Re: What loads does your rem 5r .308 like?
stoop,
I admire your dedication in asking for the "best" pet load for your Remington 700 5R w/ 1-11.25" twist.
But really your 5R is likely to be just like a number of factory 308's Remingtons, Winchesters, Savages, or even customs, only different.
Which means:
1) Pick a bullet - starting with match 155 grainers, or match 168 grainers (only if your shooting less than 800 yds), or match 175 class bullets (175 SMK, 175 Berger LRBT, 178 Hornady A-max's) or even the 185 grain Berger LRBT, or 190's class. And you know what, you can find an accurate load with any of them, in your 5R.
But if you had to pick just one bullet for any .308, on the basis of cost, flexibility, utility, and accuracy, just buy some Sierra 175 SMK's.
2) Pick a case - Lapua, Winchester, Hornady, Norma, Remington, Federal, etc. There are cost, dimensional, longevity, and case preparation differences, between these cases, but really any of them can deliver an accurate load for you.
But the least trouble-free brass, that has long life, and minimal prep time, is Lapua.
3) Pick a powder. There are a number of excellent powders that work in the 308 Winchester. But I've never found a 308 that could not deliver acceptable accuracy with Varget.
4) Pick a primer. Lots of primer will work well with the .308 Winny. But start with the Federal 210M, or the CCI BR2, and your set.
5) Seating depth. The factory mag box on your 5R is 2.850" long. If you want to actually feed ammo from your mag box, your ammo must be shorter by at least 0.010". I like a full 0.020" to be on the safe side. So your starting seating depth could be any where between 2.80" and 2.830".
I like to start at the max length suitable for my mag box, and if I cannot find an accurate load at that length, the only way to go is shorter. Takes some of the complication out of the equation if you do it that way.
So, in summary:
Sierra 175 grain SMK
Lapua Case
Fed 210M or CCI BR2 Primer
COAL of not more than 2.830"
Varget Powder
Start at 42.0 grains, work up carefully, and somewhere between 42.0 grains and 45.x grains, you will find an accurate load.
It may not be exactly someone else's "pet load", but it will be "your" pet load, worked up in your rifle.
Oh, and if you haven't got there yet, and your looking for more "pet loads", check out our reloading section:
Loads for the.308 Winchester
A full 11 pages of 308 loads. They may not be all for 5R's, but if you've been paying attention, it really does not matter. Pet loads are where you find them in your rifle.....
Best of Luck,
Bob