AW .308 26" Pet Loads

[crw]

I just about to receive my AI AW308 26"

I am curious about the pet loads for this rifle as it is hard and really expensive to get match ammo here in OZ.

Any input anyone could give me as to what they have been using with good results would be greatly appreciated.

 

[81sfo]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

What grain bullet ,powder and brass will you have available to use?

 

[crw]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

As this will be my first time reloading since i was a kid, loading 30-30.

The powders we have available in OZ are very limited to the ones you have in the states;

ADI - Australian Defence Industries
Winchester
Vihtavuori
Hodgdon

As for the bullets i think the Sierria MatchKing 168 or 175's,
Lapua Lockbase or Scenar

Brass would be Lapua

Primmer; no idea

There is some much info out there, but i would rather get better leads from the people using the same stick.

Thanks

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

I use Winchester 748 - 43.5 - 44.7 Grains depending on rifle used.
Lapua Brass - great Stuff
Federal 210m Primer or Fed 210
COAL - 2.80 to 2.875 depending on rifle. If you have the ability to check your chamber to determine length to the lands then you can get the number and back it off .20 off lands and work forwards.

any of the bullets listed will work good and in fact I would try them all to see what your rifle likes the most. When you are testing remember not to try too may variables at one time as you will never know which variable changed the outcome. I try grain differences the first time and keep everything else the same and then change COAL on another trip and so on. Take your time with reloading and have fun.

 

[awp762]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

I have a 24" AWP.
My COAL is 2.80" which sets them .002" off of the lands.
Win WLR primers
Norma brass
43.5gr Varget
175 Sierra Match King
Last chronograph session on 10 rounds averaged 2704 fps
Temp was 85 degrees

I'll be trying a few of the 170gr lock base next year.
The factory lock base shot well for the 10-15 i tried this year.
Only bought 100 for testing since i have a large qty of the 175 smk.

 

[samnev]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

I get excellent accuracy with 38 grains of 4895 and 168 grain SMK's. Mild load but 100 yard groups run 0.3"-0.4" most of the time. For longer distances, > than 500 yards, 41.5 grains of 4895 works well. Good luck mate.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

I don't spend a lot of time reloading for bughole groups.

I can tell you that the following load will prove pretty accurate in the AI chamber:

43gr RE15
175gr SMK
FGMM once fired FL sized
CCI200 or Fed Match primers

The are M118LR'ish for trajectory and produce accurate results. It's my "stock" handload because it works well in every .308 I have tried it in.

 

[Dogtown]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

I've got a load that shot very well in my buddy's 27" AW .308

155 Scenar
Lapua Brass
Fed 210M
46.5gr N540
2.815" COAL

Shoots around 2900fps and crushes my 175SMK load beyond 800 yards. Obviously, start a bit lower and work up to this charge weight.

 

[fx77]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

134 gr BIB fb bullet
26" Hart
Rem 700
44.4 gr VV N140
Fed Match primer

shoots .2's at 100yd
fwiw

 

[AIAWinAU]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

The following works well in both my AE & AW.

Lapua Brass
Federal 210 Match Primer
47.1 AR2208 ( Varget for the Yanks )
Sierra 155 Matchking.

If you want some reasonably priced 308 Match get in touch with any of the NRAA Fullbore clubs in Darwin, they should have stock of the Winchester loaded NRAA match ammo at about $1.30 a round.

Any more help needed mate - just ask.

 

[crw]

Re: AW .308 26" Pet Loads

Thanks

for everyone who put their two bob's worth in, this info will come in handy in the coming months.

Regards