FN AR, and LR 308

[Unknown]

I will be working up loads for both of these rifles with a 168 grain Nosler custom competition bullet. Can anyone suggest some loads to try? I have had good luck in the past with Varget, and Reloader 15.

It would be great if there were a ball powder, or one of the super short cut ones that meters well so that I wouldn't have to weigh each charge like I'm currently doing. But my understanding is that many of the ball powders burn hotter so they erode the throat faster, and they are more temperature sensitive. If it is a long hot summer day out shooting, it wouldn't be helpful if the loads get hotter because of the weather, and velocity goes way up...

 

[smokshwn]

Re: FN AR, and LR 308

I have been getting very good results with Ramshot TAC and 155's ... it meters extremely well and although I haven't run it with too much temperature change in 308 I have run it through 25-100+ degrees in .223 and not seen any problems.

 

[BCP]

Re: FN AR, and LR 308

I have been using 2520 and it is very close to RL15. My load is 44 grains behind that same bullet, it is a little hot though. I would try 42 to start with.

As for varget just google search for 168 varget .308 and you'll probably get a bazillion matches, it's very popular powder.

 

[bigdawgcje]

Re: FN AR, and LR 308

44 grains of Varget works well with the Nosler CC in a 40X and a 700 for me.

 

[Unknown]

Re: FN AR, and LR 308

I took both the DPMS LR308 and the FNAR out to run some test loads through them. Both rifles liked the same load.

Shooting was done at 200 yards from sandbagged rest (front and rear), just lead shot bags filled with sand provided by the range, not bench rest type setup.

The LR308 shot one inch groups at 200 yards.
The FNAR gave two really fine 3 shot groups before I ran out of the test ammo: .418 inch, then adjusted scope to get POA/POI together, and got a .318 inch group dead center. So I have found the load to use. I haven't chrono'ed it yet.

LC77 brass with primer pockets uniformed, and flash holes de-burred
168 grain Nosler custom competition bullet
Federal 210M primer
42.5 grains of Varget
C.O.A.L. 2.810 inch
no crimp

At this point I'm not willing to claim that my FNAR is a sub half inch rifle because that was only two groups of 3 rounds each. But the consistency, and because the two groups were both consecutive and consistent with each other tells me that the accuracy of this load and the FNAR rifle is very promising.

I realize that flukes can occur, and only firing two groups certainly does not mean that the rifle will do that on a regular basis. But getting two consecutive groups under a half inch at 200 yards sure made my day, and ended my search for a better shooting load.

 

[SwatSgt]

Re: FN AR, and LR 308

Unknown,

Today I shot 42 grain Varget with 168 smk and at 100 yards it was 1.20" at best. It wasn't me today as I shot 3/8" groups with my 700PSS using 43.5 grains of Varget with 5 round groups. I am going to bump up the charge and see if some more speed will help with the grouping.

also if you don't mind me asking what scope do you have on your LR-308?

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: FN AR, and LR 308

My 5r 700 and my Dpms's both like 45.5/45.7 of Varget with winchester LR primers.