Agree he will have to stay on top of the tune. He wants to learn precision reloading and has a high-end .308. My inquiry was mainly looking for a good place to start him. As an former marine sniper he has superior shooting skills and basic knowledge.
Thanks
Bill
As has been been stated previously, bullets in the 168 to 185 gr weight range will work well with the 11.25"-twist. Choosing from among the various bullet options within that weight range may be simplified by estimating the freebore length using one that is relative short (BTO) and one that is relatively long. If the freebore isn't sufficiently long to load something like the 185 Juggernaut at ~.020" jump without having to seat the boattail/bearing surface well below the neck/shoulder junction, then the shorter bullets in the 168-175 gr range would be better choices.
Don't overlook the Berger 168 gr Hybrid, which has an outstanding BC for its weight. With a 30" barreled F-TR rifle, it is actually possible to push the 168 Hybrids with H4895 at velocities that allow it to shoot inside a comparable Juggernaut load from the exact same rifle. Ordinarily, it is not possible for reasons of excessive pressure to push lighter/lower BC bullets fast enough to overcome the BC deficit as compared to a longer, heavier, higher BC bullet. Due to its high BC, the 168 Hybrid is a rare exception to that trend.
With regard to powder choices, there are many within the approximate burn rate range of Varget that will work. Current availability of those powders is another story entirely. If a powder has not already been selected/purchased, I would advise caution. This past spring, I purchased a fair amount of Accurate 4064 for use in "practice" loads, so as to minimize my use of Varget outside of load development and competition. To be clear, I'm talking about
Accurate 4064,
not IMR 4064. I chose the Accurate 4064 for a couple reasons. First, although well toward the slower end, it still falls within the same general burn rate range as Varget. Second, it also appeared to be available through online vendors on a fairly regular basis, something not true of many of the preferred powders with burn rates close to Varget. I have played around with it over the last 6 months or so and I can tell you at this point I wish I would have waited and purchased something like IMR 4166 instead. The Accurate 4064 is stupidly temperature-sensitive, on the order of greater than 2 fps velocity change per degree F within the ambient temperature range of 60 to 90 degrees F. Because I already have it, I have from necessity figured out how to make it work by developing three different temperature-band loads that I can use throughout the season. Nonetheless, you'd really rather not to have to do this. For that reason, my suggestion would wait until one of the less temperature-sensitive powder options within the general Varget burn rate range are available. Powders such as Varget, H4895, 4166, or N140 would be excellent choices with bullets in the 168-185 gr weight range. Between these four powders, your friend should be able to obtain some with a little diligence, even in the current climate.
