Mid and Long-range FTR loads for .308, Whats everyone shooting?

[muleystalker]

I'm trying to help a friend get started in FTR using a .308, looking to buy bullets, whats everyone using? I was also wondering on the heavier 190-200gr bullets, is it a must to use Lapua SP Palma brass to get these bullets speed to where they work for 1000yrds? I'm not a .308 shooter and just trying to figure it out before we purchase bullets. Any info would be great.

 

[Jdne5b]

People mostly use SRP brass for longevity. Some may find lower ES\SD but LP brass suffers early primer pocket failure when running 200gr bullets above 2600 like is common.

Majority are using 185gr Juggs, 200 Hybrids or 200-20x bullets, with a few 208 hybrid users.

Lapua or Peterson SRP brass
Varget, H4895, N150, N140
Any of the above Berger's.

 

[DRNewcomb]

MR load is 47 gn of Varget behind a Hornady ELD 155. (Lapua brass with 205M primers.) I find that the Hornadys shoot as well as the Sierra TMKs in my rifle and both shoot better than the Sierra MK 155s. I'll be moving to about the same loading with Precision Rifle powder as I was able to obtain two jugs a while back. I don't have a LR load as I have not (yet) found one that will stay supersonic at 1000 yds out of my Mod 70 to register on the Shot Marker electronic targets.

 

[flintcreek6412]

IF they want to be competitive Jdne5b sums it up well. Literally everyone winning uses Bergers at least 185gr. No sense re-inventing the wheel. It's been tried and failed by many. If he's just wanting to go and have fun and doesn't have a chamber capable of the heavies.....then about any load and bullet will work and the 155s will teach him to read the wind so if he stick with it and moves to heavier bullets he'll be rewarded.

It's a terrible time to take up the sport if you don't already have the components. They are hard to find and prices are climbing. Good luck though, love seeing people new to the sport.

 

[6MT]

185gr Juggernaughts over 45.5gr of D4064ssc (IMR4064 equivalent), CCI BR2, and Lapua brass. With a 28” Kreiger #17 MTU 1:9” +.170” free bore. Averages 2775fps (+15c).

 

[Medic505]

For what it's worth, Starline also makes .308 small primer brass. The only difference between it, Peterson and Lapua is it has a large flashhole. It might be more available than the other two at this time.

 

[Jdne5b]

For what it's worth, Starline also makes .308 small primer brass. The only difference between it, Peterson and Lapua is it has a large flashhole. It might be more available than the other two at this time.

And it's much cheaper!

 

[D-4297]

185gr Juggernaughts over 45.5gr of D4064ssc (IMR4064 equivalent), CCI BR2, and Lapua brass. With a 28” Kreiger #17 MTU 1:9” +.170” free bore. Averages 2775fps (+15c).

You been lookin in my load-book ? That is my load with the 185 Jugg Target , or OTM . Just set them at different depths .

 

[Dub]

I use SRP Palma brass.
185 Berger Juggernauts over 43.8 gr of Varget
200.20X bergers over 43gr of Varget
Fed 205M Primers in both
These are loaded much longer than book COAL if you are limited to that do NOT use these loads. Always work up.

 

[muleystalker]

Thanks guys this helps. He found some Berger 200.20x's and I found some Norma 203B powder I'm showing should work ok from what the loading manual says. At this point it should get him shooting. Anyone have any experience using Norma 203B?

 

[Jdne5b]

Thanks guys this helps. He found some Berger 200.20x's and I found some Norma 203B powder I'm showing should work ok from what the loading manual says. At this point it should get him shooting. Anyone have any experience using Norma 203B?

Is he shooting a custom rifle with proper throat\freebore for the 200s?

 

[1shot]

Thanks guys this helps. He found some Berger 200.20x's and I found some Norma 203B powder I'm showing should work ok from what the loading manual says. At this point it should get him shooting. Anyone have any experience using Norma 203B?

It's basically RL-15. I haven't found any difference between the two.
I hope this helps,

Lloyd

 

[Martin52]

I'm trying to help a friend get started in FTR using a .308...... wondering on the heavier 190-200gr bullets, Any info would be great.

Can he tell you the freebore length or the chamber spec's, if not then the OAL with one of the heavier bullets seated to touch the lands would be a starting point.

 

[muleystalker]

Its a SAMMI chamber but we can always have it throated , I figured we would probably need too. Thats if he decides to go with the 200's.

 

[D-4297]

I'm currently shooting a Krieger 30" - 5r , 1 -10t with a .180 Free-bore . Primary round is the Jugg , but I do have room for the 20x . Remember ; to get case capacity for velocity , without excessive pressures , you have to load longer than "Book" OAL lengths .

 

[Ned Ludd]

There are much better choices than the 200.20X bullet to start out in F-TR if he has a more typical commercial chamber. If the free-bore of the rifle is less than 0.100" as most will be, I would suggest trying the Berger 168 Hybrid over H4895. It can be a very effective combination that won't initially require any modification, or adjustments to manage the recoil with 200 gr bullets. The step up to the 200.20Xs could be made at any point down the road.

 

[wolfman]

Berger 155.5's and H4895/Varget/N140/N150 wouldn't be a bad way to start with at midrange either. A super forgiving bullet to load, and performs surprisingly well.