Request for Recipe (.308), also info to share

[Jicko]

What vel do you run your 168SMKs?

For 155Scenar, most agree that they perform the best just over 2900fps.

How about for 168SMKs? What velocity are your rounds? According to 6mmBR's 308WIN page, they are looking like 2600fps-ish..... is that the "sweet spot"? In your experience?

Personally I use 42gr RL15 for 168SMK, they do pretty well, I am trying to see if I want to explore to increase the powder a little bit since for extreme ranges, the drop is quite a bit more than the 155Scenars.

[Ahhnother8]

In MY experience, the 155 anythings like to be around 3000 fps, and I have fired the Sierra's and Lapua's up to around 3070 with great results. I know several great shooters who load around 48 grains of Varget, which likely gets them up over 3100 fps. That's pretty fast, but they make it work, and work well!!

Lane

[wildcard]

For 155Scenar, most agree that they perform the best just over 2900fps.

How about for 168SMKs? What velocity are your rounds? According to 6mmBR's 308WIN page, they are looking like 2600fps-ish..... is that the "sweet spot"? In your experience?

Personally I use 42gr RL15 for 168SMK, they do pretty well, I am trying to see if I want to explore to increase the powder a little bit since for extreme ranges, the drop is quite a bit more than the 155Scenars.

I push mine at about 2670.

[Jicko]

Now, I know this will be a long stretch.....

WHAT'S THE BEST POWDER for .308 (long range / precision)? heh hee.... (this is like asking what's the best car...)

Here is what i am hoping for:
- least powder to achieve high velocity.... (ie. i don't need to fill it way up)
- consistant.... (ie. from lot to lot)
- clean....
- temp insensitive (so a winter day vs a hot day should be similar)
- accurate/easy to measure (not THAT critical anymore, since I have electronic dispenser and scale)

I've seen preferrable powders: IMR4895, Varget, RL15.... and maybe N540.... what else?

[pottymouth310]

I'm shooting at 300-500yds. do you think 165gr is to light?

[rksimple]

I'm shooting at 300-500yds. do you think 165gr is to light?

No, but you'll want to stay with decent match bullets if accuracy is your goal. What bullet are you looking to use?

[Jicko]

I'm shooting at 300-500yds. do you think 165gr is to light?

Nope, I think 165gr will serves you right.

Now, what's the purpose? Target shooting or hunting? And, what firearms?

[QuickOnTheDraw]

I'm shooting at 300-500yds. do you think 165gr is to light?

If this load is for you AI .308 you recently posted a photo of, at least go to 168 if under 600 yards and 175 smk for anything after that. Find a load that your rifle likes, try Black Hills Match or FGMM and try and duplicate it.

Here is some good reading for the .308 that may help you!

http://www.ftbe.be/pdf/308%20Winchester%20Cartridge%20Guide.pdf

[pottymouth310]

Thanks guys!

QuickOnTheDraw: Yes, I have this bookmarked and reading it daily.... right now it's my bible.

Jicko: Purpose, Target shooting w/AI, AE 24"

rksimple: I'm leaning toward the Lapua 155 or Sierra 168 but I'm a bit scared becus my lymans 47th edition has no table for 155gr....

couple questions?
does the brass case really make a differeance?
does boat tail have better accuracy than flat base?

[ar15barrels]

does boat tail have better accuracy than flat base?

Flat base has better accuracy, but boattail flies flatter over longer ranges.
The slight accuracy detriment is more than made-up for with the better BC.

100yd benchrest shooters shoot flatbase.
Precision rifle and longrange shooter all shoot boattails.

[PistolPete75]

Thanks guys!

QuickOnTheDraw: Yes, I have this bookmarked and reading it daily.... right now it's my bible.

Jicko: Purpose, Target shooting w/AI, AE 24"

rksimple: I'm leaning toward the Lapua 155 or Sierra 168 but I'm a bit scared becus my lymans 47th edition has no table for 155gr....

couple questions?
does the brass case really make a differeance?
does boat tail have better accuracy than flat base?

rule of thumb. if you have enough experience in shooting a certain load (match), you'll be fine. there are slight advantages of shooting 155 scenars or 175smk over the plain ol' 168s, buy if you really know your rifle and your load, you'll be fine and kick *** reguardless.

[Jicko]

300-500yds 168SMK seems to be the favourite.

Some of us had shot 168SMK out to 1000yds without any issue, but seemingly, more people will tell you that if you want something that is versatile all the way up to 1000yds, go with 175SMK or 155Scenar.

So, if you only sticking with your intended 300-500yds, go with SMK and fine tune it until it is "perfect", then u are good to go. It WILL give you the performance you like.

[4 Brigada]

Some of us had shot 168SMK out to 1000yds without any issue

Your really pushing it out a 1000 with the 168, thats a lot of elevation you might run out of scope at 1000. 175 gives you better numbers specially out to 1000.

[crowbar]

Thanks guys!

QuickOnTheDraw: Yes, I have this bookmarked and reading it daily.... right now it's my bible.

Jicko: Purpose, Target shooting w/AI, AE 24"

rksimple: I'm leaning toward the Lapua 155 or Sierra 168 but I'm a bit scared becus my lymans 47th edition has no table for 155gr....

couple questions?
does the brass case really make a differeance?
does boat tail have better accuracy than flat base?

...310,
My Sierra manual lumps the 155's in with the 150 grain bullets. A start load for the 168 will work as a start load for a 155. The lapua 155's are almost as long as a Sierra 175; make sure you're not into the rifling lands with your bullets - a Stoney Point type guage helps. The 168 was designed for 300 meter shooting and was originally called the "International" by Sierra. There is some controversy regarding its' ability, or lack thereof, out to 1,000 yards.
Brass can make a difference. My Winchester brass is about 12 grains lighter than my Lapua, which generally translates into different case capacity. Less capacity can equal increased pressure; I drop my load about .5 grains with Lapua cases.
For your 300 - 500 yard sharpshooting, I don't think you'll find a better bullet than the Sierra 168, but the various 155's from Hornady, Lapua, Nosler, et al will work fine. As for flat base v. boat tail accuracy, can't really say. My vote goes for BT, but I shoot from 800 - 1,000 yards where they have an advantage.
Enjoy loading and shooting, and if you ever want to try out beyond 600 yards, PM me.

Regards,
Mike (back to work now...)

[pottymouth310]

...310,
My Sierra manual lumps the 155's in with the 150 grain bullets. A start load for the 168 will work as a start load for a 155. The lapua 155's are almost as long as a Sierra 175; make sure you're not into the rifling lands with your bullets - a Stoney Point type guage helps. The 168 was designed for 300 meter shooting and was originally called the "International" by Sierra. There is some controversy regarding its' ability, or lack thereof, out to 1,000 yards.
Brass can make a difference. My Winchester brass is about 12 grains lighter than my Lapua, which generally translates into different case capacity. Less capacity can equal increased pressure; I drop my load about .5 grains with Lapua cases.
For your 300 - 500 yard sharpshooting, I don't think you'll find a better bullet than the Sierra 168, but the various 155's from Hornady, Lapua, Nosler, et al will work fine. As for flat base v. boat tail accuracy, can't really say. My vote goes for BT, but I shoot from 800 - 1,000 yards where they have an advantage.
Enjoy loading and shooting, and if you ever want to try out beyond 600 yards, PM me.

Regards,
Mike (back to work now...)

Wow.... cool thanks Mike, I'll try that. thanks for the info.
I also notice alot of people talk highly about Hodgdon powder, what do you guys think? I'm thinking of trying it. Do you know anywhere in SoCal that sell Hodgdon? Or any place that has a good selection of powered and primer? the hazmat fee they charge when you buy online is just ridiculous...