Developing loads for new rifle?

[73Jim]

I'm picking up a Tikka in 308 and is it worth while to run through the task of working up a new load for a new rifle?

Or should I shoot vanilla rounds through it for x rounds, call it break in or seasoning or whatever and THEN work up a load?

Thanks!

[Eljay]

The exact details depend on the exact details. Like if I buy a new to me caliber I might buy 100 factory just to get the brass, and that gives me some time to get familiar with the rifle and an accuracy benchmark to beat.

If I was already reloading for the caliber and had the time I might shoot my favorite pet load to start, but if I have time to work up a ladder and start exploring what that rifle works I'd bring that. But if I don't have time, I wouldn't hold up testing the rifle for that. I'd grab anything reasonable and have at it.

You get this all the time with black powder since you can vary the load at any point. I'll usually start at the low end of the classic range for the caliber and once I'm shooting an OK group and it seems like it's running smoothly I'll start going up in 5gr increments and see what the groups do.

[JMP]

Jim, it depends on your application and shooting experience. Since 308 is so common and not that sensitive a round, I'd start by popping in 168gr SMKs with a known load (generally Varget, 4064, or RL15). Tinker a bit with the seating, and if you are supported and can break the trigger without moving the rifle and can keep an identical point of aim for each shot, you will be down to 0.5-0.75MOA 5-shot groups at 100 yards with an above average factory rifle like a Tikka.

Then, you should shoot this load to work on your shooting skills as it will generally be enough. The error that most folks make is that they stay on paper at 100 yards for way too long trying to find a magical load that they don't learn to properly shoot. In actuality, 100 yard shooting is fine for load development and zeroing on a 308, but it doesn't mean beans in any other respect.

Thus, if you are working on your marksmanship, get the easy decent load and practice with that. In the meantime, you can test some loads as you go. That's the nice thing about a 308 barrel--it will last a long time. If you had a 6mm high speed load, then you want absolutely the least amount of time to develop a load and getting it shooting as the barrel life may be only 1,500 rounds vs. 5,000+ for reasonably loaded 308. If you got the tactical model, that has a nice barrel that will last a long time. I simply do not like the tactical models anymore since they are only exporting 20" barrels. On the tactical models, the barrel is produced by the same factory that produces the TRG-22 barrels, which lasts an extremely long time. With the Tikka Tactical, they just cherry pick the best of the bunch for the TRGs and use the remaining for the Tikka Tacticals. It is a very good buy for the money if you get one with a good barrel.

[73Jim]

I reload 308 for my LR308 but they are only plinking loads. I have quite a few 150g Hornady Interlocks from Hornady's promo and I reload those 43.2g of IMR4064, WLR primers and a col of 2.751 and they work great for plinking...I don't think I've tried those at anything more that 200 yards. My local range goes out to 300 but haven't tried the 308 at that distance.

With the Tikka I have Hornady 168g HPBT #30501 or Sierra 168g HPBT match #2200 to use but would like to keep the IMR4064 powder. I've only been reloading a couple of years but Varget must be a mythical powder because I've only ever seen pictures online with a "out of stock". Never at a LGS or gun show .

I think I'll run through a some of the plinker rounds to zero the scope and get a feel for the rifle.

Anyone have a "pet" load for a 308 Tikka T3 22" 1:11 twist?

[J-cat]

175SMK 42grs IMR4064 2.810" in a FC/LC/WCC/PMC/Military case.