Any "Pet" Accuracy Loads for .308??

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guitarguy0731

Guest
Working on a .308 getting ready to do my load development, thought it might save me some time and money by asking if anyone as a favorite accuracy load, this might give me a place to start rather than testing the whole spectrum of variable combinations. I bought a bulk pack of 168 gr Sierra Matcking HPBT's so this is the bullet i'll be using for awhile, I'm mostly interested in what kind of powder charges you guys are finding most accurate for this bullet. I have multiple cans of both Varget and Accurate 2520, so if you use one of these powders let me know what you've found out. I have found that max load usually is not the most accurate. Thanks.
 
By the way, the .308 is for 600 yard F-Class, which is why i posted under this thread, have had several people recommend the 175 gr SMK, but i have a large quantity of 168's to use up and have read that the 168's will work fine unless trying to shoot out to 1000 then will have a hard time stabilizing the 168's and staying supersonic.
 
Buy and use a reloading manual

Sierra Bullets has a toll-free line you can call for questions of this sort, which is the information you'll also see in their excellent manual.

Start safe, work up to higher velocities as needed/practical/safe.

Use the search function. There are hundreds if not thousands of posts about this subject. :cool:

Every rifle is different. You'll only find what's accurate in your rig by experimenting. Varget and IMR4064 are two powders which generally provide very good results. If I were you, I'd start with Varget, loaded to SAAMI, and tweak from there. Beyond 600y, I wouldn't waste my time with 168 MK loads. ;)
 
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HolderT,
How compressed is that load and what velocity are you getting (what barrel also)?
Richard
 
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Richard,

It isn't all that compressed. I didn't chrono it, but in a ladder the group was much tighter around 47.3 than anywhere else higher or lower. Admittedly there wasn't a whole lot higher. It has been a good load for me, when I do my part, and others who have shot it in my gun have done well with it. The barrel is a Remington SS 5R, 1 in 11.25" twist.

Holder
 
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For my LRB M14

In Service Rifle Comp and with 168 SMK's (and 167 Lapua Scenars) I shoot 42 grains of IMR 4895 almost exclusively. I get average 100 yard groups at around .5" with this load.

It is a match M14 with a Kreiger Barrel with 1:10 twist, but this load also performs about the same in my Savage 10FCP (same twist) or better on a good day.

Works well out to 300 and holds at about the same 1/2 MOA; i.e. I can keep the groups, on average, around 1.5". Ive bug-holed it more than a few times at 100 and 200, when "I was on", with 3 rounds.
 
168 and/or 175

guitarguy0731 said:
By the way, the .308 is for 600 yard F-Class, which is why i posted under this thread, have had several people recommend the 175 gr SMK, but i have a large quantity of 168's to use up and have read that the 168's will work fine unless trying to shoot out to 1000 then will have a hard time stabilizing the 168's and staying supersonic.
Click to expand...

What is your twist and barrel length? 1:12 would be good for both bullets. nhk
 
Sierra 168 gr MatchKing over H4895, in Lapua Brass and a Fed #210 primer, works for me,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

the wind is my friend,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

DD
 
Lapua brass
CCI-BR2 primer
168 SMK
43.5 IMR-4064
2.850 OAl
This load works wonders in all 3 of my rifles. Sako TRG -22,FN-SPR-A2,and Kimber Advanced Tactical. I can count on .650" or less for 10 shot groups all day long with any of the 3 rifles listed. Hope this helps
 
Pet Loads

Guitarguy, there is no such thing as a Pet Load for one gun that transfers to another gun. Every barrel has different harmonics, and what works for one barrel will not work for another. You have to load your own samples to find out what works for you.

Your 168 Mk's and your powder are fine for 600 yards. Go to your loading manual and load 5-rounds of each designated load for 168 grain bullets from lowest to highest. Go to a shooting range, and bag your rifle up as much as possible to stop any movement and first make sure your rifle is sighted in properly at 100 yards. Use a fresh target for each of your 5-test loads, and record bullet weight, and grains of powder, and percieved recoil.

As you progress from lowest load to highest, you will see your groups coming together. For example, your best groups may be between 39-42 grains of powder. Take your targets and written observation home and reload the next batch of ammo on .2 grains increments between 39 and 42 grains.

You will probably find out your rifle will shoot equally as well at 39 grains and 40 grains of powder. Sometimes the best load is a range of a grain or two, not a range of .1 grains.

Now that you have a load you can work with comes the important part.

1. At home take a notebook, and cut your target so that you have the printed groups and your notes for each load and paste them each on a page of you notebook. Also record weather, temperatures and any sighting problems you have to work on. Keep your journal updated, record every trip to the range, and have a written objective to accomplish with each practice session.

2. Next load 25-rounds of whatever load worked best. Use 5-rounds as sighters, and make sure you are zeroed in on the 10-ring. Shoot your 20 rounds, keep and study the target and decide what you have to work on.

3. Keep doing step 2 till you have a rifle eqipped properly and a shooting routine that is reproducible every time. Over time increase the number of rounds you are shooting slowly till you can handle 60-rounds in a session.

The most important thing is not to worry about your loads, bullet weight, or what barrel you are shooting. Do your reloading and get as much practice time in as possible before you shoot a match. Shoot what you have and wring out the accuracy potential of your rifle before you start spending money on accessories, or the latest VooDoo gizmos.


I want to say something to you about time and money. If you don't have the time to commit to practice, and have to steal money from your grocery fund for ammunition, you should do something else. The sport of shooting requires a committment in money for ammunition and equipment. You don't have to buy it all at once, but eventually you will have make some purchases.

Look at your schedule, and personal committments and decide how often you can go to the range and practice. An hour a week is better than 8-hours once a month.

Most of all enjoy what you are doing! You can take this sport to any level you want, it all depends on how far you want to go.

Go to the range, do some shooting and come back to the forum and tell us what went right and especially what went wrong.

Julian



y
 
this works in my gun quite well

44.6 grains of N150
Winchester Brass trimmed to 2.008
175 grain Berger Long range match bullet
Wolf large rifle primer
COAL- what ever works best in your chamber. (2.83 works best in mine)
 
I also have a NM M1A. My favorite load is Sierra 168gr. MK seated at OAL of 2.820 on top of 41 gr. Reloder 15, on top of CCI BR primers, inside of fully prepped LC match brass @ 2650 fps. It will shoot dime size groups all day long @ 100 yrds. off the bench.
 

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Pet load Savage 10leb2 McMillan 168g Sierra Matchking 42g Varget Federal GMM Case Federal GMM Primers 3 Shot group size of .400 inch Good enough for Hunting varmints of the 2 legged Variety
 
Savage Dual Port Target 308 FTR-Class
Lapua Brass (trimmed, full length sized, neck & weight sorted)
Lapua 155 Scenars
Wolf LR Mag Primer
46gr H4895 2935fps
OAL at lands
Very accurate in this rifle
 
oldreliable4512 said:
Lapua brass
CCI-BR2 primer
168 SMK
43.5 IMR-4064
2.850 OAl
This load works wonders in all 3 of my rifles. Sako TRG -22,FN-SPR-A2,and Kimber Advanced Tactical. I can count on .650" or less for 10 shot groups all day long with any of the 3 rifles listed. Hope this helps
Click to expand...

Ditto the above for my custom 10:1 twist .308.
 
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