I hit the range this morning to start load development of my new AIAT. It has a 17" Bartlein 10 twist barrel. I want to use 175gr SMK because they should do all I need out to 1k and seem to be the sweet spot between performance, cost, and availability especially since a ton of guys are dumping .308 for 6.5.
I used both Varget and IMR 4064. With the Varget I started at 44.0gr and worked up in .2 increments to 44.8gr. With the 4064 I started at 42.0 and worked up in .2 increments to 42.6. Pics of each target are below. All where 3 round groups in each charge weight.
The Varget has me most confused. The one shot in the 44.2 group I know I jerked so that may be the best of the 5 groups but none are really that bad or that great. All at 44.2 and above are sub moa. The 44.8 maybe the best.
The IMR 4064 is my go to powder for .308 My custom rifle loves 43.0gr under a 168gr SMK but its a 11 twist. Obviously the 42.2-42.4gr looks pretty damn good. I will load some 5 round tests for those charge weights for my next outing.
I keep hearing how great Varget is and I have several pounds of it, bought because of the hype, but frankly it looks like the 4064 is going to be my go to powder for this new AI rilfe as well. I will play a little more with the Varget if someone, more knowledgeable than I sees something in this target worth pursuing.
I used both Varget and IMR 4064. With the Varget I started at 44.0gr and worked up in .2 increments to 44.8gr. With the 4064 I started at 42.0 and worked up in .2 increments to 42.6. Pics of each target are below. All where 3 round groups in each charge weight.
The Varget has me most confused. The one shot in the 44.2 group I know I jerked so that may be the best of the 5 groups but none are really that bad or that great. All at 44.2 and above are sub moa. The 44.8 maybe the best.
The IMR 4064 is my go to powder for .308 My custom rifle loves 43.0gr under a 168gr SMK but its a 11 twist. Obviously the 42.2-42.4gr looks pretty damn good. I will load some 5 round tests for those charge weights for my next outing.
I keep hearing how great Varget is and I have several pounds of it, bought because of the hype, but frankly it looks like the 4064 is going to be my go to powder for this new AI rilfe as well. I will play a little more with the Varget if someone, more knowledgeable than I sees something in this target worth pursuing.
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