New 308 Win Load - 155gr Bullet Options vs 168 Amax?

[MaxLoad]

I am currently loading for a Remington 700 SPS Tactical 1:12 twist... my existing load is using a Hornady 168gr Amax with H4895 powder. I am using 41.5gr and getting about 2550 FPS. The 168 amax has a G7 BC of .230

I was looking to make a new load using the 155gr bullet weight using the H4895 powder. I wanted to see if the velocity would fair well for me with a 20" barrel using this powder.

My choices are:
155 Amax - G7 .212
155 Sierra Matchking Palma - G7 .229
155 Lapua Scenar - G7 .236

Hornady being the most cost effective, but the Lapua having the highest BC.

The 168s shoot very well for me, but as of right not I haven't been shooting past 800 yards. From what I see I might not see any real advantage unless I start using the Scenar bullets which would allow me to obtain faster MV and better BC to push the distance of my 20" barrel.

I just wanted to see if anyone has any personal experience using something similar... Looking for some insight.

 

[Hondo64d]

I have not yet done extensive load development with the 155gr Scenar, but the one load I did try, a Random load of 46gr TAC, showed me that it is going to be a VERY easy bullet to get to shoot well. Here's the only group, 10 shots, I have tried with the 155gr Scenars:

John

 

[MaxLoad]

Thanks for the post.

Using the H4895 powder and a 20" barrel, does anyone know what the upper velocity limits one can expect out of the 168gr Amax and 155 Lapua bullets might be?

My 168 Amax are running 2550 and im not sure how much more headroom I have. I'm not that great at reading pressure signs but at this load I can neck size a few times before needing a FL size, bolt lift seems fine, and nothing abnormal on the primer end.

My loads group at an honest 1/2 MOA, with the occasional .25 MOA group... and shooting paper out to 300 shows they group consistently across that range. My 300 yard groups were about 1.6" in size.

I'm not sure if I should leave good enough alone, or seek a different load for distance shooting. Based on the ballistic calculator for my 168gr Amax load (DA 2150 / 75F) it shows the bullet going transonic at around 940 yards.

The Lapua 155 shows better results in my calculator, but again, i'm not sure if I am plugging in realistic muzzle velocity data (I guessed 2750 FPS) for comparison sake.

Does anyone know how much more room I have to work with, or what can be expected with what I am working with?