Pushing the limits of .308 Supersonic loads to 1300 yards and beyond

[peaceatwar]

Attention reloading freaks,

Anyone have any good data for loads that you have maintained supersonic to 1300 yards?

I have been messing around with JBM and just haven't found anything that works.

Bullets I have at my disposal are:

155 Scenars
185 Juggernauts
178 HPBT Match

I could get other bullets. What I'm looking for is really what the upper limit is for .308 being supersonic at long range.

*edit* to add I will be trying to do this in a 24" barrel

 

[jbailey]

what are your air density requirements? Air density is going to have major impact at that distance...

A 185gr sent at 2750 at the muzzle in 5,000 ft D.A. (0.066ft/lb^2) will still be over 1200fps at 1300yds,
whereas the same bullet at the same MV will be under 1100fps at 1300yds in 0 ft D.A. (0.076ft/lb^2)

 

[MontanaMarine]

I'd recommend going with the 208gr AMax, 210 Berger, or 215 Berger. fueled with RL-17.

I've shot all of these combos with consistent sub-moa accuracy.

My go-to load is a 208 AMax, moly'd, over 49.0gr RL17. Win brass, CCI 200 primer, 3.08" oal (single-load). This gives 2620 fps from a 22" Rem 1/12 twist varmint barrel. Shoots well to 1500 yards or so, at 4500' elevation.

Lots of variables between rifles, brass, etc, work up with care.

 

[peaceatwar]

Average about 1500 DA sometimes go as high as 2100

 

[Graham]

My 24" bbl .308 distance load is a 180gr JLK VLD LBT at 2740fps. Run the numbers on that, a .580BC bullet. I have shot it to 1400 yards at altitude out of my AE. It's 45.0 Varget in Lapua brass from an AI 7.62x51 chamber.

 

[Rotortuner]

at extreme distance with 308 my best luck has been with the heaver bullets, 175smk vs 155 scenar, the 175 worked better for me. Less wind drift and just seamed more consistant. I run the 175 over 44.5 of varget in lapua brass. not a mega hot load, but its pumping it out at aroun 2730fps or so. was getting good hits out to 1100yds with this combo. tried to shoot 1400 at another location it took me about 25 rounds to finally hit the steel and it was not reallly consistant.
gun: trg 22

CJG

 

[308Gunner]

I have the same load only in winchester brass and it will do good @ 1028 I have shot it out to 1350 but as stated above at this distance it is not real consistant but I am also shooting in a canyon with multiple wind directions.

 

[elk addict]

I'd recommend going with the 208gr AMax, 210 Berger, or 215 Berger. fueled with RL-17.

I've shot all of these combos with consistent sub-moa accuracy.

My go-to load is a 208 AMax, moly'd, over 49.0gr RL17. Win brass, CCI 200 primer, 3.08" oal (single-load). This gives 2620 fps from a 22" Rem 1/12 twist varmint barrel. Shoots well to 1500 yards or so, at 4500' elevation.

Lots of variables between rifles, brass, etc, work up with care.

I worked up a copy of Shane's load & love it. 208 amax's over 48.5 gr R17 in CBC brass (it was free!), br2's, 3.000" (revised to 3.004") COAL, no moly (maybe later), and 2640 fps with occasional primer pressure on hot days/long strings. i've shot it to 1200 with big grins, and will hopefully be hooking up with Shane & Jeff this month to do some ~1500 yard shots.