Been working on loads, need some opinions

[jkane]

Bought a new FNH Patrol bolt, .308, 22". Been working with loads the last few weeks, shot probably 350 rounds through it. Then I went back over and picked the loads I liked early on, shot groups. Using 168 SMK's and Hornady 168 A-Max. The load that really shined on consistend and tight(very tight) was 48g of IMR 4350, but was slow at 2520 fps. I do finds the SMK is a tad more consistent than the AMAX.

The loads I worked myself out to 500yds with was the 168 SMK and 45g of Varget, was consistent, but not real tight, 1" at 100yds, was its best, no flyers.

Worked with BLC2, W748 and neither impressed me. Second tightest was H380, then IMR 4320.

In reading others loads and data, what is working for me is certainly not the most popular loads, but I know that is the idea of reloading. I am not going out to 1000 yds, but want 600. Did not shoot the 4350 load out yet. Is there a significant disadvantage to the slower burning 4350 in the 308.

Varget has been good, but I played with loads, primers, and seating, but never really caught my eye.

IMR 3031 strung out, IMR 4320 was about like Varget, I found H380 produced a very "hard" shot.

Any thoughts on my processes? All groups have been at 100 yds to compare, other than my distant shots with the 45g Varget loads out to 500yds.

 

[Quackaddict]

Re: Been working on loads, need some opinions

Reloader 15 and IMR 4895 have been common on this site.

Another option, the 155's have been shooting real good out of my barrel. You can get to 600 with those easy.

I have noticed, in a given rifle, there will be one or two magic bullets weights that shoot best out of that barrel. Factory tubes especially. My friend has a 7 mag that hates everything but 160's, my 270 really likes 140's over everything else.

Dont stick yourself into juts one weight of bullet. You havent even touched whats out there with the 168's. 175 and 178 bullets are a good option to.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Been working on loads, need some opinions

You do understand that usually boat tails are not the most accurate at 100 and 200 yards?

Not all accurate loads are top end, compressed charge loads. Suprisingly most accurate loads in my rifles are mid range loads. If you want something accurate at closer ranges get some 150 flat base bullets like Bergers. Defifenly go to HPBT bullets for longer ranges.

But use the load that works in your rifle.

 

[Surffshr]

Re: Been working on loads, need some opinions

I got a little overwhelmed with how many combo's you have worked on...after having worked up a few loads in a shotgun fashion, I decided it is much better to keep as many constants as possible. I like to buy a bullet that I think will perform ballistically the way I'd like, then work a load to get it shooting out of my rifle. 3 or 4 powders and 3 or 4 different loads with each...3 shots while I'm searching. If I find one, great! If not, I will try another bullet...or sell the rifle. To me it sort of seems like you are trying to figure out too much at one time.

 

[Country]

Re: Been working on loads, need some opinions

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Surffshr</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I got a little overwhelmed with how many combo's you have worked on...after having worked up a few loads in a shotgun fashion, I decided it is much better to keep as many constants as possible. I like to buy a bullet that I think will perform ballistically the way I'd like, then work a load to get it shooting out of my rifle. 3 or 4 powders and 3 or 4 different loads with each...3 shots while I'm searching. If I find one, great! If not, I will try another bullet...or sell the rifle. To me it sort of seems like you are trying to figure out too much at one time. </div></div>
My first impression also. Once you get a load producing a reasonable group only change one thing at a time to try and reduce the group . That way you can home in on the real improvements.
IMR 4350 is a bit slow in my opinion in a 308 . Varget was specificly designed for 308 (7.62 nato) and is a good starting powder . IMR 4064 is very similar to Varget in burning rate and IMR 4320 is just a tad slower than Varget.

 

[Victor N TN]

Re: Been working on loads, need some opinions

My fall back for any 308 is 42.5 grains of IMR 4895 and 168 SMKs with the length set for a standard Fed GMM round for longer ranges. If it doesn't shoot 1 moa with that try another rifle.

 

[gnfiter3]

Re: Been working on loads, need some opinions

Some FYI's for you:
*Army match ammo for the 168 is 2550 fps.
*Check some of the loads suggested here on the Hide. They seem to work, and the shooters have done the much of the load development for you.
* IMR 4064 will put 5 rounds in a ragged hole for you, but you have enough powders already. 41.5 to 43.5 depending on how much thump you want.