Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

terrance250

terrance250

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Dec 17, 2009
102
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Indiana
#1
After working almost the entire month of June, I was finally able to test some loads I had worked up for my 700 SPS Tactical today. I figured my rifle would be different, but the best load appears to be the 175SMK over 45gr of Varget like so many others.

Anyway, the one thing that did come as a suprise to me was the group I shot using that load. To date the smallest 100 yard grouping I've produced was right at .250", but today I was able to top that.

Charge weights are: bottom right-43gr (.686"), bottom left-43.5gr (.643"), middle-44gr (.768"), top right-44.5gr (.335"), & finally <span style="font-weight: bold">top left-45gr (.063")</span>

063jpg.jpg


I realize the 1/16 MOA group is partially luck, but I'm still going to choose this as the optimal charge for my rifle. I'm going to load up a couple hundred more at this weight & proceed with more testing.

Here's a few more pics from the day. If nothing else it was great getting to spend some time behind the rifle during a really nice day.

The range. Just a couple hundred yards from the house.
Range2.jpg


Range.jpg


All my garb....ready to shoot.

bench.jpg


And last but not least, the range buggy. This things great for hauling stuff out to shoot, and the kids like to cruize it around as well.

RangeBuggy.jpg
 
#4
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SnkBit</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Your groups are missing a couple of holes.

J/K, nice shooting </div></div>

In the past I've always used 5 shot groups for load development. This time around I was trying the OCW method which only calls for 3.

Either way, I'm still going to claim that I've produced a 1/16th inch group at 100 yards
wink.gif
 
#5
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

Your load development is done for now. Untile you change bullets/powders/primers/brass, there is really no reason to mess with a load that will shoot that good. Use it and be happy. I wish my sps's pet load was 45g insted of 42g, but oh well.
 
#7
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pi

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Velocity? </div></div>

Average velocity was 2612 fps.

Full specs were -

Sierra .308 175gr SMK
Win brass /new, but resized & trimmed to 2.005"
45gr Varget
WLR primer
C.O.A.L - 2.223" (ogive), 2.815" overall

Temp- 76f
Pressure- 30.3
Humidity- 47%
Wind- 5-10mph
Altitude- 485'
Angle- 0
 
#9
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 20incher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have an sps also and starting to get into reloading ,Would this be a good starting point for me? </div></div>


There's plenty of 20inch stock 700 reloading data, just make sure to always use the 10% rule.*

*The ten percent rule means to start out ten percent less than the amount stated to ensure your rifle can take the pressure.
 
#10
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 20incher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have an sps also and starting to get into reloading ,Would this be a good starting point for me? </div></div>

45.0 Varget in Lapua w/ 175 SMKs and 178 AMAX is my 1000 yd load in my SPS-T. Its very accurate but its also VERY hot. I'm also getting about 2610 fps with that load. I was able to get to 45.4 before getting pressure signs/bolt lift issues, but the accuracy dropped off after that. There are some accuracy nodes down around 2500 and 2550 that you may want to try if you are not shooting much past 2-400 yds.

And yes, use the 10% rule. EVERY rifle is different. And this is a close to max load!
 
#11
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: terrance250</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Velocity? </div></div>

Average velocity was 2612 fps.

Full specs were -

Sierra .308 175gr SMK
Win brass /new, but resized & trimmed to 2.005"
45gr Varget
WLP primer
C.O.A.L - 2.223" (ogive), 2.815" overall

Temp- 76f
Pressure- 30.3
Humidity- 47%
Wind- 5-10mph
Altitude- 485'
Angle- 0 </div></div>

K thanks. I've been shooting a 178 amax w/LC brass, varget and CCI primer out of my 18" 308 and settled on 42.5 (2466 fps). 44.5 gave me similar accuracy but it was noticeably hotter and and only around 2510 fps according to my chrono. It seems to me the accuracy loads for that powder and a 175ish grain bullet are 43 and 45 for everyone give or take.

A friend of mine shoots one of those SPS rifles and he's very happy with it, incredible accuracy for a ~550 buck gun.
 
#12
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pics

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: terrance250</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Velocity? </div></div>

Average velocity was 2612 fps.

Full specs were -

Sierra .308 175gr SMK
Win brass /new, but resized & trimmed to 2.005"
45gr Varget
<span style="color: #CC0000">WLP primer</span>
C.O.A.L - 2.223" (ogive), 2.815" overall

Temp- 76f
Pressure- 30.3
Humidity- 47%
Wind- 5-10mph
Altitude- 485'
Angle- 0 </div></div>

You meant to type WLR right?
 
#13
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pi

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: queequeg</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: terrance250</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BCP</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Velocity? </div></div>

Average velocity was 2612 fps.

Full specs were -

Sierra .308 175gr SMK
Win brass /new, but resized & trimmed to 2.005"
45gr Varget
<span style="color: #CC0000">WLP primer</span>
C.O.A.L - 2.223" (ogive), 2.815" overall

Temp- 76f
Pressure- 30.3
Humidity- 47%
Wind- 5-10mph
Altitude- 485'
Angle- 0 </div></div>

You meant to type WLR right? </div></div> Sorry, yes I meant WLR.
 
#17
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pi

My GAP F(tr) load is:

175 SMK
44.9 gr Varget
Lapua brass
CCI BR2
0.008" off the lands
AVG velocity at muzzel is 2,805 fps

200 yard zero required 30 min elevation for 1,000 at last match
 
#18
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pi

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 9sigman45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My GAP F(tr) load is:

175 SMK
44.9 gr Varget
Lapua brass
CCI BR2
0.008" off the lands
AVG velocity at muzzel is 2,805 fps

200 yard zero required 30 min elevation for 1,000 at last match </div></div>

You must only get about 2 or 3 reloads with that brass. I was shooting 175 SMK, Lapua brass, CCI BR2 and Varget 44.4gr and getting ejector marks/loose primer pockets and stiff bolt lift on occasion. I was only getting about 5 reloads out of that brass. That looks like a HOT load!
 
#19
Re: Think I found a load my 700 SPS likes.....w/pi

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: johngfoster</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 9sigman45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My GAP F(tr) load is:

175 SMK
44.9 gr Varget
Lapua brass
CCI BR2
0.008" off the lands
AVG velocity at muzzel is 2,805 fps

200 yard zero required 30 min elevation for 1,000 at last match </div></div>

You must only get about 2 or 3 reloads with that brass. I was shooting 175 SMK, Lapua brass, CCI BR2 and Varget 44.4gr and getting ejector marks/loose primer pockets and stiff bolt lift on occasion. I was only getting about 5 reloads out of that brass. That looks like a HOT load! </div></div>


It was extreemly hot at my last match (90+ degrees) and I did start to see a very slight ejector swipe. That brass has since been cleaned (SS method) and reloaded; the primer pockets seemed fine. Next time thru the gun will be the 5th firing of this particular batch of brass.

Keep in mind that my F(tr) rifle has a GAP match chamber. I was suprised to see that measurements with a RCBS precision mic only shows headspace growth of 0.001" from once fired new Lapua brass.

I'm hoping that the combimation of a tight chamber and neck sizing will get me around 8 reloadings without accuracy loss, but as you mentioned above, more than likely the primer pockets will be shot before then. Oh well, I see that as the old cliche, "you gotta pay to play".
grin.gif
 
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