Loading for my new rifle. Started the 308 at 2.80 oal from right off the Varget can. I chambered and extra long bullet to see just how long I could go. 2.835 is as far as I can go. Now my question is by how many tho. do I move the bullet out. I ladder tested the loads at 400 yards. Now can I test OAL at 100 yards to see what gives the best group? Or is back to the 400 yard range?
Oal ?
- Thread starter peterl
- Start date
If the normal is 2.8, and the max is 2.835, I don't think I'd bother for now.
2.8 is a good length to start with, there are other things you can tune up to get tight groups before you need to worry about the OAL, like your powder charge.
If you aren't already getting some good groups I'd work on your powder charge first at 2.8. Then experiment with your OAL once you're getting the tightest groups you can from your powder charge. I don't really think you're going to see a lot of difference in a 0.035" range of adjustment until you've got that worked out.
You'd have to at least provide the make and model of the bullet if you're hoping for someone to chime in with a specific recommendation. The make, model, and any info your know about the barrel, of your gun would also be helpful.
2.8 is a good length to start with, there are other things you can tune up to get tight groups before you need to worry about the OAL, like your powder charge.
If you aren't already getting some good groups I'd work on your powder charge first at 2.8. Then experiment with your OAL once you're getting the tightest groups you can from your powder charge. I don't really think you're going to see a lot of difference in a 0.035" range of adjustment until you've got that worked out.
You'd have to at least provide the make and model of the bullet if you're hoping for someone to chime in with a specific recommendation. The make, model, and any info your know about the barrel, of your gun would also be helpful.
My rifle shoots best at 2.950" with Berger 155s. I suggest you seat out until bullets hit rifling, and then seat 20 thou deeper and do your powder tests at that OAL.
once you have nailed the powder charge, try touching the rifling and 10 thou increments deeper. Test as far as 40 thou off rifling.
once you have nailed the powder charge, try touching the rifling and 10 thou increments deeper. Test as far as 40 thou off rifling.
