Any load advice for a newbie with a 308?

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sobrbiker883
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Any load advice for a newbie with a 308?

Post by sobrbiker883 »

Hello all, I've been lurking a bit the past couple of months.

I picked up a bug for smallbore silhouette (shot 2 matches so far, and now have 2 sillhouette SB guns, an old Savage Annie, and a hopped up 10/22) but I also have caught the HP Sil bug. I shot my first HPSil match with my Savage 10FP in full tactical/F-class (way overweight) and have since put a new Rem LTR action and barrel in a used McMillan Master Sil stock with a t24 in talley one pieces-9.05 lbs. I shot this last weekend and did better (if you'll believe 11 is better!!!).

Anyway I'm considering load development. I'd like to stick with IMR 4895 but I'm concerned the LTR's 20" tube is too short for the powder.
I shot 168's at the close 3 and 180's at the Rams (both Hornady match BTHP's). I used 41.4gr for both that should've put me at 2525fps+/- for the 168's and 2500 for the 180's.

Does this sound OK for a silhouette load in the 308, or should I consider a quicker burner to get more speed without too much pressure. I would like to stay as easy on the shoulder as I can get for a 308.........

My 43.6 load for my F-class/tactical rig is no fun on one's hind feet.......
Usually shooting scores right in class, too bad its the class below my classification!

Steve E
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Post by carl425 »

I'm shooting a 7-08 instead of the .308, but based on my experience, you don't need to be that hard on your shoulder. My 168's at 2300 fps knock the rams down reliably. For the shorter animals, I'm shooting 150's at 2400. Based on the advice I got here a while back, I'll be switching to 130's for the CP&T as soon as I run out of 150's.

The .308 is the big gun in this game. The most popular caliber at the Nationals last year was the .260. If the 260 can knock them down at all, it should be a piece of cake for anything you can reliably shoot from the .308.

If you scale back the loads, your 4895 should be a good choice as it's supposed to be one of the best for less than full cases.
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stsbuyer
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Post by stsbuyer »

Since I sold you the Master stock here's my advice for what it's worth. If you gun is only 9lbs as it sits add some weight to the forend. The best way for you to reduce recoil is with light loads but an extra 14oz of weight in the stock will make a big difference and you will still be a couple of onces under the limit. Long ago when I shot a 308 I used 150 gr bullets for ther short targets and 190's for rams. If memory serves I shot 42gr of IMR 4895 and a 150 matchking arround 2550 from a 22" barrel.

Good luck, Paul
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Post by ajj »

4895 is not particularly slow, even in .308. A 150 at 24, 2500 is plenty up through turkeys. You might even try something even lighter for chickens and pigs. Why not try the 155 Sierra "Palma" bullet for the c.p,t? A little more expensive than some but some rifles really love them.
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308

Post by Evelio Mc Donald »

About 30 years ago Iwas shooting a 308, my loads were the 168 with 43.5 gr. of win. 748 at about 2600 fps for c p t and the Nosler 165 ballistic tip behind 45.5 gr. of 748 at rams. Like Paul stated, I also tried 180. 190. and even 200 gr. at rams. After they started the hunter class, now we were shooting 80 rounds of 308 a day.
Well it did not take long for my old shoulder to say thats enough, so I switch to a 7/08 with 130 and 150 big difference in recoil. For the last 3 years I switch again to a 6.5 shooting 107 at the cpt and 142 at rams, these are really sweet, I can shoot about 150 rounds a day without any discomfort at the end of the day.
Nothing wrong with a 308 if you are 30 years old, but for an old furt like me it would kill me after two days.
Evelio.
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sobrbiker883
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Post by sobrbiker883 »

stsbuyer wrote:Since I sold you the Master stock here's my advice for what it's worth. If you gun is only 9lbs as it sits add some weight to the forend. The best way for you to reduce recoil is with light loads but an extra 14oz of weight in the stock will make a big difference and you will still be a couple of onces under the limit. Long ago when I shot a 308 I used 150 gr bullets for ther short targets and 190's for rams. If memory serves I shot 42gr of IMR 4895 and a 150 matchking arround 2550 from a 22" barrel.

Good luck, Paul
Thanks for the input guys, esp Paul. I'm thoroughly enjoying the stock, it only took a little sandpaper around a socket and a smidgen of widening the recoil lug area to snap my LTR action in snug. Once I play with some more loads I may relieve a tad more and re-bed. Meantime I may just slap some tire balance tape in the forend......
Or I may start looking to trade the LTR barreled action for a VSF or VSSF barreled action in 7-08......

I'll probably stick with the loads I have, as (from the bench) I could hit the hangers on the practice animals no problem almost every shot. Now I have to concentrate on getting the danged critters to stand still in the crosshair when I'm on my feet!

Anyone have a 4895 recipe for 2400ish fps with 168's or 180's??
Usually shooting scores right in class, too bad its the class below my classification!

Steve E
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Post by carl425 »

For 2400 fps, the Sierra book says 38.2 grains for the 168 and 39.1 grains for the 180. They also offer 36.7 for 2200 and 37.9 for 2300 with the 180.
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Post by 1armoured »

I've shot a Sako 75 Stainless Synthetic in .308 for quite a few years.

It has the standard 22" sporter profile barrel.

Weighs 9lb with a Tasco 6-24 and Sako Stainless High Mounts.

I have two loads,

155gr Sierra Palma Match HPBT for c, p, t

I use 43.5grs ADI 2206 (equivalent to 4895) for 2,750 fps in Lapua brass

and,
175gr Sierra MK HPBT for rams

42.5 grs 2206 for 2,650 in Federal brass (from Eagle ammo). (brass seems a bit soft as primer pockets stretch after a few reloads)

I've shot around 100+ shots in a day,
and no problem in offhand,
but It's not too pleasant off the bench or prone, with the mnfrs hard rubber butt pad.

cheers,

Sean in 'Godzone'
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sobrbiker883
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Post by sobrbiker883 »

Thanks for all the input,
I think I'll use the load I've been using and try to shoot more.
When I hit AAA or shoot the current barrel out I'll get a Kreiger or Shilen in 7-08.

Look familiar Paul (thanks again!!)?

Image
Usually shooting scores right in class, too bad its the class below my classification!

Steve E
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Jim Beckley
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Post by Jim Beckley »

Steve, E-mail me through the RSSC web. Jim
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