Questions about bullet choice for 308

[Tigrexar]

Appreciate for looking at this post! I just started at reloading.
I need help in picking bullets for further reloading, maybe by picking "right" bullets may save me some time and money?

Recently I`ve been reloading for Savage 10 Ashbury, 308, 24`` barrel and 1:10 twist rate. I started with CCI 200 primer, FGMM`s used brass and Hornady ELD match 168gr bullets. For short term the powder and brass will remain same, while I`m buying some bullets to reload more.
I tried 2.8 OAL while rifling clearly carved on bullet, so I lowered OAL to 2.770 so bullet will barely touch the rifling. Powder I loaded increased from 42gr to 43.5gr(43.3gr is the max per reloading book). Around 43.3/43.5gr I got max accuracy(0.6-0.7 inch group at 100 yards). I was reading OCW theory and I guess there should be a “max” accuracy reload for lower powder quantity, so I`m still digging around 38-41gr to find out.

Here`s my question. I`m using Berger calculator to check different bullets(http://www.bergerbullets.com/twist-rate-calculator/), after putting in various bullets(from 150 to 178 from different brands) data, I found 155gr SMK has best stability, while I`m also searching online, while for 1:10 twist rate a lot of people saying 168gr/175gr got best accuracy. Does stability equals to accuracy?

Should I buy some more Hornady ELD in 168/155 gr to keep working on this reload, or shall I straight jump to SMK HPBT and use 155gr, as suggested by the calculator?

Please share your experience and give me some suggestions, thank you! I set up a poll, so it only takes some clicks!

 

[LawnMM]

Stability only effects accuracy if it's insufficient. 1:10 twist at 24" will stabilize anything you'd care to try.

I'd stick with the ~178ish gr bullets in 308

If you don't get the accuracy you want you can try a different powder

 

[Kopfjager1]

Myself and a few others shooting 308 in the previous matches were having great results with Nosler 175 RDFs. I know the 6.5 130/140 RDFs dont have the greatest reputation, but the 308 175 RDF is phenomenal. Its slightly longer than the Hornady 178 ELD-Ms and more consistent in weight and length than the 178 ELD-M.

Twist rate is more dependent on bullet length, rather than weight. Typically the heavier the bullet is, the longer it is; which is why we say a faster twist will stabilize the heavier bullets. The closer you are to the optimal stabilization for that specific bullet, MV, and atmospherics, the more likely the bullet will perform.

 

[emann1022]

My savage 10 came with a very short chamber from the factory. When I chambered 175 FGMM there were rifling marks in the bullet. I called Savage and they had me send them the rifle and they fixed the chamber. After the repair the same rounds were about .010" off the rifling. This apparently was quite common with these rifles. Might be worth checking out?

 

[Tigrexar]

My savage 10 came with a very short chamber from the factory. When I chambered 175 FGMM there were rifling marks in the bullet. I called Savage and they had me send them the rifle and they fixed the chamber. After the repair the same rounds were about .010" off the rifling. This apparently was quite common with these rifles. Might be worth checking out?

Thank you very much for the information! I’m calling them now!

 

[gunsnjeeps]

My experience with .308 is with 175 SMK in issued M118LR for Service Rifle and Long Range, 1000 yard matches; and a "ball" substitute using 150 Game Kings loaded at 2750 fps with RL15. I will be working up my own M118LR loads this fall with Varget and RL15. I think Savage keeps a short throat for the 150 and 155 Palma bullets as opposed to a longer throat for heavier bullets.

 

[300ATT]

A 1:10 .308 will stabilize a 190gr bullet and 200gr depending the altitude and temp you shoot them at. When I competed in Palma matches many competitors would use a 190gr over a 155 gr bullet if the local matches would allow it as they believed that it did a better job bucking the wind. They The Sierra 175gr matchking is a great place to start. The bullet is not very finicky and they are easy to get to shoot very well. Try 42.5 - 43.5gr of Varget with a Federal 210m or CCI BR-2 primer Winchester, Federal or Lapua brass and you should see great results. You can also try "around 43.0gr of R15 with the 175 SMK that works well also.

Good luck