Temp sensitivity is why I haven’t used my ball powders since early December. I’m working up loads of varget but still haven’t gotten to same accuracy I was getting from the X-Term
Some bullets are designed to have impressive stats.
I've never quite heard that opinion. I think if I can't shoot any of these particular bullets well, I won't be blaming the bullet. That said, I'm not yet convinced I'll stick with the 168's. This was more of a test load to get my loading skills back up to speed with limited component availability, and make sure I was both... doing the right things, and ignoring the right things. Waste of powder? The only wasted powder is one that doesn't provide actionable data.
I don't doubt you. If we all knew exactly why certain components don't work for some we be in business making magic bullets. My experience with Hornady is factory 6.5cm and that shit is one hole ammunition out of my match gun, but in the past their lot to lot consistency has been less than stellar so I largely avoided it for matches. When shooting factory ammo, lot to lot performance matters more to me than tiny groups. Early on they had problems with ELDs from the meplat melting in flight but that's been cured to my knowledge. We'll see...if they don't shoot I'll use them as a training load. Either way in this environment you gotta take what you can get and bullet availability is all over the map right now. I think I'll be able to find their sweet spot.
I picked up 100 Peterson SRP brass recently because of dwindling large rifle primer inventory. Tested 50 rounds at 22 and 36 degrees and had zero failures to fire, and that’s about as cold as it gets here. It’s nice to consolidate to CCI 450’s, I use them in my x47 and BLK’s as well and have plenty.
Bergara 20” Ridge rifle in .308 Win
42.5 turned out to be the sweet spot, 2678fps, 5.5 SD.
That combination can work just fine. You just have to do your load development as normally done.
I really like Varget and the 168's and 169 SMK's too.
Get a couple of reloading manuals and stick to the plan.
Did you find a good combo with 8208 and 168’s? I’ve got some 155’s to test with 8208 as well. Never used this powder before.
Yeah, IMR-4064 works really well for me too with the 169's. With Federal brass loaded to a COAL of 2.929 (COAL: 2.284 @ .011 off the lands), 43.2 grs gives me 2745 fps and 5 round groups around .3" @ 100 yds. I have yet to test them at distance.
Found a good node at like 40.9gr of XBR but was busy prepping a 6.5 load for a match and haven't tested seating depth yet.
rifleshooter.com
Whether or not you can get a full burn through a 16" barrel will depend on the powder being used. A good powder load that gives you a full burn out of a 24" .308 will most likely not do so out of 16". If you want a full burn out of 16" you'll want a faster burning powder that can stay within pressure limits than what is typically used for the longer barrels like a 24"er. The link shown in the previous post should give you a good idea.
I have noticed this as well, but never messed with barrels under 20" in bolt guns. I see a lot of folks these days running 16" and 18" factory barrels in .308 and 6.5CM, and was just wondering how they're working out for folks. If they were not working well, naturally, I'd assume they would not be becoming so popular...But they seem to be increasing in popularity by the year.
I have noticed this as well, but never messed with barrels under 20" in bolt guns. I see a lot of folks these days running 16" and 18" factory barrels in .308 and 6.5CM, and was just wondering how they're working out for folks. If they were not working well, naturally, I'd assume they would not be becoming so popular...But they seem to be increasing in popularity by the year.
Hell, this gun literally shoots 1-hole groups, as is with the 24" 5R barrel. It has shot plenty of 0.1xx" groups with handloads using Varget. So if accuracy gets any better, It will put 3-shot .308" holes with 0.000" groups.
Accuracy increase isn't my concern, but velocity drops are. I do hope the cut-down doesn't adversely affect anything as far as accuracy. It should't, but we'll see. Sometimes weird shit happens. But I hope the velocity doesn't drop off too much.
I'm just wondering if anyone had any length recommendations based on personal experience? Did anyone drop to an 18" or 16.5" barrel and feel like they gave up too much over a 20" or 24" barrel when it came to long range shooting?
I'm cutting it regardless... At minimum cut, I'll be chopping it 4", to a 20" barrel. But i'm really mainly leaning towards 18" or maybe even 16.5" if there is not too much velocity loss...Affecting long range precision or performance.
I guess I could always cut it to 20" and then if I want to later, have my smith re-cut it down to 16.5" if I want? Or cut it to 20" and use it as my range toy, and then buy a new Sig Cross in .308 with the 16.1" barrel and use it for hunting, for a lightweight setup...
There are a bunch of restrictions and definitions connected to having a rifle on a hunting certificate. But as of the 1 of July suppressors will be free to purchase for anyone with a weapons permit in Sweden. So thats some progress at least.I guess I could always cut it to 20" and then if I want to later, have my smith re-cut it down to 16.5" if I want? Or cut it to 20" and use it as my range toy, and then buy a new Sig Cross in .308 with the 16.1" barrel and use it for hunting, for a lightweight setup...
I had no idea Sweden had a barrel length restriction, like we do here in the U.S. Interesting... You learn something new everyday.
Our's is 16.1" is a rifle, and under 16" is considered an "SBR" - Short-Barreled Rifle, and requires a Form-1 and a tax stamp (sort of similar to buying a suppressor).
Let me know how it goes.Cut it! I just cut mine to 16.25” today. Will shoot it tomorrow I hope.
