Need comments regarding load test results, group size, fps, etc. 308

I will do a ladder test 10 mils back off the lands next week and report.

Wearing a barrel does not bother me, once it's worn, I'll replace it.
Wearing a barrel is the consequence of shooting through it, and if I shoot 400 rounds that don't group, it's not a waste, it's still shooting.
 
Did more testing today.
(first 2 flyers are just shots to zero the rifle because I had reinstalled the base and scope, zero was off)

Tested my good load (43.0 H4895, Hdy 168 BTHP, 2.800 oal) grouped 10 shots in .8 moa or so, just a quick shooting off bags. If you remove the 2 flyers, the group is under .5 for 8 shots. That's probably as good as me and the rifle can shoot.
So, the rifle and scope are fine.

Next, I did 2 ladders
Lapua cases, WLR, IMR4064, 175TMK, and 10 mils off lands (3.032 OAL)

One from 42.0 to 44.0 in .5 increments
One from 44.2 to 44.8 in .2 increments.

Results:

42.0 grouped not too bad, but too slow for a 1000m 175 at 2550 fps (Another previous test at 2.800 gave good results at 2588 fps also) There seems to be an accuracy node around 2550 fps with that bullet/powder, but it's just too slow for 1000m.... Not really sure that I want to play around that node.

44.2 grouped the best in the faster groups, around 1 inch at 2716, that's viable.

44.0 and 44.4 grouped bad.

Um.... I really wonder if I will be able to do anything with that powder/bullet combo.
My only hope is to play around the 44.2 node that seems not so bad
Maybe test 5 rounds of each, 44.1, 44.2, 44.3 ?
And if those shoot bad, I might try to go back to 2.800 and play around equivalent pressure to find the upper node at stock oal?
Didnt test the max range (43.0 to 44.0 in .2 increments at 2.800) in which the other best group pressure is around. So maybe I should keep it at stock oal and test the 43.0 to 44.0.
Any other ideas?

If not, I'll do 5 rounds of each, 44.1, 44.2, 44.3
And, do the ladder at 2.800 from 43.2 to 44.0 in .2 and then report.
Another 40 shots and I'll be done with testing I guess. Unless I have a group that shoots really well in the .2 group and then I have to test both .1 around it.

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A few of your pics show that 42gr and under is a sweet spot - i would run with that for now and shoot away - once you get some Varget or R15, try some proven loads. Again, try 41.6, 41.8, and 42. Find one of those that work then tweak seat depth. You might be surprised.
It will work fine to 1000yds.
Also, shoot your groups at 300 or 400yds - way more info.... get your load, your dope and go from there.
 
yup, if I cant get the faster node to group at all at both OALS, I will have to work with the lower node.
And next time I will probably just go with SMK and varget.
 
Ok so everything has failed at higher speeds including .010 back and 2.800

This bullet will not work in my rifle at those speeds.

I might try some lower velocity loads, but it's kind of pointless for me to develop a slower load for 1000m, or to use expensive bullets like that at 200m. Maybe I'll just try to exchange those with x reload for some SMKs or 155 scenars?

What's the best LR bullet in a 1:12 twist? 175 SMK, 155 scenars? Just sucks that I cant get those to work anywhere near max loads.

(And I can't test 200m groups before I can get that thing to group at all at 100 anyway)
 
Check out Berger 155.5 Fulbore and 155 Hybrids. Getter G1 and G7 than the Scenars I think. I've shot Berger 175, AMax 178, Sierra 175 SMK and TMK and got the best results from the Bergers. Berger 155 Hybrids are next on my list.
 
I had no problem getting a 5 shot 1/2 MOA group at 1000 yesterday with 41.8 4064 and a TMK - Nice clean holes thru the target, no tumbling at all. 1:12 Savage LRPV single shot. They (TMK's) work at slower speeds, don't worry about velocity if it shoots!
Some bullets settle down when shot farther out - you won't know until you try.
 
chris, what OAL?

I guess that I'll try slower speeds, as anything higher that 42 shoots really bad.
Should I bother loading .010 back or just load at mag length? I wonder.
 
If it were me, i would start at 2.8 and then play with longer lengths once you find what the gun likes. As mentioned before, i tried jam, 10, 20, 30 etc - and my rifle still shot better at 2.81 than anything. Bizarre but true. Both my Savage and Sig like 2.8 - 2.81 with SMK and TMK's.
 
41.6, 41.8 and 42 grouped 4-6 inches at 200m, still not good.

I seriously wonder if I should try 40, 40.5, 41 just for fun or maybe I should just sell what's left and accept that my rifle won't shoot those 175 tmk well.
 
Yowsa... well, i would try your 'good' load at 200 and see if it shoots - but either your gun really dislikes those bullets, or, something is up with your rifle... Cant say you didn't exhaust all options with that bullet/powder combo.
Weird.
 
Ok so I guess that I should try some 155 scenars instead now? Or 175 smk?
What is the best 1000m bullet?

Or just keep the hdy 168 because they are cheaper and they work? (But not so well past 700m)
 
Hey, like to rez an old thread, but just for the fun of it I ordered 100 175 SMK and a pound of varget, so I will try 43.0, 43.5 and 44.0 varget with a 175 SMK at 2.800 and report.

Will also try a few with the 4064 because I have 7 pounds left. if I get get a 4064 / SMK load that works that would be nice.
Will report when I have time to test, probably only when the range opens though.
 
Kryogen said:
Hey, like to rez an old thread, but just for the fun of it I ordered 100 175 SMK and a pound of varget, so I will try 43.0, 43.5 and 44.0 varget with a 175 SMK at 2.800 and report.

Will also try a few with the 4064 because I have 7 pounds left. if I get get a 4064 / SMK load that works that would be nice.
Will report when I have time to test, probably only when the range opens though.
Click to expand...

My barrel is a 10 twist 24 inch . My 175 SMK load was 44.4 of Varget , BR2s , Win Brass , 2.810" for 2,710 @ 78 degrees . I tried 175 TMKs and like them so much i just ordered 3,000 . The difference becomes apparent after 500 yards . 175 SMKs are very good bullets but the TMKs start to shoot tighter the farther i go . I'd suggest you buy one box of 175 grain Federal Gold Medal Match .
 
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