Load suggestions for 308 savage FCP 1-10 twist

[short range]

Today I ordered a 308 Savage FCP with 1-10 twist. I'm looking for suggestion for bullets and loads that should work best with that twist. I was told that the Berger 175 grian match is a great one for one guys rifle. I would think that the 168 grain match bullets should work well also. What is the range in bullet weight that will work ?

 

[TestPilot]

Following Recommended Bullet Wt/Twist Data extracted from Lilja Barrel site:

Bullet Wt...Twist (In/Turn)
150-180.....10,11,12
180...........10,11,12
200...........10,11
220-250.....10

At 10-1, 150 may be a bit light, ie more twist than really needed. The newer VLD design bullets require a faster twist rate than is normal for their particular bullet weight.
Some suggested loads are:

IMR 4895
150 grain bullet, 46.6 grains
155 grain bullet, 45.6 grains
168 grain bullet, 43.6 grains
175 grain bullet, 42.4 grains
178 grain bullet, 42.0 grains

Varget
155 grain bullet, 47.8 grains
168 grain bullet, 46.0 grains
175 grain bullet, 45.0 grains
180 grain bullet, 44.1 grains
200 grain bullet, 41.5 grains (10 twist barrel)
200 grain bullet, 43.1 grains (10 twist barrel)

 

[1000yardstare]

Shot a Savage VLP .308 1-10 twist in a 600 yd F Class match this past weekend.

Did very well with 168 Nosler Competitions and 43.0 gr RL15. Win primers and brass. Chronos at 2700 fps.

The VLP seems like a closely related rifle to your FCP but with a 26 inch barrel instead of the 24 inch FCP barrel. You would probably get 2650 from the same load in the 24 inch barrel.

Tried 155 SMKs but not as accurate as 168s in the 10 twist.

Don`t see any point in lobing 175s out there from a .308 with the increase in recoil.

 

[tiny68]

In my gun, Lapua brass, Fed 210M primers, Varget @ 44-45 gr (depending on temp and conditions), 168 SMK seated way long (3.005" in my gun). This is 0.010" jump. Single shot only. RE-15 works better on some days if the planets line up correctly. Other days Varget is the winner. Varget wins more that RE-15 in my 308. I am running 2700 fps on the nose. I build this load to duplicate Fed Gold Medal Match in my gun. Luck, Tim

 

[short range]

Thanks guys, It sounds like Varget is pretty hard to get around here right now, I'll have to check on IMR 4895 and RL15, I think the guy that told me about the 175 gr bullets, used the IMP 4895, I would think those two will be easier to find. Do most match shooters use the 168 match bullets ?

 

[short range]

tiny, that's good to know that load duplicates Fed. Gold Metal Match.

 

[BIGGUNGOBOOM]

I shoot the 168-180's in mine and it loves them. I primarily use AA2520 and IMR4895, with great results

 

[DennisH]

My 308 FCP love anything you put in it, factory or reloads, My favorite round to shoot is the 175 SMK's, I just don't have any pictures of the targets, but below is one with 168's, but again, It loves them all. I will include a picture with 190's, the gun for some reason loves 190 bergers on the lands with Varget and CCI primers, Lapua brass. The second pictures with the 168 amax's are factory loads!!!!!

 

[DennisH]

Tried 155 SMKs but not as accurate as 168s in the 10 twist.

I saw this after posting the above, I agree with the above statement, I have never got 155 or 155.5 to shoot in my 10 twist, I do have a 12 twist that does decent with the above bullets, I hear 13 twist is the best for the 155 155.5 rounds

 

[OKIE2]

With Hornady 168 amax and 39.1 grains of imr 3031
or 41.0 grains of imr 4895 will be hard to beat in any 10 twist 308.
I put 10 shots in one hole with the 3031 load it is a mild load
with very little recoil. about 2550 fps.
My rifle is a Savage 26 inch stainless heavy varmit barrel.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

+1 what 1000yardstare said.