4064, and for both my .308's AR and Bolt gun, a go-to-load. Working loads with 4064 for .243, and 25-06. As soon as I got a load for my .223 with Varget, it dried up. So I ran the thread, Substitute for Varget, and got a host of replies. I like BLC-2, and 260 rounds later, it dried up too. Picked up 3 lbs of RL-15, 2 from Ga. for crying out loud, and one locally. That shop has one left. See why I'm all over the place with powder? By the way, none of these shops have any of what I'm looking for in a 5 or 8 lb can.

I'm looking for one powder, I can find in 5 or 8lb. that shoots 69's in .223 and 168's in .308. That powder will likely work in .243, and maybe in 25-06. Metering thru a 550 would be a great plus! TAC and RL-15 seem like the ticket, but nothing bigger than 1 lb cans are available locally.$50 HazMat, no way!

Man, I'm even working a .223 load with 4064. 25 gr is listed as max, but I have no pressure signs and marginal accuracy. Going up .3, .2, .2, and watching for pressure. Hate that trikle deal. Have 400 cases waiting to load.
 
#15
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Use RL15 & Tac for Nosler 165BT.Get .5" or less with both but had to seat well off the lands. The RL15 is 44.5 & 45gr but I don't have the tac load with me. Both powders seem to work really well with the 155 AMAX also.
 
#16
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

41gr of IMR3031 under 168gr Sierra Match Kings Moly
Fed brass,CCI benchrest primers
work really good in my savage 10 308 with a 20 in barrel

or

44.5 gr of varget under 168gr Sierra Match Kings Moly
Fed brass,CCI benchrest primers
 
#18
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jdgray</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't ever rely on the Sierra manual. Its loads are really light. </div></div>

Except fot the H335 data, pushing 50gr pills, in a .223! 28gr max load
crazy.gif
</div></div>

That's weak. I've loaded 28 grains with 55s. M193 is more like 30 grains. 20 years ago, that would be considered a typical 50 grain load, 27 was max for 55s.

Perhaps not as crazy as it seems.
 
#19
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jdgray</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Downzero</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't ever rely on the Sierra manual. Its loads are really light. </div></div>

Except fot the H335 data, pushing 50gr pills, in a .223! 28gr max load
crazy.gif
</div></div>

That's weak. I've loaded 28 grains with 55s. M193 is more like 30 grains. 20 years ago, that would be considered a typical 50 grain load, 27 was max for 55s.

Perhaps not as crazy as it seems. </div></div>

Every manual I looked at stoped at 26gr, till I seen Sierras bolt action data going up to 28gr. I guess sierra was righter then the others on that one
smile.gif
 
#21
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

I'm not the best shot and this isn't the fastest/flattest load in the world but this is my group from:

175 SMK .308
Hornady Match Brass
43.1g RL-15
2.85 COL
2385
22" barrel

308-FinalLoad.jpg
 
#24
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bladeweaver</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm going to be off to the test range soon and I have worked up some loads for trying to see what shoots best out of my gun.

What are your favorite .308 loads?

I am going to be shooting 165gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip, 168gr. Sierra BTHP, 168gr. Hornady Moly BTHP, and 178gr. Hornady Moly A-Max. I have loaded 15 of each of these with IMR 4064, Win 748 and Reloader 15. I am shooting all of them around 2400-2500fps.

I also have a bench rest for my gun so that I am totally out of the equation. I am shooting a Remington 700 TWC with M4 scope.

I was looking for some Varget but it seems scarce around my neighborhood for right now. I know all loads don't shoot the same out of all guns, so lets hear what you like and I will be happy to try it myself and see how it does for me.

</div></div>


try some of these
this load shot good for me.
IMR 4895 43.0, Win brass, 175 SMK, remington large rifle primer, 2753 fps Very Accurate, No Pressure Signs, 2.787" COAL, .018" jump

http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html
 
#25
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Thanks for all the reply's!


Lots of good info here for sure. I have ordered a few Molly SMK's and some Varget. I will try those in addition to what I have already. It soulds like the SMK's are a big favorite.

I'll give some loads some tests and then probably post some results.

Thanks again!
 
#27
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Would some quickly explain this ES acronym I keep seeing mentioned in the context of reloads, as in the previous post of "ES is under 5" ... thanks.

Also in that post... what is SD as in "SD is 0 in my gun".

thank you.
 
#28
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

ES = Extreme spread - over a string of shots during testing a load it's the maximum deviation from high to low. Most chronographs will calculate this for you.

SD = Standard Deviation - a numbers game. Something like the square root of the variance for a given number of samples.
None of that matters really, it's actually the consistency of your load. Lower is better and that's what really matters.

Both of these numbers should be low, it's the consistency from shot to shot that you're chasing.
 
#32
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

ok ill play i spose,
175smk over 42.5 grains of imr4064, in lake city brass and touched by a cci br2 primer runs 2695fps for me from a 26"bbl. has been doin minute for the most part.
 
#33
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marduk185</div><div class="ubbcode-body">ok ill play i spose,
175smk over 42.5 grains of imr4064, in lake city brass and touched by a cci br2 primer runs 2695fps for me from a 26"bbl. has been doin minute for the most part. </div></div>

Same thing with 2 of my buddies I"m helping load.

18" bbl shooting 43.0gr gets one hole groups from his Catcus weapons rifle and that same load, 2620fps

Another friend uses a 30" barreled Savage F-T/R Model 12 to do the same thing at 2800fps
 
#34
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

I have been shooting 155 amax ontop of 44.7gr of varget in LC brass. normally loaded to COAL of 2.845 (magazine length) but am going to try pushing it out to the lands 2.880 and see how accuracy does like that. when i chrono'd them at 2.845 they were going right to 2700 average velocity with a deviation of 17 fps. this load usually shoots around .7-.5moa.
my book states max load of varget for a 155 at 45gr. how much extra velocity might i get by going to max? im happy with accuracy right now, but dont want to have to use 15 moa to get to 600
 
#35
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

great short range load (under 700yds) 168g smk .010 off , 210gm primers , lapua brass nk sized w/ .0015 neck tension , 42g n-140
this has been my most accurate load in all my .308 bolt guns ... there have been many
 
#36
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

Varget 45.8 gr (over max but no pressure signs, please start low)
SMK 175
Fed 210M primer
Win Brass
2.800 OAL (2.214 OAL to ogive)
2650 fps
consistently 1/2 MOA or better - 0.254" yesterday at 100
factory Rem 700 5R

Another OCW node for this rifle is 44.6 varget at 2560 fps.
 
#38
Longs said:
Re: .308 favorite accuracy loads

One of Dan Newberrys OCW favorite Recipes:

175 SMK
45 gr Varget
Lapua Brass
Win Primer

100 and 200 yard groups range 0.3 to 0.54 MOA.
Velocity avg 2770 fps.

Stock Rem PSS in McRees stock.

A bud saw these groups and is now using this load in his JP LR308 and in his son's stock Rem 700.

Good Luck
Click to expand...
Try as I may, I cannot get the bullet to seat into the charged case far enough to chamber properly. I'm using Hornady Match cases and Nosler 175gr RDF tips. I applied enough pressure to cause the tip to jamb into the seating stem then disassembling the Redding Competition seating die to remove. I checked everything and it conforms to the load data above. Perhaps the difference is the Nosler tips vs the Sierra SMK tips.
 
Last edited:
#39
Resurrecting a 12 year old thread to ask this? Ok

Anyway, the Nosler RDF is probably considerably longer than the SMK. Even the Sierra 175 Tipped Matchking is a completely different bullet than the normal SMK. You should also work up to the maximum powder charge to find where you start seeing pressure. Don't just start at near maximum and hope for good results.

The bullet won't go in any further because you are compressing the powder and it won't compress anymore.

If you continue and try to fire that cartridge you run the risk of rapidly disassembling the rifle right in front of your face.
 
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#40
JMGlasgow said:
Resurrecting a 12 year old thread to ask this? Ok

Anyway, the Nosler RDF is probably considerably longer than the SMK. Even the Sierra 175 Tipped Matchking is a completely different bullet than the normal SMK. You should also work up to the maximum powder charge to find where you start seeing pressure. Don't just start at near maximum and hope for good results.

The bullet won't go in any further because you are compressing the powder and it won't compress anymore.

If you continue and try to fire that cartridge you run the risk of rapidly disassembling the rifle right in front of your face.
Click to expand...
Sir, you are so correct!

Unfortunately I was drawing a blank before realizing how much longer the RDF was than the SMK. Before firing any load I run the data through Gordon's Reloading Tool and pressures were off the chart so I stopped right there. While I didn't measure the assembled cartridge it would not even come close to clambering.

No disassembly required! LOL
 
#41
ViperHRT said:
Try as I may, I cannot get the bullet to seat into the charged case far enough to chamber properly. I'm using Hornady Match cases and Nosler 175gr RDF tips. I applied enough pressure to cause the tip to jamb into the seating stem then disassembling the Redding Competition seating die to remove. I checked everything and it conforms to the load data above. Perhaps the difference is the Nosler tips vs the Sierra SMK tips.
Click to expand...
That load referenced to Dan is high and had warnings associated with it. It is going to be too hot for tight chambers AND semi-automatics. Most loads for the 175 SMK are in the 42gr range with powders such as IMR 4064, Varget, RL15, and W748. But you always need to work up the loads. Differences in case volume for 308 can be significant.

When the RDF's came out I saw reports that they were difficult to find a seating depth for. I never tried it but I'm pretty sure its a true secant ogive bullet which most manufactures are going away from in favor of hybrid tangent/secant ogive.

The Nosler is about 1.330" OAL and the SMK is about 1.240". Quite a difference.

A bit of advice, when posting about a loading issue it helps to tell us what gun is being used along with barrel length and profile.
 
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