.308 win. load development for new rifle

[jsthntn247]

Dupicate New m118LR military sniper ammo

IMR 4064 @ 41.7
175 Sierra MK
Fed 210 GM primer
FC Military Brass

I pulled some fgmm 175's and found the same load. Shoots like crap in my hunting gun, but I easily found a 1/2moa load first trip to the range.

 

[bsc4444]

Barefooter 56 gave you a suggestion. Go to Berger website and read how to tune VLD'S. Since you are not using as a benchrest rig know I would not seat in the lands. If you need to eject a loaded round you may stick the bullet in the barrel/lands.

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

anymore advice, tips, or help?
Thanks again!

IMR 4064 @ 43 with 168 MK
IMR 4064 @ 42 with 175 MK
IMR 4895 @ 42 with 168 MK ( LC brass with Fed 210M Primers)
RL 15 @ 44.0 with 168 MK
RL 15 @ 42.0 with 168 MK
Varget @ 45.0 with 175 MK ( WW Brass with CCI BR2 Primer)
CFE 223 @ 44.0 with Berger 175 Tactical OTM

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

Alliant powder has 45 as max and my speer manual has 45 as max? Now my sierra book says 43.6 is max? All for the 168.

Military used 45.0 of RL 15 with 175mk in M118LR but had to back off because of the old M14 brought back into service in 2004.....to hot of load for the gas guns.......they went all way down to 43.0. ........then went to IMR 4064.

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

If the 175/180 loads don't shoot good in your gun

Check your rate of twist.
1-13 twist not used much any more 150/155
1-12 twist like 168gr and 150/155
1-11 twist like 175g
1-10 like everything

 

[josebd]

Both of these loads are near the max load listed in the Sierra manual so you should take a look and probably start lower if you are going to go up in .5 grain increments.

If you look at hodgden load data it's 46.0 max for 168,45.0 for 175 for varget

 

[Bamban]

Military used 45.0 of RL 15 with 175mk in M118LR but had to back off because of the old M14 brought back into service in 2004.....to hot of load for the gas guns.......they went all way down to 43.0. ........then went to IMR 4064.

ABM,

Could you possibly post a copy of the report from the military about your statement that the reduction was done due to the M14 re-introduction into warfighting? I read similar statement on the internet, but have not seen anything that came directly from the Army, Marines, or DoD. I am curious, maybe you can help.

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

I never seen reports, but while I was in Iraq OIF2 we had a shortage of sniper rifles, so they brought back some old rifles out of stock.....the M21. It was gas feed so all the sniper Ammo the M118 LR was based on the M24/M40 bolt action. The M118 LR in the high terrain of Afganastan with temp and attitude difference caused problems with the zero on the scopes dials. Not so much a problem in Iraq until M118LR was used in M21. The M21 was designed for the M852 load using the 168 MK and IMR 4895. So to compensate they reduced the powder of RL 15 to 43.0.......and then later FC got the contract and the new LR load was adopted very similar to Fed Gold Medal load with IMR 4064 that would work in gas as well as bolt guns. To get the Military to admit by sending out a report is not likely, but you can follow the history of the M118LR and the reduce load from 45.0 of RL 15 with the 175gr MK downward. If I remember right they reduced the RL 15 powder charge twice from 45.0. Today I believe RL 15 is a slightly different powder from the 2004/2005 version, they have corrected the burn problems/ but still lost the contract to IMR.

 

[hogan]

Load Development?

Buy the Sierra book and start with their Accuracy Load which is listed for every bullet they produce. Work with known factors and stay with them.

More likely than anything, if your gun won't deliver "precision" it's because you or it are the problem. Clean all the copper from your barrel and shoot your break-in regimen of choice. Verify your scope and your mounts. Got a decent trigger? Know how to shoot off sandbags or tripod rest? Own a decent torque wrench that does inch pounds? Know how to load precision ammunition?

Get all your variables identified and isolated/controlled before you wander off in search of that perfect primer, case, powder, bullet pie in the sky..