Haven't had my Rem 700 in 308 /10 twist out in a couple years. Last time out at the range, it loved shooting 185 vlds for .4/.5. Today, shooting 175 smk w/varget seated at various depths, can't seem to find the sweet spot. Best I can accomplish is .75-1 moa @ 100. It is consistent out to 500 with 4-5" @ 500 yards. Trying some 168 tmks next. It shot 168 smk very well some years ago so hoping for good results. Any suggestions for the 168s. Hearing alot about the 175s being a great bullet but not so good for me.
308 accuracy
- Thread starter 284winner
- Start date
Berger 168 hybrids
Ned Ludd
Silver $$ Contributor
The Berger 175 Tactical bullet might also be a consideration if you're wanting to stay with 175s. Very, very easy to tune and has a higher BC than the 175 SMK. As mentioned above, the 168 Hybrid would be another consideration if the rifle doesn't have adequate freebore for longer (heavier) bullets. Having said that, if you have enough freebore to seat a 185 Juggernaut (and it really doesn't require that much; .085" is sufficient), I'd suggest those. You'd almost have to be trying not to get them to shoot well, they're so forgiving to tune.
Sounds familiar, good to know. I'll press on and work it out
Liven The Dream
Gold $$ Contributor
175 Sierra Green Tip ( so we are on the same page ) Tried them with Varget my Palma go to powder. They would not group ........
I switched to IMR 4320 and Bug Holes at 200. Shot them in a F/TR Match and came in 2nd.
I did have the 175's with different ogive measurement's. I tried a average of .010 off and it worked.
1-12 RH 28" Barrel at 2780 FPS Winchester Brass Wolf LR . NO PSI signs ......
I switched to IMR 4320 and Bug Holes at 200. Shot them in a F/TR Match and came in 2nd.
I did have the 175's with different ogive measurement's. I tried a average of .010 off and it worked.
1-12 RH 28" Barrel at 2780 FPS Winchester Brass Wolf LR . NO PSI signs ......
Last edited:
To answer some basic questions in regards to the rifle.....is the stock bedded? Have you checked the muzzles crown? I've seen the crowns damaged so slightly that it takes a gun capable of sub 1/3 groups and will only shoot 1-1.25moa groups.
How many rounds are on the barrel? I'm going to assume not a lot but if you got a lot of rounds on it barrel life could be an issue.
Also it being a factory barrel and a factory chamber......they can vary a lot in regards to how they shoot and what they want to shoot. It is what it is. The factory chamber could've been done poorly etc...I've seen them up to .004" off center of the bore. I've seen poorly done muzzle crowns from the factory. Anything from being damaged and even the bore off center etc...the bore of the barrel could be oversize as well as the chamber. If the bore/grooves are oversize and depending on how much try and find some bullets that are bigger then nominal size. I've seen bores inconsistent in size and or run a good +.001" oversize.
If it's a good barrel and a 1-12 twist it should handle conventional match bullets up to 190gr. It should shoot anything from a 155gr. to a 175gr. bullet with no problem.
Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
How many rounds are on the barrel? I'm going to assume not a lot but if you got a lot of rounds on it barrel life could be an issue.
Also it being a factory barrel and a factory chamber......they can vary a lot in regards to how they shoot and what they want to shoot. It is what it is. The factory chamber could've been done poorly etc...I've seen them up to .004" off center of the bore. I've seen poorly done muzzle crowns from the factory. Anything from being damaged and even the bore off center etc...the bore of the barrel could be oversize as well as the chamber. If the bore/grooves are oversize and depending on how much try and find some bullets that are bigger then nominal size. I've seen bores inconsistent in size and or run a good +.001" oversize.
If it's a good barrel and a 1-12 twist it should handle conventional match bullets up to 190gr. It should shoot anything from a 155gr. to a 175gr. bullet with no problem.
Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels
My shooting form was repeatable but I used my sinclair front rest and rear bag. I haven't used either of those in years. The gun rides the front rest and rear bag ok but just didn'
It is a factory 10 twist. It has 1200 Rds down it. It shot 185 vlds very very good. 168s also shot very well back a few years. First time for the 175s. Currently the stock is a Choate tactical model with the bedding block. I have considered the possibility of a crown Nick or abrasion. After I visit the range with 168s, I'll decide where to go from there. Thanks for the input. I was going to rebarrel the action but the factory barrel shot so well as a hunting rifle that I decided to wait until it starts doing what its doing now. 1200 Rds is a low round count for a 308.
Correct 1200rds is a low round count for a .308win. and I would agree with that.
Also keep in mind your dealing with a factory barrel that they probably have a total cost with threading, chambering etc...of only about $30-$80 into it. Also if it's a button barrel the twist can vary and or hammer forged or not the bore sizes can vary quite a bit as well. The more variances the barrel has the more temperamental it is going to be. The old saying goes you get what you pay for.
Alum. bedding block in the stock....I've seen where they work like a million bucks and most of the time you still need it bedded. I've seen screw holes not line up, the recoil lug bind against the alum. block etc...the barreled action. Another variable to deal with.
if you have the crown checked and some other basic stuff and it still doesn't shoot......pull the barrel and also have the barreled action bedded into a good stock.
Later, Frank
Thinking your on to something with this newer stock. Had an HS Precision factory stock and I pulled it off to replace. Shot well with it. I will do some more testing.
My Rem. 700, 308, 1/10, 24" barrel, loves Sierra 175 MK
same hole at 100 and 200
Lapua case
42.2gr IMR 4064
CCI BR-2 primer
10 to 15 off lands
(My understanding is military load is the same except
they use 41.175gr IMR 4064)
same hole at 100 and 200
Lapua case
42.2gr IMR 4064
CCI BR-2 primer
10 to 15 off lands
(My understanding is military load is the same except
they use 41.175gr IMR 4064)
Trying the 168 TMKs tomorrow loaded to mag length (2.850) and Varget(44-46 gr). No reason why I should have to put this much time into this project. Something is off. This gun shot phenomenal a few years ago. Narrowed it down to the new stock or removing the muzzlebrake. Cleaning very thoroughly tonight and starting over tomorrow.
Try changing your powder charge so your 175 velocity matches what you were getting with the 185. Then try the seating depth changes.
I'm not using the same powder with the 175s. I was using RL 15 with the 185s. Looks like the Varget was the best choice for the mid weight bullets so i changed powders. I seated my 185s so I could only single feed. They were around 3.080, way too long for the mag. Im pretty sure I'll get better accuracy seating them closer to the lands. My goal WAS to feed from the mag and get .5 accuracy consistently. Again I was getting it with factory ammo at one point with 168smk loads.
I only got rounds out of my SPS barrel before the throat eroded. Put on a Criterion 1:10 & I'm using 175 smk tipped with IMR4064 or Varget & it shoots well enough for me to be competitive at 1000 yard benchrest.
BW
You may want to go back to the Berger VLD design and load with a significant jump. Berger claims maximum accuracy with a VLD may be in the range of up to 0.130" jump. That may solve your magazine feeding issue and give you better accuracy.
I may do that. May be tough with the 185s seated that deep. Not sure what my velocities would be like. I will try more options if these do not work. Thanks.
With one of my "Sav-Terion" (Savage Target Action with a Criterion 1 in 10 twist barrel) F/TR rifles, recently shot a 200 with 14x, 199 with 14x, and a 197 with 11x at 600 yds with 175 gr Sierra TMKs and 42.1 of H4895 seated .010 off the lands. this is netting me about 2800 fps. this appears to be a great bullet for 600 yds. give 'em a try.
btw, anneal your brass, it does make a difference
btw, anneal your brass, it does make a difference
Last edited:
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.