308

[Glenn Ashcroft]

I’m using Sierra Matchking Palma 155gn projectiles with ADI Benchmark 2 powder. I’ve tried 41gn with avg velocity of 2839 ft/s with SD of 6.2 and also 43 gn with average velocity of 2956 ft/s with an SD of 10.3. I use a 30 inch Truflight barrel in a 1:12 twist with a Barnard P action. My range is 200meters above sea level, average humidity is 61.3 %, Average temperature is 20.5Celsius, Average atmospheric pressure is 1013.2 millibars and my centre of scope to centre of bore measurement is 55.5 millimeters. I shoot from 300 meters out to 900 meters.
I thought I might need the higher velocity for distances over 500 meters?
I’m new to the sport of fclass standard in Australia so all opinions on :
1. Load
2. Life of barrel
3. Any help at all
Is appreciated.

 

[gconnoyer]

1) Whats the extreme spread? Everyone likes to use SD because its a lower number. Run the velocity numbers for both loads in a calc with a 10mph or whatever wind and see if the extra velocity is worth it. You probably limited yourself out of the higher BC/heavier bullets with a 12tw barrel but not sure how the velocity will offset the performance.

2) I wont say "yOu NevEr HavE to WorrY abouT barREl Life" but with a 308, you really dont have to be super concerned. FClass is much more about shooter and wind than benchrest accuracy. So your barrel will likely be fine for 8000rds.

3) Go shoot with whatever load you get worked up with a good ES and 1/2moa groups and get some practice and trigger time in. Soak up all the knowledge and tips you can from the crusty salt dogs that have been shooting FClass forever.

 

[Glenn Ashcroft]

1) Whats the extreme spread? Everyone likes to use SD because its a lower number. Run the velocity numbers for both loads in a calc with a 10mph or whatever wind and see if the extra velocity is worth it. You probably limited yourself out of the higher BC/heavier bullets with a 12tw barrel but not sure how the velocity will offset the performance.

2) I wont say "yOu NevEr HavE to WorrY abouT barREl Life" but with a 308, you really dont have to be super concerned. FClass is much more about shooter and wind than benchrest accuracy. So your barrel will likely be fine for 8000rds.

3) Go shoot with whatever load you get worked up with a good ES and 1/2moa groups and get some practice and trigger time in. Soak up all the knowledge and tips you can from the crusty salt dogs that have been shooting FClass forever.

The competition I’m shooting in (fclass standard which is in Australia only) limits rifles to a specific weight and limits projectiles to 155.5gn with a scope. Your allowed a front mechanical rest and rear bag. So it keeps a level of gear uniformity so skill becomes key part (reading wind, load development and shooting technique!)

 

[Huskydriver]

That is slowwwwwww for 155 palma loads....

Need to get that up above 3k

 

[Snuby642]

I have been fooling with cfe223 in my sons 308.
That powder lists fast with medium to light for caliber bullets.

I found a 47.5 load on 168 smk that shot cloverleaf holes but that is 1.0g below max book. Max did not group well. May be a node just over book but for now its a good practice load. Seating depth test next.

Not meeting your parameters but the cfe223 powder might push the 155 fast for you.

You will probably find cfe223 available before some of the traditional favorites like varget.

Just an option.

 

[Snuby642]

@Huskydriver

What powder do you prefer for a 308 in a short 20 inch barrel?

Its a ruger tactical and besides the 20 inch barrel the magazine is short mag lenght. The thing was blue printed around 168 fgmm and took me a while to beat them with of all things the cfe223. Lol

 

[glock63]

@Huskydriver

What powder do you prefer for a 308 in a short 20 inch barrel?

Its a ruger tactical and besides the 20 inch barrel the magazine is short mag lenght. The thing was blue printed around 168 fgmm and took me a while to beat them with of all things the cfe223. Lol

What bullet weight are you planning? 168 and lower? XBR 8208 all day long. I push 155 scenars out of a 22 inch bartlein at 2920.

 

[Snuby642]

Well really just a shout out to the op down under about cfe223 being a viable choice if my favorite varget and 8208 are running out.

I got an 8lb of cfe when I could no longer find 8208 or varget.

That gun of his likes 168 smk's and not one damn thing else. I ate up varget and 8208 stupidly trying to make hornady's and a couple of others fly.

Nope nada happening.
Evidently those ruger sp tacticals were spec'd out for le shooting 168g fgmm and they sold a lot of them. It's as if it were hammer forged on that round.

Got some 1/2 inch groups and have not done seating depth test yet. Going to the 168 smk and started use of a Sinclair mandrell took about a half inch off his groups.

I'm sure the remaining 8208 and varget I have left will group in his gun now. It was all about getting rid of the hornadys and using a mandrell I think.

The number of diapointing rounds I made for his gun to figure this out was epic. (Stupid Snuby).

Even my 223 ar's hate Hornady bullets but my 6.5g likes thier 123 a little.

I will stock up on 8208 and varget as I can find it.

I may try some of those sencars, thanks for the heads up on that available velocity.

His 308 should be gtg as is to 600yd and when he Finishes his 6.5cm we will stretch that out more easily as that damn 308 "reloading trainer" has taught me to not be so hard headed.

And all the mentoring on the hide as well.

 

[glock63]

I load 44.2 grains 8208 in lapua brass lit by a federal 210m to achieve those velocities. It is a custom bolt gun with a 22 inch bartlein barrel, so results may vary.

 

[Huskydriver]

@Huskydriver

What powder do you prefer for a 308 in a short 20 inch barrel?

Its a ruger tactical and besides the 20 inch barrel the magazine is short mag lenght. The thing was blue printed around 168 fgmm and took me a while to beat them with of all things the cfe223. Lol

I only run varget these days but h4895 for lighter than 175s works great imo and one can never go wrong with 4064 either for 168s and 175 class bullets...

But the op specifically says he's shooting Fclass palma with a 30" tube...to be competitive here you want to be 2950+ speed wise. Most guys are running 3050-3100 fps with 32" tubes