Having trouble with a good .308 load

TheGreatOutdoorsMan

TheGreatOutdoorsMan

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Currently i have had some issues with load development for my 308. the rifle shoots factory ammo flawlessly and my hand loads are all over the map. i have been loading on the higher end of the spectrum for powder loads to keep the velocity up there and equivalent to factory loads. here is what i have been using for materials. Any advice or your formula's would be appreciated. I am firing these threw a Rem 700 VTR, which is very accurate with factory ammo. Been getting groups of less than 3/4" with federal 150 gr SP's

150gr. Nosler E-Tips
Hodgdens BLC-2
Winchester casings
Winchester Large primers
Case trimmed to 2.005
OAL 2.735"
powder loads from 46.5 - 48grs. all have been out to lunch at the 100 yard line.

please help, bear season is literaly right around the corner.
 
TheGreatOutdoorsMan said:
Currently i have had some issues with load development for my 308. the rifle shoots factory ammo flawlessly and my hand loads are all over the map. i have been loading on the higher end of the spectrum for powder loads to keep the velocity up there and equivalent to factory loads. here is what i have been using for materials. Any advice or your formula's would be appreciated. I am firing these threw a Rem 700 VTR, which is very accurate with factory ammo. Been getting groups of less than 3/4" with federal 150 gr SP's

150gr. Nosler E-Tips
Hodgdens BLC-2
Winchester casings
Winchester Large primers
Case trimmed to 2.005
OAL 2.735"
powder loads from 46.5 - 48grs. all have been out to lunch at the 100 yard line.

please help, bear season is literaly right around the corner.
Click to expand...

Simply start with Sierra's accuracy load, I always do and it a great starting point.
http://www.6mmbr.citymaker.com/f/Sierra308Win.pdf
http://www.6mmbr.com/308win.html

By the way, Sierra 150gr accuracy load is 45.2gr of BLC-2 2700fps which is one notch or two bellow your load.

Alex
 
This load shoot good in every 308 i own 45.5 gr Varget 165 gr SST Hornady CCI BR-2 oal 2.800 put you at 2750 fps, this is my basic accurate 308 load .5 to .8 in most 308... JP.
 
The .308 normally is fairly easy to load for. But every gun is a law to itself, lol!
Try reloading the same bullet your factory ammo uses. Sometimes a slight difference in bullet design can make a big difference on the target. If you rifle doesnt like this bullet, try something else.

I have been shooting 'Varget' powder allot. Most bullets I shoot with this powder shoot very well. Try the standard 165gr. Sierra btsp. Seat it at the standard depth and try it. My guess is that it will shoot fine. I took a Mule deer doe at just under 700 last year with this bullet. That is an extream example mind you. Good luck with your bears! They are fun to hunt as well!
 
Most sources recommend using Large Rifle Magnum primers with ball powder.That might make a difference.

My most accurate loads in my Parker Hale Mauser actioned sporter have been:
45 grs H4895 with a 150 gr Nosler Ballistic tip and 45 grs H335 with a 150 gr Speer spitzer.
 
Are you using the rifle strictly for hunting or are you target shooting as well?

My pet load is:

175gr SMK
44.5gr Varget
Lapua brass trimmed to 2.000
Fed 210M primer

I also do alot of case prep, ie, flash hole deburr, use a Forster 3 in 1 case mouth cutter and weigh every charge and measure at every step of the way.

I have found my loads to be consistent out to 1350 yards.

It all depends on what you are trying to accomplish with said load.
 
Try a different powder, I have had outstanding results with Reloder 15 and H4895 these also have the benefit of being a less temperature sensitive powder than BL-C2 which is a plus for a hunting load IMO
 
The simple reality is that not all guns like all loads, particularly all bullets. 150's are very short/light bullets, and in tight twists, they will be harder to make work.

I would approach this not from you making a mistake per se, but from finding a load that works. That means trying different bullets (Definitely give the 155 Palma bullets from Hornady, Sierra, Berger (especially their 155.5 grain!!) and Lapua some serios consideration.

I would also switch to Varget powder, as BL-C2 is temperature sensitive. It is also very dirty... I have indeed used this powder VERY successfully in a 308, but trust me... Varget is a proven entity.

Start with seating the bullts as long as possible to still fit your mag (if mag feeding)... forget published OAL's they mean NOTHING!!!!! OAL must be adjusted to your individual barrel and its chamber....

From there, work up with 3 round groups using a powder load published as a minimum, and work up in .3 grain increments, until you see signs of pressure. You should see a trend towards geting tighter and tighter as a group, with one group likely being the clear winner for powder load. As you go beyond that load, it will tend to open up again. The best group will concide with that particular gun's "node" where it works harmonically and ballistically.

Load development takes time and patience, but you will be so much further ahead using proven components.

There are many different techinques for load development.... I personally like the "Ladder Test" method, but these work with the full knowledge that the shooter is as accurate as the firearm. Many shooters are not as good as they like to think they are.
 
This is great guys and thank you very much for all the information and your time in responding to this add, i have goneback to the drawing board and made some new developments from your data you's provided and am going to go pick up some Varget and H4895 and ladder load those and see what i get. Thank you all once again for your time and data.

Regrads Thegreatoutdoorsman
 
target.jpg



The picture is sideways but this is what your ladder test will look like. 1gn intervals.

You must shoot at 500+ meters for good results. only look at vertical.

42.5gn varget was the best load in this 5R


by the way, what is your rifles twist ?
 
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