Powder and Bullet Load Sequence

[USAFRet]

Question: When you are testing, do you choose a bullet to stick with and try different powders or pick a powder and try different bullets. The latter is much easier as you just have to change the die setting. Former, you have to clean and reload the hopper. However, I don;t want to do convenience, but the best way to find an accurate load.

Ruger SFAR 308 Win

Bullets on hand :
150 Grain Speer Gold Dot (Did not do well with Varget and have some loaded with IMR 4064 for testing)
150 Grain Hornady SST (Have some loaded with Varget for testing)
152 Grain Lehigh CC (Have some loaded with IMR 4064 for testing)
165 Grain Nosler Accubond
168 Grain Nosler ABLR
168 Grain Nosler E-Tip
168 Grain Sierra TGK

Powders:
Varget
IMR 4064
IMR 4895
TAC
Big Game
H335

The bullet I would like to work is the Speer Gold Dot (Hunting and self-defense). I have IMR4895 and H335 I can load for more testing. But, was thinking along the path of loading IMR4895 for the Speer, Hornady SST and Nosler ABLR and testing those in an outing.

 

[Walt Krafft]

When you say it did not do well what do you mean? What are you trying to do, and at what level of accuracy?

 

[USAFRet]

When you say it did not do well what do you mean? What are you trying to do, and at what level of accuracy?

Would like to get at least 1 MOA or less. I did get one load at 1.22 with the Varget and Gold Dots, but the rest were within about 2-3". I loaded 4 loads with .5 grains between loads to .5 below max.

 

[markm87]

I pick the bullet usually. For 308, I just hit the easy button and shoot the 175 SMK. If those don't work with Varget, there's probably an issue with the barrel.

 

[Doom]

I can make a couple of comments based on what you have provided. One issue is you are playing with two may variables. The 308 is easy to load for and there are load and bullet combinations that are known to work in almost every gun. TO establish an expected accuracy level for the rifle I would get a box or two of Federal Gold Metal Match ammo, either 168 or 175 and shoot that to determine the level of accuracy the rifle can achieve. That should identify the capsbility of the rifle.

It seems you are interested in hunting based on the bullets you have. I assume the Sierra is the 165 TGK. I would choose that bullet or the 165 Nosler AB to work with and pick a powder to work with. Take your pick of Varget, 4064, or 4895. You can refer to Dan Newberry's OCW site for directions on how to develop a load. There are other but the OCW system works and is pretty quick. He also has some load recommendations.

Most 308's seem to like midrange loads as opposed to maximum loads, unless you are dealing with custom rifles and chambers.

 

[USAFRet]

I can make a couple of comments based on what you have provided. One issue is you are playing with two may variables. The 308 is easy to load for and there are load and bullet combinations that are known to work in almost every gun. TO establish an expected accuracy level for the rifle I would get a box or two of Federal Gold Metal Match ammo, either 168 or 175 and shoot that to determine the level of accuracy the rifle can achieve. That should identify the capsbility of the rifle.

It seems you are interested in hunting based on the bullets you have. I assume the Sierra is the 165 TGK. I would choose that bullet or the 165 Nosler AB to work with and pick a powder to work with. Take your pick of Varget, 4064, or 4895. You can refer to Dan Newberry's OCW site for directions on how to develop a load. There are other but the OCW system works and is pretty quick. He also has some load recommendations.

Most 308's seem to like midrange loads as opposed to maximum loads, unless you are dealing with custom rifles and chambers.

Great information. Thank you. Yes, I have been loading on the high end. I will start at the mid range and focus on the heavier bullets. My Sig Cross likes the 150s so I can save them for that.

I have been pretty lucky on my 308 bolt guns. All bullets with Varget seem to shoot well. Being a gas gun, I did not know if there should be a different approach.

 

[USAFRet]

I pick the bullet usually. For 308, I just hit the easy button and shoot the 175 SMK. If those don't work with Varget, there's probably an issue with the barrel.

I am more of a hunter than target shooter, but I load TMKs for a buddy and those are lasers with Benchmark.

 

[CharlieNC]

Pick a middle of the road proven powder and charge weight, and shoot five of each bullet to ID the dogs vs the promising. You can waste a lot of time and money on a bullet that won't shoot.

 

[Murray Brook]

You can waste a lot of time and money on a bullet that won't shoot

Very very true

 

[762plinker]

Great information. Thank you. Yes, I have been loading on the high end. I will start at the mid range and focus on the heavier bullets. My Sig Cross likes the 150s so I can save them for that.

I have been pretty lucky on my 308 bolt guns. All bullets with Varget seem to shoot well. Being a gas gun, I did not know if there should be a different approach.

run from the wasteful poor ocw.
establish a goal...you did 1moa
is the rifle known to shoot that well or better
check the scope are the cross hairs thin enough to hold 1/4 moa or less
how are you shooting...fron rest.rear bag off a bench..TEST the load not the shooter
PICK abullet
how long can you load it ...pick a starting length.
buy some quality brass lapua peterson no win nor rem
get a known good primer federal large rifle cci large rifle
pick a known powder...there are several excellent but the mil uses imr4064 for the current 175 load in 308.
do some research on load data for that bullet in a 308 with that powder.
i like .3 or .4 steps in 308
go shoot 3 shot GROUPS WITH SOME SORT OF WIND INDICATOR
pick the best 2 ad shoot 5 shot groups
pick the best and tune the load up or down 0.1
pick the best and be happy

 

[Bill Norris]

run from the wasteful poor ocw.
establish a goal...you did 1moa
is the rifle known to shoot that well or better
check the scope are the cross hairs thin enough to hold 1/4 moa or less
how are you shooting...fron rest.rear bag off a bench..TEST the load not the shooter
PICK abullet
how long can you load it ...pick a starting length.
buy some quality brass lapua peterson no win nor rem
get a known good primer federal large rifle cci large rifle
pick a known powder...there are several excellent but the mil uses imr4064 for the current 175 load in 308.
do some research on load data for that bullet in a 308 with that powder.
i like .3 or .4 steps in 308
go shoot 3 shot GROUPS WITH SOME SORT OF WIND INDICATOR
pick the best 2 ad shoot 5 shot groups
pick the best and tune the load up or down 0.1
pick the best and be happy

I find it much more practical to choose a bullet and work with the powder, primer, seating depth, etc. until I see good or bad.

 

[Walt Krafft]

TO establish an expected accuracy level for the rifle I would get a box or two of Federal Gold Metal Match ammo, either 168 or 175 and shoot that to determine the level of accuracy the rifle can achieve.

Do this. If GMM doesn't shoot you will be wasting time and components trying to find a significantly better load.

 

[USAFRet]

Do this. If GMM doesn't shoot you will be wasting time and components trying to find a significantly better load.

I have shot several brands of ammo through it. Norma Whitetail, Hornady American Whitetail, Federal Non-Typical Whitetail and Federal Power Shok. All hunting ammo. I have not shot any premium ammo. I will go get a couple boxes tomorrow and start my session with those. Mostly I have shot to break in the rifle. I have about 200 rounds through it. Mostly shooting 1.5 - 2.5 MOA. I have just shot my one set of handloads through it with the Speer Gold Dot. 5 rounds each.

I have also shot those rounds without cleaning. I am going to do a good clean on it this weekend with some copper solvent.

 

[USAFRet]

I am also borrowing my buddy's loads I worked up for him. 175 SMK with Benchmark. He is getting right at 1 MOA with those consistently from his bone stock PSA AR-10.

 

[46and2]

Make sure that SFAR gas block doesn't touch the handguard. It is possible to remove the handguard and relieve that area. However I got an Odin Works adjustable gas block, which is a smaller profile and has 20 settings instead of 3.

My loads are

175 Sierra match kings
41.7gr Imr4064
Gm210m primers

155gr Hornady Hpbt
41.8gr Ar Comp
Br2 primers

10 shot groups are usually under one moa at 200 yards from a bipod and no rear bag.

Could be a lot better from a benchrest but after all this is a battle rifle and I want to practice in field conditions.

By the way, you didn't specify if you have a 16" or 20". ???
The reason I got a 20" was for the rifle length gas system not the carbine length of the 16".

 

[USAFRet]

Make sure that SFAR gas block doesn't touch the handguard. It is possible to remove the handguard and relieve that area. However I got an Odin Works adjustable gas block, which is a smaller profile and has 20 settings instead of 3.

My loads are

175 Sierra match kings
41.7gr Imr4064
Gm210m primers

155gr Hornady Hpbt
41.8gr Ar Comp
Br2 primers

10 shot groups are usually under one moa at 200 yards from a bipod and no rear bag.

Could be a lot better from a benchrest but after all this is a battle rifle and I want to practice in field conditions. View attachment 1447515

By the way, you didn't specify if you have a 16" or 20". ???
The reason I got a 20" was for the rifle length gas system not the carbine length of the 16".

Thank you so much for the information. I have the bullets and powder to load up the SMKs. I also have the 20" barrel.

 

[Fast14riot]

With 30 cal hunting guns, I usually try 3 different weight class bullets 150ish, 180ish, and about 200gr to see what it prefers with a known good powder. Shoot a few groups with a middle load of each. Generally you'll find one does better than the rest.

My 1917 in 30-06 old barrel loved bullets 165 and under. Shot a lot of 150s in that barrel. When I put a new barrel on, the lighter bullets just couldn't group. Same profile, length, twist, etc. New barrel liked 180gr and the 190s didn't do to well either. 175smk and 178amax were settled on using H4350 for a solid 0.6moa load.

So for a 308 I would pick any of your first 3 powders listed and try some heavier bullets as you've covered the lighter ones pretty well.

 

[SecondsCount]

I start with a known good bullet that works well with the rate of twist I am running.

With an AR, I like to use a powder that works well with a semi auto, typically on the faster side for that caliber.

 

[762plinker]

the cheapest plan is to buy a box of premium ammo, and use it as a benchmark.
not cheap hunting ammo..PREMIUM

 

[jackson1]

My first step in load development is to find the barrels twist rate, then choosing a bullet. Have had good luck using Sierra's accuracy powder recommendations.