Loading Hot for .308

RangerPark

RangerPark

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Hello Everyone!

I've been reloading for my 24" Remington 700 5R in .308 for a couple of months now and I have a conundrum.

I load Berger 175's and 185's and use Winchester brass, Federal 210M primers and IMR 4064. This rifle was very accurate out of the box. .5 MOA is standard, .4 more often than not, .3 a couple of groups a day and high .2's when the moon and planets align properly.

I've developed loads that regularly give .3-.4 MOA at 2650 FPS for the 175's and 2580 FPS for the 185's, accurate but nothing fancy for speed.

I've also developed loads that give .4-.5 MOA at 2800 FPS for the 175's and 2700 FPS for the 185's. In a 24" barrel those are obviously hot. The only sign of over-pressure I get is a loss of radius on the primers, not completely flat. I also get some minor cratering around the firing pin strike, no piercing, no extractor marks, no loose primer pockets, no stiff bolt, no damage to the bolt face. It actually took me a while to notice the primers flattening partially.

I've also learned that my chamber is cut on the larger end of SAAMI spec, cases at 1.634" are just snug on the bolt.

So here's the dilemma, mild or hot?
- Do I load safe and make this accurate rifle last longer?
- Do I load hot and enjoy the higher FPS while it lasts, eventually having a smith shorten the barrel a bit and bring the chamber back to spec?
- Will loading hot have an adverse effect on the rest of the barrel, outside of the obvious accelerated throat erosion that will ensue?
- Any other adverse effects from loading hot in the long term? I'm thinking brass won't last as long, not worried about that.
- What would you do if you were in the same situation?

Thanks for reading everyone!

Cheers!
 
308 barrels typically last a long time, I'd be more worried about shortening the life of your brass for no real reason other than to see a higher number on the chrony, a couple extra clicks up on the turret will get you out just as far without working the brass as hard. I always load for the tightest groups, the only reason I look at fps is to make sure I'm in the upper node when I find my load. I actually don't usually use the chrony until after I find my load then it's mostly just for reference when plugging numbers into the ballistics program in my phone or my watch.
 
+3 load for the tightest groups and leave it at that. Sounds like you've reached a limit and are looking for something new. Why not try a different powder and feed that tinkering hunger.
 
You're already running in the 60,000 psi range. You may have hit the point of diminishing returns already. The point of your rifle was to achieve excellent accuracy and it is doing a yeoman's job. If you now desire higher velocities as well you need to go to a cartridge with a larger capacity case such as one of the WSSM or RSUM cases. That is just IMHO of course. Your call, your rifle.
 
Run it hot and enjoy it. It will take a fair bit of time to erode the throat and even when it does it may well shoot the same until it is way far gone.

Brass and barrels are consumables. Don't let others try to convince you otherwise.
 
Lots of good feedback from everyone, thank you! After giving it some thought I will load mild for every day shooting, my regular range only goes to 300m, and I still need plenty of practice at that range. If I ever hit Edson this year I'll bring some hot loads with me, see if they provide much benefit. The way things are going Edson will be next year's project, of well.
 
Go for accuracy, not top speed imo.

If you want to mess with increasing speed try some light bullet loads, 110 gr, 130 gr, that kinda thing.
 
The most accurate node will not be the fastest possible load.

What may look fast and decent at short range, typically tanked the further you go.

Missing at high speed really isn't much fun.

Rems tend to have very long throats so these lighter bullets may not work... but there is only 1 way to find out.

Jerry
 
Fastest possible load, unlikely accurate without a tuner.

Fastest possible accuracy node, where you want to be.

Wind is the hard part in shooting. Push the bullet to target as quick as possible accurately and wind has less time to effect it.

But hey, if ya wanna go slow, ranges usually have lots of gravel to use as ammo for your slingshot. IMO. lol
 
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