My dream rifle is finally here
- Thread starter mustang979
- Start date
308 ammo is GTG, some ammo to break in the barrel, and some to begone load development, now if only the weather would warm up and co-operate 
175 SMK's
Virgin Lapua Brass
CCI BR2 Primers
and varget powder loads, from 42.9 to 45 in .3 GR intervals
2.820 average oal
2.244 average base to ogive
I even found some time to make up some 300WM rounds
210 SMK's
Virgin Lapua Brass
CCI Mag Primers
and H1000 powder loads, from 75.5 - 79 in .5 GR intervals
3.398 average oal
2.700 average base to ogive
Jesus, these 300WM rounds make the 308's look like 7.62X39...
175 SMK's
Virgin Lapua Brass
CCI BR2 Primers
and varget powder loads, from 42.9 to 45 in .3 GR intervals
2.820 average oal
2.244 average base to ogive
I even found some time to make up some 300WM rounds
210 SMK's
Virgin Lapua Brass
CCI Mag Primers
and H1000 powder loads, from 75.5 - 79 in .5 GR intervals
3.398 average oal
2.700 average base to ogive
Jesus, these 300WM rounds make the 308's look like 7.62X39...
TBH, I went 300WM because I felt it was a better "bang for the buck" with regards to the cost of the ammo VS performance improvement when I take in to consideration how far I can stretch it out. I'm looking to get a 338 bartrel as well, just for a fun boomstick to take out every once in a while, while the 308 and 300WM will get much more use.
angrysoldier
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- under your bed
I want to see how it shoots out further if possiable. I was looking at these before i jumped onto the 50 cal bandwagon. This just might be my next rifle. great looking rig.
The goal is definitely to push it out past 700 meters.
Latest update. I figured I'd break in the 308 barrel, so I put it on and headed out to the range this past weekend. First round down the pipe was 1.75 inches left of bull, so I dialed in 7 clicks right, cleaned the barrel, then proceeded to shoot a round, clean, etc for a total of 7 shots. I pulled one, but this was the result... 1 MOA with the flier, .6 MOA if I discard it. Not too bad for some ammo I tossed together to break in the barrel.
I then tried a three shot group (again with break in ammo I through together), followed by a cleaning, and this is what I got
after that 3 shoot group, I cleaned it, and put down 5 rounds before the last clean and this is what I got, just over 1 MOA with the flier
All in all, I can't complain! For simple ammo I put together with just a random, but consistent, amount of varget.
So this thing is a frikken laserbeam of consistency
43.3, ES 20 FPS, SD 10, .7 MOA at 200 yards
43.4, ES 10 FPS, SD 4, .8 MOA at 200 yards
43.5, ES 30 FPS, SD 15 .8 MOA at 200 yards
43.6, ES 19 FPS, SD 8 .7 MOA at 200 yards
43.7, ES 26 FPS, SD 26 .7 moa at 200 yards
Doing the math, the velocities on 43.5gr is the most consistent when I factor in an accidental .1+- charge, so I figure I'll try adjusting the seating depth by .003 to see if I can improve on the groups.
43.3, ES 20 FPS, SD 10, .7 MOA at 200 yards
43.4, ES 10 FPS, SD 4, .8 MOA at 200 yards
43.5, ES 30 FPS, SD 15 .8 MOA at 200 yards
43.6, ES 19 FPS, SD 8 .7 MOA at 200 yards
43.7, ES 26 FPS, SD 26 .7 moa at 200 yards
Doing the math, the velocities on 43.5gr is the most consistent when I factor in an accidental .1+- charge, so I figure I'll try adjusting the seating depth by .003 to see if I can improve on the groups.
Well, I guess I have a "problem" with accuracy. The 308 barrel shoots .6-.7 MOA consistently with multiple loads. the accuracy node seems wide enou8gh to drive multiple 18 wheelers through. I'd like to get more accuracy out of it, but I suspect what I am really seeing here is my limitations as a shooter to be accurate enough to consistently get better groups...
It pains me to stop and "settle", but I think if I don't, I'll just be wasting ammo. Maybe in a year I'll re-investigate some load tweaking. On the plus side, the 178 ELD Match ropunds appear to like more jump then I anticipated, more in the .020 range.
It pains me to stop and "settle", but I think if I don't, I'll just be wasting ammo. Maybe in a year I'll re-investigate some load tweaking. On the plus side, the 178 ELD Match ropunds appear to like more jump then I anticipated, more in the .020 range.
So I made it out to the range today after work.... I've been getting some small dings in the brass just below the shoulder on 308 brass lately. I have no idea why, but I tried cleaning the crap out of the chamber, and it still happened (it doesn't happen with my 300 WM and is not present before the round is fired). It only started recently, so I can only imagine some contaminants made it in to the chamber and got wallpapered to the chamber wall. As the session went on, there were still some marks on the brass, but it got lighter as the shooting went on, and is now barely perceivable. So I am not sure WTF happened, but all seems fine now.
The black flies were bad, but even with that in mind, any day behind the MRAD, is a good day on the range. If anyone is interested, I am trying out the Wiebad mini stockpad on the MRAD (they make them for many other rifles so if you are looking for one, be sure to check em out). So far I like it. The only negative would be aesthetics (the pad is not cut to follow the lines of the cheek rest, it is more rectangular) but it functions well, and is very comfortable for me.
This is an example of how she was shooting today. There was actually 8 shots in this group, I just couldn't mark them all because the middle of the group is "missing". I was trying a couple different groups with varying neck tensions and I figured 8 rounds in each group would give me an idea if there was a marked improvement or decrease in accuracy. Lets just say they were all sub MOA so I'm happy (Lapua brass, CCI BR2 primers. 43.4 Grains of Varget, Hornady ELD-Match rounds). This particular target was shot at 100 yards.
The black flies were bad, but even with that in mind, any day behind the MRAD, is a good day on the range. If anyone is interested, I am trying out the Wiebad mini stockpad on the MRAD (they make them for many other rifles so if you are looking for one, be sure to check em out). So far I like it. The only negative would be aesthetics (the pad is not cut to follow the lines of the cheek rest, it is more rectangular) but it functions well, and is very comfortable for me.
This is an example of how she was shooting today. There was actually 8 shots in this group, I just couldn't mark them all because the middle of the group is "missing". I was trying a couple different groups with varying neck tensions and I figured 8 rounds in each group would give me an idea if there was a marked improvement or decrease in accuracy. Lets just say they were all sub MOA so I'm happy (Lapua brass, CCI BR2 primers. 43.4 Grains of Varget, Hornady ELD-Match rounds). This particular target was shot at 100 yards.
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Midnight Rider
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ......the Vanishing Point .
Good looking dog in the pic , looks very well cared for . A nice rifle as well.....congrats .
Aside from this rifle reminding me that I am the weak link in the chain, I just can't find a reason to hate this thing... I was working on the 300WM load development (cripes the recoil is tame on this thing). I did a very quick workup for powder with .5 grain steps. Picked a load between 2 apparently good performing charges and tried a couple different lengths and this is what I get. There is ZERO doubt that this barrel is a half MOA barrel with a shooter that doesn't pull the odd shot when he gets excited.
2.875 to the ogive of these 208 ELD-M bullets. BARELY MOA with the flyer, but if I discount the flyer, .5 MOA
The next one is a little longer at 2.885 to the Ogive, .8 MOA with the flyer, if I discount the flyer, another half MOA group
2.875 to the ogive of these 208 ELD-M bullets. BARELY MOA with the flyer, but if I discount the flyer, .5 MOA
The next one is a little longer at 2.885 to the Ogive, .8 MOA with the flyer, if I discount the flyer, another half MOA group
Agreed
RangerPark
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Near Edmonton, AB
Absolutely gorgeous rifle! Your groups show some vertical, especially the odd flyer. Your rear bag setup in those photos is less than ideal. Make sure the bag is packed enough so that it doesn't collapse under recoil. The rifle should move freely back and forth over the bag without your crosshairs rising. While looking through the scope, if you move the rifle back and forth and the crosshairs rise, your rear bag is not compressed enough.
Fix your rear bag, watch your vertical spread disappear, be happy.
Fix your rear bag, watch your vertical spread disappear, be happy.
the rear bag is definitely not ideal. It's tall enough, but there aren't quite enough beads, so I compensate by squeezing the #### out of it. I had never thought of that being related to the vertical stringing. I guess I always attributed it to my poor form. I had a read mono pod I could put back on and try it with that to see how the groups behave.
