Range results: Varget / 8208/ Win / 335 & LT and JP

[bsumoba]

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Went to the range to try a few things:

• First, I was having FTF and failure to lock up on my Larue. Found gas springs to be worn out. I replaced this. The result from the riange session was 0 failures
• Second, I wanted to validate some loads I had done previously.

Now, here are the results:

Scope used in both tests: 4-16 vortex PST

Larue Predatar
18" barrel / 1:8 twist / lightweight contour
H335
*77gr SMK - Best grouping @ 1.1". Trying for a load around 23.2gr.
*69gr SMK - Best grouping @ 0.70". Trying for load around 24.0gr.

Win748
*77gr SMK - Best group @ 0.75". Load around 24.0-24.3gr.
*69gr SMK - Best Group @ 2.20". 25.3-26.5gr used. Could not get a pattern. Might scratch this round.

I think I will be looking towards a different powder for 69-77gr boolits. Will probably try 8208XBR or Varget. Win 748 seemed okay for this gr weight boolit. H335 will probably need light gr boolits, although my rifle hates lightweight boolits, I might try some 50-55grainers just for fun with H335.

LR-308 JP Build
20" JP Barrel / 1:10 twist / Medium Contour / Thermal Dissipator

Varget
* 175gr SMK - Best Group @ 0.84" and it was a 4-shot group. Pet load is going to be around 44.0 - 44.2gr. Will be doing chrono testing on next outing to see what velocities I am getting in this range. Saw pressure signs at 44.6 gr!

8208XBR
* 175gr SMK - Best 4 shot group @ 1.40". I felt like I had a couple bad trigger pulls. If I was taking a three-shot group, best one was 0.80". Going to see if I can develop a load around 41.3 - 41.6.

I will ultimately be doing chrono testing on the next outing. I felt like I wanted to figure our my my accurate range, then see if I am getting "normal" or typical velocities for that particular grain boolit.

I hope this helps anyone figure out where to start.

[J-cat]

That's pretty inaccurate, especially for high-end rifles.

[FLIGHT762]

This last Friday, I shot a load using 41.0 grains of 8208 XBR and a Nosler 175 CC out of my 22" GAP 10 in 308 Winchester. My Magnetospeed chrono recorded 2600 FPS avg. with low SD / ES numbers. Your load should be running in the 2550 FPS area with your 18" barrel.

This load shoots 5 shot groups @ 100 yards between .6 -.8 MOA regularly. Sometimes better. Enough speed for what I want and it did't beat the brass up too badly.

I also tested the same bullet using 40.0 grains of AR Comp and recorded just a hair over 2600 FPS Avg., but the S/D E/S number were a little higher than the 8208 XBR load. This load also shoots well.

[G38xOC]

happen to have pic of your target ? sound like you had a fun day

[highpower790]

In 223 try 24.5gr of varget with a 77.I use the hornady 75 and velocity from a 18" barrel should be around 2750-2800fps.
Now that we are into winter you should have acceptable accuracy with most powders,but know that with ball powder,as ambient temps increase so will group size above 70-75degrees.

[ExtremeX]

It’s a good start but with rifles like that, I would be looking for better results using SMKs.

You might want to try something other than H335 for heavier bullets for .223… I had better luck with BL-C2 for 75gr+ heavies if you want to stick to a ball powder.

[bsumoba]

That's pretty inaccurate, especially for high-end rifles.

most of the "inaccurate" shots were me. had a wobbly sandbag and not so comfortable bench so I could not get a good shooting posture. i will be going prone on the next outing.

i was looking more for patterns (OCW). I was not too concerned with accuracy. I was also shooting fairly fast and trying to get all testing for each powder and grain combo within the 20 min firing period.

For the JP and LT, I know I can get it to half-MOA, maybe even clover leaf with both 8208 and Varget with more concentration to both my shooting. Today was to see where my "nodes" were.

See below for pics. Groups were good, especially if you took the "3-shot" group.

happen to have pic of your target ? sound like you had a fun day

Here's one target. If I just took the "3-shot" group, I would have clover leafed it. This was 175gr SMK and Varget w/ mil brass, win primers.


Here's another. Win748. Again, mil brass, CCI primers, and these were actually 5-shot groups.

It’s a good start but with rifles like that, I would be looking for better results using SMKs.

You might want to try something other than H335 for heavier bullets for .223… I had better luck with BL-C2 for 75gr+ heavies if you want to stick to a ball powder.

I was definitely not using "ideal" powders for 69 and 77gr SMK. Probably going to standardize with 8208 and Varget for both the heavy .223's and the 175gr SMK. I also have CFE223 which I am going to experiment with.

[damndave]

Not a bad start, but with those rifles I would expect 1/2 moa with handloads.

H335 is not a good choice for heavy bullets. It's mainly used in 55-62gr.

I would try Varget for both loads.

[bsumoba]

Not a bad start, but with those rifles I would expect 1/2 moa with handloads.

H335 is not a good choice for heavy bullets. It's mainly used in 55-62gr.

I would try Varget for both loads.

Gotcha.

I also might look into the variance in mil brass. I noticed with some of my handloads that the "volume" the powder was taking up in some cases were greater than others which I conclude as the brass having variances in thickness. I might cull and see if I can improve it that way as well. I know the rifles are 1/2 MOA shooters...its me...

Also, bear in mind for the JP .308, this has seen about 150 rounds so it has not come into its own yet. No failures at all so far (knock on wood) and given my not so ideal shooting position, I am happy with it.