Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

[jtb33]

Already picked up a Dillon 550 press, Dillon 308 dies and almost all the other accouterments for reloading. What I am lacking now, are:

bullets
powder
chronograph

My bolt guns are Remington 700 SA's in 308. I'm looking for a good bullet that's a compromise between price and accuracy. It will mostly be for punching paper at distances up to 1000y (eventually), but may use it for hunting. Any specific bullet recommendations, or do I need to buy various ones and try them out? How about the powder? Any specific brand/type for the Dillon press?

Lastly, the chronograph... I don't want to spend a lot on it, but at the same time, I don't want to have to upgrade it down the road. Any recommendations for a middle of the road type chrono?

 

[jeeptrash]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

I just started loading for my 308, I am starting with 168 grain amax and reloader 15. Have some test loads to put on paper as soon as the weather clears. I borrowed a chrony from a friend untill I buy a CED m2.

 

[arborpro]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Good bullets for paper punching are Sierra 155 grain Matchking and Lapua scenars 155 and they will shoot good with a 12 twist barrel. which is probably what your barrel is. also sierra 175s.
168s were meant more for 300 meter shooting but will shoot well further out. they will likely go subsonic past 900> with safe loads.

308s are easy the get to shoot well with many loads. I have a preference for Hogdon Varget. refer to a loading manual for safe loads. mine load is kind of on the high side so I don't want to list specifics on a forum. just set your overall length to fit the magazine box or around 2.775.

I heard oehler-research was going to make a chrono model 35 again. but its probably just a rumor. the CED chrono is a pretty good one. i had a PACT and i didn't like the quality of it overall.

Scott

 

[arborpro]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

I forgot to mention, match grade bullets aren't recommended for hunting bullets.

Scott

 

[jtb33]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

So you're recommending Sierra MatchKing 155gr for shooting out to 1000y?

Most of my practice shooting will be between 100y and 200y.

 

[arborpro]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Absolutely. my 1st choice would be 155 Lapua scenars then Sierra 155s for paper punching. reason is is I'm a palma shooter. and the 155s were designed for 1000 yard paper work.

Scott

 

[jtb33]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Thanks. Any input on the powder? I've heard that some powder works better than others in Dillon powder measures; eg, ball/cylindrical/flake, etc...

Also, on the matchkings - moly or non-coated?

 

[arborpro]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Any powder of the SC or short cut variety will meter well especially as you will be loading from a progressive press. I would look into to Hogden SC powders and VithtaVuori powders are great but I cant recommend a load based on those powders. IMR 4831 and 4064 are good but they don't meter well as the extruded pellets are relatively long. Of course I like Varget and it meters pretty good. but I weight all my charges individually which you won't have the luxury of doing on your press with any ease.

Scott

 

[arborpro]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Ball powders would probably work best with the dillon style powder measures you might want to refer to a loader manual. I think RE powder are Ball powders (Relodaer = RE ) brand of powders. I don't know of any flake powder that would be safe rifle cartridges as its more of a shotgun / pistol powder. ie fast burning.

Scott

 

[patriotoutlaw]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

I like Varget with my Berger VlD's.

 

[ChadTRG42]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Read, Read, and then read some more. The 308 is ot that picky, so most common 308 powders will work well. Read in the 308 reloading section for some good info on loads.

 

[jtb33]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

Thanks. I have a few books that I'll be reading through. Is the "Accurate" brand powder any good? There seems to be a lot of it here locally. In fact, I think I have a tub of it "2520" somewhere from when I bought all my reloading equipment.

Then comes that nerve-wracking first time shooting a round I loaded myself. When that time comes, I'll have to make sure to bring a cell phone in case I blow myself up. Or just go with a long strand of string.

 

[hrt4me]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

I use Varget and IMR4064 with my Sierra HPBT 175-gr Matchkings.

 

[gpz750]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

178 amax's and reloader 15

 

[M25BeastShooter]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

I've used AA2520 for years I developed a load of 42.2gr of 2520 with a 168 gr Sierra and a FED 210M primer in a LC case

2630 fps average,

holds 1/3-1/2 MOA in either my Ruger 77V or my Rem 700 PSS

 

[CTone03]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

I like RL-15, RL-17, or IMR 8208 XBR for .308

43.3 grains of RL15 in a Winchester case with a 175 grain bullet; or
48.8 grains of RL17 in a Winchester case with a 175 grain bullet; or
44.9 grains of 8208 in a Winchester case wit a 155 grain bullet, still in testing, but I think it will turn out alright

As for the chronograph, don't waste your money on a high end model, unless you go full tilt with the Ohler 35 model, as they seem to be a favorite. I started with a Shooting Chrony, went to a Competition Electronics digital, and then went to a CED M2, with the latter being a POS. They use the same dated technology, so all you get with an increase in price is more bells and whistles. Go cheap or go with an Oehler.

 

[jtb33]

Re: Beginning to reload for 308... some questions

So the bullet weight seems to be ranging from 155gr to 168gr to 175gr... I take this to mean that all are capable of shooting well from 100 yards up to 1000 yards with the main difference being that the heavier bullets will be less susceptible to wind, but have a larger drop at that distance - correct?

On the chronograph, so you recommend just getting whatever is cheapest? Any particular brand?