Advice needed on F/TR load development.

[diego-ted]

I am picking up a Savage FTR to shoot in F/TR. I am not a novice reloader but far from being an expert. I have in the past developed loads for a couple of rifles based on common agreed upon components. However, developing a load specifically for this discipline has me a little concerned. First off should I just develop one load for the rifle and shoot it both at 1K and mid-range or do I need a specific load for each distance?

Secondly, for this rifle when it first came out everyone was shooting some type of 155gr projectile and saying this was the best. Lately others have been gravitating towards heaver choices. Which is better, a heaver bullet that will buck the wind or a lighter bullet with a better BC and MV?

Lastly, I have always worked up a load by developing one that shoots the best at 100 yards, first by amount of powder then seating depth. Once I came across a load that would shoot less than .5 MOA I was good, My only constant is using Lapua brass and usually Varget powder. Is there a better way to do this?


Thanks for all the help

Diego

 

[Boisblancboy]

As I'm no expert either but have learned tons from the various people willing to share their experiences.

My recommendation is find one load for all ranges. That what seems to be the norm.

A heavier bullet will have higher BC and less wind drift but with extra recoil. The bullet weights used on the line vary from person to person. Do some research and decide which will fit your style.

Nothing wrong with testing at 100 yards. Once you do that you will still need to test it at longer range to varify your findings. I have tested my FTR gun at nothing less than 300.

Hope this helps.
Brandon

 

[broncman]

I have the same rifle and their are several posts for loads in those. 155's do well, but load some 185 Juggernauts over Varget and call it done. This bullet shoots great in these rifles, has excellent bc for wind and stays sonic past 1000.

 

[DennisH]

+1 with broncman

I find the 185 Hybrids shoot just as well as the Jag's in both my 308's!

Infact, I really don't care which one I load as both are so close! 2,725 fps is my sweet spot.

JMO, Dennis

 

[diego-ted]

broncman, do you mind sharing your load data for the 185s?

thx TEd

 

[broncman]

Federal brass(got a bunch,about the same volume as lapua), BR2 or Federal match primers, 43.6 grains Varget, seated to 2.225 using hornady comparator to measure.

 

[jbpmidas]

The only reason I see to have two different loads would be to save some money at the 3,5,600 yard lines. You could go with a Hornady or Sierra bullet for those, then step up to the Berger for 8,9,1000.

 

[kelbro]

Developing multiple loads will not hurt anything except maybe barrel life

I shoot more mid-range than long so a 155 works well and is easier on the shoulder.

Also, with component availability as spotty as it is now, it never hurts to have alternatives.

 

[broncman]

Good points on the medium range loads. I only shoot this rifle at 8,9,1000. I shoot another at medium range.

 

[Va Jim]

In todays world it is a matter of what bullets you can find and go from there. Those rifles will shoot a brick with a little bit of Varget. Unfortunately you cant find Varget right now.
The front page of this web site has a lot of good data for 308 rounds.

Va Jim

 

[TrxR]

Do you all find much difference in recoil between the 155's and the 185's ?

Thanks

 

[XTR]

In todays world it is a matter of what bullets you can find and go from there. ...
Va Jim

Ain't that the truth. This may be one of those yrs where people learn that more than the standard formula will work if you can shoot. (or not)

 

[aj300mag]

Lastly, I have always worked up a load by developing one that shoots the best at 100 yards, first by amount of powder then seating depth. Once I came across a load that would shoot less than .5 MOA I was good, My only constant is using Lapua brass and usually Varget powder. Is there a better way to do this?

Diego I'd skip the load development at 100 and do your initial testing at 300 yards. Once you see something you're happy with shoot those loads at 600 yards and adjust as necessary. Shooting at 100 yards is a waste of bullets and powder...

 

[mysticplayer]

The windier your conditions are likely to be, the heavier the bullet you should consider using.

The use of heavier bullets is simply because bullets have gotten better.

As long as you can handle the recoil, there is little accuracy benefit to lighter bullets anymore. My rifle shoots the 155.5 as accurate as the 210's so I am slinging the heavies cause I will face goofy winds.

Test at a min of 200yds. Tune at the furthest distance you will compete at. The heavies do take a while to settle down and the best 1k load may only look so-so at 100yds.

I know it sounds odd but I have seen it in several rifles and various chamberings.

Be aware of recoil induced fatigue... there is no free lunch.

If you want some premium brass, consider the New Norma.
Jerry

 

[Erik Cortina]

Lastly, I have always worked up a load by developing one that shoots the best at 100 yards, first by amount of powder then seating depth. Once I came across a load that would shoot less than .5 MOA I was good, My only constant is using Lapua brass and usually Varget powder. Is there a better way to do this?

Diego I'd skip the load development at 100 and do your initial testing at 300 yards. Once you see something you're happy with shoot those loads at 600 yards and adjust as necessary. Shooting at 100 yards is a waste of bullets and powder...

I disagree. If it doesn't shoot at 100, it won't shoot at 300 or 600.

If you have small groups at 100 and good ES numbers, you will be fine further out.

 

[eric32]

i am going to agree with Erik with a ES under 20fps and a 100 yard group under 1/2MOA it will shoot out to 1k with a good water line on the target. And at the point you need to just account for the wind

 

[Trevor60]

I would have to agree with mystic and AJ300mag on this one. What you are looking for at 300 yards is vertical, the horizontal could me a foot wide as long as the vertical is less then 3x 30cal holes tall. At 100, gun handling is more apparent and a poor shot could wreak a good group or more importanly an outstanding hold could show a load that is sub par to be better then it is. I could shoot a .5 inch group with a great load and a .40 inch group with an ok load and find out that the 2nd load is crap at distance.

Trevor

 

[Erik Cortina]

I would have to agree with mystic and AJ300mag on this one. What you are looking for at 300 yards is vertical, the horizontal could me a foot wide as long as the vertical is less then 3x 30cal holes tall. At 100, gun handling is more apparent and a poor shot could wreak a good group or more importanly an outstanding hold could show a load that is sub par to be better then it is. I could shoot a .5 inch group with a great load and a .40 inch group with an ok load and find out that the 2nd load is crap at distance.

Trevor

Wow! Ok Trevor, I have some questions. If you can answer them then I will admit that I was wrong, and for that matter, Steven Blair would be wrong as well. ;D

How is gun handling more apparent at 100 yards than at longer distance?
Does that mean that at 1,000 yards gun handling doesn't matter?
How can a bad shot wreck a group at 100 and not at 300?
How can an outstanding hold make a bad load shoot great?
How can you have foot wide horizontal at 300 yards and trust that load?
How can a great load shoot .5" groups and an ok load shoot .4" groups?

 

[ARIZONA_F_CLASS]

I must be doing something wrong. I do my load development @ 500 yards.

 

[aj300mag]

Shooting groups at 100 yards in calm winds doesn't realy tell you anything other than the load shoots great... in calm conditions.

Tune at 300 yards and use wind flags.

Next time you're at a F-Class match ask TR shooters what kind of groups does their rifle shoot at 100 yards. Most will tell you they don't have a clue.