Pet reloads w/168gr for .308

[kawzak]

I finally found some Varget powder and CCI BR2 primers. I have a Rem .308 SPS 700 w/20" bbl and 1-12 twist. I realize I need to start at Min and work up. I have reloading data, but curious as to some of your pet loads for these bullets listed below using Varget, IMR 4064, IMR 4320.

168 Sierra BTHP match
168 Berger match
168 (or 165) Nosler competition
168 Hornady A-max

My Rem. really likes the Federal Gold match w/168 Sierra BTHP factory loads, so I am hoping to reload something that groups a little tighter at 100 yds.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[mmcu]

Try here: http://www.6mmbr.com/6mmbr.html and read the article by German Salazar about 1/3 of the way down the page.

Here as well: http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html

 

[mshelton]

12g of trailboss

 

[snert]

4064 was allegdly the powder used by Federal for the GM. I like 2495. Follow the books, find what works for your gun. I basically re-create teh Federal GM load, which has always shot well.

 

[Shynloco]

Right at or around 42 gr of Varget for all those 168 gr bullets shot at 100 yds. The other two powders my .308 likes is RL15 and IMR4895 again at or around 42 grs, +or- a few .o1's @ 100 yd. Gotta test in your particular rifle to find the exact load. And that's with the bullet seating just touching the rifling, not jammed.

Alex

 

[dalej]

Lapua "Palma" cartridges, because max load of Varget stretches Lapua large rifle primer pockets. Use CCI-450 primers with "Palma" brass.

 

[John S]

In MY gun which is exactly what you have, it didn't care for Varget as much as it did the H4895. With that powder, it never shoots over a 1" group at 100 yds and is typically around the 1/2" mark. Using a Hornady bullet comparator thingy, the COAL is 2.215"

 

[barefooter56]

kawzak,
Are you going to be doing most of your group/target shooting at 100 yards only?

 

[kawzak]

I have 100 yd range at my home, so that is what I will have to do most all my experimenting/development with. Once I have found a really good load/bullet combo, I have to drive quite a few miles to shoot 300 yds. If I test any loads farther out I will have to drive 150 miles to a range with 500+ yds.

 

[barefooter56]

kawzak,
Our 168 grain VLD target or MATCH TARGET HYBRID can get you out to 1000 yards no problem. The 168 grain Sierra will not. 6-800 yards at best for that bullet as it was originally designed as a 300 meter target bullet. Its a good bullet. Just wont fly at 1000 yards. The other two I have not shot at long range so will not comment on them. If you need load information please email us at techsupport@bergerbullets.com and we can help.

 

[kawzak]

barefooter56- I doubt I will shoot more than 600 yds-but it may be interesting to see what happens at 1K. Are these Berger Match hybrid the ones with a complex ogive? Also do they stabilize early enough at shorter 100-200 yds to shoot tight groups? In my experimentation I am trying to find a "one size fits all" that I can use at all yardages. I shoot paper for fun. My age and a neurological disease prevents me from getting more involved (equipment wise) or I would have bought a custom benchrest rifle. However I do have reloading equipment and extremely accurate measuring equipment. most .0000", and some capable of .00000". It is part of what I used to do. So reloading to me can become a game of ultra precision, even if I can't shoot as good as I once did.

 

[d.id]

Worked up to 44.0 grains of varget using the fed 210 in lapua with the A-max twenty thousands off and abruptly stopped load development............it's bean my 168 recipe ever since.
178 A-max worked exactly the same but I stopped at 43............Just to easy.

 

[barefooter56]

kawzak,
The Hybrids have both the tangent and secant ogives incorporated in the design of the bullet. This makes them very tolerant of jump and easy to load tune for. 600 and 1000 yards are not an issue with this type of bullet. For your 100-200 yard target shooting try our 150 grain FB target bullets. Less recoil and work great at these ranges. The Hybrids will work too but you will have more recoil. Also complete stabilization MAY be an issue AT 100 yards. Depends on the rifle in most cases. 200 yards though should not be a problem.

 

[Alaska Bush Man]

I finally found some Varget powder and CCI BR2 primers. I have a Rem .308 SPS 700 w/20" bbl and 1-12 twist. I realize I need to start at Min and work up. I have reloading data, but curious as to some of your pet loads for these bullets listed below using Varget, IMR 4064, IMR 4320.

168 Sierra BTHP match
168 Berger match
168 (or 165) Nosler competition
168 Hornady A-max

My Rem. really likes the Federal Gold match w/168 Sierra BTHP factory loads, so I am hoping to reload something that groups a little tighter at 100 yds.

Thanks for any feedback.

IMR 4064 @ 43.8 with 168 MK