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.308 Winchester

Anyone have a load for a Savage MSR 10 Long Range .308? I just got one and was curious if someone had found the sweet spot on theirs yet before I started building my loads.
 
Anyone have a load for a Savage MSR 10 Long Range .308? I just got one and was curious if someone had found the sweet spot on theirs yet before I started building my loads.

Try 43 grains of Varget under a 175SMK and work your way up in .2gr increments until you find the sweet spot. Thats been a tried and trued method for me in every .308 I've ever played with. You likely won't get past 43.7gr before you find the one that works best.
 
My new favorite .308 load in a 1:12 twist 20" barrel is 46.1 grains of Varget, 155 Nosler Competition bullet. Be safe and work your way up to this load, YMMV.
 
Alright been googling to no avail. My brother is having a custom 308 built. I'd prefer he go short 6.5 personally but i he wants more energy on target i get it, and i think it's still very viable assuming i can reach the speed i want to. Problem is he wants as short as he can go. So i'm trying to think of ways to get a 155gr TMK to 2800fps or maybe a 168gr TMK/ELD to 2700. I know 2000mr is an obvious go to but i'm not sure on it's temp stability. I have some 8208 and thought about trying RL16.

Thoughts?
 
I found several powders that will get you there and more:

i-hSWtMLb.jpg
 
I forgot to mention barrel length. Think it's doable out of a 16.5" barrel?
 
Alright been googling to no avail. My brother is having a custom 308 built. I'd prefer he go short 6.5 personally but i he wants more energy on target i get it, and i think it's still very viable assuming i can reach the speed i want to. Problem is he wants as short as he can go. So i'm trying to think of ways to get a 155gr TMK to 2800fps or maybe a 168gr TMK/ELD to 2700. I know 2000mr is an obvious go to but i'm not sure on it's temp stability. I have some 8208 and thought about trying RL16.

Thoughts?
Superformance, CFE 223, or 2000mr would be my guess. I wouldn't bother with the RL16 unless it was 200+ gr bullets and a longer barrel was being run.

Ive ran 2000mr in my 20.5" 308 and had 175gr smk running 2770fps so it may be possible but to be realistic, i'd expect lower velocities with a 16" barrel.

While it may be more costly, these Lehigh's may be more help achieve what you're brothers trying to get done.

https://www.lehighdefense.com/colle...id-flash-tip-150gr-bullet?variant=47345113672
 
It's not chambered yet i might can talk him into 18" which would give me more headroom finding a load. I saw CFE had some serious velocities from Hodgon's chart. Is it temp stable? I have some 2000MR but i see varying reports of it's stability. 2700-2750 with a 155 might end up being more of the target than a 168 at 2700.
 
I haven't used CFE223 but its probably the same or possibly slightly better than 2000mr. Barnes is showing CFE 223 as their most accurate powder tested for the 155gr Match Burner @ 2960fps in a 24" barrel. They're also showing Varget @ 2920fps.
 
Just talked to him looking at my 18" 6.5x47 he wants 18-20 now. I don't think he liked how stubby it was going to look at 16". He's thinking 19" now. Should be able to hit my mark on either bullet at that point albeit pushing. I had 2630fps out of my 20" 5R with 178s over varget.
 
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I'd do a 20-22". 2700+ with 2000mr and 185r hybrids or you could try Rl16 with 208 Eld-m's or the Berger 200.20X. I'm getting 2648 out of my 20.5" Hawk Hill with target and 178 Hornady's and will be switching back to the 185 Bergers and 2000mr.
 
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I'd do a 20-22". 2700+ with 2000mr and 185r hybrids or you could try Rl16 with 208 Eld-m's or the Berger 200.20X. I'm getting 2648 out of my 20.5" Hawk Hill with target and 178 Hornady's and will be switching back to the 185 Bergers and 2000mr.

Idk that he’ll go over 20. Can’t blame him with the can. But I’ll run it by him. I see your point though the high BC 30s are in the heavies.
 
Ive tried the 208 Eld's with Rl17 in my 20.5" and stopped somewhere between 2450-2500fps from what I recall. I'm sure I could have gone higher but was mag feeding and didn't want to trash new peterson brass.

I'm going to order some Win brass and try the 208's with Rl16. I think when I ran the numbers I need around 2550 fps or more to match the 185gr hybrids @2700.

That would leave me to assume that with the 18.5" barrel, 2600+ fps might be achievable with 2000mr and 175-185gr bullets, same with CFE 223. I'd be curious if small primer brass would benefit much also.
 
Ive tried the 208 Eld's with Rl17 in my 20.5" and stopped somewhere between 2450-2500fps from what I recall. I'm sure I could have gone higher but was mag feeding and didn't want to trash new peterson brass.

I'm going to order some Win brass and try the 208's with Rl16. I think when I ran the numbers I need around 2550 fps or more to match the 185gr hybrids @2700.

That would leave me to assume that with the 18.5" barrel, 2600+ fps might be achievable with 2000mr and 175-185gr bullets, same with CFE 223. I'd be curious if small primer brass would benefit much also.

I've been extremely interested in that since moving to 6.5x47 and seeing 6.5CM transition to the small rifle primer. I push the ever living hell out of my 6.5x47 and am on 12 firings and still going. This is second hand brass also. But i've already got a ton of nosler and lapua 308 brass for him to use. I don't own a 308 anymore. Had planned on a 16" Aero M5 but never got around to building it after Trump won. So he pretty much has everything at his disposal to load with. If he goes 19" like he's thinking i'm almost certain i can get 2600 with 175/178s. I've become more a component for lighter decent BC with higher velocity versus slower heavy pills with less velocity as of late. At least for my application that works. I'm basically just looking at what best the wind most. A 168gr TMK at 2700 is equal in wind calls to my 123gr ELD-M at 2840fps from my 18" 6.5x47.

Honestly i'd like to AI his gun with a 308 fireforming is insignificant on barrel life. Would drastically reduce trimming. Though if he ever shot a PRS match it'd be problematic. I'd lose my shit losing fire formed brass.
 
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Hey guys... new to the forum and relatively new to reloading. I was hoping I could get some input. For work I carry Hornady 308 168 grn. A-max. I will continue to carry that at work (not my choice), however I am looking for a load recipe that will get me close to the A-max. As of right now I was just planning on using the 168 a-max but unsure about powder, powered amount and primer. I would like something that has similar data so I can switch from weekend fun to my work round without too much change. I am running a 20inch Rpr. Thanks for the help.
 
I don't know what the velocity of your bullet is and sometimes just matching it doesn't make it accurate. I can only tell you what works for me in my gun. This is a one hole @ 100yds load in my 20" 1:12 twist barrel:

Nosler Competition 168 BTHP
43.5 grains Varget
Lapua Brass
Federal 210 Primer
OAL 2.80
 
I get 2803 out off 155 Palma with varget. With a 20" 1-10 twist hart barrel.
I am getting 2629 with an 18" 1-12 twist k and p barrel running 178 hobt and imr 4064
 
I've had great performance from 46.1 grs Varget, Lapua brass, Fed 219M primers with the 155 Palma. YMMV
 
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Anybody have any pet loads for a 16" AAC SD Remington? I have some 178ELDXs coming.
 
Sierra 155’s (2155)
Winchester brass sized with Lee Collett
47.0 gr Varget
CCI large primers
Overall length 2.220 (base to ogive)
Jump .025
1-10 twist 24.5” barrel
Avg FPS: 2,965
 
Anybody have any pet loads for a 16" AAC SD Remington? I have some 178ELDXs coming.

I don't but I am just getting set up to do load development for my new 16.5 SPS Tactical. I plan to ladder test to find what works best for my barrel and the 175 SMKs I have but also want to try the Berger 185 juggernaut and maybe the 160 Flatline as well but they are $$$. You might find this article helpful https://rifleshooter.com/2017/01/short-barrel-16-5-inch-winchester-load-development/

Cheers!
 
175 grain SMK
L/C prepped brass at 2.005 “
CCI BR 2 primers
Varget powder
2.810” OACL
Approximately 2480-2500 FPS out of my 16” AR10

23CD302B-8C64-4858-9E32-DB395803149E.jpeg
23CD302B-8C64-4858-9E32-DB395803149E.jpeg23CD302B-8C64-4858-9E32-DB395803149E.jpeg
 
Started a load work up with H4895 and 168 ELDMs. I noticed my velocities were faster than expected. Anybody get that with this powder?
 
Started a load work up with H4895 and 168 ELDMs. I noticed my velocities were faster than expected. Anybody get that with this powder?
One of my favorite loads is 43.2gr H4895 under 168gr Hornady A-max. Gives 2721 FPS ave for me. Out of 26" pipe. Loaded up a bunch today In 308, 223 and 6 dasher. It is my go-to for all three. in 223 I use 24.0gr under 75gr BTHP for 2825fps and in 6 Dasher it gets 32.2gr under 105gr bergers for 3003fps.
 
One of my favorite loads is 43.2gr H4895 under 168gr Hornady A-max. Gives 2721 FPS ave for me. Out of 26" pipe. Loaded up a bunch today In 308, 223 and 6 dasher. It is my go-to for all three. in 223 I use 24.0gr under 75gr BTHP for 2825fps and in 6 Dasher it gets 32.2gr under 105gr bergers for 3003fps.

I got 2800 out of my 22" with the 168 ELDM. Was surprised but it fell into a solid node. Ill be checking more soon. Not sure how the BH brass will hold up as it is just under the DO NOT USE in QL. Brass checked out good so we shall see. I will give it a shot in my AR next. Plan was with those 75s
 
I got 2800 out of my 22" with the 168 ELDM. Was surprised but it fell into a solid node. Ill be checking more soon. Not sure how the BH brass will hold up as it is just under the DO NOT USE in QL. Brass checked out good so we shall see. I will give it a shot in my AR next. Plan was with those 75s
What is the Gr weight you are using for 308? I am using Lapua brass in a 1:12 twist. I am using that in my DMR AR with a white oak 18" 1:7 twist barrel. Zero pressure signs and it is great. I have also used it in my 10.5" AR and they also run great. I had tested higher up to 24.4gr but they started to fall off in accuracy and I was more then happy with the ave speed of 2825fps.
 
What is the Gr weight you are using for 308? I am using Lapua brass in a 1:12 twist. I am using that in my DMR AR with a white oak 18" 1:7 twist barrel. Zero pressure signs and it is great. I have also used it in my 10.5" AR and they also run great. I had tested higher up to 24.4gr but they started to fall off in accuracy and I was more then happy with the ave speed of 2825fps.

It was the Hornady 168 ELDM. I'll testing some more soon. Should stay solid out to 1100 ish here at sea level. I can live with that.
 
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Anyone have a load for a Savage MSR 10 Long Range .308? I just got one and was curious if someone had found the sweet spot on theirs yet before I started building my loads.

I 've got the MSR 10 lr also.
Just curious if you got a load worked up yet?

I think I've got some coming together but I've changed some things on mine.

FGMM 168's were great
FGMM 175' not so much

My hand loads weren't doing good either.
So I put a JP SCS in it and cut out the handguard enough to expose the gas block and now 175's+ are showing some promise!

175 RDF
4064@ 43.1 and 43.4
Mixed LC brass
Sub MOA if I do my part. Lol
43.1 = 2655 avg.
43.4= 2670 avg.
The ad's were high but I'm getting my LC LR brass cleaned up and ready to load. I think that will bring SD's down?
 
Remington 700 SPS, factory barrel, 24" sporter profile, 1-10 twist
155 gr Hornady ELD-M
Winchester brass
CCI No.200 primers
Varget
Found two accuracy nodes today, one around 46 gr (2810 fps) and one around 47.6 gr (2920 fps). Saw slight ejector mark at 48 and 48.2 grains, so I'm going with the 46 grain load.
 
Rem700 Benchmark 5R 22"
178 BTHP
Hornady Brass and Fed210M
Varget with 45.0 (2700) with 43.5 (2600).
I was playing with QL and OBT Excel and had numbers match to the famous 43.5 of Varget. Testing for that 10 rounds was good enough to make me use the method in the future. I did seat the bullet a cunt hair deeper. Bullet has shot great in my rifle.
 
Can you suggest a load for the following:

I have a Tikka T3 tactical .308 24" 1:11 Twist
And willing to use
Lapua Case
Varget
178 gr hornady eld-x
cci or winchester primers

willing to plink steel at 800 yards. thanks
 
Can you suggest a load for the following:

I have a Tikka T3 tactical .308 24" 1:11 Twist
And willing to use
Lapua Case
Varget
178 gr hornady eld-x
cci or winchester primers

willing to plink steel at 800 yards. thanks

Depending how far you are to the lands, 43.5 is a solid area. I go up to 45 but that's in hornady brass. QL is worth its wait in $$$$$$
 
QL is worth its wait in $$$$$$

+1

Once you learn the QuickLoad software, you can more than pay for it's cost by how it can help you reduce the amount of bullets, primers and powder you use to find what works best in you rifle (not to forget the reloading time that might be saved).
 
Can you suggest a load for the following:

I have a Tikka T3 tactical .308 24" 1:11 Twist
And willing to use
Lapua Case
Varget
178 gr hornady eld-x
cci or winchester primers

willing to plink steel at 800 yards. thanks
Lapua Case Varget 43.3 Hornady 178 ELD-X CCI 200 2.850 OAL Surgeon Scapel 26 Inch Bartlein 5R 2710 FPS
 
Trying to find a velocity node for my AR10 using Alpha SRP brass, varget, cci 450, 168 Berger classic hunter, & 20” barrel 10 twist.

Anyone have a recommendation load to start at? Where have others seen pressure signs with this similar combination?
 
img_0978-jpg.6918541
Had pretty good results with Nosler 175 RDF's

Norma Brass
FGMM- 210 Primers
42.5 Grains of Varget
Loaded to mag length (Long bullets, Hybrid Ogive)
Nosler 175 RDF's
2598 FPS (8 FPS SD)

Shot from a Stiller Tac-30
22" Bartlein Barrel
100 Yds

Nosler 175 RDF's.jpg
 
Anyone had any luck out of the 175 tmks using Lapua brass and Varget.
18.5 barrel?

Did fine with 40.5 gr Varget in Lapua brass using Fed GMM primers (one bug hole at 100 yds) and ok with 44.2 grs (not quite a good) . . . .at .010 off lands and COAL of 2.957 in out of my 20 in factory sporter barrel. I tried seating depths further away and found none that would worked for me. MV's weren't much difference from the 175 SMK's I 've used, though I expect at long range the TMK's, with their higher BQ, would shoot flatter.

Recently tried AR Comp with the TMK's and got much better results than I was able to get with Varget for these bullets.
 
Did fine with 40.5 gr Varget in Lapua brass using Fed GMM primers (one bug hole at 100 yds) and ok with 44.2 grs (not quite a good) . . . .at .010 off lands and COAL of 2.957 in out of my 20 in factory sporter barrel. I tried seating depths further away and found none that would worked for me. MV's weren't much difference from the 175 SMK's I 've used, though I expect at long range the TMK's, with their higher BQ, would shoot flatter.

Recently tried AR Comp with the TMK's and got much better results than I was able to get with Varget for these bullets.

Thanks. I haven’t tried below 42. I found a node between 43.8-44.1. .03 off
Hav you ever noticed an explainable flier? Using them at .01 off.
 
Working up some 175 smk over varget, fed brass and wlr primers. At 44.9 started gettingsoot rings around primers and ejector marks. Being its federal brass wasn't sure if the soot was from pressure or loose pockets. Haveing the ejector marks I called it pressure and stopped, going back down to 43.5-44.5 and check closer.
 

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I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you need to learn how to understand brass weight and internal case volume and how it relates to data found in reloading manuals.

FYI, 43.5 is max in these cases and you’ve just destroyed them.