The 168 SMK, yes but not other 168s. The 168 SMK is the bullet that gave all the other 168s a bad name. I use a 168 ELD-M in my Tac .308 and at 2750fps it hammers at 1250 yards. Those 169s will do it too. I wouldn't use either the 155 or 175 SMKs unlesss you had a bunch to burn up which you do. Use them for practice but use the 169s for matches if you shoot it in Tac for some fun.
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.308 Winchester
- Thread starter Two Shoes
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The 168 SMK, yes but not other 168s. The 168 SMK is the bullet that gave all the other 168s a bad name. I use a 168 ELD-M in my Tac .308 and at 2750fps it hammers at 1250 yards. Those 169s will do it too. I wouldn't use either the 155 or 175 SMKs unlesss you had a bunch to burn up which you do. Use them for practice but use the 169s for matches if you shoot it in Tac for some fun.
This is why I publish my COAL's instead of jumps. If, like so many people do, I had only said my jump is .011", that wouldn't work in your chamber and you'd have no idea how my cartridge configurate might fit in you chamber.
Good luck with those 169's. You should find them easy enough to develop a load. In fact, I found they're not far off from my 168 SMK loads.
I'll back off that load & start at 41.3. Have IMR - 4064 on hand, but this will be in a DPMS.
Was thinking Lever might deliver more speed from my 18"
Berger 215 Hybrids, CFE223, Lapua brass, CCI 200's (or 400's if you use SRP brass).
I spent the weekend with some CFE 223 and the 168 HOR ELD Match, averaged .577" (group size-OD of bullet) in light winds was the best. I tried stepping the loads up gradually in velocity nodes of 50 fps. The barrel shot the slower version the best and with more jump than getting closer to the rifling. The FED Gold Match 175gr shot a decent .48" in the factory configuration. Off to IMR 4064, target, with some 148gr, 155gr, 178gr, and 169gr. Still looking for the 215grs. Thanks guys!
Loaded up some 175 Noler RDF’s over the weekend using fgmm brass, Winchester WLR primers and both TAC and Shooters World precision. My 110 elite precision has a 1:10 26”er, so pretty close to your barrel specs. It liked 41gr of sw prec and 41.5 of tac. The swp shot high .5’s and the tac was .3’s with an original 3 shot .1-ish before the 5 shot confirmations were loaded up.
Hey guys I just picked up some Berger 175s in the OTM and Long Range Target. I have no experience with them so I come here asking for some help.
I'll be shooting them through a 700P that has an external (2.87 give or take) mag.
Is it fair to say the OTMS may prefer mag length and the LRTS long?
Typical 700 barrel with a LONG throat (in the 3" range @ COAL jam)
So, any suggestions?
Thanks!
I'll be shooting them through a 700P that has an external (2.87 give or take) mag.
Is it fair to say the OTMS may prefer mag length and the LRTS long?
Typical 700 barrel with a LONG throat (in the 3" range @ COAL jam)
So, any suggestions?
Thanks!
Conventional OTM such as Sierra Matching are great at normal seating depths ~2.800". The jump doesn't seem to bother them and I've not found going any longer to be much of a benefit other than some additional case capacity which I don't need. I've tried out to 2.850 or so in my 700. As for the LRT or Berger Hybrids I have no experience.
Here's a good article for 185 Juggernauts . They're using the beloved and coveted Varget powder and lapua brass in the development. Only difference being your model 12 to their model 10FP, you should see similar results to this if you have the powder.
I do the same, except 175 BMBs and use OTMs for comp. BMBs are very consistent. i've considered, and probably will in future, just going all BMB due to my results. OTMs do seem to produce a little tighter groups though. just not sure the cost difference is worth it and it definitely isn't for training.
my standard length BERGER OTMs produce great groups. i never changed the length since they just flew great vs other bullets i had to work up and tune them.
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Any pressure sigh's with the 41.5 gn of TAC ?Loaded up some 175 Noler RDF’s over the weekend using fgmm brass, Winchester WLR primers and both TAC and Shooters World precision. My 110 elite precision has a 1:10 26”er, so pretty close to your barrel specs. It liked 41gr of sw prec and 41.5 of tac. The swp shot high .5’s and the tac was .3’s with an original 3 shot .1-ish before the 5 shot confirmations were loaded up.
They shot well out of my 20" R700 at mag length. They were one of the best bullets I tried.
What does your chamber measure?
Just want to add my Franchi Momentum Elite in 308 Win chamber measures 2.243" with Hornady comparator and also have a Mossberg Patriot that measures 2.236".
Franchi likes 2.236" CBTO with Remington Cere-lokt Tipped 180 grain factory ammo adjusted. Still working on the Patriot but may sell it and get another Franchi in 6.5 CM.
Yep. I typically load around 2.83. I also have a 20" r700 with untouchable lands.
Any of you fine gentlemen know of an MK319 - like load using the 125 grain Hornady SST? Im hoping to work up something for my 13" SCAR. Ive got N140 and H335, but Im willing to try any powder thats recommended
Sorry if I'm simply bad at reading, but does anyone have a decent load for Hornaday 178gr ELD-M and Varget or CFE223?
I've read through a lot of this thread and I couldn't find anything.
Using Lapua brass and CCI-BR2 LR primers.
Thank you in advance for your help.
I've read through a lot of this thread and I couldn't find anything.
Using Lapua brass and CCI-BR2 LR primers.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Have you used the search feature ? a couple of posts using varget.
Hornady's newest manual lists 42.4 gn. of Varget at 2450 fps.
Hornady's newest manual lists 42.4 gn. of Varget at 2450 fps.
Honestly, I can't remember if i ever measured it recently with the OTM, because the jump was so big and a little adjustment never seemed to matter much. WIth my Barnes Match Burner, it originally measured 2.292" and I load it at 2.275"
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I did use the search feature. However, I came up with a lot of for sale posts and older posts from 2017.
Thank you for your help though.
Thank you,
I have several reloading manuals and have visited Hogdon's website. I was hoping that someone might have a pet load that they would like to share.
Someone’s pet load might not be accurate or safe in your rifle. Use the basic numbers to start and work up. Different components will make a difference too. With Win brass I can load up to 45grns of Varget but with Hornady and Lapua it’s 44grns. See what I’m saying?
Lite bullets like faster powders and you barrel is on the shorter side, N140 is much like IMR-4064 too slow for the bullet weight and barrel length for optimum performance. Ive never played with H335 with a 7.62 so I can’t provide any direction with that powder.
IMR/H-4895, XBR8208 around 42.5grn or IMR-3031 around 41.0grn should get you on the road too funville.
Alright fellas. First time posting in the reloading section. Trying to figure out a good charge weight to start with.
R700 .308, 18” to the SiCo ASR brake. 1:10 twist. The thing shoots FGMM 175gr SMK factory loads very well. .5-.75” depending on how well the user performs…
2lbs of Varget just got delivered. 180gr Berger Elite Hunters are in the mail. Going to finish setting up the bench and get my hands on some primers as soon as I can.
Thoughts? Was thinking I would start with 39gr as my median and work up and down .5gr.
R700 .308, 18” to the SiCo ASR brake. 1:10 twist. The thing shoots FGMM 175gr SMK factory loads very well. .5-.75” depending on how well the user performs…
2lbs of Varget just got delivered. 180gr Berger Elite Hunters are in the mail. Going to finish setting up the bench and get my hands on some primers as soon as I can.
Thoughts? Was thinking I would start with 39gr as my median and work up and down .5gr.
Tough crowd. After looking at a couple more reloading manuals I’ll probably start at 40 or 41gr of Varget.
Are you familiar with the OCW method of load development? If not, here's a link to the site that explains it. It's a pretty good method of zeroing in (no pun intended) on a good charge weight for a given bullet/powder/brass/primer combo.
Optimal Charge Weight Info
Negative. But… I’m going to check it out now! Thanks! Appreciate the link.
Which 4895 ? In my experience !MR is a bit more load density sensitive, if you are limited to either 4895 ans 150's I'd start with about 35 gn.
All of my reduced loads are with heavy cast {200 gn} and an M1A
Also, see if anyone in your area are willing to "loan" you either AA 5744 or Trail Boss
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41.5 of IMR or H4895 is what I load for my M1A with Hornady 150's as a general plinking load.
On that note and the above mentioned OCW......The only load recipe that I have found to be a better shooter than I in my M1A is, indeed, 41.5gr of IMR-4895 pushing 168 Sierra MatchKings seated at magazine length. Sub minute rifle all day long!
There's something about that combination and the rifles metalurgic tendencies where it just works. And I first read that recipe in an M1A reloading article!! Granted, there will be some discrepancy given between brass variances and thicknesses, but thats a hair I don't bother spliting.
VVN powder ?
Is anyone using either N 135 or N 140 in your 308's ? The only data I find for this powder is on their web site
Thank you
Is anyone using either N 135 or N 140 in your 308's ? The only data I find for this powder is on their web site
Thank you
As an engineer, there is something magical when it comes to load development that I love!
I have tried a variety of bullets, from Niemi customs, Berger, Sierra, Factory ammo (fed gold match and norma), Hornady, and Nosler. The rifle has an average group size right now (OD of group - diameter of bullet) of 0.846", the smallest groups were with the factory Norma match and a custom 148 GR 13 ogive 1.080 with a J4, however, I only have a few hundred left in existence since the die is gone smallest group was .1455. Granted, for PRS I may be more picky than I need to be, but the rifle is granted me with two problems. When I run 175, 185, and longer bullets, I can't feed them due to the COAL not feeding due to the REM 700 action. The other thing is, the barrel being a 30 inch 1.25 straight contour, with a break, is the velocity is quite confusing at an average of 2237 FPS over the weekend.
The Norma factory line shot well, the rifle is a 6 mph gun but the elevation is more than my typical dope for a .308.
Anyone have any recommendations? Should I stop chasing my tail and shoot factory out of the gun? The longest I can feed is 2.875", I can chamber far deeper.
The barrel is broke in and lapped, and yes this is a .308 win.
I have tried a variety of bullets, from Niemi customs, Berger, Sierra, Factory ammo (fed gold match and norma), Hornady, and Nosler. The rifle has an average group size right now (OD of group - diameter of bullet) of 0.846", the smallest groups were with the factory Norma match and a custom 148 GR 13 ogive 1.080 with a J4, however, I only have a few hundred left in existence since the die is gone smallest group was .1455. Granted, for PRS I may be more picky than I need to be, but the rifle is granted me with two problems. When I run 175, 185, and longer bullets, I can't feed them due to the COAL not feeding due to the REM 700 action. The other thing is, the barrel being a 30 inch 1.25 straight contour, with a break, is the velocity is quite confusing at an average of 2237 FPS over the weekend.
The Norma factory line shot well, the rifle is a 6 mph gun but the elevation is more than my typical dope for a .308.
Anyone have any recommendations? Should I stop chasing my tail and shoot factory out of the gun? The longest I can feed is 2.875", I can chamber far deeper.
The barrel is broke in and lapped, and yes this is a .308 win.
I use N140 from time to time in my 308 Tikka Tac. 175 SMK, 42.2gr, Avg: 2,531, 24" barrel, provided many .4 - .5 moa groups on average.
Same rifle, I just got some 169 SMK's, and some 135 & 140. Looks like another day at the range
With the extra OAL allowed with the Tikka Mag. and some Hornady match brass I think I'll research and see what I can get with non ball powders and the Hornady 178 bthp and the Nosler 175 RDF.
With the extra OAL allowed with the Tikka Mag. and some Hornady match brass I think I'll research and see what I can get with non ball powders and the Hornady 178 bthp and the Nosler 175 RDF.
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Hello everyone. I'm new and not sure if I'm posting this question in the correct place. I have a Ruger American .308 standard barrel, not predator edition. Barrel is 1:10 twist. I'm shooting factory ammo. Can anybody tell me if they've shot any 130 grain rounds through it for Varmints? Do they shoot flat and group well at 200 yards? Federal has some 130 grain varmint rounds I want to it-but not sure if those are for shorter barrels or maybe AR style .308? I shoot the best groups at 100 and 200 yards with the Precision Hunter Hornady ELD-X 178 grain. My gun seems to like those the best. 150 grain and even 168 grain don't shoot as well out of this gun in my experience, at 200 yards and out-and there's definitely some shooter error at longer distances because I haven't spent enough time at the range getting used to the recoil and such- but nonetheless, I shot the 178 grain ELD-Xs the best. 180 grain factory ammo has been just as good as the 178. I'm guessing my gun isn't going to like a lighter bullet, seeing as though I seem to shoot better groups, the heavier I go. Could anyone share an experience using these light 130 grain bullets in a Ruger American .308 standard barrel (24 inch I think?) 1:10 twist?
For a 308 AR10, what is the ideal bullet? The barrel is a 20 Krieger, 1:10 twist. Berger 155, 168, or sierra 168mk?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Depends on what you want to do with it. For long range I wouldn’t recommend the 168 SMK. For short range it would be fine. The 168 Bergers or Hornady ELDs would be fine for long range as they go transonic better and have better BCs.
45.0 of Varget
WW case
CCI BR-2 primers
175 MK and 168gr MK
That has been my load for years in Rem 700 in 308 Win
WW case
CCI BR-2 primers
175 MK and 168gr MK
That has been my load for years in Rem 700 in 308 Win
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I realize this isn't 135 or 140, But I use 43.9 gn of N150 in a 20" Bergara. Usually where I buy the powder they have a stack of VV reloading manuals for free but, Sierra, Speer and Hornady all have published data with those powders. Usually the bullet manufacturers have a wider scope of components tested.
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