K so my current load for my .308 is kicking my 178gr. Amax out at 2512fps. Theoretically it has enough umph to make 1000yds in optimal conditions. With these conditions and my elevation speed of sound is 1116. At 1000 yards my velocity according to jbm is 1158 fps. What kind of velocity should I load for in case of not so optimal conditions? I guess a fps minimum?
velocity minimum for varying conditions
- Thread starter Oppenheimer
- Start date
I used to try to load to a specific velocity, but gave up when I realized that I usually needed to sacrifice accuracy to accomplish that. Every once in a while, rifle, bullet, and powder come together in harmonic unison, and an optimal charge is found. You should be able to find another accuracy node at higher velocity. If you are running a gas gun, you may need to stop there, or get a carrier weight, heavier buffer, or an adjustable gas block to increase the charge weight without beating up the rifle & brass.
Ill have to try to get up to another node. I stopped at this load cause I was only shooting up to 500 yds with my
.308 and getting fantastic groups (.337 outside to outside 5 shots 200yds). But I want to start playing at 1000 with this gun and I was just curious what the industry was for velocity minimum for a all weather 1000yd load
I use Federal Gold Medal Match ammo to answer that question. I get about 2600fps with the 175gr Match King load out of a 26" barrel. That's awesome grouping, so it's not a gas gun, I take it. I live in western Oregon, and 1k+ is hard to find and when I do find it, topography and local wind & weather conditions sometimes change every couple hundred yards. Once you start lobbing them out there, the variables start stacking up, and extra velocity, while maintaining accuracy can help you immensely in overcoming some of those variables. I push a Hornady 208gr hpbt to 2640fps out of my 26" 5R Rem700, and was able to spot every miss myself at 1300yds. The guy next to me was throwing 175gr SMK's out at 2750 & got on dirt a few times, his dirt splashes were hard to see.
I think it comes down to barrel life. I have other .308's that cover the ground to 1k accurately, but this rifle gets pushed hard because I can, safely.
I think it comes down to barrel life. I have other .308's that cover the ground to 1k accurately, but this rifle gets pushed hard because I can, safely.
Oh sorry yeah not gas gun! Its a Rem 700 with a 26" barrel also. Ill do a little more playin around with it and see if i cant get some more speed. I know my bullet weight is fine but hopefully I can get another node like the one I have accuracy wise just with some more pop. Thanks!
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