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  #1  
Old 10-27-2017, 08:25 PM
outdoorguy outdoorguy is offline
 
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Default Reloading .308 Win

I ve picked up a T3 compact in .308 and have been trying to get an accurate load out of it with no consistent success. I have been using fired, tumbled, chamfered, trimmed Rem brass, Fed 210 primer, 46 gr Varget , 165 Nosler ballistic tip and OAL is 2.81. Does any one have some loads that have been accurate with their 308 that you would be willing to share.
I may also switch to 150 gr accubonds as in what I have been reading that appears to be a popular one for hunting.....
Can anyone help out with some information.

Thanks All!
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Old 10-27-2017, 08:38 PM
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ruger300 ruger300 is offline
 
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My daughters 308 in a Rem 760 shoots all 150 gr bullets 1" or better at 100 yds. It seems to be the bullet weight for her rifle.
Use Varget in that load as well.
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Old 10-27-2017, 08:53 PM
50BMG 50BMG is offline
 
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Your first issue might be that brass you're using. Upgrade that and you might see better results. Other than that, here is a load I use on my PGW Coyote.

Barrel length: 24"
Brass: Lapua
Primer: CCI BR2
Powder: Varget 47.2gr
Bullet: Lapua Scenar 155gr
Ogive OAL: 2.230" .007" jump (MY RIFLE, NOT YOURS)
Velocity: 2903fps 5 shot average S.D.=5 E.S.=10

Start low and work your way up. This load is 1/3moa out to 1300m.

EDIT: btw, this is not a hunting load.
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Old 10-27-2017, 09:09 PM
buck12 buck12 is offline
 
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Default 308 reload

My 308 likes 150 grain(hornady btsp) and I use IMR 4895/ 44.0 grains. nice group @200 yards. Simple but effective
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  #5  
Old 10-27-2017, 09:13 PM
hogie hogie is offline
 
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I use 130gr ttsx up to 178gr amax bullets in multiple rifles. All will shoot well if I can find the right load. Varget and IMR 4895 are the powders I use.

If I'm struggling with getting accuracy with my handloads I will buy some factory match ammo to try. If that won't shoot then I'm looking at other issues. 308 is nice because lots of options available.

I've had a couple of rifles that really took some time and experimentation to find what reloads will work. Always been able to get results .
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Old 10-27-2017, 09:15 PM
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tasco tasco is offline
 
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I am also working on a load for my .308 BLR takedown. It is a challenge trying to find out what a gun likes. Attached is a load test that I did for my BLR. I haven't had time yet to check out the two best velocity nodes. But if you have access to a chronograph, this may be a very fast way for you to come up with a good starting point or load to test. I have posted this graph in another thread. You don't need to go in .3 grain increments like I did. .5 grains should be more than adequate.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf BLR 308 Load Test.pdf (381.3 KB, 47 views)
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  #7  
Old 10-27-2017, 10:33 PM
260 Rem 260 Rem is offline
 
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I don’t know if I should be offering any advice on 308 loads given that I am currently having a terrible time getting accuracy out of a newly chambered Bartlein barrel that to date has failed to produce a single 1/2” group at 100M
I should try 50BMG’s recipe given his stellar results (1\3MOA @ 1000 yds tops International Benchrest Nationals results.)

I have shot a fair amount of 308 out to my hunting comfort zone of 300M so don’t worry about loading hot. I suggest you start at 41.5 gr Varget and work up in .5 gr increments.
I have almost always found a sweet spot at about 42.0 grs with both 155 and 168 gr bullets... and often, another at about 44.0 grs.
If your barrel is telling you it doesn’t like a particilar bullet, it is time try something else.

Last edited by 260 Rem; 10-27-2017 at 10:39 PM.
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Old 10-27-2017, 10:46 PM
propliner propliner is offline
 
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Try some Accurate 2230 powder with some 155gr Hornady bullets. I shot three groups of five in a row that all measured under 1/2". It is the best load I've fired in anything, ever. This was in a factory LTR with a good trigger.
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Old 07-10-2019, 08:20 AM
manitou210 manitou210 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 260 Rem View Post
I don’t know if I should be offering any advice on 308 loads given that I am currently having a terrible time getting accuracy out of a newly chambered Bartlein barrel that to date has failed to produce a single 1/2” group at 100M
I should try 50BMG’s recipe given his stellar results (1\3MOA @ 1000 yds tops International Benchrest Nationals results.)

I have shot a fair amount of 308 out to my hunting comfort zone of 300M so don’t worry about loading hot. I suggest you start at 41.5 gr Varget and work up in .5 gr increments.
I have almost always found a sweet spot at about 42.0 grs with both 155 and 168 gr bullets... and often, another at about 44.0 grs.
If your barrel is telling you it doesn’t like a particilar bullet, it is time try something else.
similar load use 168gr Berger hunting

Last edited by manitou210; 03-03-2020 at 09:08 AM.
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  #10  
Old 10-27-2017, 10:55 PM
qwert qwert is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tasco View Post
I am also working on a load for my .308 BLR takedown. It is a challenge trying to find out what a gun likes. Attached is a load test that I did for my BLR. I haven't had time yet to check out the two best velocity nodes. But if you have access to a chronograph, this may be a very fast way for you to come up with a good starting point or load to test. I have posted this graph in another thread. You don't need to go in .3 grain increments like I did. .5 grains should be more than adequate.
While your graphing is good, the results are not definitive, but I suspect indicate possible nodes @~2725 & 2815 and perhaps 2850 fps, and possible high pressure or inconsistent combustion @ 45.4gr.
It would be helpful to have the POI drops @ 300 yds for these shots. They might provide additional information on the effect of velocity and pressure on your rifle's barrel harmonics and POI.
The inability of a Magnetospeed to collect both velocity and accurate POI drop for every shot is exactly why I do not use one.

Audette's suggested increment is .5%, or in your case .227gr.
If loading with a lab quality 'magnetic force restoration scale' then I would try .25gr increments, but for ease of loading I usually use .3gr for 308W.
I suspect that a .2gr increment is unlikely to provide much additional usable information, but that a .5gr increment is likely to miss significant indications.

The BLR can be a challenge for load development.
The barrel is not 'free floating' and can have quite different barrel harmonics than a typical bolt action.
A takedown is seldom as consistent as one solidly attached to the receiver.
The BLR action lacks the closing force of a bolt action and require more resizing and shoulder bump for reliable feeding than a typical bolt action.
The triggers tend to be less than target quality and will also reduce consistency and precision.
IMHE they are fine rifles and can be very accurate with a bullet it likes.
IIRC my BLR 308W has a barrel twist of 1-12, and tends to shoot more precisely with a shorter bullet like a 150 or 165gr.

I suggest you continue testing and collection of results data.


Good Luck, YMMV.

Last edited by qwert; 10-27-2017 at 11:00 PM.
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  #11  
Old 10-27-2017, 11:10 PM
skidderman skidderman is offline
 
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Browning BLR 308 using 165 grain nosler partitions, RL15 powder and Federal primers. Shoots lights out.
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  #12  
Old 07-10-2019, 07:17 AM
BLR20019 BLR20019 is offline
 
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Default Seating depth

Quote:
Originally Posted by tasco View Post
I am also working on a load for my .308 BLR takedown. It is a challenge trying to find out what a gun likes. Attached is a load test that I did for my BLR. I haven't had time yet to check out the two best velocity nodes. But if you have access to a chronograph, this may be a very fast way for you to come up with a good starting point or load to test. I have posted this graph in another thread. You don't need to go in .3 grain increments like I did. .5 grains should be more than adequate.

Hey mate what’s your overall cartridge length on your hand loads??
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  #13  
Old 07-10-2019, 08:02 AM
barsik barsik is offline
 
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finding an accurate load can be frustrating if the rifle has a bit of unwanted bedding pressure. you might want to check your barreled action to stock fit and check the crown before spending money on reloading components.
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  #14  
Old 11-01-2017, 12:18 PM
markg markg is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 50BMG View Post
Your first issue might be that brass you're using. Upgrade that and you might see better results. Other than that, here is a load I use on my PGW Coyote.

Barrel length: 24"
Brass: Lapua
Primer: CCI BR2
Powder: Varget 47.2gr
Bullet: Lapua Scenar 155gr
Ogive OAL: 2.230" .007" jump (MY RIFLE, NOT YOURS)
Velocity: 2903fps 5 shot average S.D.=5 E.S.=10

Start low and work your way up. This load is 1/3moa out to 1300m.

EDIT: btw, this is not a hunting load.
I have had similar result with a similar load. Only shot mine out to 600m but the combo of Varget / Lapua/ CCI Br 2 is excellent. I have had similar results with sierra match kings as well. We were shooting clay pigeons or what ever you call them at 500 yards (think they are about 4 inches in diameter). Mine were a little lighter in powder and a bit slower but hyper accurate.
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Old 11-01-2017, 12:21 PM
markg markg is offline
 
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Default Foot Note

We were not throwing the clay pigeons in the air. We placed them on the ground with the orange side facing the shooter.
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  #16  
Old 11-01-2017, 09:17 PM
Pioneer2 Pioneer2 is offline
 
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Default A Gooder.........

Varget
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  #17  
Old 11-03-2017, 09:45 PM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markg View Post
We were not throwing the clay pigeons in the air. We placed them on the ground with the orange side facing the shooter.
Chuck Norris could have hit them out of the air at 500m using iron sights ...... while fighting off Russians.
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  #18  
Old 11-03-2017, 07:58 AM
elkhunter11 elkhunter11 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorguy View Post
I ve picked up a T3 compact in .308 and have been trying to get an accurate load out of it with no consistent success. I have been using fired, tumbled, chamfered, trimmed Rem brass, Fed 210 primer, 46 gr Varget , 165 Nosler ballistic tip and OAL is 2.81. Does any one have some loads that have been accurate with their 308 that you would be willing to share.
I may also switch to 150 gr accubonds as in what I have been reading that appears to be a popular one for hunting.....
Can anyone help out with some information.

Thanks All!
How far are the bullets seated from the lands?
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  #19  
Old 11-03-2017, 08:41 AM
kayaker kayaker is offline
 
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I have had very good results with 150gr Speer SPBT, Hornady SPBT and Nolser Ballistic Tips over 45gr Varget, CCI 200 or BR2 primers, Federal brass (apparently junk according to the interwebz?) and seated to 2.8". All shot extremely well out of a Howa heavy barrel and Savage Mod 11. They shoot OK out of my Ruger Scout but it seems to like longer bullets.

150gr Barnes TTSX over 45 gr Varget, 2.8" OAL, CCI 200 or BR2 primer in Winchester brass (more case volume than Fed which helps with the longer monometal bullets) alos shoots well for me. I put a very light Lee factory crimp on these.

In my limited experience with Accubonds (not in .308) they are very user friendly and not particularly sensitive to seating depth, well not as sensitive as some other bullets.
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Old 07-10-2019, 08:09 AM
Subaru297 Subaru297 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kayaker View Post
I have had very good results with 150gr Speer SPBT, Hornady SPBT and Nolser Ballistic Tips over 45gr Varget, CCI 200 or BR2 primers, Federal brass (apparently junk according to the interwebz?) and seated to 2.8". All shot extremely well out of a Howa heavy barrel and Savage Mod 11. They shoot OK out of my Ruger Scout but it seems to like longer bullets.
This has been my best load so far as well. I have had a couple <1/2moa groups but need to shoot more to see if this is consistent. It has shot a few ~1" groups as well.
Federal brass
45gr Varget
150gr Speer BTSP
CCI 200 primer
2.83" COAL (Max mag length)

Shoots pretty well out of my T3x and the Speer bullets are cheap!

I have tried the 178gr ELD-X as well and got a decent group but it was a compressed load when seated to mag length.

Cheers
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  #21  
Old 07-14-2019, 10:21 AM
Redneck 7 Redneck 7 is offline
 
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My .308 load I’m using for my bear gun I cal er is as follows.

Remington brass
CCI Large no. 200 primers
42.6 gr of varget
165gr nosler partition seated to 2.81”

According to my notes that was 3 shots at 100 yards 5/16” group. Nice clover basically. Out of a 20” barrel 1:10 twist, shot with a 2-7x33 Leupold.
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  #22  
Old 07-15-2019, 08:11 PM
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TangoKilo TangoKilo is offline
 
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Lapua brass
Fed 210m primers
Varget
165gr Nosler Accubond

MAGIC!!

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Old 07-14-2019, 08:47 AM
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gunluvr gunluvr is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorguy View Post
I ve picked up a T3 compact in .308 and have been trying to get an accurate load out of it with no consistent success. I have been using fired, tumbled, chamfered, trimmed Rem brass, Fed 210 primer, 46 gr Varget , 165 Nosler ballistic tip and OAL is 2.81. Does any one have some loads that have been accurate with their 308 that you would be willing to share.
I may also switch to 150 gr accubonds as in what I have been reading that appears to be a popular one for hunting.....
Can anyone help out with some information.

Thanks All!
The load specs you posted sounds a mite hot. OAL of 2.81 would be max mag length in a T3. A 150 gr. bullet with the same 46 gr. of Varget would still be close to max load. Check your distance to lands with either bullet. You can't go longer, and shorter would decrease case capacity, raising pressure.
I think 150 gr. bullets are optimum in a 308.
Start over with minimum load and work up in .5 gr. increments. But definitely find max OAL first, and allow at least 20 thou. jump.
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Old 07-14-2019, 09:02 AM
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catnthehat catnthehat is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gunluvr View Post
The load specs you posted sounds a mite hot. OAL of 2.81 would be max mag length in a T3. A 150 gr. bullet with the same 46 gr. of Varget would still be close to max load. Check your distance to lands with either bullet. You can't go longer, and shorter would decrease case capacity, raising pressure.
I think 150 gr. bullets are optimum in a 308.
Start over with minimum load and work up in .5 gr. increments. But definitely find max OAL first, and allow at least 20 thou. jump.
I just happen to have a Nosler book next to me and checked because it seemed that 46 grains of Varget seemed like a lot to me as well .
In there it shows that the load is 103% compressed at 2.810
I have no idea how that would work in a Tikka magazine but I have not used a compressed load for quite some time as I found no need for it - I shoot only 155’s out of my 308’s however ......

Cat
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  #25  
Old 07-14-2019, 09:41 AM
WhiteTailAB WhiteTailAB is offline
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Just remembering off the top of my head

Lapua brass
Cci large rifle
48gr varget (compressed)
Barnes ttsx 130gr
OAL as far as the vanguard mag box will let you

3 shot cloverleaf out of a skinny pencil barrel. I've since sold the rifle and will be trying it out of a heavy barrel later on.
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