Something doesn't make sense with your numbers. Did you reverse the average velocities with the first 2 groups by chance? You added a half a grain but lost 62 fps?
.308 Winchester
- Thread starter Two Shoes
- Start date
Very good catch. I went over my garmin and it appears the average was 2517. I accidentally wrote 2417. I will edit my previous post.
Very good catch. I went over my garmin and it appears the average was 2517. I accidentally wrote 2417. I will edit my previous post.
Try 39.7 grs and 41 grs and see what you get. You are very close to both nodes on Quickload. You are going to be very compressed and way overpressure at 44 grs. This is assuming you are running an OAL of 2.80.
I'd move to skipping the seconds/pulls and just pony up on the projectiles... and maybe try match primers, not at the same time mind you, pick one, do it then do the other next time around. I load 40gr of Varget with 185 Juggernauts, but my case capacity is very likely considerably less since I'm using M118LR brass. 2500fps isn't bad or great, but as tight as that group is, if it does what you want at distance... eh Might also trying some n140 Just to see.
My rifle doesn't like the Juggernauts as much as the Hornady ELD-VT's and 175gr SMK. Mine basically goes: A-tip > ELD-VT>175 SMK > 169gr SMK>185gr Jugger > ELD-M
I do have actual new bullets. I was just BSing around and decided to just throw together some loads. I also have good primers too lol. The pulled bergers were just too cheap to not buy haha.
I also have 169smk, 155tmk, and some 174 eldvt I can play around with
10 shot group with 185 Juggernaut and H4895. Right at 2515 fps out of an 18.5" barrel
my 308 loves RL15 for the 178s. AR-COMP and VARGET come close but not quite (got plenty of both). With H4895 hitting the shelves again, I've been thinking of giving it a try, since RL15 can't be found and is temp sensitive. Looks like RL15 and H4895 are very close on the burn rate chart...
Any advice?
Any advice?
H4895 is my go to powder for M14 rifles and anything bolt action up to 185 gr, I try and stay with powders that are temp stable whenever possible and H4895 happened to be more accurate than Varget with the 185 Juggernaut in this short barrel, along with being the correct burn rate for the M14 so it was nice to have one powder cover multiple rifles.
I have been playing with N550 and Berger 215 and 220 gr bullets in the same rifle and so far accuracy has been excellent but ES and SD's are a little higher than I like to see. Tried RL 15.5 and Varget and did not see the same level of precision as the N550. Even at a muzzle velocity 150 fps lower than the 185 Jugger load, both of those heavier bullets are far better in the wind and stay supersonic to 1K so I may end up running them both at that distance to compare.
Don't be afraid to try some H4895, it exceeded the performance of Varget in my bolt action with more than 1 projectile.
6.5 what ?. I'd suggest running with 40.8 gr. and adjusting distance off the lands ,run # 3 , 5 shot groups using variable distances from the lands . See what that does for you .
Being that this is the 308 thread, I didn't care much about posting details on the 6.5 lol. But since there is some interest, it's a 6.5 CM. I'll keep that in mind and try next time.
Thank you
On my latest burn rate chart from Accurate:
H4895 #99
RL15 #110
N203B #111
VV N140 #112
Varget #113
On the Other Chart I have:
H4895 #119
RL15 #132
N203B #133
VV N140 #134
Varget #135
None of this says H4895 is not very good in the 308 Win, which it is, but it's a bit faster burning than the rest of the trio.
Hmm i got 2-3 lb of that from back in like 2014.... may have to look up some load data and see what it looks like. My manuals are in the shop and i'm to lazy to go walk up the hill to it and unlock the barn door just to look... but Alliants website shows
Anyone know what the case capacity of IMI .308 brass tends to be? 45gr seems like a lot...
| 308 Win. | Speer 180 gr SP | IMI | 2.8 | 24 | CCI 200 | Reloder 15 | 45 | 2,613 |
I’m running 44.5 RL15 in Hornady match brass with 57.6 gr H2O, which is 2g more than LAPUA brass in same gun. 45 is at pressure 45.5 def blows pockets in my brass. Hornady softer, so could run harder brass harder. Shoots lights out, and is close to USGI loads which use RL15 (& other powders, eg IMR 4064).
2650 fps from 22.5” bbl
Don’t even bother w RL15.5, too bulky, can’t fit enough in a case for typical speeds.
2650 fps from 22.5” bbl
Don’t even bother w RL15.5, too bulky, can’t fit enough in a case for typical speeds.
I've had very good results with 177smk & RL15.5 45.4gr under the 177 is 2750. Have run 500 at that speed no issues.
Edit: that's with a 26" barrel.
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ADI use their max load chart weight of AR2208/Varget in their factory loads of 168SMK in their brass (I pulled and weighed a soft strike), I doubt AR2206 is going to be better with heavier projectiles but I know a lot of F class and TR shooters run overpressure 2206 loads with 155gr in Lapua brass. They are ~3030fps in 30ish inch slow twist barrels with the 155s.
Friend who shoots 185 jugs in an FTR (about 26 inches) uses a stout load of 2208 in lapua, I can't recall exactly but they were doing something silly like easily over 2700fps.
Thanks for commenting, useful information. My M118LR brass averages around 52gr capacity… I’d use something better but I got a lot of it since my buddy bought like 500 rounds of M118LR.
I had wondered about and was trying to source some 15.5, but you saying it’s bulky makes me think maybe I’ll try some N140 instead as a second powder to try besides just using Varget all the time..
I sold my 15.5 at a major loss, I couldn’t find any good use for it.
I do acknowledge the other poster who said he made good use of it but I couldn’t
I do acknowledge the other poster who said he made good use of it but I couldn’t
N-140 in LCLR brass produced MOA groups at 300 yds. {my range limit} with 155's out of my AR
Anyone shooting the 180 game changer? Found a good price on some (500 bulk).
I'll probably load with LC brass, with Fed 210s or CCCI 200s?
I have Lever, CFE223, Varget, SW Precision, 748, StaBall 6.5 on hand in sufficient quantities.
I'll probably load with LC brass, with Fed 210s or CCCI 200s?
I have Lever, CFE223, Varget, SW Precision, 748, StaBall 6.5 on hand in sufficient quantities.
I picked up a bunch of the 180 Gamechangers (IE TGK) as well. I haven't shot any yet. I am planning to start with Varget and RL15. Will report back when I have data.
