First Batch of Load development rounds, some interesting findings

[Maxim0]

Hello ALL,

I finally got around to making my first batch of load testing rounds up and shot them this past weekend. I did two separate 50 round boxes broken down as follows

My gun has a really deep throat (remington 700 pcr 24" 1:10 5R) that measured in at 2.9385 with the 155scenar. Due to that I did some rounds at 2.8 and the others at 2.9185

155 Lapua Scenar
Lapua Brass
CCIBR2
Varget
using redding match neck bushing and micrometer bullet seating dies

5 of each charge
OAL 2.8
44 44.3 44.6 44.9 45.2 45.5 45.8 46.1 46.4 46.7

OAL 2.9185 (.02 off the lands)
44 44.4 44.8 45.2 45.6 46 46.4 46.8 47.2

The groupings are shown below i'm looking for input on how to proceed. I didn't have a chronograph at that time but just got a magnetospeed in the mail so will give fps with further testing. I noticed no signs of pressure all the way up to 47.2 but was crunching down on powder for everything above 45.5. Will be making a charge tube tonight to see if it helps compress the powder. If it does I will try to find a higher accuracy node.

For now im thinking of doing a mag load (2.8 OAL) @46.1 and a hand load (2.9185 OAL) @ 46.4.

For curiousity sake i did all of this shooting at 100y with about 15mph winds, Do winds impact .308 @100y?

This is my first time ever reloading so any help would be greatly appreciated, also is there software or an app where you can put the picture in and it will give you moa?

 

[Maxim0]

Now that I have the magnetospeed I was thinking of working some loads up and just going to the indoor 25y range and get some FPS readings and also explore higher charges (if the charge tube helps compress the powder im worried about hurting my redding micrometer bullet seating die which states in bold letters do not use with compressed loads)

 

[Maxim0]

Sorry about asking so many questions at once. Any help with any of the questions would be greatly appreciated

 

[Evintos]

For curiousity sake i did all of this shooting at 100y with about 15mph winds, Do winds impact .308 @100y?

This is my first time ever reloading so any help would be greatly appreciated, also is there software or an app where you can put the picture in and it will give you moa?

Winds - yes, even at 100 you will have horizontal impact shifts. Especially if the wind is not constant.
Software - https://ontargetshooting.com/ or Range Buddy mobile app.
Without a chronograph... 44 and 44.4 looks to have more consistent vertical dispersion.

 

[918v]

Are you in love with 155gr bullets? There are easier ways to get accurate 308 loads.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

You have a little bit of everything not related to reloading with those groups. But if 44.0 turns out to be above 2650...

Also, the Lapua Scenar is not a bad choice though I prefer the 168 SMK with N150.

 

[Milo 2.5]

Hello ALL,

I finally got around to making my first batch of load testing rounds up and shot them this past weekend. I did two separate 50 round boxes broken down as follows

My gun has a really deep throat (remington 700 pcr 24" 1:10 5R) that measured in at 2.9385 with the 155scenar. Due to that I did some rounds at 2.8 and the others at 2.9185

155 Lapua Scenar
Lapua Brass
CCIBR2
Varget
using redding match neck bushing and micrometer bullet seating dies

5 of each charge
OAL 2.8
44 44.3 44.6 44.9 45.2 45.5 45.8 46.1 46.4 46.7

OAL 2.9185 (.02 off the lands)
44 44.4 44.8 45.2 45.6 46 46.4 46.8 47.2

The groupings are shown below i'm looking for input on how to proceed. I didn't have a chronograph at that time but just got a magnetospeed in the mail so will give fps with further testing. I noticed no signs of pressure all the way up to 47.2 but was crunching down on powder for everything above 45.5. Will be making a charge tube tonight to see if it helps compress the powder. If it does I will try to find a higher accuracy node.

For now im thinking of doing a mag load (2.8 OAL) @46.1 and a hand load (2.9185 OAL) @ 46.4.

For curiousity sake i did all of this shooting at 100y with about 15mph winds, Do winds impact .308 @100y?

This is my first time ever reloading so any help would be greatly appreciated, also is there software or an app where you can put the picture in and it will give you moa?View attachment 6964167View attachment 6964171View attachment 6964172View attachment 6964173

I hate to say this, but you basically took 100 shots and do not have much to show for it, other than on target #3 44-44.4gr, which looks somewhat promising.
Let's try find a more efficient way to do this. If you shoot 3 shots that look like shit, no need to fire 2 more. I am kind of a 3 shot group guy, and am sure I will get flamed, but I've never ever seen a group tighten up after 3 shots. You can have a questionable group and make it look more impressive by obliterating the center, but it's still the same size.
As for wind at 100, you are not far enough along here to worry about wind affecting bullet flight, I'd be more concerned with the 15mph wind moving your rifle at the firing position.

 

[MichaelEber]

In your groupings you show an unmarked set of shots that are tight and in the bull. What is wrong with that load?

 

[Maxim0]

The unmarked shots in the bulls were bought rounds just to warm up the barrel. Do you think my rifle just doesn’t like the scenars? If so any recommendation for 600 yard bullets? Really want to try the juggernauts. But they are expensive and I’m told need to be near the lands which would mean above mag length for me

 

[Maxim0]

No not in love with the 155’s any suggestions for my long throat would be great. Would love the have an accurate load that can make that huge jump. Can’t believe my lands are at 2.9385. But single loading isn’t out of the question by any means

 

[918v]

Long jump to the lands does not hurt accuracy. Try 168/175SMK over 43.something grains of Varget at 2.795”-2:835” coal. I got a new 308 last month. This is 168SMK:

This is 175SMK(still needs some tuning):

Basically these are the same loads from my old 308. The 168 is jumping .065”, the 175 .030”

 

[Maxim0]

Thanks for the help. I’m told the 175s are better in every way then the 168s. Would you agree? Mainly trying to develop an accurate load for. 600-1000. Was actually getting decent results from the 168s store bought match ammo at 600 but not sure how it will compare to the 175 at 1000

 

[honuswagner]

I load 15-20 rounds starting 10% below max, shoot them over the chrono to find my nodes. I pick a node then adjust seating depth starting at .005 jump and working in .30" increments away from the lands until I find something promising, then fine tune from there. Good luck finding your load!

 

[Maxim0]

So I could conduct that part of load development at the little 25 yard indoor range correct? 2min drive vs 50min

 

[padom]

Both the 175SMK and 178 Amax/ELD-M over IMR4064 was my go to load in my long throated factory Rem700 5R. H4895 and Varget were close seconds.

 

[Deleted member 10043]

What factory load got you in the bull?

 

[supercorndogs]

Or wind making the target stand wobble.

So I could conduct that part of load development at the little 25 yard indoor range correct? 2min drive vs 50min

I think he is trying to describe the 6.5 guys 10 shot latter test. I think he is messing up his decimal points too.

 

[honuswagner]

^^^^Or making the target stand wobble.


I think he is trying to describe the 6.5 guys 10 shot latter test. I think he is messing up his decimal points too.

Thanks, yes that should be .030" not .30, sorry for the confusion.

And yes, could do that at a 25 yard range.

 

[918v]

Thanks for the help. I’m told the 175s are better in every way then the 168s. Would you agree? Mainly trying to develop an accurate load for. 600-1000. Was actually getting decent results from the 168s store bought match ammo at 600 but not sure how it will compare to the 175 at 1000

Depends on your altitude.

 

[spife7980]

Depends on your altitude.

While true I would still rather have the 175s over the 168s for 1k yards just because most people arent up high in the mountains. At 700' elevation here in central texas the 168s impact sideways at 1k every day while the 175s are still showing stable impacts.

 

[Maxim0]

Depends on your altitude.

Altitude is 28' (Florida)

 

[918v]

Where I’m at I have to go up to 4000 feet to shoot far. So there is no problem with the 168. The problem is finding a spot where you can shoot that far.

Then there’s accuracy and ES/SD. In my experience the 168 is easier to tune. Assuming the targets I posted represent the best my rifle can do, the 168 is a better overall bullet for me.

 

[supercorndogs]

While true I would still rather have the 175s over the 168s for 1k yards just because most people arent up high in the mountains. At 700' elevation here in central texas the 168s impact sideways at 1k every day while the 175s are still showing stable impacts.

Surely not all 168s, right? The 168 TMK has a better B.C than the 175 SMK.

 

[spife7980]

Surely not all 168s, right? The 168 TMK has a better B.C than the 175 SMK.

The smk 168 that was being discussed is the only one I can speak to.