What Powder and Bullets for 1000 yard FTR?

[Dgd6mm]

I would like to get some idea on what powder and bullets are being used for 1000 yard .308 FTR. I've been reading and doing alot of searching on this site and Benchrest Central. The rifle that I'm putting together is going to have a 30 inch tube, 1-11 twist, .090 FB, Savage model 12 single shot action. I've been considering Berger 185 LRBT's and H4895. I'm open to suggestions.
This is a Criterion barrel and the reamer they use is .090 FB, this may not be enough. What do you all think? I will take it to a Smith in my area and have it lenghtened if need be. I hope to shoot this at 600 also and may try another weight bullet for that range. I would appreciate all and any advice that is giving.

Thanks, Don Dunlap

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

I have never used H4895 for any precision shooting; I use another powder.

I used the 185 Berger Long Range for a little bit and they did OK for me, just not good enough to make me change from the my regular bullet. They might work well for you however.

 

[xdeano]

I like the 155g Lapua's behind Varget in my 308win Crusader. Shoots very well out to and past 1K.

xdeano

 

[XTR]

Heavies or lights, Most people are in one camp or the other.

Lights are shooting 155 class bullets and pushing 3000FPS or more. Varget gets mentioned from time to time. I've not had success with Varget and 155 class bullets in either my hunting rifle or my match rifle. YMMV

I shoot heavies. You can start with 175 SMKs over Varget. Get them up to 2650 or faster, from a 30" tube 2750 should be with in reach. With Varget in WW brass it's in the 43.5 to 44.5 range. Don't have any idea where the load is with Lapua Brass, it's thicker, the charge will be less. I'm getting a new reamer but I'm shooting 185LRBTs from my 30+ Kreiger right now loaded to an OAL under 2.9 so you should be fine.

I still shoot 175SMKs in club matches and for practice because they cost 26¢ each and Berger LRBTs cost 43¢ or more. Shoot a few thousand rounds a year and it adds up.

 

[gsg5pk]

I would use Berger 185 LRBT with Varget. But you have to make sure that number of freebore was enough to seat this bullet of heavier bullet for 1,000 yards. Because the brass of .308 winchester may not have room ehough for add more powder

 

[Keith Glasscock]

With that throat, I would shoot the 155 or 168 hybrid bullet. Propel them with Varget, IMR 8208XBR, or H4895. You won't be giving anything away to the heavy bullets in most conditions. The 155.5 Fullbore is also an excellent choice.

If you lengthen the throat ~20 thou, the 185 should work well. I just don't think that .090 is enough to get the bullet positioned well in the neck. YOur best bet is to build up a dummy round and do some measuring. My reamer has a .141 freebore and is just enough for the 200 grain hybrid. It is too short for the 215+ and a little long for the 185's.

 

[Jim See]

My FTR rifle has the same lead length that you mentioned. The 155 smk palma bullets are only in the neck about .175-.200"
I did shoot the 185 bergers just to try them in my 12.4 twist and I was fine with the depth that they seated but can not quote exactly where the bearing/boattail juncture set relative to the neck/shoulder juncture of the case. I do remember thinking that that reamer would work with that bullet well enough for the 10 twist barrel I have coming.


I was pretty happy with the 155 smk at the Lodi palma fundraiser yesterday. 150-7x, 143-1x, 144-1x if memory serves me.
The trickiest part is getting used to the bi-pod, and resetting the gun, defiantly need to change some thing and need to remember a pc of carpet for the feet. I used 47 gr of varget on lapua brass, 3050 fps, in a 30" tube.
I might try the 168 grain hybred when I run thru the rest of my 155s.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Jim, at Lodi, was that at 1000 yards?

 

[Rtheurer]

I was pretty happy with the 155 smk at the Lodi palma fundraiser yesterday. 150-7x, 143-1x, 144-1x if memory serves me.

Palma is 800,900and 1000 yards 15 shots for record at each yard line.

RT

 

[Jim See]

I was pretty happy with the 155 smk at the Lodi palma fundraiser yesterday. 150-7x, 143-1x, 144-1x if memory serves me.

Palma is 800,900and 1000 yards 15 shots for record at each yard line.

RT

Yep 8,9,1000, conditions started out pretty good, I think I had 4.5 minutes of wind dialed on when shooting 1000. We had a short stoppage for rain during the 1000 yard match. This was the first time I shot the gun in a match, actually the first time shooting past 100 yards during load work up.

 

[GermanS1]

Berger 185 LRBT and H4895 is exactly what I'm shooting fro F-TR at 1000 yd. Your throat length should be just right.

 

[300 RUM]

Thanks to a suggestion by German, I now shot 41.2gr of H4895 with Burger 185 hybirds. Unmatched results. .1 groups at 100 (common) .25 groups (very common), 1.25 inch groups at 300 (common) 1.7 inch groups (very common) at 600 yards in 10-20mph winds 6-8" groups very common. I can't wait to get a calm day and try them at 1K.

The Burger 185's and H4895 have been the single most improvement to my shooting yet.
The 155gr Lapua are just as smooth.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Thanks everyone. This eases my mind and gives me confidence in my equipment choices. If there are more suggestions for things like Bipod, rear bag, and such it will be appreciated.


Don Dunlap