who has an accurate load for their savage 308 rifle they could share? details below

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greyling22

greyling22

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I'm about to rebarrel a rifle using a takeoff savage 20" threaded, fluted barrel. Probably came off something like the 10fcp-sr or similar.
I have 150 grn hornady spbt bullets.

powders on hand are:

bl(c)-2
h4895 (and a pound of imr4895)
4350
tac
varget
2520
2230

I can easily go to load manuals and work something up, and I know every rifle is different, but I was hoping for some good ideas of were to start. You know, cut some corners developmentally, since components are limited these days.
 
My thinking would be starting with a midrange load of H4895 or Varget, working up in increments of .3gr to just shy of the max load on Hodgdons load data. That will be some like 15-18 shots total. Then take you best two groups, load 5 of each and reshoot to verify.

Both have always been excellent performers in 308. Doing 3 shot groups will save you a bit on components. It's probably more than you want to shoot, but it's really the only way to be sure. I'd use whatever Hornady lists got COAL to start with.
 
I have a 10 FCP-SR. First clear, cycle and pull the trigger. Then jiggle the bolt handle. If there’s slop in the bolt you probably need to tighten the headspace. Gunsmith should only charge 25.00 -30 dollars for this.

Varget with the bullet you mentioned I found the best accuracy at 46.3 grains. I don’t think you can get enough Varget in a case and seat the billet to blow yourself up. 2.805 COAL. Should put you at the base of the cannelure in a case trimmed to 2.005. This is compressed. I suggest crimping. Not max in FC or LC LR brass.

TAC was most accurate at 46.0 grains but I took the load down to 45.7 as I felt the speed I was getting at 46.0 was way too high. 2.805 COAL. Light crimp. Not compressed. Not max.

Search my posts and you will see my workups.
 
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308 Win. IMR 4895- 43.0 GRS OAL 2.800" Sierra 150 gr #2130 bullets. CCI- BR2 primer. Brass , Win or Rem.

Average @ 100 yards - 3/4" Rem 600 Mohawk Carbine with 2x7 Redfield. Wish i never sold it. Kept the 243 Win does ok too.
 
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I've got a Savage 10 TAC, with a 24" heavy barrel. Shooting the 168grn SMK, it shows a serious dislike for IMR4895, preferring IMR4064. I have fired 150grn surplus ammos in it, it didn't like that at all, either... but those bullets are not the quality of the SPBT bullets you are fixing to load.

With that 20" barrel... I would start with H4895 and probably Varget, and see where that gets you. If that doesn't work, TAC, or... on the outside, AA2230 with the shorter barrel (vs my 24" barrel.) I have a 16" M1a that really favors faster powders like IMR3031.... AA2230 is in the same range as that, H322/H335/BL-C2, so it might be worth a try.

My actual data with my Savage and the 24" barrel...

45.0grn IMR4895 and the Hornady 155grn SST, 2900fps with decent accuracy.

43.5grn IMR4895 and a Winchester 147grn FMJ gave me 2700fps.
 
I have a savage fp 10..308.
It likes 175gr serria. I use RL15, BLC2.
I use m118lr. Pulls, for practice..resize them, even with pull Mark's, it shoots great. The pulls are actually 175 gr serria mkhp.
 
Of the powders you list, I used to shoot 49.5 gr BL-C2 Maximum or plus max depending on manual, work up at own risk!!!. This was in a Rem 788, but some of the leftover loads were still accurate in my wife's M11. I don't remember the C.O.L., but was near book recommendations, probably tweaked slightly longer. The bullets I used were Hornady 150 SP, BTSP, and Speer BTSP. All were generally equally accurate within my testing parameters. I did find it temperature sensitive, this load was too warm in hot weather. Groups held up well to below zero, but showed incipient pressure signs above 80F. Do not approach this load if you will be shooting in hot weather.

Presently in the M11, we are shooting IMR 4064 reduced a couple from Hornady max load with the Speer 150 Mag tip or SP hot core. Both are sub-moa at 100 yards for 5 shot groups. Of the powders on your list, 4895 and Varget come closest to replicating burn charachteristics of IMR4064, I would start there. Varget is a fine powder, but I swore the stuff off. It's like cocaine...you get addicted, then there's none to be found or it's really expensive when you want your next fix.
 
greyling22 said:
I'm about to rebarrel a rifle using a takeoff savage 20" threaded, fluted barrel. Probably came off something like the 10fcp-sr or similar.
I have 150 grn hornady spbt bullets.

powders on hand are:

bl(c)-2
h4895 (and a pound of imr4895)
4350
tac
varget
2520
2230

I can easily go to load manuals and work something up, and I know every rifle is different, but I was hoping for some good ideas of were to start. You know, cut some corners developmentally, since components are limited these days.
Click to expand...

I have a 10FP LE with a bull barrel and mine really likes 4064 with the 168 SMKs ... can't say I've sent many 147s or 150s through mine. Now if we were talking service rifles, M1As, I would have a few recipes for you in that weight range.

My Son has a 110 that he loads for hunting .... I'll ask him tomorrow. He's killed a bunch of deer with that rifle.
 
greyling22 said:
I'm about to rebarrel a rifle using a takeoff savage 20" threaded, fluted barrel. Probably came off something like the 10fcp-sr or similar.
I have 150 grn hornady spbt bullets.

powders on hand are:

bl(c)-2
h4895 (and a pound of imr4895)
4350
tac
varget
2520
2230

I can easily go to load manuals and work something up, and I know every rifle is different, but I was hoping for some good ideas of were to start. You know, cut some corners developmentally, since components are limited these days.
Click to expand...

Get some 165-168 gr bt over Varget powder.
 
Random 8 said:
Of the powders you list, I used to shoot 49.5 gr BL-C2
Click to expand...

Holy Toledo!!! I didn't think you could fit that much in a .308 case... Hot, indeed!

Given what the OP wants, and his components, I don't see why he can't stumble upon something reasonable with his bullet of choice and IMR4895 or Varget.

Random 8 said:
It's like cocaine...you get addicted, then there's none to be found or it's really expensive when you want your next fix.
Click to expand...

I agree with that, too... and have never drank the Varget Kool-Aid.
 
Charlie98 said:
Holy Toledo!!! I didn't think you could fit that much in a .308 case... Hot, indeed!

Given what the OP wants, and his components, I don't see why he can't stumble upon something reasonable with his bullet of choice and IMR4895 or Varget.
Click to expand...

Lyman 48th has scaled it down to 49 flat as max, and Hodgdon lists 48 as max. Lyman 47th was the source for the original 49.5 gr loading, and it was given in CUP. Guess the PSI strain gauge showed the pressure issues hidden by a copper crusher.
 
greyling22 said:
I'm about to rebarrel a rifle using a takeoff savage 20" threaded, fluted barrel. Probably came off something like the 10fcp-sr or similar.
I have 150 grn hornady spbt bullets.

powders on hand are:

bl(c)-2
h4895 (and a pound of imr4895)
4350
tac
varget
2520
2230

I can easily go to load manuals and work something up, and I know every rifle is different, but I was hoping for some good ideas of were to start. You know, cut some corners developmentally, since components are limited these days.
Click to expand...
 
Savage 10FLP-SRLH, 24" fluted.First thing to do, torque front screw to 40 inch pounds and rear to 30 inch pounds alternating every 10 inch pounds. My load that produced .85 at 200 yds, 1.25 at 300yds 1.75 at 400yds and 2.60 at 500 yds was 38.5 grns of H4895, 168gr. Amax, Hornady match brass, OAL 2.80, scope 2.5X10 Nightforce. Didn't have a chrono but estimated velocity at 2400 fps. Oh I live at 5200 ft altitude. Good luck I hope you get similar results with your rifle.
Nick
 
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