Ive recently finished loading a box of Sierra 168bthp match bullets for my 308 bolt. I just started to load up my next set af loads using Hornadys 168bthp match bullets. I can see that the ogive is much closer to the base on the Hornadys than the Sierras. When loading the rounds to 2.800 col the Horn bullets seat a bit deeper. Just wondering if I might run into psi issues using Sierras load data for the Hornadys. I typically gather load info from several load books and powder manufacturers guides and do a average max load and work down in .4 incriments. After seeing how much deeper these bullets seat I am wondering if I should stick to Hornadys guide, problem is that I want to experiment with some BLC2,4064,3031 and H335. None of these powders are listed. What are your thoughts on this. Am I woried about nothing. Thanks for any help you can provide.
308 match bullet design
- Thread starter broham
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Howard Roark
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It's been a long time since I loaded Hornady 168's. If the ogive is closer to the base then the driving band of the bullet is shorter. This will decrease pressure. Also, as you seat the Hornadys deeper you create more jump before the bullet hits the rifling. This also will decrease pressure. I don't think you will have a problem.
I would not load BLC2 and H335 in a 308. They are too fast. For match ammo stick to powders like Varget and 4895.
I don't guarantee this advise, use at your own risk.
I would not load BLC2 and H335 in a 308. They are too fast. For match ammo stick to powders like Varget and 4895.
I don't guarantee this advise, use at your own risk.
I conducted load development of Varget with Hornady match, and finished with Sierra Match. Nothing within the weights and velocities that I used indicated to me that I could not interchange Sierra bullets loads with Hornady bullets.
With Varget, I found that an excellent target load was between 42.0 and 43.0 grs. I think this is an upper midrange load and I did not have pressure problems.
I shot up the rest of my Hornady bullets in Highpower matches. They performed superbly out to 600 yards. I did not conduct subsequent chronograph tests, I just dropped them on top of 41.0 grains IMR 4895, or 42.0 grains IMR 4064, and shot wonderful groups without any pressure indications.
I have no doubt I could have dropped them on top of 41.5 grains IMR 4895 or 42.5 grains IMR 4064 and had no problems, but I just prefer the lighter recoil during rapids.
I believe that as long as you are not shooting maximum loads, but rather “mid range” target loads, you will not have any problems.
However, once you get to maximum loads, any change, of any component, will more likely cause problems than not.
IMR 3031 will shoot very small groups in 308, but it meters poorly. An excellent target load with a 168 will be around 39.5 grains.
I was pleased with the groups I got with AA4064 and 168's. It is a short cut powder, and 42.5 grains gave excellent groups.
I prefer stick powders; I have not used BLC/W748. The only ball powder that I have used in 308, and can recommend, is AA2520. Still, I prefer stick powders.
24” 1:10 Douglas Barrel
168 Hornady Match 42.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2602
Std Dev = 20
ES = 65
High = 2633
Low = 2568
N = 10
168 Sierra Match 43.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2660
Std Dev = 15
ES = 48
High = 2680
Low = 2632
N = 9
With Varget, I found that an excellent target load was between 42.0 and 43.0 grs. I think this is an upper midrange load and I did not have pressure problems.
I shot up the rest of my Hornady bullets in Highpower matches. They performed superbly out to 600 yards. I did not conduct subsequent chronograph tests, I just dropped them on top of 41.0 grains IMR 4895, or 42.0 grains IMR 4064, and shot wonderful groups without any pressure indications.
I have no doubt I could have dropped them on top of 41.5 grains IMR 4895 or 42.5 grains IMR 4064 and had no problems, but I just prefer the lighter recoil during rapids.
I believe that as long as you are not shooting maximum loads, but rather “mid range” target loads, you will not have any problems.
However, once you get to maximum loads, any change, of any component, will more likely cause problems than not.
IMR 3031 will shoot very small groups in 308, but it meters poorly. An excellent target load with a 168 will be around 39.5 grains.
I was pleased with the groups I got with AA4064 and 168's. It is a short cut powder, and 42.5 grains gave excellent groups.
I prefer stick powders; I have not used BLC/W748. The only ball powder that I have used in 308, and can recommend, is AA2520. Still, I prefer stick powders.
24” 1:10 Douglas Barrel
168 Hornady Match 42.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2602
Std Dev = 20
ES = 65
High = 2633
Low = 2568
N = 10
168 Sierra Match 43.0 grs Varget wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
Ave Vel = 2660
Std Dev = 15
ES = 48
High = 2680
Low = 2632
N = 9
Just to throw a wrench into the equation - Berger VLD's have a much better B.C. than even the sierras. However you load them a little long. Take a once fired brass from your rifle - neck size it - insert the bullet(no powder or primer) and load it into the action - close bolt. Remove it - and measure. Then take off a couple thousandths off that measurement. Mine are right around 2.818" for the 175 VLD's.
I load these with 44.0gr Varget, CCI BR2 primers(since Fed 210M's are in short supply.)
167gr Scenars at 45.0gr Varget.
155 Scenars at 46.0gr Varget.
HTH.
I load these with 44.0gr Varget, CCI BR2 primers(since Fed 210M's are in short supply.)
167gr Scenars at 45.0gr Varget.
155 Scenars at 46.0gr Varget.
HTH.
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