208 gr HPBT 308 win results

[thesheepdog]

Last week I went through a 5 day Precision Rifle/Sniper School taught by an Army Sniper. As a result I have never shot so good in my life. If you have the funds/time, I would highly recommend this kind of training.

Now, on to the main topic:

We got to shoot tiny little targets out to 600 yards. The main load I was using, was a 155 Amax with a MV of 2860 fps. It performed exceptionally well in my Savage 10 FCP (I was one of the top shooters).

I also tested some of my 208gr HPBT loads at 600 and they performed even better than the 155's. On average we had a 10-12 mph half-full value wind and this would throw the 155's a good half mill to full mil right or left. Well with the 208 HPBT, the wind had almost zero effect on them.

My 208's were clocked at 2520 fps using the below load specs:

LC brass
Win LRP
43.6gr RL 17
2.9 OAL

My barrel is a 5R 11.25 twist and stabilized these perfectly at 600y.

 

[Dan Newberry]

The 208 AMAX is a great bullet, and when driven above 2500 fps, it'll hang right with the 6.5's you typically find on the range (as far as wind drift), and hit about 20% harder when it gets to the target... you will normally need a 10 twist to manage it, but it's a good option for the 308 if you're looking to shoot in rough wind. These do move in the wind--just not as much as more commonly used 308 long range bullets.

 

[Dacam]

Will a 1/12 twist manage this 208?

 

[Whiplash5198]

What's the bullet length on those 208's? Qurious on comparison with 200 Accubonds I have on hand.

 

[Dan Newberry]

I'm happy for the OP that the 11 twist is working... but a 12 would not spin them. If you want to go as heavy as you can with the 12, you might try some Berger 185's, but that could be hit or miss...

 

[Bob 964]

What's the bullet length on those 208's? Qurious on comparison with 200 Accubonds I have on hand.

Bullet length is 1.532" (JBM bullet length list). I've had great success with these bullets out of a Savage 110FP (1:10 twist).

 

[redneckbmxer24]

I'm happy for the OP that the 11 twist is working... but a 12 would not spin them. If you want to go as heavy as you can with the 12, you might try some Berger 185's, but that could be hit or miss...

There's numerous people running 208's in 1:12 twist barrels successfully. I've tried it too but wasn't happy with the velocity. As far as the 185 Bergers 1:12 is the twist they recommend for them.

 

[thesheepdog]

Will a 1/12 twist manage this 208?

I am not sure I'd expect great results out of a 1:12 twist. BUT, you really need to try for yourself at 300+ yards to determine how stable they will fly. I wouldn't discourage you from using a 1:12 twist. If you can't find the Hornady 208's in stock, I would suggest using a 210(215?) SMK since they're slightly shorter in length than the 208's.

 

[bruddah]

Last week I went through a 5 day Precision Rifle/Sniper School taught by an Army Sniper. As a result I have never shot so good in my life. If you have the funds/time, I would highly recommend this kind of training.

Now, on to the main topic:

We got to shoot tiny little targets out to 600 yards. The main load I was using, was a 155 Amax with a MV of 2860 fps. It performed exceptionally well in my Savage 10 FCP (I was one of the top shooters).

I also tested some of my 208gr HPBT loads at 600 and they performed even better than the 155's. On average we had a 10-12 mph half-full value wind and this would throw the 155's a good half mill to full mil right or left. Well with the 208 HPBT, the wind had almost zero effect on them.

My 208's were clocked at 2520 fps using the below load specs:

LC brass
Win LRP
43.6gr RL 17
2.9 OAL

My barrel is a 5R 11.25 twist and stabilized these perfectly at 600y.

What class?

Who was the instructor?

Cost??

 

[thesheepdog]

What class?

Who was the instructor?

Cost??

Battle Road USA Precision Rifle/Sniper.

John Hawes. Army Sniper Vet.

$500

BattleRoadUSA

 

[bruddah]

Battle Road USA Precision Rifle/Sniper.

John Hawes. Army Sniper Vet.

$500

BattleRoadUSA

Battle Road USA. John Hawes was the instructor (an Army Sniper Vet) and cost is $599

Thanks for the info brother!

That is CHEAP! I'd definitely be interested in taking that course. How many rounds of ammo did you burn through?

 

[thesheepdog]

Thanks for the info brother!

That is CHEAP! I'd definitely be interested in taking that course. How many rounds of ammo did you burn through?

Bring 500-600 rounds. I burned through 430 I believe. There are many qualifications throughout the whole course.
Bipod, sand sock, good scope, good gun, shooting mat, calculator/ballistic app for Iphone/Android, rain gear, ruck sack, ammo carriers, etc.

There are cheap hotels about 30 min from the training grounds.

 

[bruddah]

Battle Road USA Precision Rifle/Sniper.

John Hawes. Army Sniper Vet.

$500

BattleRoadUSA

Battle Road USA. John Hawes was the instructor (an Army Sniper Vet) and cost is $599

So was it $500 or $599 ??
Still a good deal either way. Just curious.

Bring 500-600 rounds. I burned through 430 I believe. There are many qualifications throughout the whole course.
Bipod, sand sock, good scope, good gun, shooting mat, calculator/ballistic app for Iphone/Android, rain gear, ruck sack, ammo carriers, etc.

There are cheap hotels about 30 min from the training grounds.

Sounds good. I emailed them to see when the next course was going to be. Would just need to find a cheap flight, and get time off work. Then I'd be good to go!

 

[MontanaMarine]

I've had excellent results with the 208 AMax in a 1/12 Rem barrel, MV's from 2480 to 2675 fps depending on powder and bbl length. I often shoot it past 1000 yards.

The 208 AMax is right at 1.53" long, and I believe the 208 BTHP is a tad shorter than that.




Here's a 1120 yard target, shot with the 208 AMax at 2480 fps via RL15, and a 22" Rem 1/12 bbl. Target is 15" wide, square is 5x5".

 

[thesheepdog]

I've had excellent results with the 208 AMax in a 1/12 Rem barrel, MV's from 2480 to 2675 fps depending on powder and bbl length. I often shoot it past 1000 yards.

The 208 AMax is right at 1.53" long, and I believe the 208 BTHP is a tad shorter than that.




Here's a 1120 yard target, shot with the 208 AMax at 2480 fps via RL15, and a 22" Rem 1/12 bbl. Target is 15" wide, square is 5x5".

MontanaMarine,

Just out of curiosity, what kind of spin drift are you getting at that distance with a 1:12 twist? Have you shot these past 1120 yards?

 

[MontanaMarine]

I don't think I could quantify the spin drift. I Know it's real, and what I typically do is set my 100 yard zero about .25 moa left of center and forget about it.

I've shot the 208 AMax from the 308 out to 1800 yards or so in near calm conditions. That was pushing it at 2620 fps via RL17. I was shooting into dry earth and couls spot splashes easily. It was consistent. Generally, I find this load shoots very well to 1200 yards, and surprisingly well to 1500 yards if wind isn't too crazy. Keep in mind I'm shooting typically at about 4500 ft elevation, Typical conditions: station pressure around 25.5 Hg, temp 50F, humidity 30%.

 

[thesheepdog]

I don't think I could quantify the spin drift. I Know it's real, and what I typically do is set my 100 yard zero about .25 moa left of center and forget about it.

I've shot the 208 AMax from the 308 out to 1800 yards or so in near calm conditions. That was pushing it at 2620 fps via RL17. I was shooting into dry earth and couls spot splashes easily. It was consistent. Generally, I find this load shoots very well to 1200 yards, and surprisingly well to 1500 yards if wind isn't too crazy. Keep in mind I'm shooting typically at about 4500 ft elevation, Typical conditions: station pressure around 25.5 Hg, temp 50F, humidity 30%.

Wow, 1800 yards? That's nothing to cry about. I wish I had that kind of distance but unfortunately I am limited to a 1000 yard range.

 

[Speedster00]

I had no idea that range was so close. Ill keep an eye out for the next class.

 

[MontanaMarine]

Wow, 1800 yards? That's nothing to cry about. I wish I had that kind of distance but unfortunately I am limited to a 1000 yard range.

Nothing really serious, long range plinking. But in near calm conditions the rounds were within 2 moa consistency at 1800-ish. The main takeaway for me was that the bullets seemed to still be traveling stable.

I pushed out to about 2200 yards, and 'consistency' turned into a roughly 50-100 ft 'beaten zone'. Stability had clearly been lost.



Here's a look at the area I was shooting in,