.308 load comparison

[quackaholic]

I have a Browning XBOLT in .308 and it is shooting Federal Gold Match 168 Sierra bullets into a tiny raged hole at 100 yards, (.365 to be exact). That being said, I do roll my own, I just got these with the rifle, and I wondered what loads you may have experience with to duplicate that. I need it to be with hunting bullets. Not really concerned with what brand if they are comparable to the Federal loads. So far I have not tried any of my stuff. Just curious if anyone has a match recipe because this rifle is going to be my new goto. For the scope I used a Zeiss Conquest 3X9X40.

 

[Creek bottoms]

Try 42 to 42.5 grains of IMR4895 with 165 grain Hornady SSTs. It's my understanding that the GMs have a blended powder that can't be duplicated. The 4895 load is tried and true.

 

[quackaholic]

Try 42 to 42.5 grains of IMR4895 with 165 grain Hornady SSTs. It's my understanding that the GMs have a blended powder that can't be duplicated. The 4895 load is tried and true.

4895 is also real hard to come by right now. I have Varget and a very little BL C-2 on hand. Midsouth has some H 4895, as well as BL C2, which is way cheaper lol.

 

[backyardtndeer]

Sweet spot for my 308's with imr4895 is 42 grains with eldx 178 grain. I would have to check my notes on sierra 165's but best as I recall it was also around 41-42 grains.

 

[jlanecr500]

168 Classic Hunter kissing the lands over 46gr Varget. It's hot, just like Varget likes it.

I've got a Bergara that I'm flat ashamed of. I was ready to make it a tomato stake. I fired 3 rounds of the above load, which is the load for my bench gun, and it put them into a 1/4" group.

 

[nso123]

FGMM used to be loaded with IMR 4064. I was able to duplicate it using 4064 and Hornady 168s. There are rumors that the powder has changed and some people say it is AR Comp. I find that a little surprising, as I have noticed that AR Comp can be pretty temp sensitive.

 

[DaveB]

We have 7 .308 diameter rifles and each one wants something special.

The 300's get along quite well with 180 Partitions in front of IMR7828.

The 30/06's like 150 Partitions, Accubonds, and NBT's in front of IMR4350

Our bolt .308 likes Varget behind 150 Accubonds and FMJ's.

The .308 semi-auto likes anything ever cheap factory junk. Once we find out what i takes to push thru any body armor known to man we will settle things down.

All are lit off with Fed210M or Fed215M primers.

Only two are SAMMI length-rest are long.

 

[Wiley]

The loads below give me sub MOA to at least 200 yards…..bullet holes always touching or 1 ragged hole at a hunnerd….

An old load from 10 years or so ago………Speer 2034 165gr PSPBT over 44.6 grains of Varget.

If you can find some 4895 I'm loading 41.8gr under a 168gr Hornady A-Max. I have not loaded this bullet with Varget since I have more surplus 4895 than I'll shoot in my lifetime.

 

[mr.big]

I would start with the 165 Sierra Gamechanger and any of the powders in the 4895 Varget 4064 burn rate. A2520 and H380 work really well with 165-168s also

 

[quackaholic]

I would start with the 165 Sierra Gamechanger and any of the powders in the 4895 Varget 4064 burn rate. A2520 and H380 work really well with 165-168s also

I think I'm going to load some varget tomorrow and see what I come up with. Shooters World has a new powder called the creed that supposedly works well. I'm not sure if wanna throw a few hundred bucks on another powder, especially to be a guinea pig.

 

[Creek bottoms]

I think I'm going to load some varget tomorrow and see what I come up with. Shooters World has a new powder called the creed that supposedly works well. I'm not sure if wanna throw a few hundred bucks on another powder, especially to be a guinea pig.

Naw. Way too many good powders out there for the 308. No 4895?, try 4064, or try RL15.

 

[mr.big]

I think I'm going to load some varget tomorrow and see what I come up with. Shooters World has a new powder called the creed that supposedly works well. I'm not sure if wanna throw a few hundred bucks on another powder, especially to be a guinea pig.

I read it's supposed to be same as rl15 which should work well but I haven't tried it.

 

[quackaholic]

I read it's supposed to be same as rl15 which should work well but I haven't tried it.

That's what I read too.

 

[Wiley]

If you were closer I'd hook you up with some surplus 4895.

 

[Tenntrapper]

That's what I read too.

Norma 203b is also supposed to be same as RL15

 

[DaveB]

I think I'm going to load some varget tomorrow and see what I come up with. Shooters World has a new powder called the creed that supposedly works well. I'm not sure if wanna throw a few hundred bucks on another powder, especially to be a guinea pig.

When i was running low on some H-powder for 223 I saw SW suggested as a good replacement for Hodgdon's product.

Hmmmmm says I, $18 a pound, I am gonna run out if I don't get to moving. SO. I advanced a $20.00 bill to Midsouth and with some other combustibles got a pound of Tactical Rifle.

After one round at the bench went to range. Results: Same accuracy-absolutely within my own margin of error. Same velocity, maybe a hair faster. Smaller charge. Yes yes, half a grain. Very repeatable throw charge in my RCBS. I achieved best accuracy at SW max load suggestion. Very tempted to push that.....

Note: 55 gr Armscor FMJ and 60 gr Partition bullets, both at 24.5 gr charge.

I now have 16 pounds. Plus. Note: Midsouth has lots of SW powders...Tactical Rifle is sold out. Same at Grafs and no longer at 18 a pound. What does that suggest?

 

[EastTNHunter]

My little 308 likes 41.8gr H4895 under a 165 TGK, and 46gr Varget under a 165 NBT. I'm also considering using a load of 168 ELDM over 41.8gr H4895 to hunt. I've gone up to 43 or 43.5gr H4895 under that TGK for a higher velocity hunting load, but still want to prove it a few more times if I can ever get back to the range

 

[quackaholic]

45 gr of Varget with a 168 Hornady BTHP puts them in the same hole at 100. I used some 165 gr Speer BTSP, same charge, for a hunting load that did almost as good. I believe I have a winner. May do some seating depth tests with the Speer to tighten it up a bit.