168 Sierra load

[DaveMarine1]

I have been loading for my .308 for short range and have been messing with the 168 Sierra HBT Match. I have been running Varget from 43-44gr. in Lapua brass. Tula primers. 25" 1-12 twist. Rifle is accurized. Am running 2630fps +/-. The ES and SD are somwhat high. It seems as though I cant get anything below 1" to 1 1/4" at 100 yds. I have tried powder variations and also have tried seating depths. I have a 2.200 chamber with these bullets (this is where it touches the lands) and I have been seating them anywhere from 2.200,2.195, 2.190 and 2.185. It seems as though it likes the jump somewhat as the fps are slighty higher and more consistent and the groups are a little more predictable. If I go any further in the case I am worried about case compression. Will the 168 Sierra just not work in this rifle or should I move onto another powder or another bullet? This is a mid and short yard load.

 

[BoydAllen]

Have you tried any different primers?

 

[DaveMarine1]

FGGM primers. They gave me more of the same.

 

[markm87]

Yeah... you might try a 210M primer.

Oops... typing while you made your reply.

I shoot this bullet in my .308 with 42.8 gr of Varget. My buddy's gun likes 43.8 grains.

 

[DaveMarine1]

Thanks for the info. I feel like im knocking on the door with this load. "A 168 Sierra and Varget should be easy to tailor" haha, easier said than done. Primers and powder aside, does the 168 Sierra care much about jump or jam? It seems as though it might be somewhat sensative to it. The loads that you guys are using...do you have about a .015 jump?

 

[jbpmidas]

I use a 168 Nosler, which is very similar to the SMK. I load to mag length of 2.80". I also load 41.5 IMR4895 and this combo of ammo and rifle shot sub MOA to at leat 400 yards.

 

[DaveWhite]

I don't know why you would stick with SMK 168's when the 175 is so much better ballistically, and would allow you to use one load for both long and short range (including out to 1000 yards).

Simply a better bullet.

 

[DaveMarine1]

Yes, I will look into the 175 with some 4895 or some 4060

 

[Patrick R]

For short range my Rem 700 Varmet with SMK 168s likes 42 grains of Varget.

 

[67rschev]

Out to 500 my loading is 45.1 grains of Varget , 168 smk , FGMM primer in a large volume Hornady match case . Neck sized too .0015 - .002 tension , and have found that they like around .020 of jump in my tight bore 1 in 11 . .2s to .4s at 100 , and MOA to 500 meters easy .

 

[markm87]

175 is a better bullet, and worth trying. But with a 25" barrel, you'll keep those 168s super to 1000 yards very easily.

I shoot a lot of 175s, but some days the 168 just stacks em better in my gun. I have 2 basic loads, and if I'm 500-600 yards or closer, I'll just run the 168s since i have them, and it saves my 175s for long range.