Loading for 308

[Prc329]

The gun is question is my Savage 10fp. Has a 24" barrel with a 1-10 twist. I plan on using either 168 grain or 175 grain. I have had tremendous accuracy from Black Hills 168 grain. My plan is to match or exceed this load in my gun. Tell me if I am right in my plan of action.

First chrono the factory round in my gun (plan on doing this next weekend). Second get to work at researching loads to use that can reach these numbers. Anyone with a suggestion on a good load?

How do I figure out the BC numbers, etc. I need to read my reloader book but just haven't had a chance to open it just yet. Oh and I need to build a work bench since my table will not work after all. I looked at the reloader stands I have seen for sale but they will not cut it, I would also like to use it to clean my rifle and work on them on. I think Home Depot sells a kit I can use. Hmmmm. Busy week, good thing it is my birthday month and I hill have extra time (just not a lot of cash).

[ocabj]

Lots of people like to get duplicate factory ammo because that ammo is accurate in their rifle.

I guess you can do that.

Get a chronograph. Clock the BH 168 in your rifle. Work a load that chronos the same muzzle velocity. Will it be just as accurate? Not necessarily.

Just because you get a 168gr bullet moving at the same velocity as the 168gr BH factory stuff doesn't mean it will shoot as accurate or perform the same.

In theory it should, but it doesn't *always* work out that way.

If you're shooting just for group size, then you can easily beat the BH 168gr, often by going slower. I've gotten excellent groups at 100 yards with 168gr Sierra Match Kings in the past with 4895 or 4064 moving the round at only 2550fps out of a 26" barrel (which is an extremely slow load).

If you're loading for distance, then keep it at or above 2650fps muzzle velocity and test at distance. 200 yards is the bare minimum I would test a mid/long range load for group size. 300 is ideal since it's about the right distance before wind plays too much of a factor in your testing.

BC is published by the bullet manufacturer. Just go to the manufacturer website and find the BC for your bullet and plug it into the ballistic calculator you are using. JBM has most of the bullets already hard coded in.

The way I found a load for my Savage was simply to work up a load that stays above 2650 and keep going up until I find the right pulse in the powder pressure curve that gives the best results in the gun. I've got good recipes for my Savage with the 175s using Varget or RL15 using this method that shoot under 1MOA.

[Prc329]

If you don't mind, please share to give me an idea of what I might want to try. I know start lower just in case

[Fjold]

ocabj is right on. Simply matching the bullet and velocity won't necessarily match the performance because the factory ammo is probably loaded with a canister grade powder and the powder that you can buy won't have the same pressure curve.

What you can do is use quality components and assemble them more consistently than the factory ammunition. You can take the time to make sure every step is uniform and then tailor them to fit your gun better than the one size fits all approach of the factory.

The 168 grain SMK is a great bullet. Powders I'd try are IMR4064, IMR4895, Varget and Benchmark

Go to www.hodgdon.com and go to their "load data". Select "cartridge loads" and then use the pulldown menu for "rifle", "308 Winchester", manufacturer "all", then "165 grain bullet" and powder "all". Then select "Get Data"

That will give you the starting and maximum loads for a bunch of different powders with the 165 grain bullet. Use the starting loads and work up slowly. when you start seeing the bullets clustering into the smallest groups use that load and gradually load the bullets out longer to see how the OAL affects the groups. You can also experiment with primers just don't do your experimenting with the maximum loads unless you work up again slowly.

[ocabj]

The reason why I didn't list my load in my reply is because I am trying to get you to use the published data in the books, a chronograph, and real life range time.

I'm sure you could just search this forum and find a post where I mentioned my load recipe (or you could just use info by other users off other forums or websites).

[brando]

He's trying to teach you how to fish instead of just pulling the fish out of the water for you

[Prc329]

After I posted my reply I thought about that and I do appreciate it. I figure I'll take my very sweet time and take lessons from people who know what they are doing. Thanks for the info. I just gotta get off my @ss and build my work bench this week

[anotherted]

reloading is a lot of fun and very rewarding.

[Mud]

Also, find out what the distance to the lands on your barrel is. The closer you can seat your bullet to the lands, the better/consistent your load should group.

[CSACANNONEER]

You need to find out what works best in your rifle. Once you change the barrel (assuming that you will shoot enough to need a new barrel), you will have to start all over again. Also, you will probably need to increase your powder charge as your barrel wears.

[NRAhighpowershooter]

Slow IS good..


I use this basic load of Varget and a 168gr SMK out of my Rem700VS.. 39.5gr and I average only a slow 2410fps....yes.. 2410fps....I use the same load for 200 and 300yd relays for my M1A as well......ohh.. this target was a 5 shot group @100yds....

[Whitesmoke]

ocabj is right on.

I agree.....I don't use too stout a load because I load .308 for my M1a (semi-auto). I love IMR4895....it's just plain works.

I will give you an idea where to start....but you need to try several wt charges to see what works best for you. I use LC Match brass with a CCI 200 primers, Sierra Match kings in both 168's and 175's. I also use Nosler custom competition 168 gr 2nds ...(they are much cheaper). And a load of 40-42gr of IMR4895 (start at about 38.5 grains and work your way up).

If you not shooting long distances...the smaller charges are probably better.

[Prc329]

Also, find out what the distance to the lands on your barrel is. The closer you can seat your bullet to the lands, the better/consistent your load should group.

What is the best way to do this?

[C.G.]

Slow IS good..


I use this basic load of Varget and a 168gr SMK out of my Rem700VS.. 39.5gr and I average only a slow 2410fps....yes.. 2410fps....I use the same load for 200 and 300yd relays for my M1A as well......ohh.. this target was a 5 shot group @100yds....

Nice shooting. I use the same for my Hesse/Ar=10, but my groups have been in .75-1.00 at 100 yards (20" chromelined barrel).

[ocabj]

I use the Stoney Point OAL tool (now sold under the Hornady brand as the Hornady Lock-n-Load OAL gauge) and a Sinclair bullet comparator.

Other people use a method that involves seating a dummy round high and then closing the bolt on it to seat the bullet the rest of the way and then measuring that.

I'm not a fan of that method but it seems to work for the guys that use it.

Since I don't use that method, I'll let someone else explain it.