308 ladder test imr 4064 178 hpbt

[Hillbilly 12]

I'm planning on doing a ladder test with my 308 178 hornady match 178gn hpbt, gold metal small rifle primers, lapua pulma cases, and imr 4064 powder. I'd like to know where to start and stop for my loads, just so I don't have a bunch of bullets to pull left over, they will be in 0.2 grain increments. Also I'd like to shoot two bullets the same load on the ladder instead of one.

What's everyone's loads for accuracy using this powder/billet combinations. Thanks.

 

[rijndael]

I'm not sure what the impact is from having small rifle primers, but there's a node for LRPs around 41.5 in Lapua brass with 178s. You may find another node at 42.7.

 

[retired]

you could shoot the ladder twice, no problem there, just not on the same target.
0.2 is TOO SMALL FOR a ladder on a 308 case.
0.4 is better
stop at about 100% and go down in .4 steps for about 10 shots
shoot 200/300 not 100yards

if you find a node you can fine tune, before then is just a waste of money.

 

[Metal God]

0.2 is TOO SMALL FOR a ladder on a 308 case.
0.4 is better

I agree especially if you're trying to save components and time . .4gr is good and when you find something good you then can go.2gr either side to confirm you're in the right spot .

I shot very few 178gr BTHP but have shot and tested many 178gr A-max and 175gr smk using IMR-4064 . Most test were with Remington brass with some Fed and LC brass as well . I've found good results at 40.5gr to 41gr . Velocities were always on the low side but accuracy was very good

 

[dmoran]

Just my 2-cents:
- use .3 or .4-tenth increments
- 300yds minimal distance
- run 1 incremental set from lightest to heaviest in charge weight, as 1-string
- then run the 2nd set as 1-string opposing (heaviest to lightest)
- assess the vertical dispersion between the increments only (not by group size)
Good Luck
Donovan

 

[jaygorski]

From my experience with that bullet I wish you'd give 2000MR powder a try, start at 46.5grs, I selttled on 47.3grs with Rem brass.