Recommend a bullet for 308win f class

[Shawnba67]

My buddy got s great deal in a 10twist 308 barrel 30" long with a match chamber, but the freebore is only .098. I don't know squat about 308 win but he's asking me to help him load for it.
Is there an inexpensive bullet that might stay supersonic to 1000yd from the 308 win or a standout best cheaper bullet.
He wants to tag along to an f class match and the e targets don't pick up sub sonic shots.
Hes not gonna win but would like to have his fun
Thanks Shawn.

 

[STOMP442]

I would push the 175 Sierra TMK. Doesn't get much better for a cheap bullet that will reach 1k with ease. I have had really good results with those and IMR 4064.

 

[ShootDots]

Any riflesmith that builds competition rifles will have in his possession a "UNITHROATER". It is a tool to open up the freebore of a chamber. Put a 200-20X Berger in a modified case and take it to him. In very short order you can have the freebore opened up to exactly where you want it. The 200-20X Berger will work great out of that 1-10 twist. It is about as fine of a 1000 yard bullet that is out there to turn a .308 into an excellent 1000 yard rifle..

 

[Shawnba67]

Any riflesmith that builds competition rifles will have in his possession a "UNITHROATER". It is a tool to open up the freebore of a chamber. Put a 200-20X Berger in a modified case and take it to him. In very short order you can have the freebore opened up to exactly where you want it. The 200-20X Berger will work great out of that 1-10 twist. It is about as fine of a 1000 yard bullet that is out there to turn a .308 into an excellent 1000 yard rifle..

Yes but then he looses some of his all around capability. 1000yd is only a tiny fraction of his shooting

 

[ShootDots]

Yes but then he looses some of his all around capability. 1000yd is only a tiny fraction of his shooting

I don't see where he mentions anything but 1000 yards. However, why would a 200-20X not serve at 600 or even 300 yards? If it shoots very accurately, it could only help closer in.. Unless I am missing something..

 

[SWRichmond]

e targets don't pick up sub sonic shots

WHAT???

 

[Rob01]

A good inexpensive bullet that would work would be a Hornady 178 ELD-M or the BTHP. Both have good BCs for their weight.

 

[Shawnba67]

e targets don't pick up sub sonic shots

WHAT???

The electronic targets local range uses don't pick up a shot if it's slowed down to subsonic They use a microphone or something. I'm not sure how they work but I am sure they say you want at least 1200 fps left at the target

 

[DirtySteve]

175 SMK and 43.5 of Varget... Or 155 Lapua Scenar with a boat load of Varget. I can not remember my load but it got 2950 fps and did well at 1000.

 

[MrBottleneck]

My 28" Shilen select match only has a .090 freebore and it shoots lights out with 168smk 40.6gr Varget jumped .005. My V3 shows me almost 2600fps
Played with heavier loads etc and this one is my go to load.
I do my part and its on.
Granted the below group isnt at long distance but, its a good example of what the rifles capable of.
Here is a 3 shot 100yrd group on a 1" orange dot.

 

[Zero333]

For a 308win with 0.098" freebore I recommend the 185 Hybrid's.

My brother has a 308win with 0.090" freebore and shoots the 168smk. The COAL is short (2.750" jumping 0.010") but it shoots just fine.

Here is a pic of a 5-shot group at 109 yards he shot off bi-pod last weekend...




Just cause the bullet is seating below optimum depth it doesn't mean it will not shoot like laser.

You're just gonna reach Max charge weight sooner since the boiler room of the case has shrunk a little.

I have a 300winmag with far not enough freebore for the 240smk and it shoots it superbly... It doesn't give a shit if the bullet is seated deep or not.

 

[Ned Ludd]

Either 185 Juggernaut or 185 Hybrid. The Hybrid has a slightly better BC, but the Juggernaut is extremely forgiving to tune. Either one can be loaded with that freebore. Although they will be fairly far down in the neck, you should be able to keep the boattail/bearing surface junction above the neck/shoulder with the bullet seated .015" to .020" off the lands. When tuned, I'd expect velocity in the 2725-ish range with Varget, and 2750-ish range with H4895 for a 30" barrel with .098" freebore.

 

[cmillard]

give the new 195 sierra TMK a try

 

[DRNewcomb]

Is there a rule that says subsonic shots don't count?

 

[BP1]

Only if it doesn't make it to the target

 

[Nature Boy]

I've found the 180g SMK to be more consistent and accurate than the 185g Juggernauts in my rifle. Give them a try

I was getting good 100 yard groups with the Juggs but they wouldn't hold up at longer ranges. The 180 SMK has been sub MOA all the way to 1,000.

I'm trying a different powder now with the 185s (from Varget to H4895) in hopes I can find the magic

 

[Dos XX]

If 2750ish with a 185 juggernaut doesn't give you some magic, something is up.

 

[XTR]

Only if it doesn't make it to the target

There is on SMT electronic targets. They don't see subsonic bullets.


As for the original poster:

Hornady 178 HPBT.

I shot them as an alternative to the 185Juggs yrs ago to save money. Cheaper than any of the listed above and shot well for me. You can get them to 1000 super sonic pretty easily..

Pls ignore anyone suggesting the 168SMK for long range work. That is a 600 yard bullet, and these days not a very good one at that.

 

[johnfred1965]

Pls ignore anyone suggesting the 168SMK for long range work. That is a 600 yard bullet, and these days not a very good one at that.

I was wondering when someone would mention that. Hits the trans-sonic zone and goes squirrelly.

 

[Rob01]

Yup the 168 SMK is not a good 1000 yard bullet but all 168 weights aren't the same so if he wanted to try a lighter bullet the 168 ELD-M would be a good choice as it will make 1000 without a problem especially from a 30" barrel.

As I mentioned in my first post though, the 178 BTHP or ELD-M would also be a good choice. I shoot the 178 BTHP myself.