starting on my 308
- Thread starter Falkwa
- Start date
I've never used cfe223, but have loaded plenty of 308 rounds with the other three, and all with great results in various rifles.
If forced to pick, I'd probably go with Win 748 first, then Varget, then IMR 4064, but would listen to what my rifle told me before making a final decision.
As they say... each rifle will have it's own preferences. You'll only know what your rifle likes best by experimenting a bit.
Awfully hard to beat 4064 in the 308.
Agreed. I bet you'd find a load pretty quick with 4064 and those 168's.
its just a remmy 700 varmint... cant afford any of that super super fancy stuff.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
I get some fairly nice groups from my Remmy 5r 308s. One is straight factory and another just has an upgraded trigger. The Remmy's have long throats, usually, so our guns are "probably" similar. I'll give you some 2.8 COL loads that are not hot by any means. It may give you a starting point and save you some time.
OK, I'm at my desk. I had some good groups with 40 grains IMR 4064, 168 Horny BTHP, Remington case, Federal 210 primer, loaded to 2.8 COL. I found another good node at 42.8 grains. My Varget loads were around the 44 grains area but You should be cautious as I started getting over pressure signs on my primers and hard bolt lift at 44.3. I would start at 41 grains and work up from there in .3 grain increments and watch for pressure signs. You can pull apart any loads that are too warm. Keep a close eye on your primers. If they start to flatten, STOP. Read your manual and don't go over max. Changing primers or case manufacture affects your results. I had a good Varget load for Remington cases. Tried the same load in Lake City brass and it was too hot for my gun. Good Luck and be careful! Weigh every charge! Keep good clear records.
OK, I'm at my desk. I had some good groups with 40 grains IMR 4064, 168 Horny BTHP, Remington case, Federal 210 primer, loaded to 2.8 COL. I found another good node at 42.8 grains. My Varget loads were around the 44 grains area but You should be cautious as I started getting over pressure signs on my primers and hard bolt lift at 44.3. I would start at 41 grains and work up from there in .3 grain increments and watch for pressure signs. You can pull apart any loads that are too warm. Keep a close eye on your primers. If they start to flatten, STOP. Read your manual and don't go over max. Changing primers or case manufacture affects your results. I had a good Varget load for Remington cases. Tried the same load in Lake City brass and it was too hot for my gun. Good Luck and be careful! Weigh every charge! Keep good clear records.
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Many years ago I did some load testing with a Remington 700 varmint, just an out of the box gun with some bedding behind the recoil lug. It shot some really good groups for being just an out of the box factory gun. I got the best groups with 41 grains of IMR 4895 and the 168 SMK and also some good groups with 42 grains of IMR 4064 and the 168 SMK. It also shot well with the 190 SMK and these powders. I shot the 190 SMK load some at 600 and 1000 yards and it shot well.
just seen you edited. thanks for the info. just loaded up some of the 150s with the open 748 i had.. 46g, 46.5, and 47g 5 each. have 50 more fully sized and ready to load cases to load for the other powders
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Sounds good. Another thought to consider: How cold is it where you'll be shooting. Winter loads and summer loads and "temp sensitivity ". Varget is less sensitive to outside temperature differences. You may find a load that shoots well in both seasons. Your 4064 loads will shoot hotter/faster in summer's heat. I would work on Varget loads first, since you only have 50 empties. Good luck.
i have a 5 gallon bucket full of brass. its just obv not in ready to load state. im well aware of temp sensitive and for my goals anything near a "max" load isnt required at this time. and im Indiana... so we get all the temps here.
Dusty Stevens
Shiner
I love 4064 and 168,175 smk. Go by sierras loads and they usually shoot in all 308 guns
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
OK! Didn't mean to coddle you. I just don't know your experience level so I may add in the obvious for safety's sake. Get that bucket out and start cranking. My range is only 1/2 hour away and I take 2 guns minimum and 100 rounds for each.
Falkwa,
Shooting a Sav10FCP here..... 24" 1:10.
I have had good luck with 41.0 IMR4064 under both 168 and 175 SMK's. I tried W748 years ago under 168 SMK's but got delayed detonation until I went to a mag primer (CCI34's). That round never shot well. For me, Varget has always been the most consistent, clear winner with 150-175 class bullets. Horn150FMJ+168AMAX shot under 1MOA, 168+175SMK's all shot .450agg or better - all weather. I'm in Co. - we get hot summers and cold winters as well. most consistent load was 42.0gr. For the record - my rig's pet load is 43gr RL15 under a 175SMK - .010 off the lands = one ragged hole @100yds. I use BR-2 primers for all. Good luck! S
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