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.308 loading help
Posted by onbadmofo on March 21, 2015 at 6:53 pmI've been trying to make up some loads and what I have found is at around 38gr of varget it groups very well (.75 to .50) @ 100yrds but the FPS (2331) is way down as to be expected and it does not carry that good out to 500yrds so I need to get the FPS up. If I only wanted to shoot at 100yrds I'd be happy.
I know the easy answer is to add more powder and I have tried that to a point but groups start to open up 1.5 to 2.0…..Brass: Nato ZQi 2.005
Hornady: SST 165gr
Primer: 210M
Powder: Varget
Coal: 2.750…….to lands 2.884Also
Hornady: 168 BTHP
Powder: Varget
COAL: 2.800……..to lands 2.855Dog Down replied 9 years ago 5 Members · 35 Replies -
35 Replies
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1 Bullseye
Or maybe a better question is…….. What load with FPS info is working best in your Tikka?
BTW I have a CTR….
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105 Bullseyes
You are wayyy low on the charge weight for an all around load…
I shoot a CTR in 308…here's my go to load for everything I aim the gun at…
Brass – Hornady trimmed to spec
Bullet – Hornady 178gr Amax
Powder – Varget 45.1 – 45.3grs (higher charge weight for sub “0” weather shooting)
COAL – 2.875″
Velocity – 2650 to 2700fpsDoes this to paper (10 shots / full mag) @ 100yrds…will shoot groups half this size if only shooting 3 – 5 shots with a semi warm barrel.
Experimenting with 168gr Amax tomorrow…will post any good results.
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1 Bullseye
WOW that is great…..
How far off the lands are you?The bullets I have to work with:
Hornady Max COAL
165 SST 2.884
168 BTHP 2.855
168 AMAX 2.841
178 BTHP 2.952 -
1 Bullseye
Dog Down
I saw that you posted 168 smc targets what was the COAL on those? -
105 Bullseyes
Loading them to the same COAL as the 178's….2.875″ to start with and then i'll push them out a little to see where it goes…
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1 Bullseye
Try some 165 Ballistic Tips with around 45 gr Varget and tweak it from there. You'll have a heck of a hunting load when you're done.
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105 Bullseyes
Here's the results of the 168 Amax load test @ 200yrds.
Loaded 5 rounds of each: 45.3gr / 45.6gr / 45.9gr /46.2gr of Varget.
Dropped the COAL back to 2.865″ from 2.875″ for both 178 & 168 Amax, had some rounds that were touching the lands @ 2.875″ with the 178's so did not want any issues at the range with 168's so went shorter. Have not measured max COAL to the lands for 168's yet so this was a precaution to avoid jamming any of the test loads into the lands.46.2gr of Varget shot beautiful!!!
Cold bore was the shot highest to the left, shots 2-4 slightly low and right…overlapping same hole.
Shot 5 screwed up a great group,…not sure if it was me or the load, it dropped below everything.
5 shot group size even with the low flyer measured .98″ from “outside” = .68″, not too bad…
4 shot without the flyer .675″ measured from “outside” = .375″……really really happy with that @ 200yrds.
Need to reload more and see if I can duplicate the group.This load shot better than my go to 178 Amax load at 200yrds… I've wanted to switch to the 168 Amax because they also shoot very well in my 300WSM so needless to say I'm switching to 1 bullet for both guns when I run out 178's…
Hornady Brass
CCI 200 primer
168gr Amax
Coal = 2.865″
46.2gr VargetNo major pressure signs, primer just starting to flatten slightly but this is close to max load.
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1 Bullseye
That is outstanding @ 200 yrds, thanks for you help I feel like I am getting closer…….. I loaded some up today and 44.0 to 45.5 and it was coming together at the 45.5gr best was .800 group, so I am going to load 45.2,45.5,45.8,46.2,46.6 and see how it goes. I am using my FGMM .308 Brass for testing and when I get the where I think it is the best I will change to my Nato Brass and see if how it changes if any.
I was able to gain 500PFS and still keep under 1in.
Best Today @ 100 .800
Fed GMM Brass
Fed 210M Primer
Varget 45.5
Coal 2.865
FPS 2722
10 to 15 mph wind from the left 40 degrees, shooting off a bag with a rear rest -
105 Bullseyes
Good luck…it will be interesting to see if your rifle likes a similar charge weight.
I'm also using a good Vortex 6.5 – 20 x 50 scope so that helps with the groups at 200…
I should also add that I just recently installed a VAIS brake on this rifle and it has improved the accuracy of the rifle, or maybe just improved the way I shoot it…whatever it is, it works…
I'm hoping the next range session to verify the load will work out just as well.Please post any other loads you come up with for your CTR.
My next load development for paper punching might be the 155 sierra matchking.
Not enough sharing of load information on this forum compared to others I surf. -
1 Bullseye
I have a Primary Arms 4×14 scope it is very clear, I am also working on some Hornady 150gr FMJBT I have moved the COAL from 2.700 to 2.800 and trying Varget and IMR 4064 (not mix together) and so far 45gr is close.
I have a standard brake on mine…..but I have a JP Recoil Eliminator sitting in the drawer I will be trying the only bad thing about is it is soooo ugly. -
105 Bullseyes
Lol…The JP isn't ugly if its on a tank!
Hey I forget to ask you if you've had any further issues with your mag dropping out/down when firing the rifle. I saw this on another post you made. It happened to me this weekend and I hope its not a lingering issue with the gun…let me know how it worked out for you.
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1 Bullseye
The roll pin was falling out of the mag release lever, the mag was staying in place just fine. I sent it back and they staked each side and it is fixed.
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105 Bullseyes
Ugly but effective! General Patton would agree… 😀
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1 Bullseye
How much recoil do you feel was reduced with the Vais brake? Did it come with the threads to match your CTR?
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