Test loads done for.308. Ladder test next?

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Brianma65

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Hello again, I just tested a lot of .308 loads. Using SMK 150 and SMK 168. Powders used were Benchmark,4064 and Varget. Gun liked the 168. I had one good group with 36.9 Bench mark .597. One good group with 41.5 4064 .595. And two good groups with 38.9 and .45 g of Varget. .766 and .500. So it looks like the max charge of Varget is the winner. My question is, should I do a ladder test around the 1/2 group? Can I safely go a couple of points over .45? Or should I repeat the recipe and try again , to confirm? Groups were 5 rnds each at 100 meters. Using a . Rem .308 20 inch HB.
 
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It's your call, but i would try to reproduce results, then fine-tune in ladder tests or just settle on the max load which seems to be providing acceptable results.
 
Every rifle is different but I have played around with many .308 loads using varget and 4064. I have found 42-42.5 works best in 4064, with SMK 150g.
 
Yes I'll try a few more 5 rnd groups with the .45 g Varget . I don't believe I could do any better anyway. I was using a bipod and rear bag and it was a challenge. 3 Celsius,raining and a brisk crosswind. Yes, maybe I'll be happy if I can consistently get the 1/2 group. Thanks
 
The 150 SMK were not so good, I did get a couple of groups just under an inch. The 168 were the answer. It was from a rem 700 AAC-SD 20 inch HB in a Cadex chassis. I also shot a .900 5 rnd group using Barnes TTSX 168. I would like to work a load up with those maybe.
 
RL-300mag said:
May I ask what your looking for in your rifle ?? .5"/5 shot grouping is pretty solid. I think I would stretch her legs a bit, it will tell you more.
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I'm going to try try the 45 g Varget , just to be sure. Then I'm going to try 200 and 300 yards.
I'm not sure what I'm looking for , maybe just a bit better and consistent. I'd like to do a .500 at 300 yards. But I suspect the tiny amount of movement, from the crosshairs will affect the groups even more at greater distances. I'll have to research some shooting technics .
 
Skip the ladder test, because it sounds like you aren't near ready, skill wise to get, any viable data from the test.

Pick your load, and put in a great amount of trigger time, the necessary skill set will come through this.
 
Lefty #### said:
Skip the ladder test, because it sounds like you aren't near ready, skill wise to get, any viable data from the test.

Pick your load, and put in a great amount of trigger time, the necessary skill set will come through this.
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That's the way I see it too. I've read about the ladder test ( ladder testing by Jason Baney)and do understand it , but For now, I'll use the data I got and practice at 100 yards, then move it out some.. Thanks
 
Remington 700's seem to be more ammo sensitive. I have a Remington 700 308 HB. Varmint 1:12 twist. My top recommended load is using 168 gr Hornady Match BTHP and these shoot well. Varget and H4895 work best. I'm using 1x fired LC brass.
 
samsplacci71 said:
Remington 700's seem to be more ammo sensitive. I have a Remington 700 308 HB. Varmint 1:12 twist. My top recommended load is using 168 gr Hornady Match BTHP and these shoot well. Varget and H4895 work best. I'm using 1x fired LC brass.
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I've tryed the hornady 155 A-Max and 150 GMX , neither was impressive. Best I got was around 1 MOA. I did try 5 165 Nosler spitzers , that I had kicking around. They shot a .950. Fun seems to like the 168 g bullits.
 
I had an awesome load today, 5 round group 0.380" at 100m with 44.9gr varget, federal gold medal match brass and primers, topped with SMK 175 at 2.800"oal. I'll be playing with seating depths next time. I also had. 41.7gr of 4064 same stuff as above but set to 2.820" oal went to .456" 5rnd group from same load at 2.800 group size of 0.8-1.2".
I had started at min loads and worked up in 0.5gr incriments, then from best ones 0.1gr incriments. Ive used up a pound of 4064 just testing loads, finally got somewhere with it! Which is awesome because it's 10$ cheaper per pound than varget(when avaliable).
Shot from factory Remington 700 5r 24" barrel 1in11 1/4 twist.

I should add that I just purchased a hornady OAL gauge w/ modified case, so I will be able to measure to the jump/jam properly and safely. Hopefully that will help me get more accuracy out of my rifle and handloads.
 
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My last range trip I got to try my new 308 loads in my R700 aac-SD bedded in an hs precision stock with trigger tech trigger and miculek break.
Working just with 168smk's and varget I started at 43gr and worked up to 45.5 my best 5 shot group was using 44gr at just under .5moa
Over 44.5gr and groups opened up significantly.

I was using winchester brass but have some norma on the way. I used my coal tool and found the throat to be very long so I don't know if I could actually jam a bullet with the 168 smk's I do also have 500 hornady 168 hpbt match to play with and hope they work as well.
 
Brianma65 said:
I'm going to stay with the Varget for now, the 4064 is picky and a PITA to work with.
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Yeah I agree varget is much more consistently sized and meters awesome in the Lee powder thrower. But for 20% more cost, it's almost not worth it if you can find a good load with 4064. Took me a pound to find it, but now I have a back up load and powder. Luckily I'm sitting on 4.5 pounds of varget still, but I'll start stocking 4064 now.
 
No, those powders are much more $$ than varget, and seems availability is low as well. I'm a little broke after the scope purchase, trying to safe some dollars here and there where I can when it comes to this hobby. Next on the list is a chargemaster, I'm tired of beam scaling all my loads, or powder throw and be -/+ 1-6 kernels. But then again I won't be happy until I'm consistantly under 1/2moa at 100m.

How are you measuring your powder?
 
I'm in this deep may as well go all the way:). I'm using a balance beam and trickler, it's slow but it's consistent. Next on my list is a Giraud trimmer.
 
Pretty hard to beat Varget in the .308win with any weight of pill, another powder that has worked very decent is IMR4895. One thing I have noticed with Varget is that pressures will spike when working with max loads. And if your playing with seating depths extra caution must be taken at all time's. There is a old saying you must learn to crawl before you learn to walk & learn to walk before you run. You stated that you found a safe & accurate load in your rifle, so instead of thinking of other powder's & bullet weight's why not spend your extra time on the trigger. Practice & practice some more & most importantly play & shoot safely.

Cheer's
 
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