Shot first batch of .308 hand-loads, got results, now how do I make them better?

Manwithoutastar

Manwithoutastar

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Hello, I started reloading a few months ago and finally got out to the range to test the loads. Shooting 5 shot groups, Nosler 165 Accubond .308 with varget powder. I got results using 5 variations of powder weights. I was hoping for tighter groups, but best I got was 1.7” 5shot group @100yards with 42.5gr. Realistically, for my needs (hunting), that’s good enough, but as everyone here strives for accuracy, so must I. :cool: I started a previous thread with beginner questions and was told to look for accuracy nodes and build loads off them in .3 increments, and that’s exactly what I plan to do next. But...what else should I be looking at? Adjusting OAL to change headspace? (I don’t have a cartridge over all length gauge) I used the standard 2.8 OAL. Should I just stick with that? I noticed a few rounds feeling snug going in, but I’ve also been told that.308 usually has a big jump to the lands, so im not sure if im just bumping the shoulder, but it seems like it’s hitting rifling to me. I’m also getting a dark Carbon ring around the shoulder and on the neck for each fired case, I don’t notice that on my factory rounds, it’s there but a lot less...what does the carbon on the outside of the case neck indicate?? Am I that far off the lands? Thanks for reading and if you can answer one or some of my questions, I would appreciate it...I have a lot more, thank you.
 
I've done a lot of .308 reloading and found that many factors influence accuracy. Varget is a good powder and the Nosler Accubonds are excellent as well so that is likely not an issue. Brass and brass prep can influence accuracy as well so I would look at that (many you tubes on this). Load Data (online reloading manual) indicate 44 grains of Varget is an accurate load for the 165's, they tested it with 2.800 COAL. They also show BLC-2 is excellent and I have found it works well too.
Your rifle, your choice of rest, barrel temp, trigger pull, and breathing are also big factors IMHO. Keep at it, you wil get there, .308 is a great round to reload.
 
OP:
Changing OAL will not affect your headspace. The headspace is a variable condition between the case and your chamber.

Are you using the same brand of brass for all your loads? Are they trimmed to a consistent length?

The achievment of the ever-shifting goal of accurate reloads relies primarily in consistency - your brass, reloading technique, bullets, powder dispensing.... The list goes on. There are some things some shooters do (things like turning necks, annealing, etc...) that your or I might not notice a difference with, but taking care of the obvious "low-hanging fruit" will have the biggest improvement.

Things like adjusting your powder charge to find out what your rifle likes will probably have the biggest payback in terms of accuracy, then adjusting seating depth. Then again, there is also the situation of "accurate enough".

BTW, the best basis for measurement regarding your seating depth is to measure to the bulllet's ogive. Your results will be specific to that rifle and bullet combination, and will generally not transfer to another combination.
 
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220 said:
Just remember oal is not from tip of cartridge .
Click to expand...

Overall length absolutely *IS* to the tip of the bullet; it's just not the ideal to measure the length of precision ammo.

As others (Ganderite?) have pointed out, the overall length of a cartridge is only of a concern when the round has to be magazine fed. It obviously needs to fit into the mag, but other than that, I'm of the opinion that OAL is a starting point.
 
Carbon ring on case shoulder and neck could be a sign of low pressure, because the cartridge does not properly seal the chamber upon ignition. Which loads do you get that with?
 
diopter said:
What is the rifle? optics?
Click to expand...

Good question. As to the OP's posting, when I was working up loads for my .308's, I'd load my chosen bullet with 4 different powders in lots of 5. I'd load them mid range in terms of powder charge, and when I found which powder/bullet combo gave me the best result, I'd experiment with tweaking that particular powder and bullet combo. I like Varget, but I got better results with H380. I couldn't find an accurate load with the 165 Nosler Ballistic Tip with any powder I tried, but the 165 gr. Sierra Game Kings gave superb results out of my Mossberg Patriot.
 
We have an .308Win Anschütz made 1840, a commercially made Mauser 98 action that would not shoot well with bullet weights under 180gr. Cloverleafs with 190gr.
Fast rifling twist.
 
pacobillie said:
Carbon ring on case shoulder and neck could be a sign of low pressure, because the cartridge does not properly seal the chamber upon ignition. Which loads do you get that with?
Click to expand...

I made loads 2.8 OAL from 42gr up to 44gr and all cases after fired had the carbon ring around the neck/shoulder crease. So is there something I should be focusing on to remedy this? Thanks
 
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OldDude said:
OP:
Changing OAL will not affect your headspace. The headspace is a variable condition between the case and your chamber.

Are you using the same brand of brass for all your loads? Are they trimmed to a consistent length?

The achievment of the ever-shifting goal of accurate reloads relies primarily in consistency - your brass, reloading technique, bullets, powder dispensing.... The list goes on. There are some things some shooters do (things like turning necks, annealing, etc...) that your or I might not notice a difference with, but taking care of the obvious "low-hanging fruit" will have the biggest improvement.

Things like adjusting your powder charge to find out what your rifle likes will probably have the biggest payback in terms of accuracy, then adjusting seating depth. Then again, there is also the situation of "accurate enough".

BTW, the best basis for measurement regarding your seating depth is to measure to the bulllet's ogive. Your results will be specific to that rifle and bullet combination, and will generally not transfer to another combination.
Click to expand...

I’m using a trickler to be exact where I’m wanting to particular down to the last grain as a beginner, same brass from same lot and measured all the same. I don’t have a gauge to measure off the ogive, might get one. Was also told by some old schoolers is not necessary, haha. I guess I gotta find out what works for me.
 
Manwithoutastar said:
Sauer 101 classic w/ Nikon Prostaff 3-9, from Caldwell bench rest
Click to expand...

From their chart, it's a 1 in 11" twist in a 22 inch length barrel.

May like 175gr bullets better, but should still be good with the 165gr weight.

.308 Winchester (22-Inch Barrel)
Warning! Notes: Test rifle used was a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight with a 22-inch barrel (Handloader Issue #191 - January, 1998)
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS) Favorite?

165 Nosler Ballistic Tip Hodgdon Varget 44.0 2,536
Remarks:

165 Nosler Ballistic Tip Hodgdon Varget 46.0 2,669
Remarks: extremely accurate; maximum
 
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LawrenceN said:
Good question. As to the OP's posting, when I was working up loads for my .308's, I'd load my chosen bullet with 4 different powders in lots of 5. I'd load them mid range in terms of powder charge, and when I found which powder/bullet combo gave me the best result, I'd experiment with tweaking that particular powder and bullet combo. I like Varget, but I got better results with H380. I couldn't find an accurate load with the 165 Nosler Ballistic Tip with any powder I tried, but the 165 gr. Sierra Game Kings gave superb results out of my Mossberg Patriot.
Click to expand...

I plan on experimenting now with .3 increments above and below, but in your experience trying different projectils worked, I may have to go down that road if it’s the case for my rifle. So far it’s still sufficient for my needs, but it’s fun and I may try different variations. Thanks!
 
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