Help me to obtain an accuracy goal

[TommyD11730]

Hey guys thanks for taking the time to read this. I have a goal to put together a rifle next year. I would like it to shoot between .25 and .30 MOA at 200Y.
After shooting on avg 1 day a week this year my current rigs avg is .430 MOA at 200Y. (Caliber 223 80.5 Bergers) 200Y is where I do 99% of my shooting. I would estimate the wind speed, on avg to to 10-15 MPH and Im right about at sea level.
My thought was to go to 30BR. However I have a TON of 308 equipment and (reloading) supplies. With the exception of FB in the 150ish grain.
I also have a MDT Chassis, Good Trigger and Midas Tac 5-25-56 that I would like to reuse.
So my question is can a custom Acton rifle with a good barrel in 308 shoot those groups. Or should I stick with the 30BR?
Please no suggestions for 6 or 7mm varients, thank you.
Thanks guys!!

 

[ebb]

Go 30BR. Looking into this several years back one of the pioneers of the chambering said he had yet to see one with enough shots through it to wear out a barrel. I am sure it has happened since, but a very long lived option just the same.

 

[gpoldblue]

Hey guys thanks for taking the time to read this. I have a goal to put together a rifle next year. I would like it to shoot between .25 and .30 MOA at 200Y.
After shooting on avg 1 day a week this year my current rigs avg is .430 MOA at 200Y. (Caliber 223 80.5 Bergers) 200Y is where I do 99% of my shooting. I would estimate the wind speed, on avg to to 10-15 MPH and Im right about at sea level.
My thought was to go to 30BR. However I have a TON of 308 equipment and (reloading) supplies. With the exception of FB in the 150ish grain.
I also have a MDT Chassis, Good Trigger and Midas Tac 5-25-56 that I would like to reuse.
So my question is can a custom Acton rifle with a good barrel in 308 shoot those groups. Or should I stick with the 30BR?
Please no suggestions for 6 or 7mm varients, thank you.
Thanks

Yes...a .25MOA at 200yds=.500" groups and a custom Benchrest quality .308 rifle in capable hands can shoot
.25MOA and better at 200yds....I've seen it done repeatedly. Many years ago .308's were used in BR competition. In fact,I've seen factory Savage F-T/R in .308 shooting mid .3xx"'s at 200yds from a bench.
Good luck and stay safe.

 

[TommyD11730]

Yes...a .25MOA at 200yds=.500" groups and a custom Benchrest quality .308 rifle in capable hands can shoot
.25MOA and better at 200yds....I've seen it done repeatedly. Many years ago.308's were used in BR competition. In fact,I've seen factory Savage F-T/R in .308 shooting mid .3xx"'s at 200yds from a bench.
Good luck and stay safe.

What bullets was the Savage shooting? The lighter FB (in very high twist rates ) or 168 to????

Thanks!

 

[Bill Norris]

Even though the .308 is capable of giving you your required group size the 30BR will do it with less powder and with ease. The barrel will last much longer and recoil is much less than the .308 if that matters.

There are several very good custom bullet makers out there. Barts, Bibs, and J-cline are three of the top makers. All can be found here on the forum.

 

[K22]

Is the 308 with a match barrel, target grade action and stock bedding capable, yes. But if target shooting is your game out to 200 yards and you are seeking ultimate accuracy capability, then the 30BR is the route I would since the 30 BR has a sterling record for accuracy at this distance but with far less recoil.

You're already shooting at a high level with you 223 Rem but there is a big jump in recoil from the 223 to the 308. Therefore, I would opt for the 30 BR. There is also the advantage of less powder being required, a significant issue in today component shortage world.

 

[Schippergreg]

Are you currently using wind flags? If not buy good flags and keep shooting your current rifle until you get good at reading the wind.

 

[gpoldblue]

What bullets was the Savage shooting? The lighter FB (in very high twist rates ) or 168 to????

Thanks!

155 Sierra Palma bullets primarily and same performance with the Berger 155.5 FullBore. The twist was 1:10 factory 30" barrel. Shooter was using wind flags,sighters,and doping. I'm not saying that a .308 is a better choice than a .30BR....I'm saying that 1/4MOA and smaller is possible with a good .308 and shooter. For that matter,my 6PPC will shoot in the .3xxx"s at 200yds and is even easier to shoot than either one of the .30's.

 

[joshb]

Sorry Ebb, but I’m going to suggest he shoot the 308. Get a good barrel chambered up and shoot what you know and have “plenty” of supplies for.
The 30br is a great cartridge, but shoots best with custom bullets. Go price them. The favorite powder, H4198, is unobtainable these days so you’ll have to find a substitute, Lt-30 and 32 might be an option.
Brass is your next hurdle. You’re going to need scarce 6br brass to reform and possibly neck turn, depending on how you have it chambered.
The 30br will go to 300 if I remember my studies. A 308 will go to 600 and further, if you get the chance in the future. It can shoot great at 200 with practice. It also has great barrel life. Given that you already have supplies for it, hit the easy button.
Just my thoughts. Good luck!

 

[Ranger188]

A lot of well tuned rifles and calibers will shoot to your requirements.
Your 223 is one of them. You just haven't found the right comb yet.
One other thing is, have you shot that small with anything yet? It might be you
or your conditions. Not trying to be an ass, but some people just can load and shoot.
What action do you have now? Sometimes you can get a different bolt or swap out the head.
Where's the action that you used with all the 308 equipment?
A 308 will kick a bit more than a 223. Might be something you have to get used to
if you go that route.

 

[boltfluter]

30BR is the easy button here! May cost more initially but will have much better bench manners. As in, not beating you up during a match or shooting session. Just my 2 cents and worth every penny! Lol!
Paul

 

[ebb]

I don't know if its the easy button, but I think its the best button. i am going to have a 30 BR one day, but I have to wear out the 6PPC barrel on the ugly gun first.

 

[joshb]

30BR is the easy button here! May cost more initially but will have much better bench manners. As in, not beating you up during a match or shooting session. Just my 2 cents and worth every penny! Lol!
Paul

Oh Paul! Now you’re sounding like an old man!

 

[boltfluter]

Oh Paul! Now you’re sounding like an old man!

If the shoe fits! And lately it feels like it does fit! Lol

 

[nakneker]

If you’re never gonna stretch it out past 200, the yardage you mention in your opening comments, then I’d vote a 30BR. If there’s a chance you’ll take out past 300 then I’d go with a 308. Both are capable of the accuracy your striving for at 200.

I dont always base a build on components on hand. Sometimes I just follow my heart and build what I want.

I’ve owned several 308s, it’s a fantastic all around cartridge that isn’t hard to tune. I had a 30BR built last year with a #5 barrel on a Sako75 that shoots itty bitty and was easy to tune right out of the gate. I don’t shoot competition but I do like shooting small groups and competing against myself.

In my opinion there is no wrong choice here, both are solid options.

 

[joshb]

If the shoe fits! And lately it feels like it does fit! Lol

My New Year’s resolution is to shoot my neglected guns I HAD to have. That includes a few 6.5x55s, a 270, a 270 WSM and a 300 WSM I just bought a barrel for.
Maybe I’m over reaching?

 

[Liven The Dream]

Having shot many matches over my years ! Service Rifle,Match Rifle ,Palma and F/Class.
I say your .223 can do the job.
I would not for a starter not shoot 80.5 at 200 yards.
I would like to know all the Specifications of all your Equipment ?

 

[Mulligan]

Having shot many matches over my years ! Service Rifle,Match Rifle ,Palma and F/Class.
I say your .223 can do the job.
I would not for a starter not shoot 80.5 at 200 yards.
I would like to know all the Specifications of all your Equipment ?

At 200, there a buffet of 22 cal bullets that will hang tough!

Heck, I shoot my Waldog with 52gr bullets at 200 all the time and it is competitive.
CW

 

[Ned Ludd]

There are four obvious reasons a rifle might not shoot with quarter MOA precision: 1) the shooter, 2) the conditions, 3) the rifle, 4) the ammunition. Until/unless you know with certainty which of these reason(s) is the cause your current .223 is not shooting quarter minute groups, there is no guarantee a new rifle/caliber will do it either. I have custom F-TR rifles and loads in both .223 Rem and .308 that will easily shoot quarter minute groups at 200 yd, including a .223 Rem load with the 80.5 Fullbore bullet. However, that is no guarantee that I can do it every time. Poor conditions and/or insufficient focus on my part can prevent good shooting, no doubt about it, and 10-15 mph conditions would make the stated goal a lot tougher.

There is nothing wrong with getting a new rifle just because you want one, but it is not necessarily any guarantee that your precision will reach the stated goal. Thus, what you're proposing might be a risky proposition (i.e. $$$) if the new setup doesn't shoot as well as you would like. Until you know why the current setup isn't performing to your expectations, it may be difficult to address the issue via this route, especially if the limiting factor isn't the rifle.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Do the 30BR. Your expectations are solid and a 308 CAN do it but it's asking a lot to do it consistently and it's just so easy with the BR.. comparatively speaking. Wonderful cartridge, no doubt. It and a 30 Major are the easy button to getting what you're looking for. Very hard to beat em and they tune so easily..and hold tune so well, too. Just tough to beat and a 308 won't do it at 200 very often.