Load developpment for long range

Evil_Dark

Evil_Dark

Regular
Rating - 100%
3   0   0
Hi,
I've got a new toy to long range shooting, Savage 10TR .308. I have the Hornady 168gr Match bullets that are BTHP.

I want to develop a load for it, I want to shoot 300Y and beyond, so should I test my loads at 300Y directly?

Also, I don't have my final optics for it, if I develop a load and change the scope later, will It change my harmonics/grouping?

Thanks :)

Evil_Dark
 
If you want to shoot at long range, develop your recipe at long range. A good 100yd load might be terrible at 500yds, and I have never had a good long range combination not print tiny groups at shorter ranges.

The scope only affects the shooter's performance, no impact on the load.
 
Id it also better to look at a more consistent FPS than a tighter group? (Let's say Between two decent group results)

Dark
 
Depends how how much you trust the chrony's results. Better way would be to shoot both loads at long range, like 5-600m, and compare vertical spread.
 
you might also want to give yourself a leg up by using someone else's recipes and range tables, then vary those slightly to see if you can 'improve" on those- for instance, zediker's tables say that you need to go to 73-175 grain smks to reach 1000 yards, as the 168s lose stability at 600- now I can't PROVE that, but he's a reliable source and i'd be inclined to take him at his word
 
Id it also better to look at a more consistent FPS than a tighter group? (Let's say Between two decent group results)

Dark
Click to expand...
Try to use a combination of results on the target, validated by chrono data (low ES/SD). Picking a load based only on group size isn't the most effective way because the results include shooter error.
 
Viper26 said:
Try to use a combination of results on the target, validated by chrono data (low ES/SD). Picking a load based only on group size isn't the most effective way because the results include shooter error.
Click to expand...

Sorry but what do you mean by "ES/SD"?

Dark
 
t-star said:
you might also want to give yourself a leg up by using someone else's recipes and range tables, then vary those slightly to see if you can 'improve" on those- for instance, zediker's tables say that you need to go to 73-175 grain smks to reach 1000 yards, as the 168s lose stability at 600- now I can't PROVE that, but he's a reliable source and i'd be inclined to take him at his word
Click to expand...

He is speaking specifically about the 168 SMK I am pretty sure. Every one else's 168 is alright. The 168 SMK has what is essentially a design flaw that causes it to become very unstable very fast as it slows down and nears transonic speeds. Having said that I have shot them to 1000M.
I sat down and shot factory loaded 168's and 175's side by side with a friend and his PGW coyote at a plate at 1000M. The winds weren't bad at all. But the 175's had a much higher hit rate than the 168's did.
 
Its not a flaw. It's just that the 168 SMK was designed for 300m shooting not 1000m shooting. I have seen the effect first hand past 700m while in the butts pulling targets for guys shooting them. Most but not all come through in a nose down position after becoming unstable when transitioning to sub sonic. That's not to say that they won't get there. It's just that they won't get there consistently. 175 smk or 155 is a better choice if you are going longer than 700m.
 
CanuckR said:
He is speaking specifically about the 168 SMK I am pretty sure. Every one else's 168 is alright. The 168 SMK has what is essentially a design flaw that causes it to become very unstable very fast as it slows down and nears transonic speeds. Having said that I have shot them to 1000M.
I sat down and shot factory loaded 168's and 175's side by side with a friend and his PGW coyote at a plate at 1000M. The winds weren't bad at all. But the 175's had a much higher hit rate than the 168's did.
Click to expand...

The bullet was designed for 300m rifle competition, not 700m plus. So it works quite well for what it was designed for.
 
168 amax...or 178 bthp with a slightly better b.c. load em up and they will stay stable as far as u can shoot. I've had both out to 1500 yds...cheaper than berger!
 
This is how I develope my long range (or any range) loads for a 308. I load 41 grains of 4895 or up to 44 grains of 4320 behind a 168 grain bullet which I seat just off the lands. If the rifle doesn't shoot well, I tear it apart and build something because it's obviously no damn good! If I'm wanting to shoot 155's, I use a bit more powder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom