I shoot a weekly match alot, max range 700y. I figure I don't need to be shooting 175s or 185s. Was thinking about something along the lines of a 155 Palma bullet. Maybe the 168s. Just getting into reloading, burning through a bunch of FGMM to get some shooting in and brass. Gun likes 168s, 175s and 185s equally it appears. Have one box of Hornady Black 155 Amax that I havent tried yet, different bullet weights effect POI at 100y more than my .223 it seems. Shot 147gr GGG Lithuanian ball, like ball. 20" 10 twist howa.
ideal Bullet for .308 700y and in?
- Thread starter jLorenzo
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You might give the 155 Lapua Scenars a try as well. I was getting velocities that put my .308 ballistically close to my 6.5 when using 130 grain bullets when shot at closer distances. They are definitely worth the effort.
I’m almost through a case of 190gr Nosler custom comps and came to a similar conclusion. I’ll be moving to the 178gr ELD-M I think, BC is a tossup (.527/.530 if I remember right) and I think I’ll gain ~100fps.
I’d recommend picking up a box of 155gr Nosler custom comps in addition to the 155gr ELD, and see what shoots better for you.
How well does that GGG shoot? I shot a 10rd group of 147gr 80’s berdan-primed German surplus and got ~1.2 moa out of it, just lots of hard primers. I’m looking for a 1 moa surplus ball for positional practice and taking new shooters out and would like any data points.
I’d recommend picking up a box of 155gr Nosler custom comps in addition to the 155gr ELD, and see what shoots better for you.
How well does that GGG shoot? I shot a 10rd group of 147gr 80’s berdan-primed German surplus and got ~1.2 moa out of it, just lots of hard primers. I’m looking for a 1 moa surplus ball for positional practice and taking new shooters out and would like any data points.
If the match is unknown distance or speed shooting known distances flatter trajectory wins. If it’s known distances and slow speed then the highes BC for wind mitigation wins as the drop is known. Brian Litz wrote an outstanding article on this a few years ago. Search best projectile for caliber by Brian Litz to find it.
I’ve ran this method for about 20 years. 155 scenars for fast and unknown, 175 SMK for slow and known. Hope this helps, good luck.
I’ve ran this method for about 20 years. 155 scenars for fast and unknown, 175 SMK for slow and known. Hope this helps, good luck.
The 155gr Lapua Senars driven fast (2800 to 3100) with a barrel twist rate setup for them are amazingly accurate at close range.
If you can stand a long barrel with a bit slower of a twist rate, you can get excellent short range match results from them, while still getting out to 1000 yards.
The problem however is at long ranges they tend to be blown a bit more by the wind, so once you start getting over the 500 to 700 yard range, the heavier ones do much better, but in the 100 yard to 500 yard range they do very well.
If you can stand a long barrel with a bit slower of a twist rate, you can get excellent short range match results from them, while still getting out to 1000 yards.
The problem however is at long ranges they tend to be blown a bit more by the wind, so once you start getting over the 500 to 700 yard range, the heavier ones do much better, but in the 100 yard to 500 yard range they do very well.
Another vote for Scenar 155s or Berger Hybrid target 155s. They’re the most accurate bullet I’ve shot out of a .308. I like the Bergers better, but the Scenars have been cheaper. I haven’t needed to re-zero when switching. I use Varget behind those pills.
I've debated on speeding it up because it's the book minimum, I had issues with Winchester primers that flattened out the later pinholed. Originally thought I had pressure signs because of those primers. I switched primers and lost almost 50 fps but they shoot so damn good that I don't want to mess with it. That's a 5 shot group in one rifle but the other barrels shoot as good with the same way.
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Have you tried grabbing some Lapua factory match ammo in 155gr and seeing how it runs?
Lapua Prod. no. 4317073
Which is what I shoot a lot of, is rated from the factory for 2820fps in a 26" barrel.
I run it from a 26" AI AW with a 1:12 barrel and the brass / primers look perfect after firing.
Whe I shot NRA Palma and mid range prone my rifle was a trued and sleeved 700 with a 29" Krieger med Palma 1 in 13 twist.
155 Scenars @ 2950 with Reloder 15 were laser beams at 600 yds.
155 Scenars @ 2950 with Reloder 15 were laser beams at 600 yds.
Good point. The rash of new 168 grain bullets with outstanding aerodynamics are opening doors for 308 long range performance that the old Sierra 168 MK could not open.
People forget that the 168 Match King was designed by Sierra at the request of the Army Marksmanship Unit for use at 300 meters back in the days when UIT (now ISSF) 300 meter prone and 3 position were much more popular than today.
People forget that the 168 Match King was designed by Sierra at the request of the Army Marksmanship Unit for use at 300 meters back in the days when UIT (now ISSF) 300 meter prone and 3 position were much more popular than today.
I've even noticed a huge difference in drop and wind comparing the 168 A-Max and the ELD-M. They both are very accurate, but the ELD is the clear winner overall
155 gr. Sierra TMK loaded with H4895 ATL in Lapua brass with GM210M primer @ 2923 fps. Savage Model 10 HB, 24" barrel.
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I have no interest in shooting factory ammo. I already have about 2500 scenars and enough powder and brass to load them. Only reason I haven't sped them up is I hate load development and don't want to mess with individual loads for the different rifles.
I used 10 shots of the GGG to "break" the barrel in like howa reccomends, never been a big break in guy myself. It wasn't shooting well after word but only shot 3-4 rounds and still getting used to driving the gun. The 20" .308 tells on you if your fundamentals aren't squared away. I have 200 rounds of the GGG so I will be revisiting accuracy. The guy I'm buy a Hornady classic press, powder thrower, .308 dies, 100 nosler CC 175s for 200$ all in.
Lorenzo, is your new rifle threaded for a brake? If so, get one on there like yesterday.
If it isn't, buy one of these: https://www.wittmachine.net/custom-clamp-on-threaded-adapter.html and then put a brake on it.
You'll thank me when you do.
If it isn't, buy one of these: https://www.wittmachine.net/custom-clamp-on-threaded-adapter.html and then put a brake on it.
You'll thank me when you do.
No it isnt. Just a plain 20" crowned. Probably will have it threaded once silencer cash is in the bank.
I am pretty sure I am going to get a jug of varget, all I will be loading for will be .223 with 75gr bthps, and .308 with he 175 nosler custom comps I'm getting included with the press.
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