Remington 308 168 seating depth

Ruger007

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I have read that Rem 700s have long throats. I have been trying to get a seating depth figured out.

Rem 700 Varmiter profile. Not sure of actual model. 26"

Using speer 168gr hpbt. I know not the best but i have a boat load

Winchester cases

I put a bullet in a semi sized case and jammed it into the chamber. Tried 3 times. Looks to be at 2.975 average.
Now using that I seated with my redding micrometer die. Using the felt marker to look for any touching. Not touching at all at 2.945. Added .02 in depth to get to final 2.925.

Bullet grips with maybe 1/8" of the case. Not alot of holding power.

I single load anyways but it seems a bit on the far out side.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has ran into this.

What is the going seating depth? Or prehaps a slight crimp?

Thanks
 
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I have a long throat in mine 2.950".

I load my ammo to 2.80" OAL. No issues. I tried 0.030, 0.020 and 0.010 off the land and it didn't make any difference.
 
If you end up with poor groupings, check runout - loading a round to be straight (minimal runout), probably at least as important as precise bullet jump. I have several rifles that clearly show difference in 5 round group size - only difference one group is .003" runout or less, the other grouping is as identical as I can make it, but with .004" runout or more. Can not get as much difference with straight (less than .003" runout) and several "jump" lengths.

Really need to shoot to see - you, the shooter, might have a 2 MOA flinch. Might have 2 MOA parallax error, and a bunch of other things like bedding or technique. If shooting 4" groups at 100 yards, don't worry about the .1 MOA improvements. Well worth it, if you are already in the "threes", trying to get into the "teens".
 
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Settled on 2.875

Did some playing around the past few days.

Rem 700 26" stock varmiter barrel. Actually don't know the model. Matte black finish. Newer model. Picked up used off of here a few months ago.

Triggertech special
Bushnell Elite Tactical 6-24X50, talley rings
Hogue stock. Just stock pillar bedding.

Speer 168gr BTHP
Winchester brass, once fired from Higginsons, full sized in Redding die.
CCI BR-2
Shot the following, all 3 shot groups:

5 groups of 42.5gr D4895 averaged .6125
3 groups of 43.5gr 4064 average .6097
5 groups of 45gr Varget average .725
7 groups of 44.5gr Varget average .687
8 groups of 48gr CFE223 average .7795

CFE was the most constant with no real flyers.
4064 requires more testing
Varget had some real tight groups then some not so tight groups. Seemed to get the odd flyer.


The D4895 was a bit of a surprise actually. I have loaded up 15 more and will shoot tomorrow,. Also some more of the 4064.

Might try a bit more seating depth once i get a stable load figured out. Just to see. Then will try regular CCI 200 primers for another test.

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All my Remington and savage 308's shot best at 2.80-2.82 regardless of jump. I chased lands over and over, but 2.8ish was best. Especially with 168 smk's.
 
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