Help with 308

[dodge]

I recently bought a Model 70 .308 at a gunshow that will shoot factory Winchester 150 Power Points into a 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" group but reloads is another story all together. I get 3" to 5" groups. I've tried 4064 with Sierra 's 165 gr and 748 with Sierra's 150 gr bullets. When I got the rifle I also pickup a set of RCBS Reloader special dies and I'm wondering if the dies would have anything to do with the way it shoots reloads or not. Any help would be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance.

 

[pbslinger]

Roll your loaded ammo on a flat surface such as a table top and look for wobble- bullet runout.

RCBS will check your dies if you send them back to them. Look for the customer service number on the RCBS website and they will tell you what to do.

 

[Slamfire]

Without understanding your reloading process, there is no reason why your rifle should not shoot better with those bullets and those powders.

And I don't know if your rifle is still shooting tight groups with factory ammo. As far as I know, you shot some good groups, reloaded ammo, then started shooting bad groups. And inbetween, something went wrong with the rifle or the scope.

Bullet run out may be of consideration in a bench rest rifle. I have shot a lot of MOA level groups with ammo that had awful bullet run out. I have shot mixed cases, loaded any wierd number of times, and the stuff all shoots well out to 300 yards.

The 308 is one of the easiest rounds to load excellent ammunition.

 

[interlock]

in order to maximise accuracy i take the following steps. sort brass by headstamp (wieght if i am really pushing it) use the same primers, use the same box of bullets. seat them just off the lands (to be honest i think this is over rated, decent book col rounds will still shout sub moa). i wiegh each load. i set the dropper 1 gr or so low and trickle the rest in. i work up loads. load for accuracy not velocity.

 

[bfoosh006]

http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html, read this article. Maybe it will help.

 

[bfoosh006]

And try here...http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=323517#Post323517

 

[Coltdriver]

Do a search on optimum charge weight. Give that a try. It is almost majic when you get to the load combo that works for your rifle.

I have a Ruger M77 in 308. I used the charge weight method and found exactly which one works and gets me excellent accuracy.

Same powder and components but different charges suck in comparison on this rifle.

 

[dodge]

The brass is all Winchester and from the same box that shoots so well as factory. Bought three boxes at the gunshow on 3/14 mostly for the brass and see how it shot with factory ammo. I just loaded up another test load consisting of 44 grs IMR 4064, Sierra 150 SPT, CCI 200 primers and the Winchester brass a load straight out of the Sierra manual. If this doesn't work I may contact RCBS and have them check the dies. All of the before performance I had shot the test loads and then shot the factory rounds. Just got back from the range and now I think that the scope has s**t the bed. It's now throwing the factory rounds all over the place too. So now it's back to square one.

 

[interlock]

ok, what i would suggest is taking your scope off the rifle. check the blocks are nice and secure, the mounts are nice and secure, i degrease mine with a little meths when i do this. open the rings de grease the inside of them and then the scope body and put it all back together tightenningf like a ducks ar** (thats water tight). then try again. put a spot of correction fluid where the scope meets the mount and you will see if it moves.

 

[rcmodel]

So now it's back to square one.

In addition to checking the scope mounts & rings as interlock suggested.

Also check the stock screws for proper tightness.

Also check the bore for copper fouling.

rc

 

[interlock]

yes the stock screws are crucial. I have a ruger that is dreadful if the stock screws aren't tightenned correctly. tighten in accordance with makers manual. most can be found onliune

 

[GeauxTide]

I've used 748 and Varget with great success and 1" groups with 150 Hornadys

 

[dardascastbullets]

Hi Dodge,

May I suggest that you purchase a pound of Varget? And if you can get your hands on some RWS primers also. The Varget alone will produce groups that will amaze you. And the RWS primers will add to that amazement. 748 in my experience (which spans many decades of highpower and long range shooting) is the wrong selection. 4064 is just ok but not a great selection either.

Your dies are ok. And your press is ok. You can realize vast improvements in your groups by experimenting with Varget.

 

[243man]

Ditto making sure the stock screws are tight and scope is tight. Varget works well with many, many, many cartridges and is usually the first load I try. However, my 308 likes IMR 4895 better.