308 Gas Gun bullet recommendations

[rockchalk06]

Going to start working up a load for my PS10 20" 10 twist. Looking for a bullets that most have had decent luck with. Need to keep at mag length and something that feeds well.

Looking at 175 and 168 grain for starters.

Thanks in advance

 

[nn8734]

bullet choice is driven by purpose/objectives of your system. What type of shooting are you going to be doing with this gun?

Absent that info, 168 and 175 SMKs with IMR4064, Varget and RE15 generally perform well in most .308 gas platforms and offer a nice balance between cost and performance. Primer and case is your choice.

 

[rockchalk06]

bullet choice is driven by purpose/objectives of your system. What type of shooting are you going to be doing with this gun?

Absent that info, 168 and 175 SMKs with IMR4064, Varget and RE15 generally perform well in most .308 gas platforms and offer a nice balance between cost and performance. Primer and case is your choice.

Thank you.

Will be using Varget as I have a bunch on hand. Mainly target paper/steel punching and SD if ever needed. I'm a fan of HPBT bullets for most applications. Brass will be a mix that has been all prepped. This PS10 chews brass up bad, so I won't plan on using my Bolt Gun match stuff.

 

[nn8734]

Thank you.

Will be using Varget as I have a bunch on hand. Mainly target paper/steel punching and SD if ever needed. I'm a fan of HPBT bullets for most applications.

You’re welcome. Varget is Always a good choice.

I’d start your work up at 39-39.5 grains in .2 grain increments unless using Lake City brass. In that case, I’d start at 38g. Only other consideration is that you reach pressure quicker with gas guns than with bolt guns so don’t think a bolt gun load of 42-44 grains will function reliable in the gasser.

Will you be running a can? If so, an adjustable gas block?

 

[rockchalk06]

You’re welcome. Varget is Always a good choice.

I’d start your work up at 39-39.5 grains in .2 grain increments unless using Lake City brass. In that case, I’d start at 38g. Only other consideration is that you reach pressure quicker with gas guns than with bolt guns so don’t think a bolt gun load of 42-44 grains will function reliable in the gasser.

Will you be running a can? If so, an adjustable gas block?

I will someday I hope, but not at this time. Gas block is non adjustable for now. My plan was to change that when I start my paperwork on the can.

 

[rockchalk06]

Is there PSI that you need to consider max with loading in a Gas Gun v's Bolt?

 

[nn8734]

Sammi spec pressure is a standard guideline for pressure handling for any given chamber so I’d go by that.

That said, since you don’t have the instrumentation to actually read chamber pressure, I wouldn’t worry about the number itself.

How I spot pressure signs:

1) take a loaded round and measure the base of the case just above the extractor groove with a dial caliper or 1” micrometer - record that measurement.

2) fire the round and repeat the measurement on the fired case

3) subtract the unfired measurement from the fired measurement - any value in excess of .0015” indicates your at your max pressure threshold for that combination of components (primer, powder/charge, case, bullet, bullet seating depth,etc)

a visual inspection of the case head will also reveal over pressure (ejector/extractor marks, collapsed primer, primer falling out). Edit to say if the rifle is stove piping your spent cases, your bolt speed is excessive which could also indicate pressure, esp in a factory gun where the assumption is that it was engineered and assembled correctly.

 

[mudpig]

I've had great luck with Sierra 175MK, Hornady 178HPBT & ELD-X with Varget.

 

[BBVDD]

My gas gun (18" barrel with adjustable gas block and silencer) likes 44.5 grains of varget with Hornaby Match 168gr.

DO NOT START YOUR LOAD DEVELOPMENT THERE

 

[rockchalk06]

I've had great luck with Sierra 175MK, Hornady 178HPBT & ELD-X with Varget.

Thank you!

 

[rockchalk06]

My gas gun (18" barrel with adjustable gas block and silencer) likes 44.5 grains of varget with Hornaby Match 168gr.

DO NOT START YOUR LOAD DEVELOPMENT THERE

Thank you. That will give me danger zone top end to stay away from or work up close.

 

[Mr Tibbs]

Rockchalk06 what determines accuracy with your twist rate In your rifle is not the bullet weight, it‘s the bullet length .