18in Barrel 308 Load?

[LeadZeke]

I have an AR10 in 308win with an 18in barrel. I'd like to get the 125gr SST and 125gr Ballistic Tips to around 3050fps at the muzzle. Quick Load says this is possible with slightly compressed loads of 3031, 4895, AR Comp, CF223, and Win 748. Speer seems to agree on AR Comp at least.

Has anyone on here done something like this before, and if so what were your results? Or does anyone have any experience or thoughts on which powder would give the best velocity of those (or any others not in Quick Load for that matter)? I'm down to 1lbs of CFE223 so no matter what I'm going to have to buy some new powder for this.

 

[LeadZeke]

I guess the OP might be too specific, so if you've messed around with lighter 308 bullets in shorter barrels (16-20in) feel free to chime in.

 

[MtnCreek]

I've loaded 125NBT with 4895 (don't remember if H or IMR) for a 20" factory Savage. I don't have any velocity info. If I were to try it again, I'd probably try TAC too. Is this a yote load?

 

[rollerdog]

I have a 20" (Excaliber) 1-11 that I shoot 125gr. ballistic tips with.
ARcomp works very well. Average fps is just under 3000 (2995).
Fairly consistently 1/2" to 3/4" shooter. I used Quickload to develop.
Tried ARcomp, IMR3031,and IMR8208. Arcomp gave me the best sd/ fps/ consistant groups for an AR..
I use an adjustable gas block also.
Remington R25.

 

[LeadZeke]

MtnCreek yes and general varmnit. I've also heard good things about the 125gr SSTs and Accubonds on deer and hogs as long as the impact velocity is <3000fps, which given that it should only be slightly higher at the muzzle shouldn't be an issue. I don't want to step down to the 110gr bullets if I can avoid it.

rollerdog thanks for the info! How many grains of ARcomp are you using? Quick Load is predicting a max of 46.3gr but Speer says max is over 48.6gr. Also are you saying that ARcomp gave you the best fps over all, or the best FPS within your node? I ask because 2995fps seems a bit slow from a 20in barrel so I'm curious how your development went.

 

[rollerdog]

43.7 using LC15 (Packaged AmericanEagle sold by Federal 7.62x51) brass and Fed 210's... I use a small base die with the shoulders bumped way out. i'm not sure if it was the fastest, definitely the most consistent groups. I don't think 46 or 48gr. will work for me......

 

[LeadZeke]

Ah, the military brass and using small base dies certainly explains that. Thanks for the data rollerdog, gives me a good starting point!

Anyone else tried lighter bullets in 308 in shorter barrels from an AR or bolt gun?

 

[JoshPutman]

I found a good load for my bolt gun with a shorter barrel (haven't measured it) with a 125 Nosler Ballistic Tip over 46.5 grains of IMR4064 in Remington brass.

I recently bought 200 Lake City cases so I need to work up a load with those now.

 

[sea2summit]

I just spun up some 110 V-MAX for my 16” tOBR. Max load of H322 and I’m at 2900. I could push them a little harder as the brass doesn’t care yet and no abnormal burn patterns on the brass but I’m using CCI 200’s and they are starting to extrude a little.