I am currently loading my .308 with 175grain Berger VLD's and 46.5 gr Varget. I am getting great groups but I am hoping to gain some velocity by switching powder. Any recommendations? How much of a difference will it make?
Speeding up my .308
- Thread starter huntermanpaul
- Start date
Re: Speeding up my .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want velocity shoot 155 Scenars. It doesn't make sense to try to get a speed advantage with heavier bullets that don't give you any BC advantage. </div></div>
I primarily use this gun for long range hunting and went with a heavy bullet hoping to buck the wind a little better. Any thoughts about the 155's and wind. Also, do you know how they do in game? I have been very happy with the VLD's on game but that heavy of a bullet is indeed slow
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want velocity shoot 155 Scenars. It doesn't make sense to try to get a speed advantage with heavier bullets that don't give you any BC advantage. </div></div>
I primarily use this gun for long range hunting and went with a heavy bullet hoping to buck the wind a little better. Any thoughts about the 155's and wind. Also, do you know how they do in game? I have been very happy with the VLD's on game but that heavy of a bullet is indeed slow
Re: Speeding up my .308
I should also mention that I am doing everything from hunting antelope at 5000' in 80 degree weather to hunting elk at over 10000 and at times below zero temp.
I should also mention that I am doing everything from hunting antelope at 5000' in 80 degree weather to hunting elk at over 10000 and at times below zero temp.
Re: Speeding up my .308
I'm using Hodgdon CFE223 under 178 AMAX in my .308 gas gun. I have a accuracy node with 46.8 grains CFE223 with AMAX seated 2.180 from ogive. The JP 16" barrel is 1 in 10" twist and they go 2550ish fps (Pact XP chrono) in 60* temp at sea level.
I'll take it!!!
Edit; that's all in Hornady Match .308 brass
I'm using Hodgdon CFE223 under 178 AMAX in my .308 gas gun. I have a accuracy node with 46.8 grains CFE223 with AMAX seated 2.180 from ogive. The JP 16" barrel is 1 in 10" twist and they go 2550ish fps (Pact XP chrono) in 60* temp at sea level.
I'll take it!!!
Edit; that's all in Hornady Match .308 brass
Re: Speeding up my .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1bad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rl15 will help out a little</div></div>
Maybe but with him using the load in 80* temp swings he needs something more stable than RL15
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1bad</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Rl15 will help out a little</div></div>
Maybe but with him using the load in 80* temp swings he needs something more stable than RL15
Re: Speeding up my .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2000mr pretty temp stable?</div></div>
All reports that I have seen is that it is less than one FPS per degree (somewhere around .6-.7) where Varget is around .3-.5 FPS/Deg. So yes it does pretty well but not quite as good as varget.
I can't state my sources but have seen consistent results from several people so take what you want out of my post.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">2000mr pretty temp stable?</div></div>
All reports that I have seen is that it is less than one FPS per degree (somewhere around .6-.7) where Varget is around .3-.5 FPS/Deg. So yes it does pretty well but not quite as good as varget.
I can't state my sources but have seen consistent results from several people so take what you want out of my post.
Re: Speeding up my .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am hoping to gain some velocity by switching powder. Any recommendations? How much of a difference will it make? </div></div>The .308 isn't about velocity. If you want to improve its performance with VLDs try JLKs: 175VLD @ .545 BC or 180 VLD at .580BC. Try those with 45.0 Varget for 2700fps+ and be happy.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: huntermanpaul</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am hoping to gain some velocity by switching powder. Any recommendations? How much of a difference will it make? </div></div>The .308 isn't about velocity. If you want to improve its performance with VLDs try JLKs: 175VLD @ .545 BC or 180 VLD at .580BC. Try those with 45.0 Varget for 2700fps+ and be happy.
Re: Speeding up my .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want velocity shoot 155 Scenars. It doesn't make sense to try to get a speed advantage with heavier bullets that don't give you any BC advantage. </div></div>
+2
bill larson
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Graham</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you want velocity shoot 155 Scenars. It doesn't make sense to try to get a speed advantage with heavier bullets that don't give you any BC advantage. </div></div>
+2
bill larson
Re: Speeding up my .308
Thanks for all the helpful info! I picked up some 2000 today and I am going to chrony some loads tomorrow to see how it compares. Thanks again!
Thanks for all the helpful info! I picked up some 2000 today and I am going to chrony some loads tomorrow to see how it compares. Thanks again!
Re: Speeding up my .308
+1 on the 2000mr. when the 175gr hpbt's are gone, try the 190s, if you have 1/11.25 twist and a 26" barrel. At your altitude, you should be accurate to at least 1300yds. I'm still blown away by this powder, pushing heavies fast with no perceivable pressure signs.
+1 on the 2000mr. when the 175gr hpbt's are gone, try the 190s, if you have 1/11.25 twist and a 26" barrel. At your altitude, you should be accurate to at least 1300yds. I'm still blown away by this powder, pushing heavies fast with no perceivable pressure signs.
Re: Speeding up my .308
I have tried 190gr SMKs. 190s suck in a .308 because velocity goes down significantly, pressure goes up quickly, there's not enough room in the case for slow burning powders and you only pick-up 25 BC points with that bullet.
If you want to experiment with the heavies, try the 208 Amax.
I have tried 190gr SMKs. 190s suck in a .308 because velocity goes down significantly, pressure goes up quickly, there's not enough room in the case for slow burning powders and you only pick-up 25 BC points with that bullet.
If you want to experiment with the heavies, try the 208 Amax.
Re: Speeding up my .308
I had a different experience. I agreed with the above post until I started using 2000mr. I had issues trying to get the 208 Amax to group, but have had recent success with the Hornady 208 HPBT & 47gr 2000mr, Win brass. It's on the warm side, but it's smack in the accuracy node, using it for winter shooting.
With 46.5gr under a 190gr Nosler CC, I'm averaging 3/4moa and getting 2730fps from a 26" 5R barrel. NO pressure signs. I am using Fed brass and on the 5th firing, still holding primers. There are other people doing this with similar results. I don't know why it works so well, it just does. I guess the only thing to do from here is to see how it affects barrel longevity
I had a different experience. I agreed with the above post until I started using 2000mr. I had issues trying to get the 208 Amax to group, but have had recent success with the Hornady 208 HPBT & 47gr 2000mr, Win brass. It's on the warm side, but it's smack in the accuracy node, using it for winter shooting.
With 46.5gr under a 190gr Nosler CC, I'm averaging 3/4moa and getting 2730fps from a 26" 5R barrel. NO pressure signs. I am using Fed brass and on the 5th firing, still holding primers. There are other people doing this with similar results. I don't know why it works so well, it just does. I guess the only thing to do from here is to see how it affects barrel longevity
Re: Speeding up my .308
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NoFail</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm using Hodgdon CFE223 under 178 AMAX in my .308 gas gun. I have a accuracy node with 46.8 grains CFE223 with AMAX seated 2.180 from ogive. The JP 16" barrel is 1 in 10" twist and they go 2550ish fps (Pact XP chrono) in 60* temp at sea level.
I'll take it!!!
Edit; that's all in Hornady Match .308 brass </div></div>
I am becoming a huge fan of CFE223 in my .308 Bolt gun. 168 to the "Varget Crunch" when trying to get speed.
I get the same speed you mentioned from my 24" bbl bolt gun with the 178's and 2815 with the 168's. I have room for more but these loads give me what I neeed, accurately.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: NoFail</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm using Hodgdon CFE223 under 178 AMAX in my .308 gas gun. I have a accuracy node with 46.8 grains CFE223 with AMAX seated 2.180 from ogive. The JP 16" barrel is 1 in 10" twist and they go 2550ish fps (Pact XP chrono) in 60* temp at sea level.
I'll take it!!!
Edit; that's all in Hornady Match .308 brass </div></div>
I am becoming a huge fan of CFE223 in my .308 Bolt gun. 168 to the "Varget Crunch" when trying to get speed.
I get the same speed you mentioned from my 24" bbl bolt gun with the 178's and 2815 with the 168's. I have room for more but these loads give me what I neeed, accurately.
Re: Speeding up my .308
Loaded a few rounds with 2000 and tested velocity today, gained almost 200 fps at the min. I was pushing a 175 vld at 2860. Going to start loading up .3 gr and find if I can get one to group well. Thanks for the help guys!
Loaded a few rounds with 2000 and tested velocity today, gained almost 200 fps at the min. I was pushing a 175 vld at 2860. Going to start loading up .3 gr and find if I can get one to group well. Thanks for the help guys!
Similar threads
