308 Berger 168 Hybrid 3 Different Powders

[cmor]

Just started load work with the 308 168 Berger Hybrid in the following rifle.

Gradous 308
24" Bartlein Barrel 11.25 twist
Surgeon 591 Action
McMillan A5 Stock

All loaded at mag length 2.88 OAL after slight meplat trim - approx .03 jump.

Wind was 3 - 8 mph switching from 12:00 to 3:00.

Here are pictures of 3 ladder tests that I shot today at 300 yards using a front rest and a rolled up sweatshirt as a rear bag (not smart enough to bring all my gear to the range)

The Varget and R15 are easy for me to read - good node up to shot 9 then big jump at shot 10.
The IMR8208 is harder - 6,7,8 good group. 11-15 good except 14, which is VERY bad, maybe I messed that shot up?

 

[cmor]

This is a group that I shot with a guesstimate that I loaded prior to the ladder tests.

I should have stopped after the 7th shot.

So far I am very happy with the 168 hybrids.

 

[FroggyOne2]

Looks like you have a good node as well with the Varget powder there.. between 43.0 - 43.5 grains. That 43.5 grs of RL15 is looking very promising as well. That load is looking like it is about 130 fps above transonic stage at 1K. At least here where I am at.

 

[gsg5pk]

Do this 168 Hybrid will sensible with seat depth as VLD?

 

[cmor]

My understanding is that the entire hybrid line of Berger bullets is very forgiving regarding seating depth.

 

[savageshooter86]

6-8 with both Varget and 8208 look to be the least vertical 3 shot group.

Isn't that moving somewhat slow for the 168gr bullet? I am getting right over 2700 with a 178 gr bullet out of a 26" barrel

 

[cmor]

I think 2672 is decent for a 24" barrel.

I prefer to find an accurate load that is on the safe side rather than push the load to get a few extra feet/sec. Where I shoot is limited to 600 yards, so there's no real upside for me in eeking out the max speed since I don't have to worry about stability at 1000 yards.

 

[savageshooter86]

Ok that makes sense. I had a chart Berger emailed me with load data for the 308 but they appear to be very conservative with some powder charges listed. If interested in what they emailed me directly PM

 

[Longshooter70]

The 168 Hybrid is a very good bullet. I'm running them at 2900 from a 30" barrel. The thing to remember with these vs other 168gr bullets is they have a shorter bearing surface. That enables you to drive them a little harder before running into pressure. I switched from the 185 LRBT to this bullet and so far it has worked very well for me at 1K.

Good luck on your endeavor!

John

 

[shanmoll308]

Hi John if you don't mind me asking..why the switch from the 185BTLR to the 168 Hybrids?

Adrian.

 

[Longshooter70]

I get better vertical out of the 168's for one. Two, at the speed I'm able to drive them , 2900fps, they hold the wind just as good as the 185's at the speed I could drive them, 2700fps. All in all, they have performed better for me than the 185's.


John