PRS Talk better bullet selection for 308 win (right now using 178 ELDM at 2660fps)

[z7.jled]

i know the 308 is dead and can't hit anything beyond 800 yds and it kicks like a mule etc etc, and i'm gonna keep shooting mine

I've been pushing 178 ELDM's at about 2660 out of a 24" K&P barrel using varget and winchester brass

the win brass is on its last leg (7 firings) so I am taking this opportunity to switch to lapua brass. I am almost out of 178's to load as well, so its a good time to see if there is a better bullet.

i heard/read a thread about pushing 155's really fast and it sounds interesting, but i'll be using varget for now and my barrel is a little short for trying to chase speed really hard.

i'm partially interested in staying in the "tactical division" realm, not a requirement but i'd prefer to stay here even because it will keep me from chasing stupid speed and killing my brass early.

is the 168 ELDM a potentially better bullet? I figure I can get 2750 out of that, but the difference in wind/drop isn't all that much from what I can tell.

 

[Dthomas3523]

i know the 308 is dead and can't hit anything beyond 800 yds and it kicks like a mule etc etc, and i'm gonna keep shooting mine

I've been pushing 178 ELDM's at about 2660 out of a 24" K&P barrel using varget and winchester brass

the win brass is on its last leg (7 firings) so I am taking this opportunity to switch to lapua brass. I am almost out of 178's to load as well, so its a good time to see if there is a better bullet.

i heard/read a thread about pushing 155's really fast and it sounds interesting, but i'll be using varget for now and my barrel is a little short for trying to chase speed really hard.

i'm partially interested in staying in the "tactical division" realm, not a requirement but i'd prefer to stay here even because it will keep me from chasing stupid speed and killing my brass early.

is the 168 ELDM a potentially better bullet? I figure I can get 2750 out of that, but the difference in wind/drop isn't all that much from what I can tell.

175’s typically make better transonic transition than the 168. But the 168 eldm should do pretty well overall.

 

[luv2hunt6]

For what it's worth, you may try using a different brass the next time around. I switched to Lapua brass and I've been happy with it. I'm using 43.2 grains of Varget behind a 178 ELD-m and getting 2705fps and that's out of a 21-1/2" bbl. The same rifle pushed a 168 ELD-m @ 2825 and was really accurate. The 178 load is admittedly hot but I've shot both at 1000yds and both are consistent loads.

 

[Rob01]

You should be able to get a little more velocity from the 178s. I shoot them at 2695 from a 20" barrel. What load you using?

That said the 169 ELD-Ms are a very good long range option as they have a very good BC at .524 and go transonic fine unlike the 168 SMK which everyone uses as an example of why 168s die at 800 yards but all 168s aren't the same. I am actually using the 168 ELD-M factory ammo this year in the one day region matches.

As for 155s, never used them in matches. With a .308 I would be looking for BC to beat the wind.

 

[z7.jled]

You should be able to get a little more velocity from the 178s. I shoot them at 2695 from a 20" barrel. What load you using?
.

I am using winchester brass and 44 grains of varget, I could push it faster but I was getting some soot around the primer pockets so I backed it down to a lower node.

i loaded up some 178's with lapua brass yesterday, .2g steps from 43 to 44 grains, i'll check velocity on them and see how they shoot, I expect to find a good load around 43.4 or 43.6g as that seems to be a common node for 175smk's

 

[Rob01]

In win brass I used 45grns and in Lapua and Hornady I use 44grns with the 178 for the same velocities.

 

[z7.jled]

In win brass I used 45grns and in Lapua and Hornady I use 44grns with the 178 for the same velocities.

What velocity are you seeing and what is your barrel length?

 

[Rob01]

2695 as mentioned above and 20" barrel.

 

[Lowlight]

My 20" AX will shoot 185s at 2685fps using 2000MR.

This is not a heavy charge, max charge weight is listed at 48grs of 2000MR I am using 46gr with a 185gr Juggernaut

To get the best performance from a 308 in our current climate you want to handload and go a bit outside the box. Hence the move to 2000MR vs something like Varget.

 

[cornhusker86]

Is 2000MR Temp stable?

 

[Lowlight]

Stable enough

 

[z7.jled]

My 20" AX will shoot 185s at 2685fps using 2000MR.

This is not a heavy charge, max charge weight is listed at 48grs of 2000MR I am using 46gr with a 185gr Juggernaut

To get the best performance from a 308 in our current climate you want to handload and go a bit outside the box. Hence the move to 2000MR vs something like Varget.

I've read your discussion of 2000mr and the 185 jugs. . . .looks like a great load. 2000mr is on the list of stuff to try, it seems to make some great velocities.

 

[LA260]

Another vote for 2000MR. I get 2800 withe 178 Hornady BTHP and 47.7gr stock AI barrel and 2815fps with 48.1gr and 25" bartlein barrel. No pressure signs whatsoever.

 

[winniedonkey]

22" with 168 ELD I can run at 2815 with H4895 in BH Match brass. It's hot but not overboard. Works great at sea level.

 

[4darkseid]

I use to have a custom 308 that would shoot .25 moa for five shots with handloads. The most accurate factory load I have ever fired thru it was the federal 180gr sierra pro-hunter bullet. Those factory loads consistantly went in the .4's for five shots, wish I could have got all those other streamline match factory loaded bullets to shoot as good. Any 308 that I have ever owned shot that load really well. I'm not sure if federal still makes this load but it is a accurate one and does well on deer. Oh, and believe it or not, the load that shot consistantly .25 for five shots was the 180gr pro-hunter on top of a max load of varget powder. Sierra makes some very accurate hunting bullets. The 308 is a forgiving and easy cartridge, any reasonable load seems to shoot well.

 

[Shoots 700's]

I’m pushing juggernauts with 2000mr from a 24” barrel over 2700fps

 

[Tnc]

I loaded the 155 scenars with Varget and got 2886 fps with a 23” gap Crusader. I don’t think you’d be disappointed if you went with the 155s

 

[OLD308]

2720 fps in a 1-12 twist 24" barrel. Lapua Scenar L 175, Lapua brass, F210 primer, 8208 xbr. Don't forget, Benchmark is a solid performer for the 308. don't get a lot of velocity out of it. But it's always in stuck and super easy to load for.

 

[dgheriani]

I run the 175 RDF in my .308s. They don't shoot in every barrel (they seem to shoot in most custom barrels but not really like factory barrels) but if they do, they have a great BC for a .308 (G7 .270) and they go through transonic well. I shot the in a PRS ELR match and made hits out to 1500 yards. I'm getting about 2730 out of 26" barrels (Benchmark Med Palma and Hardy MTU) with 43.3 gr of Varget in LC brass with CCI BR2s.

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

I run the 175 RDF in my .308s. They don't shoot in every barrel (they seem to shoot in most custom barrels but not really like factory barrels) but if they do, they have a great BC for a .308 (G7 .270) and they go through transonic well. I shot the in a PRS ELR match and made hits out to 1500 yards. I'm getting about 2730 out of 26" barrels (Benchmark Med Palma and Hardy MTU) with 43.3 gr of Varget in LC brass with CCI BR2s.

I run similar. 175RDFs with 44.1gr IMR4064 in winchester brass and getting 2730 out of a 24". The farther out I jump them the better they shot...I think I'm at .060" off lands.

 

[z7.jled]

I run similar. 175RDFs with 44.1gr IMR4064 in winchester brass and getting 2730 out of a 24". The farther out I jump them the better they shot...I think I'm at .060" off lands.

I’m going to work some load development this weekend/next week on the 178’s and if I get something I am happy with I’ll order 500 more of them, they work pretty good,

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

I’m going to work some load development this weekend/next week on the 178’s and if I get something I am happy with I’ll order 500 more of them, they work pretty good,

Nothing wrong with the 178s if you get them to shoot. I shot them in all my 308s until I ran out and tried the RDF. the 178 HBPT shot better than the Amax/ELDM though...actually any Hornady HPBT shot better than the red tip version.

 

[Rob01]

Nothing wrong with the 178s if you get them to shoot. I shot them in all my 308s until I ran out and tried the RDF. the 178 HBPT shot better than the Amax/ELDM though...actually any Hornady HPBT shot better than the red tip version.

I wouldn't say that but the BTHPs do shoot well.

 

[FUNCTIONAL]

I wouldn't say that but the BTHPs do shoot well.

Just my experience, I know plenty who get them to work great...just hasnt been for me.

See ya the 23rd...you arent the only one shooting Tac this year ?

 

[Rob01]

Lets hope for better weather than the Fury!

 

[z7.jled]

Nothing wrong with the 178s if you get them to shoot. I shot them in all my 308s until I ran out and tried the RDF. the 178 HBPT shot better than the Amax/ELDM though...actually any Hornady HPBT shot better than the red tip version.

They shoot good for me, my previous load was with WIN brass, 44gr of varget seated .005" off the lands, 2660fps. it was .5" or less at 100yds once I got myself fixed. before i fixed myself it was 3 in one hole, with two "flyers" that were my fault. I know my gun shoots them, so its just a matter of finding the load i like with lapua brass.

 

[lht645]

I've had good results from Nosler 175 RDF's

 

[BravoXray]

My 20" AX will shoot 185s at 2685fps using 2000MR.

This is not a heavy charge, max charge weight is listed at 48grs of 2000MR I am using 46gr with a 185gr Juggernaut

To get the best performance from a 308 in our current climate you want to handload and go a bit outside the box. Hence the move to 2000MR vs something like Varget.

I thought you couldn't go beyond 178's in the tactical division. This is my first year and I would've liked to shoot tactical using my.308 because its always been my go to with my load for 185 jugs but I thought 178 was the max weight. Did I read something wrong? I got a 6.5 instead to shoot in production class.

 

[Lowlight]

I thought you couldn't go beyond 178's in the tactical division. This is my first year and I would've liked to shoot tactical using my.308 because its always been my go to with my load for 185 jugs but I thought 178 was the max weight. Did I read something wrong? I got a 6.5 instead to shoot in production class.

I didn't say anything about shooting PRS... just that you can get better speeds with different powders, it's not always about comps

Use a 178 with 2000MR if you want to be in the PRS, their production and tactical divisions are lame to begin with and not properly thought out or executed

Fucking people always looking to read into shit not written and poke holes in things they don't even understand

 

[BravoXray]

Frank, I simply asked a question brother. Wasnt reading into shit, wasn't trying to poke holes. You're right, I didn't understand that's why I asked.

I know it not always about comps but I am in this thread because it was about the .308 in PRS. and like I said I'm just getting into comps and wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. I think I even asked that in my post.

As for the divisions, I don't know if it's lame or not. I've signed up for two this year for fun, figured instead of working up another load for the .308 it be simpler to just shoot production with Remington 6.5 and some factory ammo.

Have a good one.

 

[Lowlight]

Try some critical thinking

You are worried about PRS, shooting a 308 the rules say 178, okay great, I said I have a load with 2000MR and the 185 Juggernaut, if you keep the powder and switch the bullet you still get similar results but with a little bit lighter bullet you'll have even more velocity.

if you are shooting competitions, velocity is king, why do you think everyone is looking for smaller faster better...

So, one could imply if you are gonna handicap yourself and shoot a 308 you want to do your best to use the HIGHEST BC BULLET WITH THE MOST VELOCITY safely possible in order to stay competitive, that was the example I was proving

if I can 2685fps out of a 20-inch barrel with 185s, then one could imagine you getting excellent results with a 178 or whatever your chosen projectile to be.

Why does everything have to be written out in agonizing detail in order for people to put 2 + 2 together?

 

[BravoXray]

Because Frank, ... the internet.

I get your point.