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Advanced Marksmanship 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

WCW308

Private
Full Member
Minuteman
Feb 25, 2008
87
1
Central Idaho
OK, inspired from info here. I have previously shot several small groups @ 100 yds w my 24" bbl .308, so moved out to 500 yds. today. Snow, wind gusts 5-25 mph (guess) 1/2 value left to right. My loads, Lapua brass, BR-2, 155 Scenars, 44.5 g Varget, 2.808" OAL. using my Ed Brown "vietnam era " M40 (?) replica, bipod, Tab rear bag. SAS can, NF 5.5 X22. clear as a bell view. saw every bullet hole clear as day. No mirage. 18 deg. Held off 8" to left for all of these, Very humbling experience...but fun. Better results by...?

500_yd_155_2_2020-1.jpg


5 @ 100 168 SMK

308_168SMK.jpg



 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

Load for accuracy at 200yd and it should group tighter at 500. 100yd is such a short distance from the muzzle that its not a real fair way to judge a load's accuracy potential...some loads that shoot tight as can be at 300yd or further out may group terrible at 100yd..
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ColoWyo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Two more grains of powder.</div></div> I will try it grain at a time...


<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Powder Burns</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Load for accuracy at 200yd and it should group tighter at 500. 100yd is such a short distance from the muzzle that its not a real fair way to judge a load's accuracy potential...some loads that shoot tight as can be at 300yd or further out may group terrible at 100yd..</div></div> I will move out to do more testing.

Going to read more of the info found on this site too-A lot to learn. thanks.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

Definitely need to up the charge weight. I'm using Win brass and I'm using 47.4gr Varget with 155 Scenars. This load is getting a warm pushing around 2920FPS All default safety disclaimers apply.

While working up to this load I found another accuracy node around mid 2734 FPS which was 45.6gr Varget.

Agreed with others on group testing at 200yds for a better indication of accuracy at range.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

The horizontal dispersion is probably from the wind. My concern would be the vertical, have you chonographed these loads? do you know what the ES is? it is possible to have a terrible ES and not have it show up at 100 yards. One of my 308's will shoot Winchester factory ammo into bug holes at 100 yards, but shoots like crap at 500 (vertical like your group) I ran it through my Oehler 35 and the the ES was over 100 fps ! no way that will group at 500 yards.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

Sgt. Brumbaugh I have a CED chronograph-have not used before-will try it out. what is an acceptable ES for my purposes?

Mavrick10_2000-guessing 47.4g Varg is pretty compressed? Think I did 44.5 & recall crushing Varget when I seated the bullet....I will try upping in sets @ 200-300 yds. expect my inexperience in LR shooting is the main thing....
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WCW308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">uh, I do not remember-I have to look it up-this w/e....went to Lapua 155's & have forgotten...will post on Sat. I am sure I found the load here & used it...
</div></div>
pacomdiver--here is the data from my 100 yd 168 smk target photo earlier. Fed 2X brass,
re-sized w/ f/l die. .332 bushing, BR-4, RL-15 44.0 g, OAL 2.805. 24" Shilen match bbl. 1/10 twist-can on bbl, bipod. Hope this is of use.
here is the link to ALOT of loads on this site-www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=323517#Post323517.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

Shooting a .308 in the wind is humbling,

this is 5 @ 500M (546yds):
DSC07115.jpg


and 5 x 100M group:
DSC07081.jpg


Load is 155 Scenar, Lapua Brass, 47gr AR2208 (Varget) Fed Primer. Netting 2940 fps from a 24' Lilja bbl.

2.7 mils to 500m.

Rath
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WCW308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sgt. Brumbaugh I have a CED chronograph-have not used before-will try it out. what is an acceptable ES for my purposes?

Mavrick10_2000-guessing 47.4g Varg is pretty compressed? Think I did 44.5 & recall crushing Varget when I seated the bullet....I will try upping in sets @ 200-300 yds. expect my inexperience in LR shooting is the main thing.... </div></div>

Obviously the lower the ES the better, particulary in a low velocity cartridge like the 308. 25 fps or less is pretty decent, if you can get into the single digit range that is very good.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

Can anyone give formula to cal SD, I gather to gain ES reading its a matter of adding each shot crony reading and deviding by amount of shots fired in group.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: rath</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Shooting a .308 in the wind is humbling,


Load is 155 Scenar, Lapua Brass, 47gr AR2208 (Varget) Fed Primer. Netting 2940 fps from a 24' Lilja bbl.

2.7 mils to 500m.


</div></div>

Rath,

Good shooting! What is your OAL

Rath, & others, thanks for info. I am curious what a "typical" good group is. This is great to see. I can't get more than 45.0g Varget into my Lapua brass & load to mag length of 2.812" max.


From my earlier post: should have been CCI BR-2 primer lg rifle.

pacomdiver--here is the data from my 100 yd 168 smk target photo earlier. Fed 2X brass,
re-sized w/ f/l die. .332 bushing, <span style="font-weight: bold">BR-4,</span> RL-15 44.0 g, OAL 2.805. 24" Shilen match bbl. 1/10 twist-can on bbl, bipod. Hope this is of use.
 
Re: 1st ever .308 group @ 500 yds.

Good to know... I just measured my .308 OAL to lands. 155 Scenar hits lands @ 2.928" or so. I have been loading @ 2.810" or so...almost .125" jump.

I can seat out to say, 2.918"- making it a .010 jump, and add more powder but now my .308 is a single shot rifle.... Seems like less jump is (usually) better & more powder is what has been suggested, among other things.

Suggestions...? Out of bullets & need to order some so thought I would get opinions as I can't shoot (.308) for awhile anyway...