.308 win. load development for new rifle

[ljhsniper1]

Look up the Sierra accuracy load for 168 gr.

 

[Frawg]

@barefooter56,
I tried those instructions from the berger website and could not find anything with RE15. So I changed powder and found a good load for now with Varget. It shoots good with this load.

Thanks everyone else with your help. I'm going to keep working until I find the absolute best.

 

[Road_Clam]

My R700 Varmint 26" heavy barrel really likes 168 smk's at about 2575 fps reguardless of powder. I have yet to find a sweet accuracy node up in the 2600's . IMO why burn up a barrel when there is no need for the elevated velocities. I shoot upper 2500's all the way out to 600 yards with excellent consistency. My fav powders are Win 748, Benchmark , and 2000MR.

 

[ljhsniper1]

I tried 8208 XBR in a 26" 700 and it really shot good. 5MOA to get on at 300 from 100 with a 168 Berger. Load was 41.3 gr. with TULA Primer. .795" ctc @ 300.

 

[ljhsniper1]

@barefooter56,
I tried those instructions from the berger website and could not find anything with RE15. So I changed powder and found a good load for now with Varget. It shoots good with this load.

Thanks everyone else with your help. I'm going to keep working until I find the absolute best.

Before you give up on R-15 try 42.0 gr. and .005 off the lands. Worked for me.

 

[spclark]

I tried 8208 XBR in a 26" 700 and it really shot good.

I like it a lot too for Palma events (29" 1:12, 30" 1:13) with < 156 grain bullets. Been using it for three, four years now.

Tried it with JLK 175VLD'S & Berger 185 'Juggernauts' but nothing worth pursuing. Might be a little fast for anything heavier than 168's, depending on barrel length + twist.

 

[hogan]

Sierra Bullets has done the work for you!

Shoot their matchking and use their Accuracy Load.


Unless you are paid to sit at a bench and shoot bullets into dirt, why reinvent the wheel?

All this "sweet spot" crap is just that. So many variables. Got the best scope mount system? How consistent are you with trigger release? Is your scope a proven performer that dials consistent movement every click, in all 4 directions? Is your scope mounted perfectly concentric with the bore? Got a minimum-oal chamber? What kind of aiming point are you using? Do you force shots regardless of wind or mirage?

The whole sweet-spot might just be temporary aberration.

Shooting a magnum, or fast small bore? Might just burn-up your barrel in your search... Got a spare barrel, from same lot of steel billet, from same maker on same day chambered with same reamer by same gunsmith using same lathe setup on same day? Variables...

Just match prep your brass for greatest consistency, match your chamber; Minimum-OAL (Like .0005 over Go gauge) is best, load the accuracy load with the weight bullet you want, sight your rifle for it and call it a day...

Of course, if this is your "hobby" and you aren't about getting results; then do your best and just have fun.

If you want results you begin eliminating variables and consistently use your match quality accuracy load ammunition. When you get results you won't have to subtract bullet diameter to know you have gotten the rifle tuned-in.

The sweet spot is just a concept cooked-up to sell components.

 

[Keith Glasscock]

I wish my competition would think that way. I wouldn't have to work so hard.

I have enough different rifles that like different things to ever believe in using anyone's load data.

 

[chkunz]

Sierra Bullets has done the work for you!

Shoot their matchking and use their Accuracy Load.


Unless you are paid to sit at a bench and shoot bullets into dirt, why reinvent the wheel?

All this "sweet spot" crap is just that. So many variables. Got the best scope mount system? How consistent are you with trigger release? Is your scope a proven performer that dials consistent movement every click, in all 4 directions? Is your scope mounted perfectly concentric with the bore? Got a minimum-oal chamber? What kind of aiming point are you using? Do you force shots regardless of wind or mirage?

The whole sweet-spot might just be temporary aberration.

Shooting a magnum, or fast small bore? Might just burn-up your barrel in your search... Got a spare barrel, from same lot of steel billet, from same maker on same day chambered with same reamer by same gunsmith using same lathe setup on same day? Variables...

Just match prep your brass for greatest consistency, match your chamber; Minimum-OAL (Like .0005 over Go gauge) is best, load the accuracy load with the weight bullet you want, sight your rifle for it and call it a day...

Of course, if this is your "hobby" and you aren't about getting results; then do your best and just have fun.

If you want results you begin eliminating variables and consistently use your match quality accuracy load ammunition. When you get results you won't have to subtract bullet diameter to know you have gotten the rifle tuned-in.

The sweet spot is just a concept cooked-up to sell components.

Hogan, we must be kin.

 

[ljhsniper1]

Give 168 Berger and 41.3 gr. of 8208 with a Russian Primer. 3/4" @ 300 out of mine.
Good luck, Good shooting. ......... SEMPER FI ... SARGESNIPER

 

[nosualc]

Sierra Bullets has done the work for you!

Shoot their matchking and use their Accuracy Load.


Unless you are paid to sit at a bench and shoot bullets into dirt, why reinvent the wheel?

All this "sweet spot" crap is just that. So many variables. Got the best scope mount system? How consistent are you with trigger release? Is your scope a proven performer that dials consistent movement every click, in all 4 directions? Is your scope mounted perfectly concentric with the bore? Got a minimum-oal chamber? What kind of aiming point are you using? Do you force shots regardless of wind or mirage?

The whole sweet-spot might just be temporary aberration.

Shooting a magnum, or fast small bore? Might just burn-up your barrel in your search... Got a spare barrel, from same lot of steel billet, from same maker on same day chambered with same reamer by same gunsmith using same lathe setup on same day? Variables...

Just match prep your brass for greatest consistency, match your chamber; Minimum-OAL (Like .0005 over Go gauge) is best, load the accuracy load with the weight bullet you want, sight your rifle for it and call it a day...

Of course, if this is your "hobby" and you aren't about getting results; then do your best and just have fun.

If you want results you begin eliminating variables and consistently use your match quality accuracy load ammunition. When you get results you won't have to subtract bullet diameter to know you have gotten the rifle tuned-in.

The sweet spot is just a concept cooked-up to sell components.

WOW

While I agree with some of your sentiments, I'll respectfully disagree with your conclusions...

To say that load tuning a load to a particular rifle is "crap", and that instead we should all use Sierra's "Accuracy Load" flies in the face of what every competitive shooter knows to be true. I wish all the guys I compete against felt the same way.

With a good rifle and a good shooter, loads can be tuned to a particular rifle, and the results can be dramatic. It's up to the individual to decide whether the effort to get there is worth it.

-nosualc

 

[barefooter56]

12rDAD,
Load for the Berger 168gr VLD or Hybrid for RL-15 is 40.0gr Minimum to 43.8gr Maximum. APPROX Velocities are 2485 to 2738 FPS. Fill ratio is 100% so it will be a compressed load.
Varget is 38.0 gr Minimum to 42.5gr Maximum. APPROX velocities are 2428 to 2676 FPS. Fill ratio is 97%
The loads above were tested in a 24 inch barrel. Since you have a 26 inch barrel you may want to try a little slower powder to get more burn down the barrel like VV N550. Load is 42.5gr Minimum to 47.5gr Maximum. APPROX velocities are 2402 to 2698 FPS. Fill ratio is 104% so it is a compressed load. Follow the " VLD making it shoot instructions" to do your load testing. If you nee anything else please let us know.
Take Care,
Phil Hoham
Berger Bullet Tech

 

[Frawg]

here is a video of the 168 in action. my son likes doing this better than punching paper:

http://youtu.be/gZQjCRgnaAc

 

[Frawg]

So far so good with the 168's and Varget. 4/4 on the whitetail out to 325 yds so far.

My question today is how many shots using Varget before everyone cleans their barrel and starts over again? So far with this new rifle after a clean barrel, it seems to get better or just as accurate with every shot. I'm on about 25 shots now.

thanks,

 

[ljhsniper1]

40, unless you change powder.

 

[Frawg]

Thanks, Sargesniper

 

[nosualc]

My question today is how many shots using Varget before everyone cleans their barrel and starts over again? So far with this new rifle after a clean barrel, it seems to get better or just as accurate with every shot. I'm on about 25 shots now.

Shoot it until your accuracy starts to fade, or as often as makes you feel good. Every rifle is different. Match rifles are shot as many as times as 100 a day without cleaning. Some guys go even longer. 25 rds is a pretty short cycle.

-nosualc

 

[Frawg]

Thanks, nosualc!

 

[artbosco]

OK, I'm new here (first post), and I would like some suggestions on my new .308 win. Its a brand new custom gun, lilja barrel, jewel trigger, Nightforce, etc., Lapua brass, berger VLD 168 grs. is what I have and want to load, RE15 and Varget powders. It will mainly be a hunting rifle, but I have a range in my back yard that I can shoot 500 yards.
My question is where do I start on my loads? And the best way to go from there? I'm looking for accuracy not just speed. So many books that all say something different. Thanks,

You start on your loads for the 308 Winchester right here: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

Everything you need to get started is in this site. Read, read, and reread: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

The top 308 Winchester shooters have given you their best loads, a million dollar lesson, for free, in this page: http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/308win/

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

Dupicate New m118LR military sniper ammo

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