308 Loads-175 gr MK and 178 A max

M

miele

Guest
Hey Guys-
Finally got my sav.model 10 with model 12 lam stock and Benchmark Barrel:D
This combo shoots very well with 150gr and 168 gr MK or Nosler CC but
the 175 and 178 A max do not really shoot well,which confused me since
the barrel is 26 inches with a 1x10 inch twist.I have been using 43 Varget :rolleyes:
Should I try RL 15 , changing OAL (would really like to keep mag length at
2.810 OAL) or something else :confused:
Thanks
John
 
My 10 twist, 24 inch barrel shoots the 178 Amax very well with 44 grains of varget.
 
was just thinking

that maybe you need to up the load a bit. your savage may like to run a little warm. most 308's seem to like a warm load and my savage likes warm loads better than a middle of the road load. like everything take it with a grain of salt
 
My .308s like 178gr Amaxs but neither of them do well with Varget. They do however work well with 42-42.5 grains of IMR-4895. This is a pretty warm load so as always start a little low and work up.
 
I second the vote for IMR-4895. Both my match rifle and deer rifle (both Remington 700 actions) prefer 41.5 gr. IMR-4895 behind the 178gr A-Max. Just note that in my guns, this seems to be getting close to a MAX load. The primers are starting to get flat and there is some cratering clearly evident around the primer dent... but it shoots one-hole groups at 100-yards and always under one-inch at 200-yards. The only other powder that worked this well in these two guns was AA-2520. I found, however, that 2520 seemed to vary considerably from lot to lot, so I went back to IMR-4895.

BTW: 168gr MatchKings worked beautifully with Varget in these guns... not so hot with 178gr A-Max and 180 gr MK. Seems to be a trend here.

Hope this helps...
 
Stick with one powder and tune the rifle with seating depth. Any of the powders listed will give you excellent results with the correct mechanics.

This has worked for me in several 308's, including a model 12.

If you want them to go into the mag, stick with what likes to jump (smk's, berger bt's), and seat them at the max oal.

Another good bullet to me is the Lapua Scenar.
 
Varget

I just found the load my XR .308 likes. I loaded up 43 grains of Varget with 168 SMK, Rem brass, Fed 210M and seated it at 2.80. Shot a .425, 5 shot group with it yesterday.

It shoots well with 42.7 grs ofVV N150, but not a good as the Varget.
 
42.5 grains of IMR-4064 shot well, 1/2 moa to 300, with the 175 and 178 for me out of a CZ and a 700.
I used Winchester brass and Federal 210M primers.
 
I recommend IMR 4064 for .308 accuracy work. 1/4 moa at 100 and 1/2" groups at 300 with the 178 Amax. I think 41.5 of 4064 is also Sierra's accuracy load for the 175 SMK. Every gun prefers it's own favorite food though!

Also, try going shorter on the COL in .005 increments and see if grouping changes... You'd be suprised..
 
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