What kind of velocities are you getting in your .308's?

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mooger31

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Now I know this can be a bit of a loaded question.

Anyways went out last Saturday and tested some .308 rounds, 44.7 grains or rl-15 with a 168 grain nosler. The last time I chrony'd these I was getting a average or 2620 fps. Now I'm only getting 2527 fps.

So my question to you guys if you are getting higher velocities, what powder are you using, are you going over max loads in the books? Are you crimping your rounds?

In my four reloading manuals I should be getting close to 2800 fps.
 
Do you have the same barrel length as the load data in the manuals?

Off the top of my head, I don't know if RL-15 is temp. sensitive. Did you originally chrono the load in warmer temps?

2800 seems a bit fast........2600-2700 seems a little closer to what I would expect out of a .308 (with 168gr bullet) unless you had a longer barrel..
 
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The gun I'm using is a tikka tactical and it has 24" barrel. And it seems that is the same size length as other reloading manuals are using. I'm also using cci 200 primers and Winchester brass.

As for temp. It might if been a bit cooler. But maybe 5 degrees Celsius cooler.
 
I have the same gun. I use Lapua brass, CCI200 primers, 44 grains of Varget (max load for Amax bullets, any higher I get pressure signs), and 168gr AMax bullets. I get around 2630fps last time I checked.

Hornady 168gr AMax TAP is listed at 2700 so really, you're in the ballpark.......

If you aren't shooting really long range and you are getting decent accuracy, I wouldn't get too hung up over it.

I found I got pretty inconsistent results with Winchester, Federal, and Remington brass. Nosler is a bit better, but I found using the Lapua was night and day.
 
mooger31 said:
Where are you getting your lapua brass from? And if you don't mind me asking how much are you paying for it?
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The cases I have I got free from a friend (I have really cool friends ;) ) but Hirsch Precision carries it. $77/100 + tax. Pricey but it's worth the $ IMO.

I would almost go so far as to say I would guarantee you would notice a difference from the Winchester.

But, it depends on what kind of groups you are getting now?
 
That is not pricey , 50 rem or Win brass is more than you think, it would be $60 or so for 100.

You will get better consistency and more loads with Lapua brass.Do not let the price scare you.

*MALICE* said:
The cases I have I got free from a friend (I have really cool friends ;) ) but Hirsch Precision carries it. $77/100 + tax. Pricey but it's worth the $ IMO.

I would almost go so far as to say I would guarantee you would notice a difference from the Winchester.

But, it depends on what kind of groups you are getting now?
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Well, you might get a bit more velocity but it won't be mind shattering. It seems that Lapua brass is more likely to not show pressure signs as early (don't take that as gospel), so don't get too carried away chasing a number.

It sounds like you are getting pretty good groups as it is, so while I would say they aren't going to get worse using Lapua brass, you're already doing pretty good for basically a 'stock' rifle.
 
The military switched from RL15 to IMR4064 in their 7.62 sniper ammunition.

"7.62 Ă— 51mm MK 316 MOD 0 Special Ball, Long Range: A 175-grain round consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers and an undisclosed modified extruded propellant. The 7.62 Ă— 51mm MK 316 MOD 0 Special Ball, Long Range cartridges have an accuracy requirement based around 10-round shotgroups. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.745 grains).

The average extreme spread for 10-round shotgroups shall be less than or equal to the following values:
600 yd: 7.0 in (first Production Lot). This equates to a ≤ 1.1 MOA requirement at 548.6 m.
300 yd: 3.5 in (after first Production Lot). This equates to a ≤ 1.1 MOA requirement at 274.3 m.

The maximum muzzle velocity standard deviation is set at 15 ft/s (4.57 m/s). Information published on acceptance tests regarding five MK 316 MOD 0 cartridge production lots indicated a sub 2.4 in at 300 yd performance. This equates to a sub 0.8 MOA performance at 274.3 m for the listed ammunition lots."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M24_Sniper_Weapon_System
 
mooger31 said:
Getting just over 1/2 minute of angle at 300 yards. The gun is very accurate. Was just hoping to get a bit more speed out of it.
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I push my 168gr Bergers at 2650 and get the same. Can get to 2750 without pressure signs but the grouping and ES opens up. I rarely get to shoot past 300yds so I'm not one of those speed-freaks, trying to get every last FPS.
 
Just checked 308 W., 180 grain Hornady and I used the starting load shown in Hodgdon on line chart, 41 grains of IMR 4320. The chart shows 2407 fps.
Oops, chrono showed average of 2233 fps!
 
But Mr. H, giv'in on nuther tread Kronies were junk, how do you determine whether it's the Krony or book
that has the value?

Not meaning to be dizz respectful, trying to newtcher the thought of buying a Krony.









cou:









:popCorn:
 
kamlooky said:
But Mr. H, giv'in on nuther tread Kronies were junk, how do you determine whether it's the Krony or book
that has the value?

Not meaning to be dizz respectful, trying to newtcher the thought of buying a Krony.

popCorn:
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I have a lot of records of chronograph readings going back to when I was using an Oehler. Just duplicate one of those loads once in a while, to compare.
Just did exactly that with that newest 270. That little chrony and that Remington 725 duplicates the Sako I had for so long, as near identical as you could get, using my old faithful, H4831 and 130 grain bullet.
Set that little chrony up correctly with sun shades and it will be right.
 
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