.308 COAL

[jbailey]

I'm working up some loads for a .308 Win. in a factory Remington 700 heavy barrel. The bullet is a 168 gr. Sierra Matchking and using the bolt to seat a dummy round .01 off the lands I come up with a COAL of 2.934 which is way over the book length of 2.800. I know it won't go into the magazine but other than that is there a reason not to use this load. I just want the most accuracy I can get to punch paper at long range (500 +).

Thanks
Jeff

 

[AndrewV]

What your overall length that you have right now maybe the best for accuracy, or set shorter. Most important is that you do not use a charge of powder that will produce to much pressure. In addition 168gr Sierras work well out to 500yds, but after that distance there are a lot of better choices in bullets to use.

Andrew

 

[amlevin]

I have a Rem 700 5R Milspec that shoots well with a 168 gr at 2.820". Still fits in the magazine and I can run loads up to max with little or no pressure issues due to the long freebore.

For some reason this rifle doesn't seem to care about the real long freebore. Don't know if one would necessarily call it a heavy barrel but it does have a muzzle dia of .815" with a pretty straight taper.

 

[jbailey]

Thanks for the info guys. A question for Andrew. What would be a better bullet at longer ranges for the .308 Win ?

 

[DennisH]

Try the 185's LRBT's/ Jagernault's, or Hybrids, they work well off the lands and you should come up with a load with the round fitting your magazine.

There good for 1k

PS: I do shoot VLD's based on distance to or in the lands for accuracy. But they don't fit into the mag.

 

[XTR]

There really needs to be a sticky somewhere explaining that 168SMKs are 600 yard bullets, because it seems every new shooter who starts to load for the 308 gets them first.

If you are starting out I'd look at 175SMKs, Hornady 178HPBTs or Amax's, or the Berger 185s. Until you get a lot of things worked out use which ever is cheaper between the 175 and the 178s. They are fine bullets and shoot every bit as well as the 185 Bergers, but they give an inch or so in windage at 1000 yards. If you are shooting for score and 4 points + x count is the difference in 1st and 12th place then an inch here or there is worth the extra $$.

I use the 178s for local 1000yd F class matches and shoot the more expensive Bergers when there is hardware being given away.

If you aren't shooting over 600 yards pretty much any bullet works, if you are shooting less than 400 you don't need boat tail bullets, flat based ones that cost a lot less will work fine.

In long range HP matches we single load everything (it's in the rules) and guys seat bullets to some pretty long lengths. I know a couple of guys that can't eject a loaded round w/o pulling the bolt.

 

[rvn1968]

I also single load,but I thought all the " F" class rules required a magazine capable of holding 2 rounds min. That is the only resson why I haven't driven the considerable distance to a Match. Am I being an idiot ?????????? Tom

 

[Taildrag15X]

I also single load,but I thought all the " F" class rules required a magazine capable of holding 2 rounds min. That is the only resson why I haven't driven the considerable distance to a Match. Am I being an idiot ?????????? Tom

There is no Offical NRA F-Class Rule that states what you are saying!!!

F-Class is shot SINGLE LOAD ONLY, one round at a time....no magazines.

Read the NRA Highpower Rules here:

http://www.nrahq.org/compete/RuleBooks/HPR/hpr-index.pdf

 

[XTR]

If that was the rule there are a lot of us with single feed rifles, including all of the Savage F class rifles that are breaking the rules. [/sarcasm]

Yea, you are misinformed. F class is a subset of High Power and is required to single feed. NO mag requirements

 

[Leaddog]

Be very careful measuring your seating depth with a factory Remy bolt. At least take the firing pin assembly out and rub your bullets with 0000 steel wool so that you can see the land marks.

With the measurements you are getting, I'd say you are in the lands by a good amount. Sinclair makes a pretty good tool for measuring. Go that route or get your 'smith to measure it for you. Be safe.

 

[amlevin]

Be very careful measuring your seating depth with a factory Remy bolt. At least take the firing pin assembly out and rub your bullets with 0000 steel wool so that you can see the land marks.

With the measurements you are getting, I'd say you are in the lands by a good amount. Sinclair makes a pretty good tool for measuring. Go that route or get your 'smith to measure it for you. Be safe.

Didn't you mean "ejector"? With my factor Remington Bolt, the firing pin doesn't touch anything until I pull the trigger but the ejector can push a case forward a fair amount.

 

[AndrewV]

These are what I have used out to 1K Sierra 155 (2156), Berger 155.5 fullbore, and this last weekend at Regionals Bergers 175LRBT. Each has worked well. If you know that the range that you will be shooting at is very windy i.e. Rattlesnake go heavy. But expect more recoil, which will cause more rifle torque. If the range is not to bad for wind consider the 155s they are easy to shoot, mild recoil, and for me were easy to work up loads. If you do any International shooting you may be limited to 155s. As others have said, their choices also work well. In the end try experimenting to at least at 600yds, and see what works well for you. Your the driver, be confident and know the strength and weakness of your loads. Being able to read the conditions well is always the first priority, then by knowing your load, you will know when to make scope elev/wind changes, or to hold off. Best of luck to you.

Andrew

 

[JohnMill]

I'd say take out the firing pin assembly and maybe the ejector ( I don't use one). Sinclair has a tool for the fpa and for the ejector too. I set my seating depth with dummy rounds and no firing pin ass'y

 

[its only light]

I've noticed the factory Remys have a very long freebore. I load Hornady 168 amaxs at a coal of 2.930 for a .015 jump and it shoots awesome.

 

[jbailey]

Thanks again guys. A lot of good info to digest here.