1,000 yd .308 loads?

[Sniper4Life]

Hi all, I just got started in reloading and I wonder if you could post some of your favorite .308 loads. I am using Sierra 175grain HPBT moly coated bullets. I target shoot out to 1,000 yds. I would also appreciate suggestions on what kind of powder to use.

Thanks

 

[USSR]

Sniper4Life,

Need to know what brass you are using. It DO make a difference.

Don

 

[Davo]

Varget is an established powder, and very temp. insensitive. I think its alittle dirty though.

 

[Jim Watson]

I use rather a lot of AA2520 under naked 175 gr SMK. Shot some the other day and it seemed more temperature sensitive than Varget but I am a fair weather shooter and like the precise metering of Ball Process powder.

Re15 is a good one to look at, too.

 

[Sniper4Life]

Need to know what brass you are using. It DO make a difference

I am thinking about using hornady brass, maybe winchester. Could someone explain to me why the brass is important?

 

[Duckster]

Army Sniper Info

We used a 178 grain dove tailed round. The powder was cylindrical with a hole in the middle. It was the Match Grade we were issued. Never had a problem with it out to 1,100 Meters.

 

[ocabj]

We used a 178 grain dove tailed round. The powder was cylindrical with a hole in the middle. It was the Match Grade we were issued. Never had a problem with it out to 1,100 Meters.

I think you mean boat tail. Unless there's a new bullet design that I don't know about. As far as 178, I didn't know a 178gr bullet in 308 military ammo existed. Is this the A-Max? Pretty impressive that it was making consistent hits at 1100 meters (1200 yards). I've never taken 308 past 1000 yards.

I am thinking about using hornady brass, maybe winchester. Could someone explain to me why the brass is important?

I'd probably go with Winchester over Hornady given the choice between those two only. Not sure if there is any better, but I still use Lapua.

 

[Zak Smith]

155gr Lapua Scenar
46.0gr Varget
Lapua brass
210M primer

2840fps in my rifle

Less drop and wind to 1000 yards than the 175 SMK launched at 2700fps.

 

[Duckster]

Trust me, I had to memorize this stuff

It was a 178 grain round. This was also back in 1985 when I went to Sniper School and we used NM-14 or M-21 systems. Our farthest target was 1,100 meters. This round was the Match Ammo the Army issued to us. I'm not sure this helps the original thread question, but it did work. I was the Honor Graduate and Division Champion.

 

[USSR]

I am thinking about using hornady brass, maybe winchester. Could someone explain to me why the brass is important?

Sniper4Life,

Short answer: pressure. Heavy brass has less case capacity than lighter brass, and will generate higher pressure than light brass when similar powder charges are use. In your case, both Hornady and Winchester are light with a large case capacity. Here are a couple loads that were safe and accurate in my FN SPR:

Hornady Match brass
178gr Amax bullet
Fed 210M primer
46.1gr Varget powder
2.840 OAL
2754fps

Hornady Match brass
178gr Amax bullet
Fed 210M primer
46.5gr RL15 powder
2.840 OAL
2750fps

Should be no problem substituting the 175SMK for the 178gr Amax and substituting Winchester brass, but start lower and work up to it. Hope that helps.

Don