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Competition Capable 308

Here2Learn

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Minuteman
  • Jul 3, 2010
    1,174
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    Birmingham, AL
    What's everyone's thoughts on a 308 capable of competing in comps. Obviously it won't stack up to the 6mm but what twist barrel, bullet and powder etc would you guys go with.

    I've done the 175 at 28whatever. What I'm talking about is something in the 3000fps.
     
    I have something that shoots 3000 FPS, it's a 300 win mag hah!

    Man, I load my 168s to right around 2700. I can't imagine pushing one of those over 3000 in my 308. I think my gas guns would explode haha.
     
    What's everyone's thoughts on a 308 capable of competing in comps. Obviously it won't stack up to the 6mm but what twist barrel, bullet and powder etc would you guys go with.

    I've done the 175 at 28whatever. What I'm talking about is something in the 3000fps.

    The Palma guys have been shooting 155 gr Lapua, Berger, or Sierra bullets out of 30-32" 1/12 or 13 twist barrels at 3000 fps with Varget for years. If you want to go with a shorter barrel, the benchrest guys use 21.75" tractor axle barrels in 1/17 twist with 115-135 gr match flat base Berger or Sierra bullets in 30 BRs. You can do the same thing with a 308 Win with a little less accuracy.
     
    What's everyone's thoughts on a 308 capable of competing in comps. Obviously it won't stack up to the 6mm but what twist barrel, bullet and powder etc would you guys go with.

    I've done the 175 at 28whatever. What I'm talking about is something in the 3000fps.

    Just chrono'd this load yesterday from my R700 AAC-SD. Factory 20" 1-10 twist barrel, magazine fed, HS precision M24 stock. Have used this rifle in comps (but stupidly, not in yours last weekend--used my gas gun).

    130gr OTM/SOST (MK 319 Mod 0 pulls)
    46 gr H4895
    BR 2 Primers
    FC 1x Brass

    MV: 2899 (10 shot avg). 2-5 shot groups, both ~.75"

    Using the factory FC MK 319 Mod 0 with their "proprietary" powder, it chrono'd at 2950
     
    I think there are guys out there shooting the real light bullets and trying to make an almost 'poor mans .260' pushing them around 2900-3000. I can't for the life of me remember who that was or what bullet they were shooting but it was a thread on here not to terribly long ago.
     
    155 scenars and to a lesser degree Sierra Palmas can get 2900 plus out of 26" I've got some and I'm about to try it out. With a 155 Scenar at 2900 fps you're 8.7 mills at 1000 yards and 2.3 mils of wind at 10mph at that distance. A 140 A-Max at the same speed gets you 8.0 and 1.9 respectively. That's not terribly far off and seems to be the best you can do long range ballistically with the .308.
     
    Nothing beats the 6/6.5 cal bullets for comps where you need to be able to stay on target and make quick follow-up shots. That said, the 308 can hold its own in comps with 185 Hybrids at just under 2800 from a 24" barrel. My 1 in 10 twist Bartlien is giving me sub 1/4 MOA accuracy in early testing with them and Alliant 2000MR. Add a brake and I think you're gonna be fine.
     
    155's at 3k fps is almost all I shoot. 30" 12 and 13 twist barrels. 2156's are excellent, Berger 155 Hybrids are even better. Both shoot the same velocity with the same powder charge. What kind of comps are you talking about?
     
    A 185 Berger (.56ish) or 180 JLK (.57ish) at 2700 or a berger 168 hybrid (.52ish) near 2800 will get you very close to 6.5/.264 ballistics but you wont do it with a 20 inch barrel... safely
     
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    I run a 155 Hybrid at 2900fps from a 24" barrel. It's certainly not a 6mm, but it's far superior to the typical .308 load.

    155 Hybrid
    Healthy dose of varget
    Lapua brass
    Magnum primers.