Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

[ReaperDriver]

If anyone has the Sierra Reloading 5th edition book (or other) - can you guys tell me the .308 Win max recommended and accuracy loads for the 175, 168 and 155 SMK using RL-15?

I ordered the Sierra book last week and expected it on Sat but it didn't arrive. I'm doing load workups and wanted to get accurate data to work my loads from the max on down. I'm loading right now, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[m249bb]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

168 bthp - 41.5 gr re-15
175 bthp - 41.3 gr re-15

Both loads have worked very well for me.

charlie

 

[Hunt]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

43.1 gr RL-15
175 SMK
Lapua brass
F210M primer

This load yields 2660 fps from a 22" 1/11 Krieger with a 95 Palma chamber.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Thanks guys.

 

[flopduster]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

pushing 155 bergers with 46.8 gr
lapua brass and br-2

 

[kwild]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

I am using 44.5 with a coal of 2.830"(mag length). Problem is I need to get another box of 175smk's. The shop didnt have any last time I was there.

 

[Phylodog]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

43.3gr RE15, Federal or LC brass, 210M, 175SMK gets me 2725fps from my 22" Schneider barrel.

 

[swarrick]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

inode I just chronod 10 rds of 45.0gr RL15 178Amax last weekend and it was only doing 2660. My load is 44.8 with a 178Amax it is over the max but no sticky bolt but the primmers are a tad flat.

 

[Joe-n-TX]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

42gn for 168 smk

 

[marc.soileau1]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Go to 6mmbr.com. There is an entire segment to the 308win. In this section you 308 potion of the Sierra reloading manual.

 

[Rothbard73]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

The Sierra manual's max loads are really low. I guess the do this for legal liabilities? You should be able to just go to their site and get the info or: http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf

155
max w/re15= 44.8

168s
max w/re15= 43.6 **accuracy load at 42.0 @2600 fps

175s
max w/re15= 41.3

 

[dinosdeuce]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

I'm using the following:
RL15 41grs
168gr BTHP match Hornady
WLR primers
2534 fps

 

[sakoshooter]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

You will probably have better luck using the 168 grain Sierra matchkings over the Hornady stuff. Hornady carries great brass and bullets, but using the Sierra Matchkings for reloading .308's will give you tighter groups. Consistency guarantee's accuracy. Good luck....

 

[JustaGusto]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Using 45grs, pushing a 168Amax at 2750fps. Alt 2300ft..holds good out to 600..so far. 100yrds sweet.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nietzsche73</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The Sierra manual's max loads are really low. I guess the do this for legal liabilities? You should be able to just go to their site and get the info or: http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf

155
max w/re15= 44.8

168s
max w/re15= 43.6 **accuracy load at 42.0 @2600 fps

175s
max w/re15= 41.3

</div></div>
Yeah, I found that link and noticed the max loads were really slow compared the advertised velocities of FGMM 168 and BH 175SMKs.

I ran numerous loads yesterday but I was loading a fair amount above the sierra manual. My two best performers were the 42.8 and 43.0 RL-15 w/ 175 SMK and 45.0 and 45.4 of RL-15 w/ 168 AMAX's. See below for the range results. All 100 yd groups were supposed to be 5 shot groups but due to my neck sizer issues (see the Redding neck size issue thread), I had a lot of no chambers and only could get 4 of a particular load - so take the group sizes with a grain of salt:

Gun: Rem 700 SPS tactical (20" BBL) completely "out of the box" w/ original Hogue stock with the exception of I replaced the X-mark trigger with an older Rem 700 trigger set to about 1.5 pounds. Its a sweet trigger (thanks Dave!)
Scope: Falcon Menace 5.5-25x50mm
Conditions: Sunny, 90-95F, Breezy with gusts up to 16mph. Average wind was 10-12mph from 3 o'clock. Alt 3390 MSL. Humidity 17%
Components: RL-15, FC once fired brass, Federal 210 primers (not M's)
OAL: 2.815

I was a bit surprised with the groups. I expected the 175 SMKs to hold the best in the wind but the 168 AMAXs seemed to group better despite the windy conditions. However, I think I attribute several of the spoilers to my poor shooting, as the others were shooting in the same hole. I shot the 175s 1st and I think I got more in the groove by the time I got to the AMAX shots. I was very dissappointed with the 155 Palmas. But I suspect that they are just not made to shoot well out of a 20" bbl.

Final thoughts - I really like the RL-15 powder. I think I'm going to concentrate on the 175SMK and the 168 AMAX and work some loads right around those couple of accuracy nodes I found and play with maybe seating the bullets a bit further out. I don't think with the factory SPS chamber and barrel, I'll ever get close to the lands, but maybe a longer OAL will help. I'm hoping to chrono those loads this week and see where these powder weights are getting me

ANy suggestions on where to go from here would be greatly appreciated. I'm shooting in a 600yd F-class match in a week and a half and need to settle on a good load and then get it dialed in for the match.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JustaGusto</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Using 45grs, pushing a 168Amax at 2750fps. Alt 2300ft..holds good out to 600..so far. 100yrds sweet. </div></div>

I'm really shocked at how well the 168 Amax's worked. My two best groups were with 45.0 (.60") and 45.4 (.53") of RL-15 with that bullet. I'm going to be shooting at 600yds next weekend and I'm trying to decide on shooting the 168 AMAX or the 175 SMK. As someone said to me at the range - the 100yd groups don't mean jack out at longer range. I'm going to do a "shoot-off" between the two this Friday and see which one shoots the best at that range. I'm glad I tried the AMAXs, but I just picked up a box on a lark while I was at the Bass pro shop on sunday.

 

[757Fixer]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

I'm using 45.0 RL15 in Lapua brass with 155 Scenars at 2.865" and getting 2800 fps in my TRG22.

 

[nashlaw]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

I shot some 168g A Max bullets in my .308 a week or so ago. They shot like poop. Slickrick was there with his KMW and they did magic at 100yds.

My rifle does about .5 moa with SMKs and the same dose of RL 15.

Go figure.

 

[Tangodown911]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

43.0 of the RL15 in a 171 grain (average) brass weight is basically the M118LR load. Always a winner seated at 2.81.

 

[MEGAfan]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">43.3gr RE15, Federal or LC brass, 210M, 175SMK gets me 2725fps from my 22" Schneider barrel. </div></div>

Holy smoke; Today, I was at the range testing a couple of RE15 loads for my 5R 24" Remington. I used once-fired Lapua Brass, 43.3gr of RE15, Cases trimmed to 2.008, FL Sized using RCBS Comp Die, Fed 210M Primers, Sierra 175SMK, and my COAL is 2.820". My average FPS after 20 shots was 2520. <span style="font-weight: bold">How the heck are you getting 2725fps??</span>

Local Atmopheric Conditions during this test;
1) Temp = 92F
2) Altitude = 540ft.
3) Pressure = 29.01
4) Humidity = 45%

 

[GOING FOR 2000]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Rem 700P 26" barrel, Horus falcon-H37, Timney trigger at 1.5 Lb.
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Re-working the 175 Gn. load, Rem replaced my rifle, lost .038 of rifling at 819 rds.</span></span>

"Sierra manual accuracy load"
Lapua brass trim 2.005 and matched
168 Gn. SMK
42.0 R-15
CCI-200
OAL 2.800
Ogive seated 2.080
.166 off rifling
2600-2620 FPS
.45 or better at 100 Yds.
(Don't use 168's any more mostly working at 1000 needed higher BC)

"My work up"
Lapua brass trim 2.005 and matched
175 Gn. SMK
42.8 R-15 (over manual max, I have a long throat acts as free bore)
CCI-200
OAL 2.808
Ogive seated 2.088
.158 off rifling
10-12" at 1000 Yds.<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">(Old 700P, was just getting it there when the rifle went bad</span></span>)
2641-2650 FPS

Hope this helps.

 

[RHutch]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

43.7 RE15
168AMAX
210M
COAL 2.810
Lapua Brass (muliple times fired)
2654fps from a factory 20" SPS tube. ES 8.
.4" - .5" consistently at 100 yards, suppressed and non-suppressed.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MEGAfan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Phylodog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">43.3gr RE15, Federal or LC brass, 210M, 175SMK gets me 2725fps from my 22" Schneider barrel. </div></div>

Holy smoke; Today, I was at the range testing a couple of RE15 loads for my 5R 24" Remington. I used once-fired Lapua Brass, 43.3gr of RE15, Cases trimmed to 2.008, FL Sized using RCBS Comp Die, Fed 210M Primers, Sierra 175SMK, and my COAL is 2.820". My average FPS after 20 shots was 2520. <span style="font-weight: bold">How the heck are you getting 2725fps??</span>

Local Atmopheric Conditions during this test;
1) Temp = 92F
2) Altitude = 540ft.
3) Pressure = 29.01
4) Humidity = 45% </div></div>
No kidding, I was wondering that myself. Did a big chrono session last week on my workups and I using FC brass, Fed 210 primer, 175SMK COAL 2.815" and with 42.8, 43.0 and 43.2 of RL-15... I was getting 2490-2520fps. And all three were single digit SD's. It wasn't until I pushed it to 44.2 of RL-15 that I cracked 2600 and I maxed out at 45.0 of RL-15 that gave me 2665 where I was just starting to get some pressure signs. I attributed some of the lower MV to the 20" bbl - but some of the posted velocities seem pretty high for the loads. They must have REALLY REALLY REALLY tight match chambers to be getting some of those speeds.

eta: Chrono conditions: 80-90F, 10% humidity, 3300' MSL, 29.95

 

[GOING FOR 2000]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

I have chronographed 175 SMK's with 42.8 of R-15 out of my 700P-26" barrel at 2620 avg on 5 rds. 7 FPS deviation, bullet jump is .158. QL shows 2633 FPS I think the loss is due to the jump. This load was doing OK at 1000 10"-12" group, but needs more work.

Lapua brass
175 Gn. SMK
CCI-200
42.8 R-15
Oal 2.808 OG 2.088
No crimp

 

[JesseBB]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

I have heard that the Sierra 168s were more accurate at 600 than their 175s were. Do most Tacitical competitors us one load out to 600 and then change to another for longer ranges?

 

[GOING FOR 2000]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

YES, different loads for short and long range. Though you can develop 1 load to do both.

 

[BoRepeater]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Try the 178 A-MAX.

178 AMAX
IMR4895 41.5 grains
FGMM Brass
F210M Match Primer
2.810 OAL

Excellent groups.

 

[ReaperDriver]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Bo, What gun/barrel length and what kind of MV are you getting?

 

[THE SENTINEL]

Re: Need reloading data for .308 using RL-15

Tag for ref.