Found an awsome SL8 load!

G

ginnz

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100 miles north 100 miles south, manitoba
Hi guys,

Well spring is slowly springing up here, and with that I've been playing with loads for my SL8. I normally use Nosler ballistic tip, or Hornady Vmax for my .223/22-250. I recently found the Nosler Varmageddon at Cabela's here, and their price point intrigued me, as they are so much cheaper. All I could get here (Wpg.) was the 55 gn, and tried them out in the SL8, using 26gn H335.(stock coal) Yesterday I shot a 5 shot .846" group, and 4 of them were .488" @ 100y... So far this seems to be the bullet this rifle really likes!

Just thought i'd share, for those of you with the SL8. Dang this is one accurate semi-auto!

hopefully it warms up a bit more this week, and that wind! jeez i hate the wind.....

Ginnz.
 
My SL8 (sold it) liked the 60gr Nosler Varmageddon with CFE223, was a hotter load near book max from the Nosler #7 manual (data available online if you don't have that manual).
The SL8 is the most accurate semi auto I've owned other than the expensive Franken AR I built with a $600 barrel.

Mine also liked 55gr V-max and Win 50gr ballistic silvertips for factory ammo.
 
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Interesting. I just picked up an SL8 saturday and shot it Sunday with some factory 55 gr UMC and some left over 52gr bthps that I was testing with my Rem 5R. I was pleasantly surprised at how it shot them all. Was shooting off a bipod with no rear bag or anything and it shoots quite nice when I'm not flapping around like a fish out of water ;)

I was expecting to go looking to test with 69-75 gr stuff (have some 69 gr vmax I think and some 75 gr moly) bur I guess I'll have to load up some with the 50 and 55 gr zmax that I have at home. Might even try soe 52 gr Hdy bthp just for fun (fave for the 5R with 4320). Damm, it's only Monday - I gotta wait all week to get out to the range again :(

I gotta say I really liked the SL8 - no fuss, no drama, aim it, shoot it, rinse, repeat. I was a little tentative about the thumbhole stock, but didn't even notice it after about 2 shouts.
 
Right you are about they are one accurate semi. You really basing this load on one group? Glad you got that awesome groupe but how about the rest of them. I want your uber-awesome load for my SL8 but let's see some other results too.

Moe
 
kb007 said:
Interesting. I just picked up an SL8 saturday and shot it Sunday with some factory 55 gr UMC and some left over 52gr bthps that I was testing with my Rem 5R. I was pleasantly surprised at how it shot them all. Was shooting off a bipod with no rear bag or anything and it shoots quite nice when I'm not flapping around like a fish out of water ;)

I was expecting to go looking to test with 69-75 gr stuff (have some 69 gr vmax I think and some 75 gr moly) bur I guess I'll have to load up some with the 50 and 55 gr zmax that I have at home. Might even try soe 52 gr Hdy bthp just for fun (fave for the 5R with 4320). Damm, it's only Monday - I gotta wait all week to get out to the range again :(

I gotta say I really liked the SL8 - no fuss, no drama, aim it, shoot it, rinse, repeat. I was a little tentative about the thumbhole stock, but didn't even notice it after about 2 shouts.
Click to expand...

i was looking for good info on what rounds to throw through my SL8 and just bought 400 55gr UMC
hopefully i get like you did,good results.
i was using remington soft point 55gr and they were bang on at 100m when i zeroed in
 
Moe said:
Right you are about they are one accurate semi. You really basing this load on one group? Glad you got that awesome groupe but how about the rest of them. I want your uber-awesome load for my SL8 but let's see some other results too.

Moe
Click to expand...


You'll need to do your own load development, I've owned 2 SL8-4's and they both liked different ammo.

And mine would do slightly better than moa all day long with my 60gr loads, cold barrel, hot barrel, didn't matter, wasn't one cherry picked group.

Spend the bucks and buy the gen 2 HERA lower and an ACR folding stock and other than the weight it's one of the best non restricted semi auto rifles out there. Accurate and reliable, can't ask for much more.
Only reason I sold mine and kept my ACR is that I now have 3 non restricted barrels for it (223, 6.8SPC, and 300BLK) and the HK couldn't offer me quick change multi caliber options.
 
cr5 said:
You'll need to do your own load development, I've owned 2 SL8-4's and they both liked different ammo.

And mine would do slightly better than moa all day long with my 60gr loads, cold barrel, hot barrel, didn't matter, wasn't one cherry picked group.

Spend the bucks and buy the gen 2 HERA lower and an ACR folding stock and other than the weight it's one of the best non restricted semi auto rifles out there. Accurate and reliable, can't ask for much more.
Only reason I sold mine and kept my ACR is that I now have 3 non restricted barrels for it (223, 6.8SPC, and 300BLK) and the HK couldn't offer me quick change multi caliber options.
Click to expand...

Hey cr5. Care to share that 60gr load?
Moe
 
kb007 said:
Interesting. I just picked up an SL8 saturday and shot it Sunday with some factory 55 gr UMC and some left over 52gr bthps that I was testing with my Rem 5R. I was pleasantly surprised at how it shot them all. Was shooting off a bipod with no rear bag or anything and it shoots quite nice when I'm not flapping around like a fish out of water ;)

I was expecting to go looking to test with 69-75 gr stuff (have some 69 gr vmax I think and some 75 gr moly) bur I guess I'll have to load up some with the 50 and 55 gr zmax that I have at home. Might even try soe 52 gr Hdy bthp just for fun (fave for the 5R with 4320). Damm, it's only Monday - I gotta wait all week to get out to the range again :(

I gotta say I really liked the SL8 - no fuss, no drama, aim it, shoot it, rinse, repeat. I was a little tentative about the thumbhole stock, but didn't even notice it after about 2 shouts.
Click to expand...


I have a pile of the Hornady 52 gr BTHP that i bought in bulk at a gun show, and tried them as well in my SL8, and ill say they also worked well!

and to the dude who said to get a HERA lower and stock.... I seen this stock on CalGuns and REALLY WANT one of these. I just need to find out where to get one.

2hpqgp5.jpg
 
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cr5 said:
My SL8 (sold it) liked the 60gr Nosler Varmageddon with CFE223, was a hotter load near book max from the Nosler #7 manual (data available online if you don't have that manual).
Click to expand...

I'm not surprised, I could never get CFE to shoot worth a damn unless I pushed it hot.
 
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