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308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:59 pm
by jkp
Just ordered the last part of my Bergara B-14 HMR chambered in .308 Win with a 20" barrel (the actual rifle, just found out I can receive a transfer in GA as a FL resident). So, now I'm thinking about what to load for it.
My .308 Win reloading has been fairly limited so far. I have an Armalite AR-10t with a 20" barrel that I've worked up a load for - Sierra 175gr BTHP over 42 grains of H4895. Used almost 100 Hornady 168 ELD match bullets chasing a load for that bullet with no success.
Goals for this rifle in order of importance - accurate, fast, minimal recoil.
I do have some factory ammo that I'll try including Fed GM match 168gr.
Any recommendations? Any experience with the lighter bullets like the 155gr ELD match?
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:04 pm
by Diver43
jkp wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:59 pm
Just ordered the last part of my Bergara B-14 HMR chambered in .308 Win with a 20" barrel (the actual rifle, just found out I can receive a transfer in GA as a FL resident). So, now I'm thinking about what to load for it.
My .308 Win reloading has been fairly limited so far. I have an Armalite AR-10t with a 20" barrel that I've worked up a load for - Sierra 175gr BTHP over 42 grains of H4895. Used almost 100 Hornady 168 ELD match bullets chasing a load for that bullet with no success.
Goals for this rifle in order of importance - accurate, fast, minimal recoil.
I do have some factory ammo that I'll try including Fed GM match 168gr.
Any recommendations? Any experience with the lighter bullets like the 155gr ELD match?
Factory 168 gr ELD-M is the go to for my HMR. Using the same bullet with a just under max charge. Of IMR 3031gives me excellent accuracy.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:12 pm
by CPJ 2.0
As to the goals, install a brake and not worry about goal three.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:16 pm
by jkp
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:12 pm
As to the goals, install a brake and not worry about goal three.
Got that covered. APA Gen 3 Little Bastard Self Timing Muzzle Brake should arrive tomorrow.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:26 pm
by CPJ 2.0
I use these for farting around in my 300 BO
https://www.speer.com/bullets/rifle_bul ... -2005.html
Haven’t tried them in my 308, but will. They are CHEAP and shoot well in the 300 Castrado
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 7:35 pm
by jkp
Hadn't thought about 130gr bullets. Hornady load data shows a 130gr bullet zipping along around 3000 fps with roughly 50 grains of powder.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:33 pm
by Zee
CPJ 2.0 wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 6:26 pm
They are CHEAP and shoot well in the 300 Castrado
- IMG_6181.gif (610.41 KiB) Viewed 1525 times
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:38 pm
by Zee
jkp wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:59 pm
Used almost 100 Hornady 168 ELD match bullets chasing a load for that bullet with no success.
- IMG_6182.gif (832.83 KiB) Viewed 1523 times
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2024 10:18 pm
by jkp
Zee wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 9:38 pm
jkp wrote: ↑Thu Jan 18, 2024 5:59 pm
Used almost 100 Hornady 168 ELD match bullets chasing a load for that bullet with no success.
IMG_6182.gif
I meant for the AR-10. Once I went to 175 gr bullets it acted right.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:11 am
by Bigslug
What's the objective for the rifle? For shorter distances, a heavy slug with a boat tail isn't necessarily desirable.
When I was playing the NRA Highpower game, I used surplus takedown 150 grain NATO ball bullets in front of AA2520 (no longer made) for the 200-300 yard standing and rapid fire stages, on the logic that they were (A) cheap, and (B) the resulting load was at least as accurate as anything I could deliver in the standing and rapid fire strings.
For the 600 yard prone slow fire, I ran the 175 grain Match King in front of IMR4064 with great results. These days, I'd probably start my testing with Varget, since it's a temperature-insensitive powder, and 4064 isn't.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Fri Jan 19, 2024 1:13 am
by Jay
My LR308 likes the 168 Amax with the same charge you’re using for the 175. 42gr H4895. It routinely shoots .5” with that load. While that charge is a couple grains low for that bullet, trying more powder made it less accurate and not enough of a velocity increase to justify the loss. So I’ve stuck with that load. Plus, it shoots good in all 3 of my 308s. Another reason for me to just stick with that load. I’m measuring length to the ogive, but it’s as long as I could seat and still fit in the mag. But, that’s just my experience with my guns.
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 3:58 pm
by jkp
Loaded up some 168 ELD Match over Varget and H4895 to get started with. Will also burn up some factory stuff like Fed GM Sierra 168 and some PMC 147 gr stuff.
Patiently (not) waiting for rifle to arrive...
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Tue Jan 23, 2024 5:07 pm
by Zee
Ha!
Re: 308 Win Loads
Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2024 4:20 am
by Jbohio
I'm really liking Ramshot TAC for my 308s these days. It does great in 168gr, and 110 grain.