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Load Data Help for a LR .308

D-4297

Gold $$ Contributor
Calling on all of those who load for the LR .308 , to help a Brother out . A very close friend of years has a POF , LR .308 and he came to me the other day asking about loading some ammo for him , as he does not load , or know how to . Not being familiar with "GOOD" data for this weapon , I turn to those who are for assistance .

Rifle is a Top of the Line POF - LR .308 .
18" Barrel
Standard Chamber / Magazine fed
Cases - I am "Gifting" him 100 used (25 reloads ) Lapua SRP cases .
Primer - Ginex SRP

Powders available are : IMR 4064 , A-4064 , Varget , H-335 , & N 150 .
Bullet : Sierra 155gr. , #2156

Added info : Cases are from my "Practice" stocks , and have been annealed , resized after every firing , and trimmed when needed . which is not very often . . Primer pockets were starting to enlarge , and Ginex Primers used for this reason . All primers went in with "Normal" force needed to insert them . Not looking for a "Killer" load that will go through six brick walls , but a very solid load . He lives in the country , North of Phoenix , and has "larger" critters around his horse ranch .
 
i have 5 308's ..none are that short.
yes but 18" aint long range not sure what range it is. the mil considers 24" 308/7.62X51 an 800 yd rifle. cut a 1/3 for the bbl off and still expect performance..not sure.
me thinks you need to look at the fast end of 308 powder
4064 4895 and varget are well known powders and rl15
what twist is the bbl
 
Varget would be where I started. I would prefer 168 grain and 4895 or 8208. But Varget and your 155's should work. I've found 4064 to be a good choice but for me it has been finicky with different guns.
 
With Lapua brass and the 155 you might work up to ~45.1 gr of IMR 4064 or Varget which should be a good range for a gas gun. Make sure you work up to this load. Be careful with using brass from another rifle in a AR platform. It is not pleasant to get a loaded round stuck in the chamber.
 
So you're going to reload for him? Good on ya.
Something about "teach a man to fish...." comes to mind.
Do you know whether he even has shooting skills?
Of What you have:
  • set aside the N150, unless he's shooting 170s or heavier.
  • Use H335 for the lightest bullets, 4064 for the light to medium ones.
  • Have him buy varmint type bullets, FMJ or HP, flat based, 110-130gr to get the greatest velocity out of his barrel. I'm thinking Hornady 110gr VMax. They also make a 125gr varmint type.
  • Crimp them with a Lee FCD
  • You may think the jump is ridiculous. It's not.
  • Tune the load for that gun
Just my opinion:
Until I went up to 168gr SMKs, I found flat based were the most accurate out of my 18" DPMS LR308 at 1moa. 147gr FMJBTs were 2moa on a good day. The bearing surface made all the difference.
You can push these loads too.
Do not recommend he invests in an adj gas block. If a stout load is developed that "hard bottoms" his BCG, add weight to the buffer
With practice, he can use it as a 500 yard gun. For hunting, I'd limit it to 300.
Have him buy a silencer for his gun if he doesn't already have one.
 
Finally got hold of him last night . My apologizes , Guys . It's a 24" - 1-10 twist , RH . He has Rodeo horses that are some big money winners ,but seems to be collecting some Bob-cats , a few Coyotes ,and a occasional Mountain Lion .
Tried to get him to learn some loading skills , but says it's a time issue , so ....when a friend asks . Just was hoping to get some input from guys who have knowledge loading for this rifle , to keep it simple . I try to stay away from loading for anything that's "Mag" length .
 
I have been shooting 308 for ...ever. I have 18" to 30" barrels, 12, 10, 9, 8 twist Short action Long action modified AR 10s. And have used a variety of bullets 100 gr copper to 250gr Atip.
You can shoot an 18" & 20" 308 to 1000, but if 1000yd plus is the main goal you will always shoot better with a long barrel....I ran 8000 rds with short barrels...thought it was pretty good...until I went to the long barrel...as any experienced shooter will tell ya. Short barrels have a place CQB, general use, an occasional long shot, but are a handicap for continued 1000 plus yard work...I use short barrels and like them.
Short barrels lose more velocity with lighter bullets, like 350 fps. Going short go big heavy bullet...200 gr lose less velocity.. use the same powder that got the highest velocity in the long barrel will give the highest velocity in the short barrel...in the 18" to 30," range.
I purposely built a 22" bolt carry rifle, cut of 29" Bartlein 5 R 9 twist ... because 22" was the balance point...velocity loss and portability...the 9 22" twist will single load SMK 715 BC to 2740 fps, or 2940 fps 168 Berger out of the detachable box ..its nice with 225 eldm too.
But for standard shooting the 155 Palma bullet is usually pretty good with a top load of Varget...experiment with the top plus 1 grain. High pressure burns that powder clean, and lower S/Ds...but only if it's you shooting the rifle...loading for others keep the pressure down, the bullet will still get there, and accuracy should be acceptable, especially 600 yds or less...
 
DiffEQ said:
So you're going to reload for him? Good on ya.
Something about "teach a man to fish...." comes to mind.
Do you know whether he even has shooting skills?
Of What you have:
  • set aside the N150, unless he's shooting 170s or heavier.
  • Use H335 for the lightest bullets, 4064 for the light to medium ones.
  • Have him buy varmint type bullets, FMJ or HP, flat based, 110-130gr to get the greatest velocity out of his barrel. I'm thinking Hornady 110gr VMax. They also make a 125gr varmint type.
  • Crimp them with a Lee FCD
  • You may think the jump is ridiculous. It's not.
  • Tune the load for that gun
Just my opinion:
Until I went up to 168gr SMKs, I found flat based were the most accurate out of my 18" DPMS LR308 at 1moa. 147gr FMJBTs were 2moa on a good day. The bearing surface made all the difference.
You can push these loads too.
Do not recommend he invests in an adj gas block. If a stout load is developed that "hard bottoms" his BCG, add weight to the buffer
With practice, he can use it as a 500 yard gun. For hunting, I'd limit it to 300.
Have him buy a silencer for his gun if he doesn't already have one.
Click to expand...
Known the guy for over a decade , and he has excellent shooting skills . Least of my worries , and someone mentioned a "Liability" issue ? That isn't even on the table . Rodeo people , and former Rodeo people don't have Lawyers on speed dial . Must be a East Coast thing .
 
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