Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

[Aimsmall55]

Was just doing some comparisons on jbm and found that if I could get a 208 amax to 2500 fps I would be supersonic out to 1320 yards. Has any one got any #'s or data... If so what's your recipe. Will be shooting out of a crusader with lapua brass and hopefully varget. Thanks

 

[RotARy15]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I'm setting up to push 208 AMAXs with Varget from a 24 inch. From my understanding, getting 2500fps in that situation is at the limit. Some rifles do it and others don't.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I done exactly that, but you need a 26" barrel and load long (3.075" COAL). Loaded that way you can nudge 2600fps. Ramshot Big Game was the powder I used.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I can get 2750 with 175's. But I guess those particular bullets are a hell of alot longer....

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I don't have an interest in doing this, but my curiosity is piqued. Would not a powder such as H4350 be an option with such a heavy bullet? I know thats a little unorthodox for a 308, but so is a 208 grain bullet.

Just a thought.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I got up to 40.5 gr of Varget with 208s, but I switched to 7mm08 before finding the limit. I doubt I got close to 2500fps.
If you don't mind using the temperature sensitive RL-17 it can be done. http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1299481
People have already tried H4350 and you can't fit enough in the case. Hodgdon's CFE 223 and Aliant's 2000MR show promise, but have not been very well tested.

 

[BCP]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I tried it out of an 18" with 2000MR. Velocity was okay but accuracy was abysmal. Might be worth a shot.

My 20" LTR likes that bullet with varget but the most velocity I get is about 2350 or so. Still supersonic at 1k but drops like a 30-30 out of the gate.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I've seen people use between 42-42.5gr as their max load of Varget, but that seems like a very stiff charge. I don't know how much speed that gets you, but it's much less than RL-17 because Varget burns somewhat too fast.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

47.5 grains of RL17 gets me 2400fps out of my 18" OBR and its on the hot side. 48 grains flattens the crap out of primers. 47.5 will cycle my OBR with the port selector flipped to the suppressed setting.

Accuracy is 3/4-1moa.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I actually thought about r17. Have no experience with it but I shoot alot of r22 for my .300 win mag and it's a love hate relationship. Love the accuracy but hate the temp sensitivity. It's pretty ridiculous. My barrel is a bartlein with a 1:11.25. So I'm not even sure it will stabilize the 208's. I guess it just looked good " on paper". We shall see tomorrow.

 

[00bullitt]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I actually thought about r17. Have no experience with it but I shoot alot of r22 for my .300 win mag and it's a love hate relationship. Love the accuracy but hate the temp sensitivity. It's pretty ridiculous. My barrel is a bartlein with a 1:11.25. So I'm not even sure it will stabilize the 208's. I guess it just looked good " on paper". We shall see tomorrow. </div></div>

My OBR is an 11.25 twist and stabilizes them fine.

Don't group RL17 in with the other Reloader powders. I think alot of folks do so by association to the other Reloader powders but it has proven to not be so in my testing. Its a complete different chemistry and different manufacturer. The RL17 proves to be very stable up to 65 degrees and then increases about 3/4 fps per degree of temp. The RL22 and RL25 seem to increase about 3fps per degree over 60 degrees. RL17 is made by Nitcrochemie. All the other Reloader powders are made by Bofors and have consistent temp sensitivity issues.

RL17 works wonders in the Win Mag as well.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Interesting. Did not know that. So temp sensitivity is 3.5 to 4x more with other alliant powders meaning reloader. Is there any other reloader that is different.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Nevermind. Missed that last part

 

[CanSniper]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

47.4grns RL17, out of 11.25 twist 24" Rem 5R, ran 2600fps and was nats azz accurate. Using Lapua brass and coal of 3.050.

 

[sawgunner2001]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
People have already tried H4350 and you can't fit enough in the case.</div></div>

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I actually thought about r17. Have no experience with it but I shoot alot of r22 for my .300 win mag and it's a love hate relationship. Love the accuracy but hate the temp sensitivity. It's pretty ridiculous. My barrel is a bartlein with a 1:11.25. So I'm not even sure it will stabilize the 208's. I guess it just looked good " on paper". We shall see tomorrow. </div></div>

RL-17 is the go-to powder for 208s and the 308. Quit spinning your wheels and just give it a go.

From my reading here and I have 2# of RL-17 and 300 208 AMAX to experiment with, you'll have maybe a decent chance of making them work relative to other combos, but you seem to be at sea level, so maybe you'll not get them to shoot well, but RL-17 is where you want to start with, with that particular bullet from a 308.

At some point, there are better combos to achieve the same results, or better.

Chris

 

[RotARy15]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

The main problem is temp sensitivity. I believe that if you can get enough velocity to make the 208 better than the 175 SMK using Varget, it would be a lot less of a headache.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Ok here are my results, 208 amax with 42.0 grains varget, rem 9 1/2 Lr primer lapua brass. Weapon is a gap crusader with nightforce 5.5x22 NXS. Made 4 loads and they hit the crony at 15 ft. Shot 1 & 2 -2464 shot 3 2492 and shot 4 2478. No ejector marks, primers look fine, bolt slid open fine. Jbm'd my data and I will be super sonic to 1380 yards. Shot group was 1/2 moa at 100 but my rest sucked and I could not get a good hold. Was going to go with r17 but realized this morning I gave it to a buddy. So not quite 2500 but damn near...

 

[00bullitt]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

With the ability to load longer than 2.84 (LaRue OBR Mag Length Restriction) you get more advantage from RL17. 48.5 grains is very compressed with a 208 at 2.84" and that is using a 12" drop tube.

AI AW Mags allow for a loaded length of 2.975" with the 208's.
A longer barrel and the additional case capacity of being able to load longer, should yield acceptable velocity.

If Varget is producing those types of Velocities in your stick, RL17 should easily produce 80-100fps more.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I've got AI mags and only get 2.830. Doesn't matter though because im in the lands at 2.840" I think I'll just stick with this I rarely shoot a thousand anyways. Just fun to experiment. When I get back to the range I'll send some to the 500 yard line & see how they do. Will post results.

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

00 & Aimsmall,

What velocities are y'all getting from mag-length 208AMAXs?

I want to run 208s from my 20" 308AR in 600yard service rifle competitions...i think it will do wonders with the light and variable winds versus the 175s & 178s.

I plan on trying it with 2000MR, mag-length, and from a 20" barrel...i will be tickled to death if i can get 2550-2600 with a modicum of temp stability.

 

[Helmet]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sawgunner2001</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ArmchairElite</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
People have already tried H4350 and you can't fit enough in the case.</div></div>

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info. </div></div>Your welcome. I was going to try the same thing, but saw that others had beat me to it

.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Ok here are my results, 208 amax with 42.0 grains varget, rem 9 1/2 Lr primer lapua brass. Weapon is a gap crusader with nightforce 5.5x22 NXS. Made 4 loads and they hit the crony at 15 ft. Shot 1 & 2 -2464 shot 3 2492 and shot 4 2478. No ejector marks, primers look fine, bolt slid open fine. Jbm'd my data and I will be super sonic to 1380 yards. Shot group was 1/2 moa at 100 but my rest sucked and I could not get a good hold. Was going to go with r17 but realized this morning I gave it to a buddy. So not quite 2500 but damn near... </div></div>I think those are great results! I would much rather have the consistency of Varget than the extra speed of RL-17. I intended to work up to that same 42gr load but switched barrels/calibers. I think you may have already found the best combo. Congratulations!

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Mine are loaded 2.825" oal. And the crony at 15 ft gives an average of 2478 +_ a few I'm sure. My 175's are 2710 and they don't come close to being supersonic as these baby's do. 175's go to 1200. 208s 1400. Less powder cheaper bullets ..... Damn should have been doing this a while ago. Still haven't tried em at my 500 yard range but I will this week & post results

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Aimsmall,

I presume you have a 24" barrel?

 

[B3dlam]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I am awaiting My 208s in the mail right now from midway should be here tomorrow or the next day along with my Ogive gauge and all.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Might as well call it 23". Although it shoots every factory bullet I ever put threw it faster than advertised. Don't know what the deal is

 

[Valere]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Today I shot 208 BTHPs with 49.3gr of RL 17 in new Winchester brass. I've worked this load up from 45.5gr. Today's high was 95 degrees (though I was in the shade) and about 700ft ASL. No signs of pressure in my Remington 700 LTR 20" 1:12 twist loaded by ogive at ~2.314 (0.014" off the lands) with a COAL of ~2.994. Four of five shots within .31 @ 100, the outlier opens it up to .61"

According to MontanaMarine, a member who extensively tested this case/powder/projectile (208 A-Max with molly) combination, velocities with RL 17 become more consistent the higher it is pushed towards its pressure limit.

The one thing I have noticed is the rifle kicks much harder. In the light LTR, this has proven very difficult to master (i.e. I haven't yet). I recently switched to an XLR chassis and that made a world of difference but there's still a lot of room for improvement in technique.

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Ok I tested the 208 amax out of a gap crusader with 42 grains of varget rem 9 1/2 lrp lapua brass at 2.825 oal. Set up ar 500 plate at 400 yards and shot 1/4 moa ! Mil was 2.3 ,moa was 8.3 on elevation. Moved back to 520 yards and had exact same results..1/4 moa shot group. . 12.6 moa, 3.7 mil elevation. No Windage adjustments on either. A friend of mine made the comment "why don't you just shoot them out of your .300 win mag police". I simply stated "because I want something ballistically superior to a 175." Well... I found it. Hope this helps everybody shooting a .308.

 

[Tx_Flyboy]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Aimsmall,

Thanks for validating this set-up in a 308!

It seems your velocity is about 2,425fps?

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

It would be a little higher bc I was impacting 3 " higher than my point of aim. I would say it was 2455 to 2465

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I looked at my numbers and it was moving 2465 to 2475 fps.

 

[DroidSniper]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Aimsmall55</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I looked at my numbers and it was moving 2465 to 2475 fps. </div></div>
Your signature is the absolute truth.

 

[Bob 964]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

Savage 110FP, 24" barrel w/1:10 twist
48.0 gr. PowerPro 2000 MR seated at depth of 2.282" (to ogive)
2625 FPS median value

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I never got a chance to post the 500 yard pic...

5 shots at 500 yards

 

[Bear24]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

That is very impressive!

 

[Aimsmall55]

Re: Anybody pushing 208 amax 2500 fps in a .308

I was shocked too... Twist is 1:11.25. And I was loading mag length. 2.830ish. 42.0 grains of varget. Ismh that I quit shooting that load bc it was wayyyy too hot. Like to the point of dangerous. So after i shot that day i pulled the bullets and just quit while my eyes ears and nose were still in the correct position.

 

[agbm]

Mountain Marine

 

[Ishallbie O'Cullkillin]

Using Win brass, 47gr of Power Pro 2000 is pushing the 208gr hpbt to 2640fps, in a 26in Rock 5R. I tried to back off the charge, but couldn't find an accurate node. Very mild primer flattening. Also using 190gr Nosler CC's, getting 2740fps with 46.5 gr Power Pro 2000, Fed brass, in the same rifle.