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For those who load .308...
popgun
Member Posts: 670 ✭
Hi!
As soon as I get the remainder of my order from Midway (backordered,) I will begin learning how to properly load .308 for my Remington 700.
I would appreciate any and all suggested combos of bullet type (manufacturer and grain,) powder, primer (and brass, if the manufacturer makes a difference there) for effective, accurate .308 loads. Would be interested in hearing your personal preferences.
Also, there are SO many reloading manuals out there - would any one (or two) be better than others? (Speer better than Hornaday, etc?) Or are they all pretty much alike?
Thanks for your suggestions and input.
As soon as I get the remainder of my order from Midway (backordered,) I will begin learning how to properly load .308 for my Remington 700.
I would appreciate any and all suggested combos of bullet type (manufacturer and grain,) powder, primer (and brass, if the manufacturer makes a difference there) for effective, accurate .308 loads. Would be interested in hearing your personal preferences.
Also, there are SO many reloading manuals out there - would any one (or two) be better than others? (Speer better than Hornaday, etc?) Or are they all pretty much alike?
Thanks for your suggestions and input.
Comments
E\What is the twist rate on your barrel???
That is important on where to start on bullets weights.
For match loads a 1/10 twist prefers 168 and 175gr HPBTM
A 1/12 twist will prefer the 150 and 155gr HPBTM bullets.
these are start points but there is a big difference in what performs well in your barrel and it is the twist rate that determines that.
Wulfmann
"Fools learn from their own mistakes. I learn from the mistakes of others"
Otto von Bismarck
Wulfmann,
It's a 700 VLS, and the barrel twist is 12".
Again, thanks for the help and info - and I will appreciate any more that anyone has to offer.
[:)]
quote:that rifle will shoot better than you or I can hold it.
Especially the way I shoot! [;)]
quote:The 700 VLS is an unbelieveable shooter and not to fussy about its dinner.
That's why I got it. I wanted the best - even though my "aiming eye" (right) was damaged a few years ago, so I'm hardly the best shot anymore. But I wanted the best.
Even using cheap factory loads, it gets me in or near the bullseye.
So am anxious to see what kind of increased accuracy I get with my own reloads.
Thank you - and everyone else - for your suggestions and info.
[:)]
[:D]
I would have to bet along with bugmantraap. I have a 700 VS with a 1/12 twist and it's scarry sometimes with the way it shoots. One thing I started out with was low end loads (308 was rechambered to 308 Ackley so I had to fire form some loads). My loads ran just above 2400 fps with 180 grain Hornady spire points, which is a mild load, but cut ragged five shot groups at 100. Ued the fire form loads during deer season and had excellent kills with minimal meat damage. Not the greatest for long range shooting but just fine for the Virginia landscape I hunt on. I do have beefed up loads using 190 grain Berger bullets (MOLY) over 46 grains of WW748. No pressure signs and still hold half MOA.
As far as loading manuals? I like Hornady. Not just for the loading of Hornady bullets but because for the HPBT Berger bullets I can get my starting loads from the HPBT bullets listed in the manual (bearing surface is very similar for both bullets makers). I have most of the manuals available - Hornady, Barnes, Speer, Nosler, Hodgon, Sierra. I have, and still do, relied on them all from time to time even though they do vary a bit for the same cartridge. But to start out, Hornady and Nosler would be my choices if I were limited to two.
Brass? Winchester without a doubt. Have found too many Remington with flow pattern on the necks and, for a match shooter, weight to weight variances between cases is a bit much.
Bullets and bullet makers abound. Hornady, Nosler, Sierra, etc. all have good offerings in 30 cal that are suitable for everything from whistlepigs to wonder bucks of any size. I have used a variety and they all work well with proper bullet placement. Get yourself a manual or two, read up on what's available for what you plan to hunt and start developing your loads. Have fun and be safe.
Vic
Unless I am using Federal or mil brass, I agree. Never had anything go wrong with standard brass. The other stuff, I just load a little less in the boiler room and go shooting.
combined technology, this is a cooperative venture of nosler and
winchester and can be obtained through midwayusa.com. I have been
using IMR 4895 with very good (1/2" to 3/4" groups at 100 yards) results. I have also been tinkering with IMR 4064 because I have a
pound or so sitting around. I like to use winchester cases the 168
ballistic tip and 43.5 grains of IMR-4895 and Federal large rifle 210 primers. I seat the bullet with an OAL of 2.70 but that is because my rifle has a very tight chamber. You could go out to 2.80. This load runs through my Remington 798 so well that it performs like a tack driver.
Things have gotten kinda hectic for me the past month - including a family emergency; so I haven't had time to even think of reloading.
But will get into it eventually, when I can.
Plinker,
Thanks for the offer of direct advice, and I will contact you as soon as things calm down for me, and I have the time.
Thank you all once again.
I'm a big fan of the Sierra reloading manual. Even though I've gone to several different kinds of bullets. I still reference it for starting loads of weights of bullets.
As far as an Accurate load goes, I've found that in a full 24" barrel that H4350 Extreme works well. Work up from the minimum (the book references 43 gr. for a 168 gr. bullet) and see where your accuracy is most consistent. I'm like JustC in that I like Hornady A-max's for the .308 more than I prefer Sierra's. The Sierra's are very accurate but have such a short ogive in comparison that they fall off in velocity for long range.
Now, that's a target load. You may be interested in a hunting load. Do the same thing except use a Nosler 165 gr. Accubond. They also have a new 168 gr. BT. You might give it a look-see as it is supposed to have a better BC than does the 165 gr. BT.
popgun,
I'm a big fan of the Sierra reloading manual. Even though I've gone to several different kinds of bullets. I still reference it for starting loads of weights of bullets.
As far as an Accurate load goes, I've found that in a full 24" barrel that H4350 Extreme works well. Work up from the minimum (the book references 43 gr. for a 168 gr. bullet) and see where your accuracy is most consistent. I'm like JustC in that I like Hornady A-max's for the .308 more than I prefer Sierra's. The Sierra's are very accurate but have such a short ogive in comparison that they fall off in velocity for long range.
Now, that's a target load. You may be interested in a hunting load. Do the same thing except use a Nosler 165 gr. Accubond. They also have a new 168 gr. BT. You might give it a look-see as it is supposed to have a better BC than does the 165 gr. BT.
Pop gun
I use the Speer manual. I like 45 grains of Varget behind a 168gr speer gold match bullets I use Federal cases with cci br-2 primers if you are just shooting at targets. However do not use speer's data for Barnes bullet. I recently loaded the same powder charge behing a 168 gr barnes and it blew the primer out and broke the extractor on the gun. I talked to a barnes tech and they told me that I should be around 42-44 grs of powder for this bullet.
http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html
Especially Mk-19 with that excellent article.
Have had a family emergency which has kept me from beginning my reloading, but I hope to get into it shortly, and the info in this thread will be a huge help to me.
Thanks again!
Hi!
As soon as I get the remainder of my order from Midway (backordered,) I will begin learning how to properly load .308 for my Remington 700.
I would appreciate any and all suggested combos of bullet type (manufacturer and grain,) powder, primer (and brass, if the manufacturer makes a difference there) for effective, accurate .308 loads. Would be interested in hearing your personal preferences.
Also, there are SO many reloading manuals out there - would any one (or two) be better than others? (Speer better than Hornaday, etc?) Or are they all pretty much alike?
Thanks for your suggestions and input.
Hi popgun,
I will give you my secret .308 loads that won many matches in Michigan. It consisted of the following items....
200-300 yds
168 grain Dardas boattail (molycoated)
45.0 grains Varget
RWS primer
Winchester cases
600-1000 yds
190 grain Dardas boattail (molycoated)
46.0 grains Varget (compressed load)
RWS primer
Lapua cases
These loads were only safe in my gun. You will need to experiment to find a safe level in yours.
By the way, do you have a Precision Mic?
The most important ingredient proved to be the RWS primers. They turned a mediocre load (group size & standard deviation) into a phenominal load (sub-x group size and single digit standard deviation). They are expensive but well worth it.
I trust that this information will help you.
Matt
Trapper,
quote:that rifle will shoot better than you or I can hold it.
Especially the way I shoot! [;)]
quote:The 700 VLS is an unbelieveable shooter and not to fussy about its dinner.
That's why I got it. I wanted the best - even though my "aiming eye" (right) was damaged a few years ago, so I'm hardly the best shot anymore. But I wanted the best.
Even using cheap factory loads, it gets me in or near the bullseye.
So am anxious to see what kind of increased accuracy I get with my own reloads.
Thank you - and everyone else - for your suggestions and info.
[:)]
Back in the early 70s I was a sniper in the Marine Corps. Then I could hit a 6" circle at 1000 yards. With age my eyes have gotten bad. Now I am lucky to hit a 6' circle at 1000. Anyway my 2 cents to this post is to be certain you have no distractions while you are reloading. Ruined a S&W 29 a few years back due to a doubled charged load. This is probably the most often mistake a reloader (a new one to boot) will make. Another thing is do not fall for all the bells and wistles out there. There is so many gadgets out there to fill a pick up truck. All you need to tart is a good quality press, scales, something to debur and campher, case lube and dies. You will eventually need a case trimmer and cleaner. Rememberthat the most expensive isn't always the best to go with. But no scrimping on dies. Buy the best you an afford.
Good luck and remamber safety first.
quote:Originally posted by MMOMEQ-55
quote:Originally posted by popgun
Trapper,
quote:that rifle will shoot better than you or I can hold it.
Especially the way I shoot! [;)]
quote:The 700 VLS is an unbelieveable shooter and not to fussy about its dinner.
That's why I got it. I wanted the best - even though my "aiming eye" (right) was damaged a few years ago, so I'm hardly the best shot anymore. But I wanted the best.
Even using cheap factory loads, it gets me in or near the bullseye.
So am anxious to see what kind of increased accuracy I get with my own reloads.
Thank you - and everyone else - for your suggestions and info.
[:)]
Back in the early 70s I was a sniper in the Marine Corps. Then I could hit a 6" circle at 1000 yards. With age my eyes have gotten bad. Now I am lucky to hit a 6' circle at 1000. Anyway my 2 cents to this post is to be certain you have no distractions while you are reloading. Ruined a S&W 29 a few years back due to a doubled charged load. This is probably the most often mistake a reloader (a new one to boot) will make. Another thing is do not fall for all the bells and wistles out there. There is so many gadgets out there to fill a pick up truck. All you need to tart is a good quality press, scales, something to debur and campher, case lube and dies. You will eventually need a case trimmer and cleaner. Rememberthat the most expensive isn't always the best to go with. But no scrimping on dies. Buy the best you an afford.
Good luck and remamber safety first.
Don't worry, as I plan to be careful and not rush things. When I was reloading before (LONG ago,) the worst thing I ever did was to seat one bullet into a primed - but empty - casing; and I knew I had done it just after I did it. So I plan to be careful.
I have a Lee Classic 4-hole press and Lee dies, and an RCBS powder measure which I will soon be getting a mirometer screw for.
I've been told Lee products are very good (even if not the most expensive,)so I hope they will be good enough.
I do always try to buy the best equipment I can afford.
So thanks again for all the very helpful info.
[:)]
quote:Originally posted by popgun
Hi!
As soon as I get the remainder of my order from Midway (backordered,) I will begin learning how to properly load .308 for my Remington 700.
I would appreciate any and all suggested combos of bullet type (manufacturer and grain,) powder, primer (and brass, if the manufacturer makes a difference there) for effective, accurate .308 loads. Would be interested in hearing your personal preferences.
Also, there are SO many reloading manuals out there - would any one (or two) be better than others? (Speer better than Hornaday, etc?) Or are they all pretty much alike?
Thanks for your suggestions and input.
Hi popgun,
I will give you my secret .308 loads that won many matches in Michigan. It consisted of the following items....
200-300 yds
168 grain Dardas boattail
45.0 grains Varget
RWS primer
Winchester cases
600-1000 yds
190 grain Dardas boattail
46.0 grains Varget (compressed load)
RWS primer
Lapua cases
These loads were only safe in my gun. You will need to experiment to find a safe level in yours.
By the way, do you have a Precision Mic?
The most important ingredient proved to be the RWS primers. They turned a mediocre load (group size & standard deviation) into a phenominal load (sub-x group size and single digit standard deviation). They are expensive but well worth it.
I trust that this information will help you.
Matt
I use almost the same loads ( tweeked to my weapons-bolt guns), however; I use Sierra's MKs in both 168-190. Custom bullets can be better than Sierra, or worse, but all in all, Sierra gives you a damn good bullet for the money. A couple of records have been set with these bullets. This is good info Dardas has posted. Regarding primers, I can only say you need to test your lot of primers. Primers can and do vary from lot to lot, as does your powder,
When ever a lot changes in you loading, recheck, Vel and SD-under same conditions- they shouldn't jump around, if they do, that lot has enough variation to make you do a little rework. The 44-46gr Varget/190 Sierra MK, is a favorite of many shooters in the U.S., I
'd be surprised if you went to any 600 yard range on any weekend and someone, if not many, weren't shooting this load. Great place to start.
BigKev72- 3850fps or 2850fps?
It would be safe to say 2850fps, don't see a 308Win packing enough powder for 3850fps.
Barrel life would be horrible at 3850 I dare say [:D]
Oh and for god's sake dont mix up your brass from the semi auto's and the bolt...military chambers are not as tight as my bolt baby's!!!