200 yards, one inch group today, .308

[Redneck with a 40]

The rifle : Remington 700 SPS Tactical, awesome rifle, its a joy to shoot.

The handload : 42.5 grains of IMR 4064, Federal GMM case, Remington Primer, Sierra 168 gr SMK, 2.800" COL. I don't need no stinkin' Federal Gold Metal Match, I got my own.

These loads are slow-pokes at 2510 fps, but very accurate. I've upped my charge to 43.5 on the next batch, speed them up a little.

One more thing, I'm shooting prone, with a forend rest, but no rear support, just my shoulder. This is challenging, because no matter how hard I try, there is some movement. It was also windy, so that's why they are off the bullseye, my scope is zero'd in properly.

The pic's :

 

[Geno]

Good application of eyeball / finger coordination linked and processed by an attentive cerebral unit.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

Yeah, based on my horizontal/vertical spread, my breathing/trigger control is right on the money.

 

[taliv]

nice shootin

 

[gvnwst]

Great shooting, what optic is on the rifle?

 

[FlyinBryan]

These loads are slow-pokes at 2510 fps, but very accurate.

ive also had some good results loading mild loads.

in fact i think my most accurate 223 load was well under the starting point in my 2nd edition modern reloading manual.

i HAVE NOT found one that will do what yours did, at least with any consistency.

awesome shooting!!!!!

 

[taliv]

i've long been curious about this as well. my experience has always been that slower loads shoot better than hotter ones, but years of reading benchresters blabber in _precision_ magazine gives me the impression that they typically load them as hot as they'll go. never really understood that

 

[adobewalls]

Slower loads are not necessarily more accurate, but give you more variables in your favor such as recoil. They are also friendlier to the case and the rifle.

I have one set of 7mm RM cases that I have been shooting for a number of years using a moderate, but very effective and accurate recipe.

 

[JDGray]

Great shooting! Just shot a 4 shot 200yrd group myself on friday, measured just over an inch, except I had a rear bag

My Savage really likes 155gr SMKs over Varget, 2700fps

 

[Big_E]

What do you guys do to ensure the best shooting?

I always try to avoid caffeine and tobacco products a day to two before shooting and I use a bipod/front rest and I put my left hand under the butt to ensure stability. I also try to exercise regularly to help with breathing and what not.

I shot some 3 shot groups with my SPS (standard) and the 2-3'' groups never change but are dead on. SO the rifle needs some modification/breaking in.

Nice shooting btw, I need to start reloading but need money for equipment and primers are impossible to find.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I'm running a Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x, I'm very pleased with it. Besides the fact that it was already on the rifle and zero'd when I bought it, out the door for $525.

 

[Pat4x4]

another good group from a cheap gun..

 

[jaholder1971]

While you might try bumping up the charge, I think you're probably good to go with what you've got. .5MOA at 200 trumps another 100-150 fps all day long.

The 168 Sierra will do everything it was designed to do out to 600 yards at that speed. If you need more beyond that then start looking at the 175 or 190 grain Matchkings, they'll stay supersonic out to 1,000 yards easily.

Replace that bullet with a 165 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip or Sierra GameKing HPBT and the deer will never notice the difference.

 

[ShadyScott999]

I agree, 1/2 MOA at 200 is good. I don't give a damn who you are.

 

[Redneck with a 40]

That was my goal...... .5 MOA.

 

[sarduy]

great shooting

 

[jpwilly]

Nice shooting! I'm attempting to work up a load for my DPSM LR-308. I might try your load just for fun.

 

[UpInSmoke]

Good shooting and a nice set up. Looks like what im in the market for!