Need advice for .308 components

[nobody_special]

I want to load some high-accuracy .308 rounds, to be fired from an M1A Scout/Squad and an FN PBR with a 20" barrel. I've had the M1A for a while, the PBR was purchased from CDNN last fall; I've only recently put a 'scope on it, and I've only fired 2 rounds through it.

My questions:

1. Should I try to standardize on one load for both rifles?

2. Would it be best to keep separate ammunition supplies for each rifle? Presumably the PBR should use fire-formed brass? My M1A chamber is not as tight as the PBR's chamber, and the rounds I've loaded for the M1A generally won't chamber in the PBR.

3. What bullet weight should I use? I was thinking of getting some Sierra 175gr. BTHP and trying to approximate the M118LR load (but I have no RL-15) but I'm not sure if the heavy bullet is a good idea with my shorter barrel lengths.

Right now I have a few Hornady 168 gr. BTHP, and 1000 Hornady 150 gr. SP... got 'em free with my LnL AP press. I have a few pounds of IMR4895 on hand, and plan to get some Ramshot TAC since it's about all I can find that will work for .308.

[buffybuster]

To answer your questions:

1&2: Ideally it would be nice to have one load that shoots well in both rifles. In actual practice this could prove more complicated because for maximum accuracy and caselife you want to only neck size the brass shot in your PBR. However your M1A will require full-length sizing for reliability. You could try to devlop the same bullet, powder, primer combination for both rifles and keep the brass (same make) separate (PBR brass and M1A brass). Also the PBR will tolerate more pressure and slower powders better than the M1A gas system.

3. What bullet to use would depend on what your intended purpose is and what distances you intend on shooting. In my opinion, the best bullet weight for use in BOTH rifles would be the new 155gr SMK (Sierra MatchKing) or 155gr Scenar or 155gr Berger. They will work well out to 1Kyds with the right load in the PBR and not beat up the M1A action (though you may not get to 1Kyds with it). 4895 would be a good powder for this application.