.308 long range load development results

I've been focusing on 185 Berger Juggernauts but what would look good at 100 wouldn't hold up at longer distances. I think I found it this weekend when I switched to 180 SMKs

100 yards on left, 1000 on the right



I loaded the 180g SMKs .015 off the lands with 43.5g Varget, Lapua brass and 210m primers. Average speed 2708 fps with an SD of 11

Shot this with my new rifle, which I'm really enjoying



Very little wind today, thank goodness. Haven't figured out how to deal with that yet

z7 said:

What app is that?
Good shooting btw

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Ballistic AE

RugerOldArmy said:

Don't you just love Varget and SMK(S)?

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I like Varget with everything, but .223 and .308 SMKs really work

Damon555 said:

Great shooting! Are those the only groups you shot?......If not what did the others look like?

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Once I've got the load dialed in everything has been in the 1/2 MOA range


The problem I mentioned in the original post is that what worked at 100 fell apart at longer ranges. Not sure why that's the case but I think I'll re-start the 185 bergers with a different powder and see if I get a different result. There's no reason they shouldn't be good at 500 or 1,000. In the mean time 180 SMKs are good.

I don't have other photos of the 1,000 target. What I posted was the last 5 rounds I shot yesterday after a bit of practice and scope dialing and shooting different loads. I started with what the ballistics app said and it was high. We're on a hill and I'm sure that had something to do with it, but I was a full mil off

RugerOldArmy said:

Interesting action on that rifle. I like the fact that it takes Savage-spec barrels, and Rem 700 compatible triggers. Nice taste on the scope, too.

Was that your personal build? Nicely done.

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Yes it was. Short Action Customs out of Ohio built it. I only had a couple of requirements. I wanted the Mausingfield action and I wanted it in .308. Everything else I left to the builder, including the selection of the scope. Needless to say I went way over budget hahaha

I continue to get good results with the 180g SMKs

Spent yesterday shooting at 500 yards



Everything staying in the 1/2 MOA range. Even this 10 shot group



I'm confident in saying that I'm now the limiting factor in my shooting, which is exactly where I wanted to be.

Blue68f100 said:

Nice shooting on all accounts. Now if you could do that with a 20 mph cross wind.......

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Yeah, I'd put that in the "me" catigory

Walkalong said:

What stock is that?

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It's a manners t4 minni chassis

Sorry, I fat fingered that last night. It's a Manners T5. They say the mini chassis doesn't need to be bedded. Considering the results I'm getting I would agree.