What's the best recipe for .308 175grain M118LR, powder, case, primer? What is ideal finish length of that load?
Advice for loading
- Thread starter godawgsdv8
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Re: Advice for loading
More than likely you can develop a load using the 175 SMK and Varget, RL15, X8208BR, etc. that will shoot better than the M118LR will from your rifle.
Each rifle is different, something that mimics FGMM 175's in my rifle may shoot poorly in your rifle. That's why it's called "load development".
More than likely you can develop a load using the 175 SMK and Varget, RL15, X8208BR, etc. that will shoot better than the M118LR will from your rifle.
Each rifle is different, something that mimics FGMM 175's in my rifle may shoot poorly in your rifle. That's why it's called "load development".
Re: Advice for loading
"What's the best recipe for .308 175grain M118LR, powder, case, primer? What is ideal finish length of that load?"
Sorry, Bohem is correct. If it was that simple our loading manuals would all provide the ideal load criteria. They don't because it doesn't exist.
"What's the best recipe for .308 175grain M118LR, powder, case, primer? What is ideal finish length of that load?"
Sorry, Bohem is correct. If it was that simple our loading manuals would all provide the ideal load criteria. They don't because it doesn't exist.
Re: Advice for loading
I would look at RL15 lc brass and fed primer with 175smk if you must attempt to mimic the m118lr. But as these guys have said work on your own load. Btw m118 changes charge weight from year to year. Per the .mil spec. So that in itself means that there is more than one perfect combination or way to skin a cat... so to speak. '02 m118lr had 42.1 grains of RL15 in it and '03 m118lr had 43.0 of rl15. I wonder if you knew that. Point is that the m118 is not the end all do all. I feel comfortable saying that I make more accurate and consistant .308 ammo for "my rifle" than any m118lr that I have shot through it. So can you OP. Don't waste your time chasing an m118lr clone. If m118lr is what you want then buy it and be happy. But I think you can make a better round for your rifle. Also look at IMR4064 and IMR4895 they are excellent powders for .308.
I would look at RL15 lc brass and fed primer with 175smk if you must attempt to mimic the m118lr. But as these guys have said work on your own load. Btw m118 changes charge weight from year to year. Per the .mil spec. So that in itself means that there is more than one perfect combination or way to skin a cat... so to speak. '02 m118lr had 42.1 grains of RL15 in it and '03 m118lr had 43.0 of rl15. I wonder if you knew that. Point is that the m118 is not the end all do all. I feel comfortable saying that I make more accurate and consistant .308 ammo for "my rifle" than any m118lr that I have shot through it. So can you OP. Don't waste your time chasing an m118lr clone. If m118lr is what you want then buy it and be happy. But I think you can make a better round for your rifle. Also look at IMR4064 and IMR4895 they are excellent powders for .308.
Re: Advice for loading
I have the m118lr 175's projectile to use with my load not the entire bullet. I was wanting to know the best combo to load these projectiles for myself.
I have the m118lr 175's projectile to use with my load not the entire bullet. I was wanting to know the best combo to load these projectiles for myself.
Re: Advice for loading
So what I need is to try different recipes. Use a shooting chrony too. So different rifles like 1:12, 1:11.25 will need diff. recipes, right?
So what I need is to try different recipes. Use a shooting chrony too. So different rifles like 1:12, 1:11.25 will need diff. recipes, right?
Re: Advice for loading
If you have not already, break in the barrel.
That said, what is your leade? set your OAL back about 5/1000ths from that.
Use cases from the same manufacturer or made to the same specs.
Fed 210 primers give really good consistency.
IMR 4895 and 4064 are both popular at Camp Perry...
I have had good luck with RE-15 and Varget.
Sierra and Hogden both tend to be conservative, you can get away with going one or two grains higher than the manual states, just be careful and look for the signs of overpressure.
EXAMPLE: for 168gr BTHP, using RL-15, Hornady lists 44.3gr. max, Sierra lists 43.6 and some others found online go as high as 47. (One of my purpose-built rifles shoots best with 44.5gr.)
Try different weights, and manufacturers, A rifle belonging to my best friends wife shoots best with off the shelf Remington Core-Lokt if you can believe that.
Anyhow, get yourself a chronograph, it is flat out the best instrument for verifying consistency in your loads, you will quickly find that the loads that tend to have close and consistent velocities are also the ones that get you your best groups.
Remember you are not looking for your highest velocities, but the most consistent. If you run a batch that is within 10FPS consistently, that one will be your 1/4 MOA load.
Oh yea, expect to load separately for every rifle if you want the absolute best accuracy out of each one.
If you just want a general load that shoots pretty well and is safe for all of your .308s, try 42 to 42.5gr. of any of the above mentioned powders, FED 210 primers if you can find them, and set your OAL to 2.800, you should get 1 MOA or better using a clean broken in barrel.
If you have not already, break in the barrel.
That said, what is your leade? set your OAL back about 5/1000ths from that.
Use cases from the same manufacturer or made to the same specs.
Fed 210 primers give really good consistency.
IMR 4895 and 4064 are both popular at Camp Perry...
I have had good luck with RE-15 and Varget.
Sierra and Hogden both tend to be conservative, you can get away with going one or two grains higher than the manual states, just be careful and look for the signs of overpressure.
EXAMPLE: for 168gr BTHP, using RL-15, Hornady lists 44.3gr. max, Sierra lists 43.6 and some others found online go as high as 47. (One of my purpose-built rifles shoots best with 44.5gr.)
Try different weights, and manufacturers, A rifle belonging to my best friends wife shoots best with off the shelf Remington Core-Lokt if you can believe that.
Anyhow, get yourself a chronograph, it is flat out the best instrument for verifying consistency in your loads, you will quickly find that the loads that tend to have close and consistent velocities are also the ones that get you your best groups.
Remember you are not looking for your highest velocities, but the most consistent. If you run a batch that is within 10FPS consistently, that one will be your 1/4 MOA load.
Oh yea, expect to load separately for every rifle if you want the absolute best accuracy out of each one.
If you just want a general load that shoots pretty well and is safe for all of your .308s, try 42 to 42.5gr. of any of the above mentioned powders, FED 210 primers if you can find them, and set your OAL to 2.800, you should get 1 MOA or better using a clean broken in barrel.
Re: Advice for loading
Thanks Cvedrick, helps alot. My OAL is 2.80 I'm using Varget, 44gr. with 168smk. 43.5gr. with 175smk.
Thanks Cvedrick, helps alot. My OAL is 2.80 I'm using Varget, 44gr. with 168smk. 43.5gr. with 175smk.
Re: Advice for loading
Don't waste components by "breaking in your barrel", and read through all of the thread below. More info than you will ever need.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=323517&nt=9&page=1
You are on the right track with Varget. Invest in some Lapua brass.
Don't waste components by "breaking in your barrel", and read through all of the thread below. More info than you will ever need.
http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=323517&nt=9&page=1
You are on the right track with Varget. Invest in some Lapua brass.
