Sub 500yrd 308

[Casey_H]

First time reloader here. Looking for the best bullet/powder combo for sub-500yrd accuracy out of my 20" 308. Since I'm not shooting to serious distance I don't feel I need to go heavy. Just looking for bullet weights and powder grains, seating depth, etc.

Thanks

 

[Mooseknuckles]

Howa 1500 20in 308
Nosler brass trimmed to 2.005
178 hornady bthp
Seat at 2.800
43 grains imr4064 (work up) slight powder crunch
Winchester large rifle primer
Velocity 2520
Seem to be accurate out of my rifle, shoots .75 moa at 260 yards.

 

[Bradu]

155 scenar is a good bullet for what you are describing

 

[918v]

Sierra 168SMK @ 2.800” COAL
43 IMR4064
40 AR Comp
43.5 Varget
in heavy brass

 

[Cascade Hemi]

Just about any common match grade 150gr and heavier bullet will get you to 500 yards with a 20" barrel.

 

[bourbonbent]

The 155 Scenar and 168 SMK are very well regarded for shorter range accuracy. I shoot the 168’s in factory ammo right now up to around 550 (working on getting longer, the Ozarks don’t allow for a lot of flat straight lines) at my buddy’s place. No sense trying to develop a load when the local 100y range is closed. I’ll get around to it, but $.83/rd of FGMM is cheap enough I don’t mind.

If I wasn’t shooting anything beyond transonic, the 168’s are about as good as I’ve seen for consistency over decades. They always seem to shoot tiny. 308’s are nice that way though, it’s a great shooting chambering and it’s easy to load for.

 

[300ATT]

I shoot 175g SIERRA Matchkings and 155gr our to 1,200 yards. Either will work fine. Inside of 1,000 yards the 168 SMK is also a very accurate and easy to load bullet.

 

[rap36case]

First time reloader here. Looking for the best bullet/powder combo for sub-500yrd accuracy out of my 20" 308. Since I'm not shooting to serious distance I don't feel I need to go heavy. Just looking for bullet weights and powder grains, seating depth, etc.

Thanks

If you are just starting out, I suggest you read this book, "Handloading for Competition" by Zediker https://www.amazon.com/Handloading-Competition-Making-Target-Bigger/dp/096269259X This book is a great resource for highly precise reloads at any range. Until you set up for match grade reloads, may I suggest berger 185grn OTM ammunition https://bergerbullets.com/product/308-winchester-185gr-juggernaut-otm/ Do yourself a favor and get a good suppressor too such as the Omega 300 from Silencerco. IF you are close to Oklahoma, you can't beat Fouled Bore Precision range 100 yards and out to 1 mile.

 

[OLD308]

Inside 500 yards 155-168 something or other with 4064, 4895, (IMR or H Extreme) 8208XBR, Benchmark, and Varget. These will give you great easy to find loads that are temp stable more or less. I would personally start with the SMK 155 and Benchmark powder. The SMK is stupid simple to load for and the Benchmark is very forgiving if your scale is less than lab quality. Powder volume and seating depth is rifle dependent.

 

[Jammer Six]

Get a reloading manual.

When I'm starting with a new caliber/rifle I pick a bullet out of the manual, based on the barrel and the distance, then start with the components in the manual. They were tested and written with specific brands of components, so I just start with those components.

I've never seen a valid reason to start with something other than a reloading manual and the components they list. They've already done the hard work, and I'd rather build on their work than reinvent the wheel just because I bought a new rifle.

 

[Bertoli888]

I purchased the latest Hornady reloading manual and felt "cheated" as the majority of the loads were written more by the Lawyers rather than the shooters. i.e. page 478, 168gr class .308WIN starting load of 32.6 gr Varget @ 2100 FPS? I ask if this is a valid load for a .308 WIN that you can use?

 

[918v]

The reason for the light starting loads is heavy brass with reduced capacity and stupid short chambers with little freebore and tight necks.

 

[Casey_H]

Lots of good info thanks y'all. I've been shooting 168gr SMK'S for the last few months and had sub-3/4moa accuracy inside 300yrds. My muzzle velocity has been in the 2500-2510fps ballpark which I know is fine for sub 500yrds, but I wanna try and go a little faster. That's the reason for wanting to go lighter.

If I can get the same or similar accuracy with, say, a 155 ELD-M in the 2600-2650fps ballpark I'd be a happy camper. Y'all can tell me if that's not a viable goal lol. Being new to this idk what's possible yet.

I will definitely look at getting some manuals to start doing research in the meantime.

 

[Bradu]

In at 2687 with 44 grains of varget and a 155. Pretty much the book minimum but it shot so well that I left it alone. 20" barrel btw.

 

[Casey_H]

In at 2687 with 44 grains of varget and a 155. Pretty much the book minimum but it shot so well that I left it alone. 20" barrel btw.

Sounds perfect. What brass are you using?

 

[Bradu]

Lapua. There is plenty more speed to be had if you want with a 155.