155 gr. or 208 gr a max

[B Man]

I've been debating awhile on these two for a different load. I'm real interested in the 208's and 2000mr powder for an experiment. Running the ballistics if I safely get an good accurate load for the 208 to push around 2500 they are far superior in windy conditions to the 155 and my 178 gr. A max load. I'm shooting them in a REM. 5r 308 with 24" tube.

Only thing that bothers me is that I've read where a few state the your form needs to be really good to get the accuracy out of the heavies. I'm shooting these at 600 yard competitions.

Help me decide.

 

[Tactical]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

I would use the 155 or 178s ate 600 yards and save the heavies for 1000 yards when winds are bad. This will save bbl and shoulder and you wont see noticiable difference between the three bullets at 600 yards

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: B Man</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I've been debating awhile on these two for a different load. I'm real interested in the 208's and 2000mr powder for an experiment. Running the ballistics if I safely get an good accurate load for the 208 to push around 2500 they are far superior in windy conditions to the 155 and my 178 gr. A max load. I'm shooting them in a REM. 5r 308 with 24" tube.

Only thing that bothers me is that I've read where a few state the your form needs to be really good to get the accuracy out of the heavies. I'm shooting these at 600 yard competitions.

Help me decide. </div></div>

You need to get out and actually clock the heavies with the 2000MR powder and see how they shoot.

That's a heavy bullet for the 308 case to push. People have been using RL-17 AT altitude and getting good results, but that's about the only powder with a known (albeit minimal) track record shooting the 208s in a 308 case.

Chris

 

[gcoulsey]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

I havnt used the 208's, but I HAVE used the 210 bergers for a while,
Managed to get over 2550fps with both varget and vvn550..

Heavy recoil, hard on brass, (but damn accurate results)
Don't think it's worth it for 600yrds.

The further you shoot the more you would gain.. But
For 600 IMHO you'd be better pushing lighter bullets faster

 

[Chanonry]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: gfunkUK</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I havnt used the 208's, but I HAVE used the 210 bergers for a while,
Managed to get over 2550fps with both varget and vvn550..

Heavy recoil, hard on brass, (but damn accurate results)
Don't think it's worth it for 600yrds.

The further you shoot the more you would gain.. But
For 600 IMHO you'd be better pushing lighter bullets faster

</div></div>

Agreed.

I have been shooting 208's with RL17 for a while. I have a 24" Sako 75 varmint. Good accuracy, I suspect it is temp sensitive, but for me that is manageable.

One issue you need to look at is stability. In some environmental conditions it is a bit marginal. I don't think I have ever had one go unstable on me but when I realised how marginal it was in some conditions (I shoot with a can) I had a bit of a cold sweat. Keep the velocity up.


Having said all of that....it is one hell of a round for 800+. Nothing compares in my gun. It is a secant bullet so I load singles

Out to 800 I would probably shoot 155 SMK as I don't get into transonic range and it is a tangent bullet so less sensitive to being loaded to magazine length.

 

[desertHK]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

You are not optimizing the advantage of the 208 AMAX at 600 yards, when compared to the 155 scenars. Can it be done in a 308? Yes, however, it's intended to be pushed by a 300 WM. JMHO. My 155 scenars are so flat that I don't even worry about it until it gets to about 1K. I would just stick with the 155 scenars. If you can drive up to about 2950 +fps, you should be GTG.

 

[varmint slayer]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

Ya I have to agree that the 208 is pretty much a waste at 600 yards. Just go with 155 scenars and don't look back. You have a few good choices if you are only going to 600 yards if you don't want to spend the money on the scenars.

168 SMK
175 SMK
178 amax
178 BTHP (Hornady) just to name a few.

 

[B Man]

Re: 155 gr. or 208 gr a max

Thanks u fellas made my decision easy. I'll stick with my 178 Gr. a max load I have for now and tamper with some 155's later.