Ramshot TAC is the short barreled 308 King

[IALoder]

Work in smaller increments from 45 on. I would call 46 max if you’re using LC, FC or brass with lesser case capacity.

Yeah, I'll probably do 45.1, 45.4, 45.7, &46.0. my "low node" seemed to be at the 43.0-43.5 area. I should switch to a decent bullet and give it a try as well.

 

[bluejay75]

I’m following you as I have some Nosler 150 ETips and some 150 Sierra Pro Hunters to work up. Hoping what I saw was a optimal charge weight of 45.5-45.7 with most any 150 class bullet.

 

[Charlie98]

I learned today that ES doesn’t matter at 100 yards that much.

I believe that es and sd are not a major factor at typical hunting ranges inside 400. Long range 700+ it becomes a much larger deal.

I agree. Too many people try to split hairs on chrono data... the results speak for themselves, to include handgun ammos.

 

[JFrank]

So after breaking my 16.5 inch Remington 700 out of gunsmith jail it is totally reformed and redeemed.

FC and LC brass mixed.
43.3 Tac
178 ELDm
2.825COAL
FED210
2600 FPS!!!! Only a 50 FPS loss to 20 inch barrel!!!
6.0 SD

Submoa. 10x scope. Some of this is me. There’s 2x 3 shot groups there. She’s ready to hunt.

View attachment 1025163
View attachment 1025164

What distance was this group shot ?

 

[bluejay75]

Every group in this thread was at 100 yards with the exception of one post with 200 yard groups. This was 100. 43.3 IS the definition of optimal charge weight. It has shot Submoa in 180 SST, 178 ELDX, 178 ELDM and every other bullet I have tried it with.

 

[JFrank]

Nicely done.

 

[bluejay75]

And I understand I can be kind of wordy so to be clear. AR Comp shot a 40 SD and printed a .25 inch group. 43.3 TAC 178 ELD M in the thread you quoted is two separate 3 shot groups. Getting zeroed. With care in loading and good components TAC has really impressed me. If I didn’t know this was a ball powder I would call BS as this powder does walk on velocity a bit but never more than 15 FPS and DOES NOT want to be sparked off with a magnum primer.

 

[JFrank]

I have a couple 308 loads I like to hunt deer with although plenty reliable im leaning towards finding some 165 Accubond to build an mid range Elk load, did you touch on those during this thread ?
Confessing that I didnt read the entire thread..lol

 

[JFrank]

From the range today...

I have not run this in my ballistic calculator to work out the drops, but with this group and speed this is a 5-600 yard killer.

Rifle Specs:
-Stock Savage Model 110 Tactical 308
-18.5 Inch 1:10 Twist Barrel
-Only modification was to have it headspaced to minimum spec AND Precision Barrel nut and Recoil Lug
-Ebay Generic Muzzle Brake
-Bushnell Engage 4-12 (shot at 12x)

Load Data:
-Lake City LR '08 308 Brass (near identical case capacity as Lapua)(do not sub for standard LC) 2.005 trimmed on a LCGW
-Winchester LR Primers
-Nosler Accubond Long Range Seconds (SPS)(COAL 2.800)(Bullet Likes jump- going to try 2.790 next)
-42.6-45.5 Ramshot TAC (45.5 is Sierra Recommended Hunting load)(In 1 grain jumps- I actually wanted the low speed node this time)
-Finished with a medium LFCD

View attachment 1004645 View attachment 1004646

I found your post on AB, I would probably start with something out of my powder stash , VV 140 or maybe 4064..or even RL-15 just because I have it already.
Thank you for testing and posting results.

 

[bluejay75]

Accubond LR and Accubond are two totally different birds. It took some serious seating depth work to get the LR shooting good. Almost have to treat it like a copper solid.

 

[Boomholzer]

Great post.
I've never had success with Varget relative to velocities in short barrels but I am usually pushing 175-180gr SMK/AMAX. I don't see any Varget-Scener loads in my log. Something new to try and also with the 6.5. Thanks.

 

[IALoder]

If I didn’t know this was a ball powder I would call BS as this powder does walk on velocity a bit but never more than 15 FPS and DOES NOT want to be sparked off with a magnum primer.

Interesting you say that about primers. Haven't used it much in .308, but in my .223 75bthp/TAC load it gets pretty much the same velocity, es/sd, and accuracy with magnum and non magnum primers, then gains 30fps and still has the same accuracy and es/sd with CCI41's. Been using CCI 34's in .308, I'll have to give fed 210's and CCI 200's a try!

 

[bluejay75]

Fed 210s is what Im normally running. Thats what I built most of the loads in this thread off of. I admit, I ran all the way to the safe pressure edge then changed to magnum primers. I changed to S&B and Winchester andf Im back in a good node and Im dropping the charge to retest 34s again. Shooting 45.5 and 45.7 TAC and 155 Scenar next outing.

 

[IALoder]

Got out and shot today, 45.4 shot very accurately (it was 1.3 moa which is very good for this bullet in my rifle) at 2856fps 36es/11sd, then 45.7 shot a decent group (1.7moa) at 2878fps, but 79es/28sd was terrible, I think the rifle was starting to cycle just a little too soon, but no pressure signs. 46.0 shot like a 4moa group at 2936fps, and had a similar terrible es/SD as 45.7. Solid ejector swipes on all cases, flat primers as well. It tried to double feed twice when shooting 46.0, I think the rifle was trying to cycle so fast it was getting ahead of itself. Now I'm curious as to what velocity X-Terminator/AA2230 is capable of with 150's. That's probably a project for next spring though!

 

[bluejay75]

2856 is great 308 velocity in a 20 inch. I’m using FC, Lapua and brass with a little more capacity and crimping the loads. I have some LC brass to fill. Thanks for sharing.

 

[IALoder]

I was using LC brass, seating to the cannelure, and putting a med-light crimp on with a Lee FCD. I'm super impressed with the 45.4 load with accuracy and velocity. I have some 155's I want to give it a try with, how'd it work for you?

 

[bluejay75]

45.7 in Lapua Brass 155 Scenar @2.825ish. Standard primer in Lapua, FC or LCLR brass. But I’m sure with it being a gas gun it might be a bit too much. 46 was the most accurate but right on the edge of pressure. 45.7 is over pressure with a CCI 34 and a 155.

 

[GravelRider]

Good to hear that TAC is working well for you. I just ordered an 8 lb jug of it. I've never used this particular powder before. I recently purchased an AR10 in 308, and needed to make some ammo, but powders are hard to come by. I found a decent deal (given today's high prices) on TAC and pulled the trigger. I was planning to use Varget, but I severely underestimated how unobtainium that powder is right now. I have a pound of it, but I don't want to work up a load that I'll never be able to actually produce in any volume. After looking at Varget prices on Gunbroker, I'm thinking about selling the pound I have!

I'll be using the TAC with 175 gr SMKs.

 

[bluejay75]

Look for the low node first. 43.3 has shot Submoa everytime I shoot with the 178 ELDm.

 

[bluejay75]

Even Sierra thinks so. Look at the bottom of the page. Do not just skip to the accuracy load as I can tell you that it’s right on the line with .3-.4 grains of room from max in their testing which was most likely in high capacity brass.

 

[GravelRider]

Thanks. I'll post here once I get some loaded. Might not be for a few weeks though.

 

[IALoder]

Look for the low node first. 43.3 has shot Submoa everytime I shoot with the 178 ELDm.

Yes, look for the low node first. My LR308 seems to cycle great and be a pleasure to shoot in the low node with 150's, gets a bit much and started beating the gun up in the high node.

 

[bluejay75]

Another range trip where I’m playing with the casinos money. I chronograph the loads first and both were solidly under moa. Let the gun cool and shot this. 200 grain SGK. Rest of the data on the bag. 2.822 and 0.19 off the lands.

 

[IALoder]

That's humping along pretty darn good for a 200gr in .308! Especially with a short barrel!

 

[bluejay75]

I was amazed with the accuracy. That pulled shot is most definitely me. I broke cheek weld to look through the spotting scope as I couldn’t tell where the group was.