308 load

Big k said:
BTW, I was under the impression that reloading is cheaper. I have spent over $1000 and havent even scratched the suface of proper equiptment and components. It is very addictive. Also, I find it very relaxing. I am sure once I get more familliar with what my rifles like, it will be even better.
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Agree'ed, the price of reloading equipment has surprised me as well. I produced a couple batches so far and have been impressed with my groupings (much much better then the ammunition I've bought off the shelf). The other thing that has surprised me is how sore my shoulder get from working that press over and over and over again.

I've been using Varget so far, but just finished a batch with IMR 4064 because it's the only powder I seem to be able to get my hands on.
 
To me there is so many issues before you even look at reloads.
The auction bedding, barrel free float, scope mounts.
If it is not shooting consistent every time you go to the range there is issues with the gun in my opinion.
That's where I would start.
David
 
OP, please describe the groups you were getting. Was the 8" referred to vertical dispersion, horizontal or both?

A main cause of vertical is uneven powder charges. Use a more precise scale. This coupled with being in furthest range from the sweet spot could be you cause.

What scale do you use, and what method.
 
257Roberts said:
To me there is so many issues before you even look at reloads.
The auction bedding, barrel free float, scope mounts.
If it is not shooting consistent every time you go to the range there is issues with the gun in my opinion.
That's where I would start.
David
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Thats the issue. The rifle shoots fine with factory ammo ( about 1 1/2" groups at 100). I checked the scope mounts etc. All seams fine.

Also worth noting it is a brand new Reminton 700 Target tactical with a heavy barrel. The scope is a 6500 elite.
 
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curseyou said:
OP, please describe the groups you were getting. Was the 8" referred to vertical dispersion, horizontal or both?

A main cause of vertical is uneven powder charges. Use a more precise scale. This coupled with being in furthest range from the sweet spot could be you cause.

What scale do you use, and what method.
Click to expand...

Actually I use a cheap $40 digital scale. I weigh each load seperately load into brass and seat the bullet (one at a time). I checked the scale for accuracy and it is bang on. I have a Dillon 450 progressive loader but I use it as a single stage.

The 8 Inches was mainly vertical but about 4" horizontal as well. I riginally though it was me, so I had a buddy shoot a string of 5 and he was getting the same result.

Do you think Seating depth of the bullet could cause that much inaccuracy?
I think (obviously I am no expert) this type of bullet will not stabilize in this rifle. I know it is a 11 1/4" twist barrel not sure how important that is.
 
sunray said:
Like cr5 says, did you work up the load or just pick 44 grains? You must work up the load for your rifle.
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I had a5 rounds of 43 grn, 5 rounds of 43.5 grn, and lots of 44 grn, They were all similar in performance.

I will work up from minimum load in 1/2 grn increments this time for sure.
 
did you clean the bore between ammo changes. i have a couple of rifles that don't shoot tsx or gmx well if the bore has been shooting cup and core type bullets. clean the bore to bare then try your gmx. also some rifles foul pretty quick with mono's others don't check to see if its coppered up. i also find mono's tend to like large jumps to the lands. my 280 cooper with 120 tsx's are so short but shoot very well. lots to consider with the solid copper bullets some times old cup and core just shoot better in some rifles. testing will tell.
 
Big k said:
Thats the issue. The rifle shoots fine with factory ammo ( about 1 1/2" groups at 100). I checked the scope mounts etc. All seams fine.

Also worth noting it is a brand new Reminton 700 Target tactical with a heavy barrel. The scope is a 6500 elite.
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I have only worked with one heavy barrelled rifle a 25-06 and it would shoot factory ammo into 3/4" or less. To me 1 1/2" is not that great.
Barrel cleaning may be the issue as has been mentioned. I have a rifle that when changing bullets it shoots patterns rather that groups. Then cleaning and then fowling till it shoots the way it should, 15 rounds latter you have to start all over again.
Hope you figure it out and let us know what you find.
David
 
Reading over the posts again and back to the rifle we go. I did have a Ruger that when you took the action out of the stock and when reassembling the magazine box would not sit right and it would bind the auction when tightened up and it would not shoot right.
As I said there could be issues with the rifle and I think that your factory ammo groups could be better.
David
 
Your rifle shoots good with factory ammo and terrible with your handloads.
There is no use, whatsoever, in changing powder charges by little increments, or changing the seating depth, etc.
The only logical explanation is the bullet.
308 rifles were originally built with 12 inch twist and that would easily stabalize 180 grain bullets. However, for some reason, your rifle seems to not stabalize the bullets you are using.
 
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Here's a thought for you Big K...........is your factory ammo bullet weight the same as your bought bullets?
If so, pull a factory bullet and re-fit your reloading bullet into the factory case and factory weighed powder.
Sure fired way to find out whether it's the bullets or not.
Do a few and let us know what you gained, if any.
 
kamlooky said:
Here's a thought for you Big K...........is your factory ammo bullet weight the same as your bought bullets?
If so, pull a factory bullet and re-fit your reloading bullet into the factory case and factory weighed powder.
Sure fired way to find out whether it's the bullets or not.
Do a few and let us know what you gained, if any.
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That sounds like a good idea. I think I will try that. Thanks
 
Be sure to set your seating die up to a factory round.
Make sure you are using the same bullet weight.

And ................ this was only a suggestion............right?
 
BTW, the "replacing the projectiles" trick has been used by rifle match competitors in the past.
The biggest accuracy limit on milsurp ammuniton are the budget-spec projectiles.

It's called Mexican match :)

Great suggestion by kamlooky - minimizes the variables for the experiment.
 
But, what if ogive is so different that he defeats the purpose buy changing the distance to the lands due to the bullet shape?

kamlooky said:
Here's a thought for you Big K...........is your factory ammo bullet weight the same as your bought bullets?
If so, pull a factory bullet and re-fit your reloading bullet into the factory case and factory weighed powder.
Sure fired way to find out whether it's the bullets or not.
Do a few and let us know what you gained, if any.
Click to expand...
 
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