Range Report POF USA (.308) Report. Updated 12-16-10

[Sumpter Steve]

Rifle 16.5" POF

I did some more load testing this morning and have some chrono data to share. This rifle really seems to shoot very well (5/8-3/4")with the proper loads and I very impressed with the craftsmanship. Frank and the fellas over at POF have one hell of a product that they manufacture. I have only had this rifle for less than a month (154 rounds) and it's my first "precision" auto loader so needless to say I still have a lot to learn with this system. It is really nice to have a rifle that shoots well right out of the box which allows me to fine tune my loads without wasting ammo. With this data I'm hopeful that this rifle will prove accurate out to 800+ yards. Here is some basic data from three loads that I tested today. I know that I have a lot more load development to do but so far so good.

#1
44 Varget
175 SMK
CCI Primer
Lapua Brass
Avg Velocity = 2455
Avg Group = 1/2" - 5/8"

#2
44.5 Varget
175 SMK
CCI Primer
Lapua Brass
Avg Velocity = 2491
Avg Group = 5/8" - 3/4"

#3
45 Varget
175 SMK
CCI Primer
Lapua Brass
Avg Velocity = 2521
Avg Group = 3/4" - 1"

 

[rommel500]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

What was your COAL? Great info with the velocities and all.

I have had best luck keeping the COAL at 2.800 and under with my POF 308 w/ a 20" barrel. Mine also doesn't seem to like 168gr SMK's but I haven't tried with the 175's in it yet... I have had good luck with the Hornady 168gr Amax's and a light load of RL15 w/ 41.3grs. Gives me ~ .75 MOA at 100 yards.

 

[Sumpter Steve]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rommel500</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What was your COAL? Great info with the velocities and all.

I have had best luck keeping the COAL at 2.800 and under with my POF 308 w/ a 20" barrel. Mine also doesn't seem to like 168gr SMK's but I haven't tried with the 175's in it yet... I have had good luck with the Hornady 168gr Amax's and a light load of RL15 w/ 41.3grs. Gives me ~ .75 MOA at 100 yards. </div></div>

The COAL for these loads was 2.800".

 

[frankythefly]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

My accurate load is same stuff you are using except 43.7 grns varget and cci br-2 primers, I found a little slower velocity with varget is a more accurate load when using the 175s, maybe give that a try. I am also using a RCBS competition Full length sizer die, never had issues w/cycling. Also 20inch barrel length, 2596 FPS 13 ES.

 

[ggmanning]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

My accurate load is
Lapua case
Fed 210 m
155 Berger VLD
45.0 Varget
Seated just under 2.800....off hand I don't remember
Shot to 650yds so far and the rifle is very capable

 

[CST]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

should try loading the hotter loads to 2.810 similar to 118LR.. shrank my groups

 

[desertHK]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: CST</div><div class="ubbcode-body">should try loading the hotter loads to 2.810 similar to 118LR.. shrank my groups </div></div>

Do you have any magazine issues with the OAL being 2.810?

 

[CST]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

not at all...worked in all my Noveske ar10mags, my DPMS mags and a buddies POF...copied 118LR dimension.

 

[desertHK]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

Would definitely try that and see if I can shrink my group a bit. Also, what is your recipe, if you don't mind sharing?

 

[CST]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

175s SMK
win brass
44.4gr. RE15 2540fps at 60deg
43.7 " 2440 "
(both accuracy nodes)
BR2 or Fed 210M primers
.331 neck tension
2.810 OAL

OUt of 18" and 20" barrels

 

[desertHK]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

I use IMR4064 at 43.8 grains, WCC brass, CCI200 primers, and load it to 2.800" with the 175 SMK. There are days where I shoot subMOA. Other days, I couldn't hold MOA if my life depends on it. It is certainly different from my bolt gun. That's for sure.

 

[Sumpter Steve]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

Took her out to 200 yards yesterday for the first time. I had three rounds left so I tried to shoot a group. I was pleased with her performance even though the light conditiond were terrible (sunset). I had to bracket the target with my reticle as I could not see the 1" orange dot. The three shot group measured 1 5/8". Now I need to get her out there when I can actually see what I'm shooting at. I know that this group does not meet the "group" requirements but three rounds is all I had left.

 

[CST]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

thats good enouhh...now just load a crap load up and enjoy the gun!

 

[Sumpter Steve]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

Update: I took her out today and only had (8) rounds to send down range. I figured I would try to verify some dope so I started at 300 yards and fired a 3-shot group which measured 1 5/8". I then went out to 600 yards and fired a 5-shot group which measured 5 1/2". I really need to work more on my mid range shooting but the weather has been so bad lately that I've been staying under cover (100-200 yards) for the last couple of months. I know I'm a wussy but I'm begining to really hate the rain. With the exception of todays 600 yard group (which I know was due to my rusty shooting skills) this rifle system is holding right around 3/4 minute or better with my 44.5 Varget (175 SMK) handloads. If you are debating a semi-auto platform I would say "Buy a POF with confidence".

300 yard group

 

[Sumpter Steve]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

Went out again today a shot her for the first time at 800. I didn't have any dope at this range so I cranked in 8.3 Mils of elevation (educated guess) and waited for the wind to settle down a bit. Once the wind looked steady I cranked off 5 shots in about 12-15 seconds. When I went down to the butts I was pleasantly suprised by the 9 3/4" group. No a bad group for semi-rapid fire out of a 16.5" rifle. I know that both the rifle and myself can do better but considering the conditions I'm very pleased. I love this rifle. Can't wait to try her @ 1K.

 

[teknikallysekure]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

Great pics review and shooting Steve! Hope all is well in your corner

 

[Sumpter Steve]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: COURAGEWOLF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great pics review and shooting Steve! Hope all is well in your corner

</div></div>

You too buddy. Hope you guys have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Give me a holler sometime.

 

[Jon Lester]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

Are you Stuck on the 175? My AR runs the 155s HOT into tighter groups.

 

[Sumpter Steve]

Re: POF USA (.308) Report

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jon Lester</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Are you Stuck on the 175? My AR runs the 155s HOT into tighter groups. </div></div>

Sort of. The last class I went to the instructor educated us on the importance of a higher BC for bucking the wind. "Velocity is fine but BC is forever". This made a lot of sense to me so I switched over from the 168's. I'm still working on my load development as the rifle only has 200 rounds down the barrel. These posts are not meant to show my rifle as a "1/4 minute laser" but rather what an average shooter is getting out of his 16.5" setup in various conditions. Thanks. Steve.