Selecting my bullet (consumables)... initial 308 WIN load

[TrekUS]

i have my reloading equipment on hand, and now I have to make a purchase on “consumables”....bullet, primer, powder. New rifle this summer... I’ve shot 880 rounds of Creedmoor Sports Lapua 168 and 175 (I retained the brass).. both shot well in my 20”, 1x10” barrel (suppressed).

Rifle is for PRS... it was suggested I start with Berger 168 VLD Hybrid Target bullets (I have a 175 weight limit... and could also go with the 175 Lapua Scenar bullet... how does one decide?

I’m on a learning curve (steep)... was planning to purchase 200 and go through the process of load development... and see how It works out (CCI BR2 primers, Varget powder... cant find... soI was going to purchase 6 lbs of H4895).... there are a number of variables- would appreciate opinions/thoughts... thanks!

 

[Uglybird]

I'm doing what you are, although for fun rather than comp. For my 1st 200, I chose Sierra 175 TMK and Hornady 178 ELD-M, Fed GMM primers, and Viht N140, N150, N540 powders. My first batch of rounds is with the 175 TMK's. Following Berger's advice re: VLD seating depth, and testing 6 different COALs from 2.83-3.03, all with 42 grains N140. Rifle is a 700 5R 24" 11.25" twist, and shoots factory 175 GMM very well, but with 250 thou of jump! Going to see if there is a benefit to chasing the lands.

https://bergerbullets.com/getting-the-best-precision-and-accuracy-from-vld-bullets-in-your-rifle/

 

[XLR308]

From what I have read about the 168 hybrid they seem to be far more temperamental than the rest so I steered clear of them.
As far as powder goes there are numerous offerings that work exceptionally well for your application if you can't find Varget.
After I tried AR-COMP in the 308win my stash of Varget was just collecting dust for years.
The Hornady 168eldm might be worth a look, I had allways shot the 178 AMAX with excellent results both on paper and deer, hogs and coyote.

 

[rsmithsr50]

for prs I think the smk175 will do.
fed 210 also
n140 rl15
for mag length where yo cannot chase the lands, I think the big jump process has merit.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Well if you have a weight limit that narrows the field. What's working for others that are doing the same?

 

[JFrank]

i have my reloading equipment on hand, and now I have to make a purchase on “consumables”....bullet, primer, powder. New rifle this summer... I’ve shot 880 rounds of Creedmoor Sports Lapua 168 and 175 (I retained the brass).. both shot well in my 20”, 1x10” barrel (suppressed).

Rifle is for PRS... it was suggested I start with Berger 168 VLD Hybrid Target bullets (I have a 175 weight limit... and could also go with the 175 Lapua Scenar bullet... how does one decide?

I’m on a learning curve (steep)... was planning to purchase 200 and go through the process of load development... and see how It works out (CCI BR2 primers, Varget powder... cant find... soI was going to purchase 6 lbs of H4895).... there are a number of variables- would appreciate opinions/thoughts... thanks!

IME
One pound of H4895
One pound of RL-15
One pound of IMR 4064
Wait for Varget
One pound of VVN140

Lapua scenar are excellent projectiles.
Also Sierra 168 & 175 very tolerant for seating buy 500 each for samples
Other Bullets are available as your skills progress. Hybrids or custom...
Once you find a bullet and powder your rifle likes buy larger quantities.
I test primers side by side once a base load is developed, its more fine tuning IME/ IMO
Powder
Seating
Primers
Neck Tension
Done....
J

 

[wolfman]

If it was me, I'd run 155.5 bergers. Less recoil, super easy to tune, and better ballistics than 175 smks. Varget, H4895, N150, R15 wil all get you where you want to be.

 

[Ned Ludd]

For the bullets of 175 gr or less that you are most likely to choose (i.e. some kind of 168 or 175, possibly even a 155), I would pick H4895 as the powder every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It is a great powder for .30 cal bullets in that weight range.

I have loads worked up in a couple different F-TR rifles with the 168 Hybrid over H4895 that shoot extremely well. I have never had any issues tuning the 168 Hybrid, and it has one of the highest BCs available for the 168 gr weight class that you will find. For that reason, the 168 Hybrid is one of the few cases where a lighter .30 cal bullet can actually outperform (in terms of wind deflection) a heavier bullet that has a higher BC , solely because you can push the 168 Hybrid much faster. More typically, the BCs of 168 gr bullets are much lower and even though you can push them faster than something like a 185 Juggernaut, the Juggernaut will still win in terms of wind deflection at some distance. My 168 Hybrid loads actually shoot inside 185 Juggernaut loads in the same rifles.

 

[rsmithsr50]

just ignoring the long kernel and such

 

[rockhound78]

I don't know if it would work for you, but my 308 loves the Hornady 155 amax with Varget. Finding some might be problematic though. Someone might still have some in stock

 

[Martin52]

From what I have read about the 168 hybrid they seem to be far more temperamental than the rest so I steered clear of them.

Possibly.....in my case I reversed my testing procedure with the 168 hybrids. Instead of a ladder test first, I picked a mid range powder load and adjusted seating depth until I found the best group then increased the powder load. The 168 hybrids tuned in nicely.

 

[rsmithsr50]

there is more than one way to skin a cat

Possibly.....in my case I reversed my testing procedure with the 168 hybrids. Instead of a ladder test first, I picked a mid range powder load and adjusted seating depth until I found the best group then increased the powder load. The 168 hybrids tuned in nicely.

 

[ebb]

Maybe some time at JBM ballistics and see what the different bullets will do in the wind. If a lighter bullet doesn't give up much in the wind drift portion of the table at JBM. The lighter bullet may do better after a whole day of recoil in a match and your ability to make really good shots latter in the day after a beating.

 

[TrekUS]

for prs I think the smk175 will do.
fed 210 also
n140 rl15
for mag length where yo cannot chase the lands, I think the big jump process has merit.

What process did you follow in selecting your primer? My circle of shooters are using CCI BR2/Lapua brass... would you have a reference source/guide I could review... thanks!

 

[JFrank]

Not sure how others do it but I use a Side by side comparison

 

[TrekUS]

For the bullets of 175 gr or less that you are most likely to choose (i.e. some kind of 168 or 175, possibly even a 155), I would pick H4895 as the powder every day of the week and twice on Sunday. It is a great powder for .30 cal bullets in that weight range.

I have loads worked up in a couple different F-TR rifles with the 168 Hybrid over H4895 that shoot extremely well. I have never had any issues tuning the 168 Hybrid, and it has one of the highest BCs available for the 168 gr weight class that you will find. For that reason, the 168 Hybrid is one of the few cases where a lighter .30 cal bullet can actually outperform (in terms of wind deflection) a heavier bullet that has a higher BC , solely because you can push the 168 Hybrid much faster. More typically, the BCs of 168 gr bullets are much lower and even though you can push them faster than something like a 185 Juggernaut, the Juggernaut will still win in terms of wind deflection at some distance. My 168 Hybrid loads actually shoot inside 185 Juggernaut loads in the same rifles.

Ned, for that particular load (168gr/H4895), what primer choice did you use? I’m favoring 168 for the higher velocity (similar BC)... this summer will allow shooting for fun at 1100 yards... hoping the slightly faster load will support. Appreciate your note.

 

[TrekUS]

View attachment 1150763 Not sure how others do it but I use a Side by side comparison

Wow, I had no idea there would be that munch variability... eye opening! SPJ was favoring seating depth before primer section and I might have thought I’d do primers first and then do my seating depth (a separate post by Tobby(sp) highlighted the impact seating distance can make. I’m starting to thing reloading is a sport within itself... permutations/combinations are stunning. Thanks for your post!

 

[Longrange57]

Trek, it may not work in your case, but I do side by side comparisons like SPJ as well. Years ago after reading an article written by Lauri Holland, I do believe on large primers, I researched many of the large primers, if that is the way you go, and found that the Sellier and Bellot primer was very accurate with larger bullets like the 185 jugg and Varget. That may not be the case with lighter bullets and your powder selection. The S/B's are about equal to CCI200 in accuracy and velocity in my 6.5 x 284's, but again my go to primer for 6.5 and 7mm RSAUM'S. It's amazing what side by side comparisons reveal!

 

[JFrank]

Well as a side note I believe you could build a load around most any the the top primers.
I feel that one will prevail over the others for your individual rifle though.
J

 

[Longrange57]

Well as a side note I believe you could build a load around most any the the top primers.
I feel that one will prevail over the others for your individual rifle though.
J

Yes sir, I agree! I've seen some huge swings in velocity between primers. Just have to adjust for velocity, etc. Great point!