.308 Load workups for LMT MWS

[Tradesalot]

Trying to work up some loads with a few different types of powder: Reloder 15, Hodgdon H4895, and Hodgdon Varget.
I'm using Lapua brass, winchester LR primers, and 175 SMK bullets.

Shooting a
LMT MWS .308
16" CHROME LINED BARREL, 1:10 TWIST

From the below pictures i'm curious if anybody is getting better results, with the same or like rifle, and what load you are using. I feel alright about the H4895 and Varget, mainly concerned with the RL 15 but any ideas are definitely welcome. Thanks in advance gents.

Zach-
BTW all groups are 5 shots at 100 meters.

 

[jonbearman]

I would try more testing with 4895 and try using 168 grain match bullets to see if your results of accuracy change at all.What kind of trigger is in the gun because that can cause fits for anyone trying to shoot a gas gun or any other gun for that fact.Is the barrel getting cleaned real well to remove any excessive copper build up.I run 168's in my ar10 and the results are facinating.I tried heavier bullets and for short range out to 200 they worked not so well.I switched to 168's and wow what a change.Could your barrel be severly coppered up? How is the trigger?Are you shooting off bags or a rest?

 

[Shynloco]

ZACH,

Like jonbearman suggests, try the 168gr HPBT being pushed by either RE15, Varget or IMR 4895 which are powders close to one another in makeup and performance. I shoot a Ruger M77V that has been converted to a Benchrest Rifle w/1:10 MG Hart that LOVES 168 gr HPBT's. Even the barrel before this one was a 1:10 and shot really terrifc groups with the 168's using all three of the aforermention powders, of course with slightly different amounts of powder thast I developed as the result of testing. And as was suggested, make sure you clean your barrel before you start testing. Copper build up in the barrel will adversely affect groups, accuracy and consistency. Have fun!

Alex

P.S. Per Sierra recommendations, use 168gr HPBT for anything up to 300 yds and the 175's for anything over 300 yds - 1K. That came directly from a Sierra rep during a telephone conversation about a year ago.

 

[hogan]

Sierra techs are more and more superfluous. Eight ten years ago, quality info. Current book has less info than the older ones on match and competition handloading, and have not gotten anything resembling an informed reply from any of my tech inquiries in past 6 years.

That said. the 168 bthp bullet, whether Sierra Nosler, or Hornady is fine well beyond 300yds. They do go subsonic about 800yds, maybe 750 from a gas-operated rifle because pressure curve does not allow slower burning powders than IMR-4064. Can't load as stout a charge of 4064 as could in a bolt rifle either. So you're looking at 2650fps maybe 2700 at best.

Seat bullets to full magazine length and use a bushing sizer to lock-down your bullet w/o using a crimp die.
I'm using Varget 42.5gr at 2.825 oal, but temps here rarely go over 70F in July.

Might search for info on service rifle loads. Anything that'll be optimum in an M1a or M14 will be fine in an AR-10.

 

[Drop Port]

Trying to work up some loads with a few different types of powder: Reloder 15, Hodgdon H4895, and Hodgdon Varget.
I'm using Lapua brass, winchester LR primers, and 175 SMK bullets.

Shooting a
LMT MWS .308
16" CHROME LINED BARREL, 1:10 TWIST

From the below pictures i'm curious if anybody is getting better results, with the same or like rifle, and what load you are using. I feel alright about the H4895 and Varget, mainly concerned with the RL 15 but any ideas are definitely welcome. Thanks in advance gents.

Zach-
BTW all groups are 5 shots at 100 meters.

Yes I've seen better groups with black hills factory 175's. Your 43 grain load is coming in. I would shoot it again with different primers and see which ones pull it in even more. If any do then I would play with seating if you have room.