NOOB Question??

[Presscollector]

I am short on range time for a May shoot. I have a new to me rifle and a new to me long range shoot.
Tany he rifle is a Savage long range, in .308 with a 1-12 twist. With no experience loading for this combination I am looking for suggestions on what weight of bullet to try.
The range is 100 yards to 400 yards.
All suggestions and ideas are appreciated.
I am in Minnesota and April shooting days are few, mostly windy and wet.
Ken

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

A classic would be the 150 gr Sierra matchking.

 

[Bob3700]

Two thoughts: 175 gr SMK would be good in the wind and u don’t have the recoil of the heavier bullets.
155.5 Berger Fullbore usually will shoot a bit smaller with less recoil. At those shorter ranges, wind won’t be as bad as farther out.
U didn’t say what type of competition or class u will be shooting.
Either of the above two bullets will be easy to find a load for using a host of powders. I would try Varget or VV150 first. What powders do u have available?
What brass are u using?

 

[Presscollector]

Two thoughts: 175 gr SMK would be good in the wind and u don’t have the recoil of the heavier bullets.
155.5 Berger Fullbore usually will shoot a bit smaller with less recoil. At those shorter ranges, wind won’t be as bad as farther out.
U didn’t say what type of competition or class u will be shooting.
Either of the above two bullets will be easy to find a load for using a host of powders. I would try Varget or VV150 first. What powders do u have available?
What brass are u using?

Bob, this is more of a fun shoot rather than something serious. It's called The Bluegrass Balloon Bust at Somerset KY. In our younger years it was serious, now it's a bunch of old curmudgeon's and good 'ol boys having fun.
I have Varget and VV150 on hand as well as 2520 though that may be a bit fast.
I'll be using Lapua brass.
Ken
It's snowing right now.

 

[bozo699]

Ken,
As mentioned the 155.5 Berger’s work well also a long time great bullet out to 600 yards is a 168 Sierra MK there inexpensive and shoot well. If your short on time Federal premium match use to and may still have that excuse me that’s Gold metal match by Federal anyway for factory ammo they shoot well. My son won a match in Montana with Varget and 190 Berger’s but that was 1000 yards but the Varget will work great with the 155.5’s and 168’s good luck
Wayne

 

[Bob3700]

Bob, this is more of a fun shoot rather than something serious. It's called The Bluegrass Balloon Bust at Somerset KY. In our younger years it was serious, now it's a bunch of old curmudgeon's and good 'ol boys having fun.
I have Varget and VV150 on hand as well as 2520 though that may be a bit fast.
I'll be using Lapua brass.
Ken
It's snowing right now.

Ken,
Sometimes those fun matches as the most contested. It’s all about “ Bragging Rights” .
Give the 155.5s a try with 45-46 gr of VV150. That works really well in my 12 twist Palma rifle. 308s are like a Collie pup, they just want to shoot n please u.
Bob

 

[Murray Brook]

The Sierra 168 gr HPBT Match was always a solid performer.

 

[bozo699]

Ken,
Sometimes those fun matches as the most contested. It’s all about “ Bragging Rights” .
Give the 155.5s a try with 45-46 gr of VV150. That works really well in my 12 twist Palma rifle. 308s are like a Collie pup, they just want to shoot n please u.
Bob

Bob,
I been stalking up on VV powders but haven’t used much yet is the 150 similar in burn rate and characteristics to Varget?
Wayne

 

[William Vogel]

A 168 grain SmK and IMR 4895 or H4895 is probably your best bet. Work up to 45 grains or a little more.

 

[Straightshooter1]

The Sierra 168 gr HPBT Match was always a solid performer.

I think so too. Isn't that the range the 168 SMK was designed for and has been very successful over the years?

However, in my limited experience over the last few years, the new 169 SMK's have shown to be much better than the 168 SMK's. . . and I find AR-Comp has worked very well for both.

 

[snert]

I am a fan of the 155 Palma from Sierra. Not super expensive, you can drive it fast and recoil is lighter, which makes me a better shot.

 

[ShtrRdy]

Find a good deal on some Federal Gold Metal Match ammo for the 308 and go do your shoot. Then try to develop a load for it.

 

[bozo699]

Find a good deal on some Federal Gold Metal Match ammo for the 308 and go do your shoot. Then try to develop a load for it.

That’s kinda what I said too, I’ve found it to be very accurate.
Wayne

 

[bozo699]

I think so too. Isn't that the range the 168 SMK was designed for and has been very successful over the years?

However, in my limited experience over the last few years, the new 169 SMK's have shown to be much better than the 168 SMK's. . . and I AR-Comp has worked very well for both.

Yes the military used it out to 600 but they won’t stay stabilized to 1000, that’s why I went 190. My buddy said he would kick my ass with his 155 palmas …… not even close, it was windy and he DQ’d mine hung right in there for a 1 moa win lol
Wayne

 

[Bob3700]

Bob,
I been stalking up on VV powders but haven’t used much yet is the 150 similar in burn rate and characteristics to Varget?
Wayne

VV150 is just a wee bit slower than Varget but not much. I use the same 45-46 of VV150 with a 185 Juggernaut.

 

[Doom]

The 168SMK is probably the most popular bullet ever in the 308 and it well documented what loads work well. It is the easy button for developing a load. Powder that work well are IMR 4064, IMR 4895, Varget, AR Comp, RL15. Ball powders that work well are BL-C(2), Win 748. Accurate 2460 and 2520 probably work well also. The 175 SMK is also a good bullet and works well with the same powders.

Since the rifle is a 12 twist stay away from bullets >178 gr and there is little to no benefit at the range intended to trying the new ELD or VLD bullets.

 

[Doom]

VV150 is just a wee bit slower than Varget but not much. I use the same 45-46 of VV150 with a 185 Juggernaut.

According to Capstone VV150 is closer to 4350 burn rate than it is to Varget/4064 but it does work well as does 140 and 135. 135 is a little fast for the 168/169 but I like it in my 20" barrel 12 twist.

 

[ShtrRdy]

I've recently been using N140 in my 308 and it shows some favorable results.

 

[Bob3700]

I shoot VV140 in place of Varget with the 155 gr bullets. Heavier bullets ( 185 Berger’s) achieve higher velocities with VV150.
In my 308 and 6mm BRX, VV140 is a direct sub for Varget.
In my two Palma rifles, both barrels are 5R, 12 twist. They both will shoot 185 Berger Jugs out to a 1000 yds no issues. Those are the heaviest bullets I have tried in competition.

 

[bozo699]

I shoot VV140 in place of Varget with the 155 gr bullets. Heavier bullets ( 185 Berger’s) achieve higher velocities with VV150.
In my 308 and 6mm BRX, VV140 is a direct sub for Varget.
In my two Palma rifles, both barrels are 5R, 12 twist. They both will shoot 185 Berger Jugs out to a 1000 yds no issues. Those are the heaviest bullets I have tried in competition.

I’ll try that in my brx thanks
Wayne