Load Development for .308 issues

[Ryan.c]

Hello all,
This is my first post in this forum and it looks like a robust knowledge base. I'm trying to develop a load using 178gn. ElD-X and need to know whats wrong or next steps. I'll try to keep it brief. Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Pea shooter: Remington 700 sps tactical-almost nothing is stock
-Developed load 6 years ago, took a break from shooting, now I'm back-still new to the addiction
-Load consists of Lapua brass, CCI primer, 44.4gr. varget, 168 AMax
-Lee single stage press, full case sized, 2" case length, 2.8" COAL, never measured off the lands, no crimping, chamfered, measurements are double checked via decent digital scale/digital calipers
-When I purchased the Lupua brass 6 years ago I prepped all the casing the same-used half-stored half
-As you can see with the red picture at 100 yards I have a tight 5 group (sub 1/2 minute) six years ago
-The second picture is from this weekend. The upper left and lower right groups are using the same ammo from six years ago (I was a little rusty). The COAL was still 2.8" with the 178gn. ELDX and the number above indicates the charge.
-The grouping didn't show any consistency---I'm lost

 

[Rsadams]

As you stated you will have to start over with the new bullets and work up a load for them.... All the data for your old 168gr amax bullets are worthless with the new 175 gr bullets... Be sure and check a manual for min- max load with the new bullet weight.... Honestly if it was me I would swap over to the Sierra matchkings since your not seating for max accuracy , they don't mind a jump... Using either varget or imr-4064 powder which is what I use for my .308... You also stated you're rusty , so getting back into shooting and being comfortable behind the rifle would be a huge help before anything else....

 

[rammac]

What was the load that you used for the last 5 round group on the lower right?

 

[_Raining]

What was the load that you used for the last 5 round group on the lower right?

The upper left and lower right groups are using the same ammo from six years ago (I was a little rusty).

 

[Metal God]

What rsadams said .

I’m assuming that is a new load work up in between the first and last groups ? It does appear you’ll need to work on some seating depth changes or maybe different primers .

Since you are using a 700 , seating to the lands is not likely do to there generally long leades . So changing bullets to a less sensitive jumped bullet like the SMK may be what you need to get a quicker result you may want but fine tuning what you have may very well work as well .

 

[CharlieNC]

I would say given your long break that the main element is probably a rusty shooter, happens to all if us.

 

[JFrank]

Sa

Hello all,
This is my first post in this forum and it looks like a robust knowledge base. I'm trying to develop a load using 178gn. ElD-X and need to know whats wrong or next steps. I'll try to keep it brief. Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Pea shooter: Remington 700 sps tactical-almost nothing is stock
-Developed load 6 years ago, took a break from shooting, now I'm back-still new to the addiction
-Load consists of Lapua brass, CCI primer, 44.4gr. varget, 168 AMax
-Lee single stage press, full case sized, 2" case length, 2.8" COAL, never measured off the lands, no crimping, chamfered, measurements are double checked via decent digital scale/digital calipers
-When I purchased the Lupua brass 6 years ago I prepped all the casing the same-used half-stored half
-As you can see with the red picture at 100 yards I have a tight 5 group (sub 1/2 minute) six years ago
-The second picture is from this weekend. The upper left and lower right groups are using the same ammo from six years ago (I was a little rusty). The COAL was still 2.8" with the 178gn. ELDX and the number above indicates the charge.
-The grouping didn't show any consistency---I'm lost
View attachment 1135251 View attachment 1135253

I believe you have way to much powder involved for a 175 class Bullet.
Start over much lower say 42-43.6 ish

 

[dolek]

From Hodgdon's site...no 178s listed.

 

[JFrank]

^^^ see that 42. Gr of Varget is more in line with the bullet your working with.
J

 

[Ryan.c]

I'm switching to a hunting bullet so the Amax and SMK are out. I was pushing the charge, maybe dropping down will help. The first shots were cold bore and I was rusty. You can see the last group at the bottom right was much tighter and I was using my old loads. I'm thinking that I have to check out my lands situation or switch over to a less sensitive bullet.

Should I start with the charge or length? Maybe I should just switch to the SST since they are more similar to the Amax

 

[AJC]

Book load range is 35-42.4 @ 2450fps. Coal 2.800

 

[rammac]

Using 45 grains of Varget under the 178gr ELDX is way over the top.

 

[Zero333]

Load some from 41 to 43.5 gr

Try some matchkings or Berger's.

 

[Rsadams]

If you want hunting bullets , Berger or I use Sierra Gameking.... Living in Texas an honest long shot is 300 yards , more like 75-100ish... So I don't , like many people need the new flavor of the month long range hunting bullets... I know plenty of people that have taken game with the A-max or even the Matchking although the Matchking isn't recommend for it...

 

[Tempest]

Ditto on charge weight. I have one rifle when I slowed it down to lower node, was way more accurate.

 

[338 dude]

I'm switching to a hunting bullet so the Amax and SMK are out. I was pushing the charge, maybe dropping down will help. The first shots were cold bore and I was rusty. You can see the last group at the bottom right was much tighter and I was using my old loads. I'm thinking that I have to check out my lands situation or switch over to a less sensitive bullet.

Should I start with the charge or length? Maybe I should just switch to the SST since they are more similar to the Amax

Here are a 30 caliber hunting bullets from Burger with the recommended twist rates and I’m sure you can get loading information on burgers website

I'm switching to a hunting bullet so the Amax and SMK are out. I was pushing the charge, maybe dropping down will help. The first shots were cold bore and I was rusty. You can see the last group at the bottom right was much tighter and I was using my old loads. I'm thinking that I have to check out my lands situation or switch over to a less sensitive bullet.

Should I start with the charge or length? Maybe I should just switch to the SST since they are more similar to the Amax

I'm switching to a hunting bullet so the Amax and SMK are out. I was pushing the charge, maybe dropping down will help. The first shots were cold bore and I was rusty. You can see the last group at the bottom right was much tighter and I was using my old loads. I'm thinking that I have to check out my lands situation or switch over to a less sensitive bullet.

Should I start with the charge or length? Maybe I should just switch to the SST since they are more similar to the Amax

 

[Texas10]

The old load clearly shoots well. So I'd focus on the rifle first. What are the chances that a rifle stored for 6 years is in perfect condition? Start by going over it thoroughly and torque/adjust/clean everything properly, and shoot the original load again, this time redeveloped slightly to account for (I assume) new components. Once you know the gun and you are up to the task, you can move forward with a new load knowing more about what might be affecting the results.

44.3 of Varget and the 168 gr is a hot load in my Shilen S.M. 308 barrel. I dropped to a lower node, then switched to IMR 4064 for better accuracy, but I'm not taking game with it.

 

[OKBoomer]

I’d be hard pressed not to go back to the 168 Amax based on what your target shows. In my experience, that bullet has done a great job on several whitetails in Oklahoma.
If you’re set on the 178, then try testing longer seating depths. 2.835” is just about the max COAL of a 700 short action magazine. As a data point for you, I just finished load development on the 178 ELDM with IMR4064 on my target rifle. It’s a trued 700 and aftermarket 10 twist 22” barrel. I found a charge weight node range, then tested seating depth - which turned out to be critical. My COAL is much longer (2.932” which is .008” off the lands), but charge is similar to yours. In my rifle, this load is safe with no signs of pressure. No claims it will be safe in anything else.