Im new to Long Range shooting. Currently have my rig zero’d with Hornady 168 Gr ELD Match. But have found the Federal 168 Gr Gold Medal Sierra Match king which is tad cheaper. Don’t have the means to reload at the moment. Any advice or recommendations? Thanks!!
Advanced Marksmanship Most accurate factory 308 load for Long Range
- Thread starter D_mantley
- Start date
No way to tell unless you shoot both.
Be advised, the 30 caliber 168 grain Sierra Match King is not a bullet known for excellent ballistics beyond 800 yards or so. Despite the same weight, the 168 grain Hornady ELD-M is a much more aerodynamic bullet much better suited for long range work.
Be advised, the 30 caliber 168 grain Sierra Match King is not a bullet known for excellent ballistics beyond 800 yards or so. Despite the same weight, the 168 grain Hornady ELD-M is a much more aerodynamic bullet much better suited for long range work.
I like Federal Gold Metal Berger 185s for shooting past 600yds.
The new class of 168s (Sierra Tipped Match King, Hornady ELD-M, and Nosler RDF) can be launched faster than the 175s and have BCs all > .500. I think that's the 30 cal sweet spot for 800 - 1100 in 308 and maybe even 30-06
No one can predict how well your gun will shoot any particular ammo . You have to try different brands for yourself .
OP, you paying attention to this? Cause this is the real answer. The one that many don't want to listen to.
Yep. Go buy a ton a different match 308 flavors and see what your gun likes best.
This is what I use.
You can source it from LaRue Tactical. It's ~$50 box.
See Litz's comments regarding the 168's.
You can source it from LaRue Tactical. It's ~$50 box.
See Litz's comments regarding the 168's.
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each rifle can have a different "favorite" load/pill.
that's why reloaders can't just use existing recipes from others and know for sure their rifle can't do better.
what twist? if 1:12, stick to 168-175gr max. if you have lots of cash, you can try heavier.
if 1:11 or faster, heavier bullets will achieve good spin rates and might increase your effective range.
that's why reloaders can't just use existing recipes from others and know for sure their rifle can't do better.
what twist? if 1:12, stick to 168-175gr max. if you have lots of cash, you can try heavier.
if 1:11 or faster, heavier bullets will achieve good spin rates and might increase your effective range.
" Typically bullets that are shorter and have shallow boat-tail angles will track better through the transonic range. On the contrary, bullets that are longer… can experience a greater range of pitching and yawing in the transonic range that will depress their ballistic coefficients at that speed "
So a shorter bullet is lighter for it's caliber NOT heavier for it's caliber .
So a shorter bullet is lighter for it's caliber NOT heavier for it's caliber .
Range Buddy. There is a free version for phones and PC. Has a few quirks but once you figure it out its a good tool.
I have shot the 178-ELD-X with very good accuracy out to 1200 yards.
By a couple boxes of a couple different brands and weights and try them no one can tell you what’s going too shoot best in your rifle.
If you find that your rifle likes 175 SMK, sometimes the 175gr SMK FGMM goes on sale at almost same prices as FGMM 168. I started with 175 FGMM, saved the brass and reloaded those when I got all my reloading components set up. Best of luck on your long range journey.
The reason 168gr smk is so cheap is becase no one realy buys them anymore when there are so many other options that dont have the downsides of the 168SMK
You be for to see what your rifle likes but I've had very good success to 1125 yards with 185 Berger juggernauts and 185 Lapua scenars. Hornady 178 eldm shoot good also but have not been as consistent for me at 1125
like they dont fall out of the sky at 800y
just ask 308pirate hell tell you how that happens
lol.
