Just had someone build me a Aero Precision 308. Just wondering does anybody have a load that works good for them? I’m wanting to use IMR 4064 since that’s what I have in stock. Also wanting to use 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. I would be willing to try the 168 grain Nosler Accubond. This round needs to be a hunting bullet. Also my barrel is a BA SS match barrel that is 20 inches long. Thanks guys!
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AR 308 accuracy load?
- Thread starter Coyote Trapper
- Start date
You will have to work something up yourself, the best I can say would be 42 or 43 grains of 4064 in lake city brass with either one of those bullets loaded to whatever length nosler recommends (probably 2.78).
Got the exact same setup but with JP full mass carrier and HP bolt. Literally just finished a new SWFA scope install and will be accuracy testing or the first time this weekend. Shoots great with open sights so have high expectations. I'll be testing several bullets but mainly my favorite Hormady 178 ELD-X. Let you know my results.
The 178gr eldx is tough for the 2.8 coal mag length on some 308s. Pressure comes up quick as you have to seat the long bullet so deep. I get pressure anything over 42 gr of varget on two different guns. 16 inch barrel gets me 2425 fps and the 20 inch barrel gets me 2500 on the nose.
Load is:
-Federal Gold metal match brass (once fired from FGMM 175gr ammo)
-42.0gr Varget
-CCI 200 large rifle primer
-COAL 2.800
Shoots under an inch 5 round groups in both guns.
Load is:
-Federal Gold metal match brass (once fired from FGMM 175gr ammo)
-42.0gr Varget
-CCI 200 large rifle primer
-COAL 2.800
Shoots under an inch 5 round groups in both guns.
Yes the ELDX 178 is a big, long, hunting bullet. May not be "optimal" for use in a gas gun. I'll find out soon enough. With that said, my favorite load for my 308 bolt gun is 43.3 gr of Varget, with a COAL of 2.805. Don't expect any mag issues as this is still very close to SAMMI. I've shoot this and some hot 175 SMK loads out of this gas gun without issues. In my case, I think the adjusted gas and the full mass carrier makes this possible without a harsh thrashing.
Thanks for some of the replies fellas. I’ve loaded bolt guns for a long time but AR style guns are totally different. I wanted to stay with a hunting style bullet for the deer and hogs we have here in NC. I’ll keep you updated with how things go. I’m almost finished with a Model 700 30.06 LR shooting sub MOA at 100 yards. Hoping this will get close to that.
Only thing I'd add is to use a small base, full length sizing die. I had feeding issues on a couple AR10s until I did that.
^ +1 on the small base sizing die. Also, I know you have 4064. Do yourself a favor and Get some Varget and run 43-44 grains behind a 175 SMK.
You’re right on the small base, full length sizing die. Could you send me a part number of what you’d use? Don’t want to make any mistakes when I order. I’ll probably order from Midway or Natchez. I also see some dies with a numbered dial on top. Will I need that? If I’m changing my OAL looking for “the perfect load “ it might make things easier. Thanks in advance guys. This is a very addicting website! Glad I found it.
What about the RCBS AR series die set? Also, I’ve read nothing about trimming cases for AR reloading. Does the die actually keep case length in check?
They are just the low end normal plain jane dies, just a small base sizer is included in the kit.
No, all sizing will cause case growth and you will need to trim to keep them in spec, even more so with small base where it gets sized more. Might not be every firing but you will need to check it each time.
Resizing cases is like taking playdough and rolling it between your hands. The more you work it the longer it gets. Let it get too long and youre going to plug up your plumbing and be in for a shit show. Keep it trimmed.
Whatever the hell you want to use, anything will work. Just make sure you trim your brass.
What’s a premium set of dies if that is low end? Just needing some guidance here. Thanks for responding!
A premium set would be having something made custom for your chamber by print or fired brass. But thats expensive and not something I would waste the resources on for a semi.
An upgrade would be bushing dies that allow you to swap neck bushings that enable you to control the amount of neck sizing and thus neck tension. If you need more tension you can just swap to a smaller bushing and then you can skip the crimping step entirely. But then again its for a semi and the normal dies will probably just fine and you wont be able to tell a difference.
I like seater dies with a micrometer top just because it makes it that much easier to adjust seating depth.
I wouldnt want a small base die unless I had to just because it does work the base .001-.002 more than a normal full length die. You can measure the bases and compare to specs if it is large or small etc.
When you do this buy a set of calipers and the hornady headspace and comparator gauges so you can make accurate ammo and not do it like a monkey with a drop gauge or just screwing your dies in until they touch.
An upgrade would be bushing dies that allow you to swap neck bushings that enable you to control the amount of neck sizing and thus neck tension. If you need more tension you can just swap to a smaller bushing and then you can skip the crimping step entirely. But then again its for a semi and the normal dies will probably just fine and you wont be able to tell a difference.
I like seater dies with a micrometer top just because it makes it that much easier to adjust seating depth.
I wouldnt want a small base die unless I had to just because it does work the base .001-.002 more than a normal full length die. You can measure the bases and compare to specs if it is large or small etc.
When you do this buy a set of calipers and the hornady headspace and comparator gauges so you can make accurate ammo and not do it like a monkey with a drop gauge or just screwing your dies in until they touch.
44gr Varget+ Any .30 cal bullet ever.
Haha in all seriousness my two go to AR10 loads (that I also shoot out of my bolt rifles) is
178ELDX
44.3gr Varget
Win or PPU brass
S&B primers
2541fps out of my 16” MWS
2692fps our of my 24” AI (fun fact)
175gr Anything match
44gr Varget
Win Brass
Win or S&B primers
2530 our of my 16” MWS
That’s the beauty of the .308. If you have a match grade load that shoots like shit it’s a good indicator that either you have a shitty rifle, you’re a shitty shot, or a combination of both.
Haha in all seriousness my two go to AR10 loads (that I also shoot out of my bolt rifles) is
178ELDX
44.3gr Varget
Win or PPU brass
S&B primers
2541fps out of my 16” MWS
2692fps our of my 24” AI (fun fact)
175gr Anything match
44gr Varget
Win Brass
Win or S&B primers
2530 our of my 16” MWS
That’s the beauty of the .308. If you have a match grade load that shoots like shit it’s a good indicator that either you have a shitty rifle, you’re a shitty shot, or a combination of both.
How do I determine case length? I’ve seen people talking about OAL but not case length. I have some reloading books but none of them talk about AR’s. Should I use the same case length for a bolt gun or is there another website I can go to. Y’all have been a great help so far. I’m trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can get from y’all!
I love my AR10, it shoots incredibly well. What took the most time for me was finding the right seating depth... it can be challenging because of the limitations imposed by the mag, can't seat close to the lands. I found the ELD-Match seated to .110" jump works best in mine.
You can use a chamber length gauge to find your maximum length allowed before trimming is necessary.
I and most everyone else just go by the spec.
Saami spec is 2.015-.020 so anywhere from 1.995-2.015 would be acceptable. Most shoot for the middle so I would trim to 2.005.
Unless you mean your case length in relation to the shoulders, to do that you need to measure that using a datum using the headspace gauge on your calipers I mentioned above
So for that measurement you would find your fired cases shoulder measurement and then subtract .003-.004 to find what your sized case should measure.
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My goto M1A (22") load was 175SMK at 2.815" OAL, 42.2gr of IMR-4064, Large Rifle Match Primer, Commercial 308 brass (Win/Rem).
No longer own the M1A, but I use this same load in a Savage 11VT .308 (24", 1:10", heavy barrel). It was a definite Supersonic arrival at 1000yd load with the M1A. With the current 4350ft ASL local altitude and barrel, it's likely supersonic to quite a bit further than 1Kyd.
Like others, I have been trying the 178 ELD-X, and like them, have been getting a lot of pressure. Not there yet. Current brass choices are Starline and PPU.
Have also gotten some decent accuracy from IMI 168 Semi-Auto match but have not taken it past 100yd yet. Been playing with varmint weight bullets too, which stay supersonic further out at the local altitude; they shoot flat and provide expansion.
Greg
No longer own the M1A, but I use this same load in a Savage 11VT .308 (24", 1:10", heavy barrel). It was a definite Supersonic arrival at 1000yd load with the M1A. With the current 4350ft ASL local altitude and barrel, it's likely supersonic to quite a bit further than 1Kyd.
Like others, I have been trying the 178 ELD-X, and like them, have been getting a lot of pressure. Not there yet. Current brass choices are Starline and PPU.
Have also gotten some decent accuracy from IMI 168 Semi-Auto match but have not taken it past 100yd yet. Been playing with varmint weight bullets too, which stay supersonic further out at the local altitude; they shoot flat and provide expansion.
Greg
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I use an RCBS small base 308 sizer die I bought off ebay for I think 20 bucks and set it up according to the book. Never have problems.
If I understand your question correctly, OAL (over all length) and case length would be the same.
Loaded the LR load with 41.7 gr of IMR 4064 and a 175 SMK at 2.80 for a guys GAP-10. First 2 5-shot groups were .5-.6. End of load development. You might try a 165 gr B-Tip with 42.0 to 42.5 and see what that gets you. It preformed great in a 308 bolt gun I had.
OAL and case length is NOT the same. Case length is just that, how long your piece of brass is. It’s the same for bolt or gas gun. OAL length is how long total that your loaded cartridge is. You can use a Hornady comparator to check where your bullet ogive meets the lands to help set your bullet depth. More than likely, as someone stated above, you will be limited to mag length, and not be able to load your bullet out to get the small amount of jump that a lot of people like. It will be ok though, should still shoot good. 308s can be a little forgiving in that area.
Wow! This is great information. I’m ordering my dies tomorrow from Midway. Hopefully I’ll have some sub MOA groups in a month or so. I work for UPS so I’m going to be busy for the next month or so. Thanks guys!
I threw together a couple loads for my large frame 308. 168 Nosler Ballistic Tips and 43gr of Varget and 42.5gr of IMR4064. The 4064 with a 168 Amax is extremely accurate. I did this 3 days before season opener and was happy with the way all shot.
I see a lot of people talking about SMK. Isn’t that a match grade bullet? I don’t think that would work for me since all my shooting is based around hunting. I need to work up a load with hunting bullets such as the Nosler Ballistic Tip or Accubond bullet.
I'm not going to try to talk you out of "hunting bullets" but you should check out the match bullet kills thread in the hunting section before discounting the SMK. I really like Barnes TSX bullets, but they are not a drop in replacement for a SMK- you'll need to work up your own load.
My last 2 deer were shot with 123 gr AMAX bullets from a 6.5 Grendel. The internet says that combo will either bounce off of, or explode on the hide of a WT deer...
Some people make the smk work, I like hunting bullets just to play it safe though.
In looking at it the hollow point gameking isnt that much different but the hollow point version of the game king is known to be much more resistant to opening up (better for going through bones etc) than the soft point version I use. The soft points blow up nicely, similar to the ballistic tip, but maybe a tad more so. Thinking of moving to the tipped game changer though for a bit of a BC boost.
For noslers stuff I like their blems from shooter pro shop http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosl...hed-bullets/shopby/f/caliber/30/isAjax/1.html
Just noticed the gas block on my barrel. Will that affect accuracy? Seems like that would defeat the floated barrell accuracy idea?
So, you just realized your gas gun has a gas block???
You don't want the gas block to be a contact point with the hand guard. So long as that condition is met, the gas block should not be a concern. Additionally, you want the gas tube centered within the upper such that it is not deflected when engaged by the gas key. AR rifles can be VERY accurate...
You don't want the gas block to be a contact point with the hand guard. So long as that condition is met, the gas block should not be a concern. Additionally, you want the gas tube centered within the upper such that it is not deflected when engaged by the gas key. AR rifles can be VERY accurate...
Lol! I know. I’m new to the AR world and still learning. I know with my bolt guns you float the barrel and don’t want anything touching it. While I was hunting this morning noticed the gas block and didn’t know what it was for. Also noticed the gas tube on top of the barrel, brand new information for me! Lol. At least I know now it won’t affect accuracy. Thanks a lot.
In bolt guns, I have made loads up that use the 168SMK, but substituting it with the 165 SGK; and loads using the 175SMK, substituted with the 180 Pro Hunter.
The accuracy is very comparable, and POI shift is minimal; a little load confirmation including bracketed charge weights may yield benefits. The use of a dedicated hunting bullet is justified when one sees the terminal performance of the appropriate bullets. My 165gr SGK .30-'06 load has been a perennial deer harvesting load.
My only concern would be for the soft points getting some massaging during feeding. Mag feeding from hunting rifle magazines has not shown any issues of that sort.
At some point I will probably try the IMI Semi-Auto match with the bullets pulled and substituted with the 165 SGK.
Greg
The accuracy is very comparable, and POI shift is minimal; a little load confirmation including bracketed charge weights may yield benefits. The use of a dedicated hunting bullet is justified when one sees the terminal performance of the appropriate bullets. My 165gr SGK .30-'06 load has been a perennial deer harvesting load.
My only concern would be for the soft points getting some massaging during feeding. Mag feeding from hunting rifle magazines has not shown any issues of that sort.
At some point I will probably try the IMI Semi-Auto match with the bullets pulled and substituted with the 165 SGK.
Greg
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