Berger 185 hybrid in 308

[Lj76]

Hi guys, after some advice.
I have some Berger 185 grain hybrid bullets I’d like to load for my .308. The magazine won’t let me load beyond an overall case length of 2.85: Is it ok to seat to this depth? Will it cause any pressure issues. Am using varget, with federal gold medal match primers and lapua Palma 308 cases.

 

[dminn1]

The 185 Hybrid is a long bullet that is going to take up a good amount of case capacity if seated to magazine length of 2.85". You will be well advised to start very low and work up while watching for pressure signs in your rifle. The Lapua Palma brass is very strong and masks pressure signs very well in all the rifles I run it in, so you may run into an over pressure situation before you see it on the case head. You are also likely to be a long way from the lands in your rifle when seated to magazine length which may limit your ability to to obtain best accuracy. In my experience there are better bullets for running out of the magazine in a .308. The 185 Hybrids have performed well for me when loaded to a longer length and single loaded.

 

[XTR]

You might be better served with the 185 Juggernaut than the Hybrid if you are loading with mag length restrictions.

 

[Bc'z]

You might be better served with the 185 Juggernaut than the Hybrid if you are loading with mag length restrictions.

Or 168's

 

[willbas]

Take a look at the Berger Elite Hunter 180 same BC and a little shorter in overall length.

 

[Lj76]

Thanks guys

 

[Billy 30-06]

Even the Juggernauts are long and like .010" jump. You may want to start @ .010" jump and single load the Bergers. I found the Juggernauts shot best @ .010" jump or less = COL 2.88" in my chamber. The farther from the lands I got the more fliers I would get. I stick with 175gr SMKs for feeding from the mag.
Billy

 

[SGK]

Even the 168 Hybrid are long. I've just started with these. I'm finding not only I'm forced to single feed (even at 50 thou jump) but it also seems there's not much bearing surface in the case mouth. With a loosely seated bullet I measure my chamber CBTO at 2.276" with the 168 gr Hybrid. (Forster Datum Dial Kit as my comparator.)