Starting to reload- which bullet for Savage 10FP?

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dlau

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After a year of shooting factory, I've finally seen the light and will start reloading!

I'm trying to figure out where's a good place to start in terms of bullet selection. I have a Savage 10FPLE2A in .308, and I was thinking of starting with the 168gn SMK, but I also read that the 175gn SMKs have a better BC.

Of course there are the 155gn bullets to consider as well.

I've read that even if you have 2 rifles of the same make/model, you may not get the same results even if you feed them the same bullets.

That being said, does anyone know if the Savages "like" a particular weight or brand? I believe that I got better results with my Tikka when I used a heavier bullet.

I know that the powder and case also comes into play, but I'll work on one variable at a time.
 
Dlau,
It would help if you provided a little more info:
Purpose of the load (hunting, punching paper)
Distance, etc.
Both bullet selections are excellent for their purpose.
Variations from one rifle to another, will be affected by seating depth and powder volume.
 
Sure thing, sorry for the omission.

It would be for target- punching paper. In terms of range, well the longest range around here is 600 yards, but realistically I'll be mostly shooting up to 200, but with an eye for further distances down the road. :)
 
I would go with 175SMK for your barrel twist.
As for powder you should get good results with:
IMR4064
Re15
Varget

I use Varget, because it is easy to get, but IMR4064 gave me best ever groups consistently.
 
155gr Amax over Varget (accurate velocity will be on the fast side of 2800fps but not more then 3000fps), lit by a Fed 210M or CCI BR2 all stuffed into fireformed Lee collet neck sized Win brass. Live happily ever after.

Jerry
 
168 A Max over Varget works stellar in mine using once fired Winchester brass and all the anal-retentive tricks I have for reloading. Federal GMM didn't shoot in my rifle worth a damn so I've never tried the 168 SMKs in handloads. I figured "why bother" seeing as the A Max shoots so well.
 
dlau said:
Sure thing, sorry for the omission.

It would be for target- punching paper. In terms of range, well the longest range around here is 600 yards, but realistically I'll be mostly shooting up to 200, but with an eye for further distances down the road. :)
Click to expand...

Shooting out to 600 yards anything of the aboved mentioned bullets will work.
One thing to keep in mind if you plan to shoot PRA or DCRA type competitions, is that for F(F) class the bullet weight is limited to 155 gr. If you shoot .308 with 168's or 175's you get bumped up to the F(O) class.
168 gr SMK bullet were designed in the 60's for 300m ISU shooting. It has to be the worst .30 bullet out there for anything beyond 800 yards.

If you do not plan to shoot DCRA or PRA competitions I would lean toward the 175's but with a heavier bullets come more recoil.
 
+1 for Mysticplayer.
My 10FP 20" barrel love 155 A-Max,45gr Varget,CCI BR2 primers and Norma brass.Near 1/2" @100 yards,5 shots, if I do my part...:rolleyes:
 
A rifle sometimes has a strong preference for one bullet or another. I suggest you buy a box of Sierra 155s, 168s and 175s and load them about 20 thou off the lands. let the rifle do the talking.

The most veratile accuracy powder I have used is RL15. I also use Varget.
 
Lionhill, either the 155 or 168gr Amax has proven very accurate for me. I prefer the lower recoil of the 155gr and it is legal for any shooting sport I might participate with.

The 168gr Amax is not saddled with the LR issues of the 168gr MK and I have shot them well out to 1000yds.

Hope you are having fun with your 308.

Jerry
 
"...even if you have 2 rifles..." That's true. Not even two of the exactly same make and model will shoot the same ammo the same way.
Use 168 grain match bullets for distances up to 600 yards, 175's past there. Both with IMR4064.
 
Just got a box of 155 A-Max! Just have to get the powder, primers, and I'm all set! Out of curiosity, what would be the range for the 155s, if 168s are good to 600 yards, and 175s for beyond?

So what gave me the kick to get into reloading... it was my second time out with the Savage, and after sighting it in, I shot 3 groups. First was with the cheap Remington 150gn .308, second was with the 168SMK match ammo from Federal, then back to the Remingtons for the final group.

Both Remington groups were about 2.5"... and sandwiched in between was a 0.68" group with the Match ammo!
 
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