Range Report Tikka .308 speed.

[JakeM]

Just put together a ctr with the 20” barrel, going to use this in midrange ftr hopefully. Shooting 175smk great, with imr 4064. It likes light loads at 39.3gr, anything over 39.5 and the groups are over half an inch. But the velocity of the accuracy load is only 2275fps, and goes transonic around 950. And ideas on how to get more velocity out of it without a lighter bullet? Think it might like varget at a higher charge?

 

[ShtrRdy]

I ended up using Varget with that bullet.

 

[JakeM]

I can’t find varget or h4350. I have a little bit of h4350 so I’ll try that. Hopefully it will like it a little faster.

 

[Skeptic1]

Increase your powder charge. What twist is your barrel? I have a 24 inch barrel and my velocity node is 2640 fps. You shouldn't have any problem reaching that speed even with your 20" barrel. If you can't get sub MOA groups at that speed then you can tweak how deep you seat the bullet until things tighten up. My loads COAL is 2.81 inches. I use rl15 but it is hard to come by currently as well. Lots of people use 4064 with great results in 308 with 175 smk's. You could also try H4895. I saw that our local Cabellas had 4064 and H4895 in stock a couple of days ago.

 

[Lunchbox27]

I have had multiple 308’s, all using 4064 or Varget with 175 grain projectiles. 42.0 (+ or - a .1 grain) should give you what you want.

My bone stock Tikka 308 lite loved 41.9 of 4064, 175 Sierra Match Kings, lapua brass, cci 200 primers. Low 2600’s for speed.

 

[JakeM]

Increase your powder charge. What twist is your barrel? I have a 24 inch barrel and my velocity node is 2640 fps. You shouldn't have any problem reaching that speed even with your 20" barrel. If you can't get sub MOA groups at that speed then you can tweak how deep you seat the bullet until things tighten up. My loads COAL is 2.81 inches. I use rl15 but it is hard to come by currently as well. Lots of people use 4064 with great results in 308 with 175 smk's. You could also try H4895. I saw that our local Cabellas had 4064 and H4895 in stock a couple of days ago.

Thanks, I’ll play with the length, lands is at 2.287 but it likes them at 2.220.

 

[Skeptic1]

You're getting into the rifling at an oal length of 2.22". That seems like a really tight chamber. My Lyman book even says spec with the 175 smk's is 2.80.

 

[JakeM]

I’am measuring off the ogive.

 

[Skeptic1]

Oh, I see. I use a comparator and measure off of the ogive while loading as well, but when I'm all loaded and finished I always refer to COAL when discussing cartridge length. It's always an important thing to specify when talking load recipes.
Just a helpful safety tip that I'm sure you already know but thought I would put out there.
I'm interested in knowing what result you get.

 

[JakeM]

For the life of me a can’t find any varget or h4350.

 

[Quicksilver338]

Tikka tactical 20” 1:11 barrel, older model. 175smk and 45gr varget seated .010” off the lands going 2615fps average.

 

[JakeM]

If I can find some varget I’ll try it, hopefully it will like the varget faster.

 

[never_summer]

How did you do load development?

 

[JakeM]

39.5 of imr 4064 at 2.220, 40.5gr of imr 4064 at 2.220, 41.0 gr of imr 4064 at 2.220. Lowest shot .400” and it got bigger from there. 41.0 being over an inch. So went down to 39.3gr and that is accuracy load 1/4”. I upped the charge to 41.5gr .010 off the lands, no go.

 

[never_summer]

I’d suggest revisiting the powder manufacturers load data and doing an ocw test to find a good accuracy node, then start playing with the seating depths to fine tune. According to Hodgon reloading you aren’t even at the starting load let alone near book maximum

 

[JakeM]

Any time I increase powder charge or length the groups open upI think this is just how it likes it with this powder and bullet. I’ll use some 190s and mess with length then get back to everyone.

 

[Scopes]

I have 2 308 rifles. 41.8 to 42.4 of varget is the sweet spot with both guns. 175/178 bullets, cci 200, lapua brass. I have used multiple lots of varget and it always lands around the 42.0 range.

Another thought, is it shooter error? More powder equals more recoil and more recoil will exploit shooter errors. Not trying to say you don't know what your doing. Just a thought.

 

[JakeM]

I have 2 308 rifles. 41.8 to 42.4 of varget is the sweet spot with both guns. 175/178 bullets, cci 200, lapua brass. I have used multiple lots of varget and it always lands around the 42.0 range.

Another thought, is it shooter error? More powder equals more recoil and more recoil will exploit shooter errors. Not trying to say you don't know what your doing. Just a thought.

I see what you’re saying, but no. Every slight increase in powder charge the bigger the group is.

 

[JakeM]

39.5gr

40.5 gr

And 41.0 was just over an inch. I don’t think there is actually enough recoil to make a difference.

 

[never_summer]

I don’t know how much reloading experience you have, but maybe you should scroll through the sticky’s in the reloading section.

 

[JakeM]

Ok, loaded up three loads with 190gr Berger vld .007” off the lands. 38.5gr imr 4064. 40.0gr of imr 4064. 41.0gr of imr 4064. I’ll get back to you all about the Results when I shoot.

 

[tnichols]

39.5gr View attachment 7229159 40.5 grView attachment 7229160 And 41.0 was just over an inch. I don’t think there is actually enough recoil to make a difference.

Good advice above. Based on my experience with 308 based cartridges, you may still be on a low node at that charge weight. With a 175 class bullet and acceptable powders for the caliber, you may find a higher node in the 42-43 grain charge weight. Proceed cautiously and watch for pressure signs as you go.

 

[JakeM]

Good advice above. Based on my experience with 308 based cartridges, you may still be on a low node at that charge weight. With a 175 class bullet and acceptable powders for the caliber, you may find a higher node in the 42-43 grain charge weight. Proceed cautiously and watch for pressure signs as you go.

Thanks. I will.

 

[JakeM]

With the 190s. 38.5gr imr 4064 2.280.

40.0gr imr 4064 2.280

41.0gr imr 4064 2.280. This gun just likes light loads. I’ll try the 175s again at 42.5gr

 

[wade2big]

My Tikka T3X ctr in .308 shoots factory FGMM 175gr amazingly well at 2530 fps. That may be sweet spot for your handloads.

 

[mmihailov]

Hi guis, mi Tikka is T3 Varmint 20", 1;11 twist. in this moment i put on the rifle Vortex Strike Eagle 1-8/24. Yesterday i tried hornady bullets 178 ELD-X over Vihtavouri N540. The case is Lapua and CCI200 primers. The results:

That is the target at 100 m. The optics is at maximum magnification. It's a 22 shots in the group.

 

[260284]

For the life of me a can’t find any varget or h4350.

If you can't find Varget try IMR4166 or Shooters World Precision.

If I can find some varget I’ll try it, hopefully it will like the varget faster.

If you can't find Varget, try some IMR 4166. Really close to Varget on temp stability and burn rate.

Powder Temp Stability: Hodgdon Extreme vs. IMR Enduron

The goal of this field test was to quantify the temperature stability of the popular Hodgdon H4350 a...

precisionrifleblog.com

 

[Timetoshoot]

Tikka 308 20inch
175smk lapua, 43.9 Varget 2620fps

 

[lead.rain]

For the life of me a can’t find any varget or h4350.

There's a shortage right now with the new military contract. As a replacement for H4350 you can try R16 and IMR 4451. The new StaBALL from Winchester is getting good reviews as well.