Help me choose a 30 cal cartridge!

[LA50SHOOTER]

Just as a FYI, the Berger 200.20x requires approx. 0.155 - 0.165 of free-bore (in a 308 Win.) where a 200 SMK will require way more. (around 0.230-0.240 to keep the bearing surface above the case neck/shoulder junction) - Only issue is, if you don't have the 200.20x in-hand it's going to be a tough find at least for the time being. - Also, IMO the 200.20x is a WAY better bullet than the 200 SMK in not only the good ole 308 Win., but in many other 30's as well. YMMV.

All The Best !!

 

[vulrath]

Yeah, I can find the 200 SMK in stock (in 500ct boxes, even!) but I can't find Bergers in anything over 175gr right now. How jump tolerant are the Bergers?

(I suppose it should be telling that the SMK is in stock but the Berger is sold out across the board.)

 

[DaveTooley]

Back before all the Gucci bullets came out I shot some amazing 1K groups with the 200 SMK. Like under 3". Other than the BIB 187 it's probably the most consistent shooting bullet I found.

 

[vulrath]

Back before all the Gucci bullets came out I shot some amazing 1K groups with the 200 SMK. Like under 3". Other than the BIB 187 it's probably the most consistent shooting bullet I found.

That's fantastic. Makes me think I might just be able to pull this off with what I can find on shelves right now.

Now, if UPS would deliver my damned barrel already...

 

[284winner]

Years back I shot a .308 with Berger 185s. Not many heavier bullets existed for the .308 like today. There were some out but not many good LR bullets compared to today. The .308 does sound really good especially with today's .308 bullets available. Today I think I'd run the 200-20x bullets if I were to put a 308 to use for LR target shooting. 30" barrel pushing the 200s around 2650 would be a great choice for a short action. You'd probably be around 3.75-3.80 for OAL. With a factory action and BDL bottom metal, you should be able to run that length OAL and make it work fine. I'm just guessing on the OAL, I've never shot them but looking at the length and where they'd be seated, seems about right.

 

[Rob01]

You’re not going to get 3.800” running in a BDL short action 700 unless you single feed. Anything over about 2.825” and you are catching the feed ramp. If you go DBM you can go longer with a notched feed ramp.

 

[284winner]

You’re not going to get 3.800” running in a BDL short action 700 unless you single feed. Anything over about 2.825” and you are catching the feed ramp. If you go DBM you can go longer with a notched feed ramp.

Sorry that was a typo. 3.075-3.080 was the OAL I meant. The standard Rem 700 SA will handle 2.975-2.980 without removing any material around the feed area. I'm using a couple cartridges and running them at 2.980 with no issues feeding or removing live rounds. Going beyond that may require some minor modification. Certainly worth doing if running a .308 with heavy bullets.

 

[Rob01]

Hadn’t been my experience with Rem 700s but haven’t used one with a DBM in 15 years so maybe they opened them up but never used to be able to get over 2.825 before the tip started catching the feed ramp. Never loaded 200+grn bullets in the .308 but even when using the 178s that was max oal. When people went to DBMs they would have the issues of tips catching of going longer. AICS mags are usually around 2.870” oal and you can’t run that long without modifying.

 

[DaveTooley]

That's fantastic. Makes me think I might just be able to pull this off with what I can find on shelves right now.

Now, if UPS would deliver my damned barrel already...

Don't over look 190 class bullets. Don't get caught chasing BC for just the sake of BC. Accuracy trumps BC most of the time. High BC numbers get you close misses if they're not accurate.

 

[284winner]

Hadn’t been my experience with Rem 700s but haven’t used one with a DBM in 15 years so maybe they opened them up but never used to be able to get over 2.825 before the tip started catching the feed ramp. Never loaded 200+grn bullets in the .308 but even when using the 178s that was max oal. When people went to DBMs they would have the issues of tips catching of going longer. AICS mags are usually around 2.870” oal and you can’t run that long without modifying.

Could be. The actions I've used are fairly new.

 

[284winner]

Don't over look 190 class bullets. Don't get caught chasing BC for just the sake of BC. Accuracy trumps BC most of the time. High BC numbers get you close misses if they're not accurate.

Absolutely. The Berger 185s were the most accurate in my 308 when I shot it the most. Even toward the end when bullets started getting slippery for the .308, I stuck with what shot the best. Tried others but always returned to the 185s. Been hearing good things with the 200 grain 20x so it's why I responded about them. A little heavier but not so much as to lose a lot more case capacity. Currently the 168 TMKs are what I feed my .308. Chopped the barrel down to 22" from 30" and it's now a woods deer gun. The 168s really shoot well and perform great on deer.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

I like the Berger 185 gr. Target VLD in several that I shoot. Also the 175 gr. Sierra Match-Kings. - If I take time to sort bullets the accuracy is top-notch using a couple different powders.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

While your waiting on the barrel. Send the action to LRI,inc. And have Chad put on a side bolt release.
you'll love it.

 

[vulrath]

Hadn’t been my experience with Rem 700s but haven’t used one with a DBM in 15 years so maybe they opened them up but never used to be able to get over 2.825 before the tip started catching the feed ramp. Never loaded 200+grn bullets in the .308 but even when using the 178s that was max oal. When people went to DBMs they would have the issues of tips catching of going longer. AICS mags are usually around 2.870” oal and you can’t run that long without modifying.

I've definitely gone AICS mag length without catching. My numbers are going to be slightly smaller because I have PMAGs, but I was definitely well past the 2.825" mark.

 

[284winner]

Found this pic on this forum in another thread. Gives some info you may need regarding the heavier 200-20X.

 

[Rob01]

I've definitely gone AICS mag length without catching. My numbers are going to be slightly smaller because I have PMAGs, but I was definitely well past the 2.825" mark.

Yeah the PMAG aics aren’t as long oal as real AICS mags but glad you can get past the 2.825 mark now with the Remington action. I bet they modified it when they started producing their own rifles which used AICS mags.

 

[vulrath]

I'm well aware of the limitations of the PMAGs. For the record, I hate them - I actually had to reduce a OAL a couple of times on my 6.5 because it bound up. The pointy bullets don't like it when the mag wall is scarred up.

But yeah, I definitely loaded ALL the way out to the end of the mag on the factory barrel. This thing definitely started life as an ADL, so they definitely did a redesign of the receiver.

 

[YEW PLUCKER]

I am waiting for a .30 cal 1:10 twist straight taper Bartlein blank to show up next Tuesday (shout out to the guy at Bartlein who helped me find what I wanted in stock at Grizzly on Thursday). In the meantime I'm left with a choice of what (short action) caliber I should chamber in.

Currently it's got a Shilen 25" 308Win bastard child that I finish reamed myself, and the factory barrel was 308win as well. I've got plenty of 175 SMK left over, so I'd like to keep using those, but also keep the possibility of moving up to the 200+gr territory when the availability is there again.

Without any real knowledge about it my first thought was to just do Winchester because I have all the tooling and supplies. A friend suggested 308win improved, 30-284 ai, and 30-6.5x47, all of which sound like decent options.

I shoot mainly between 300-1000 yards (usually 500-600) and this is just a target rifle right now. Doubtful I'll be shooting competitively with it as I have my Nucleus in 6.5 Creedmoor for that (all comps here are 600yd anyway). I did have a goal of getting this rifle to 1k back when I first got it back in 2013, and it was 308win back then, too, so I'm tempted to just do the Winchester chamber and rechamber it down the road once I've achieved my goal within the majority of my original parameters. Availability of factory ammo would be a boon (not that I use any these days...), for sure.

The .308 WIn. is a good choice for mid range. It'll give you Looooong barrel life too. If you want to stretch its legs out to 1000, just just a 175-180 grain bullets. You'll always be able to find brass. Bullet selection is a smorgasbord. There are thousands of recipes. You'll never be unhappy with it.

 

[D-4297]

My choice would be going .308 for all the obvious reasons you've already mentioned . Have the barrel chambered with the 2013 F-TR reamer , with at least .170 Free-bore . You might even consider .180 FB if you're into the 200 Hybrids , or 200.20x's . I shot both the 200gr in TR for a couple of years , and then went back to the 185 Juggernauts . The heavier bullets , and bigger loads are hard on barrel & brass life . Both the 185 Jugg Target , and the 185 Jugg OTM are outstanding mid-range bullets . And with the right loads , they do just fine at 1,000 , too . Just know that "Mag" length is not as conducive to good accuracy , as long loading lengths for Berger's are almost a pre-requisite , as they can be seating depth sensitive . And the Berger's are a longer bullet , as compared to the Sierra's . If you do chose to go with the shorter Free-bore , be careful about shoving 200gr bullets down in the case , trying to get Mag lengths . You reduce your potential powder load , and may have issues trying to get to your desired velocities . To say nothing of potential pressure issues .