reloading for .308 win

[bootcamp]

Hi All,

I just purchased my first bolt action rifle. The specs are as follows:

Remington 700 SPS-Varmint
26" bull barrel (I believe 1:12 twist ratio) chambered in .308 WIN

It's my understanding this rifle likes to shoot 147gr-160gr projectiles very accurately. What is the best projectile and powder to get. Unlike my semi-auto .223 I will not be loading for bulk. So each .308 will be handloaded with a lot more attention to detail. I have a Uniflow and would prefer double ball powder (anything similar to 2230) since my powder measure seems to drop those very accurately.

Now in terms of projectile. Here's where I won't be skimping. What is the top 3 best out there to get and in what weight? I'll be looking to get a couple/few boxes of a few.

Looking for 1" groups @ 100yds if possible with this rifle.

 

[Mags]

For projectiles I would reccomend any name brand 168 grain HPBT but in my opinion Sierra Match Kings are the best. I also heard good things about the Scenar as well. Sorry if the reccomended bullets are too heavy it's just what I shoot. My favorite powder is Reloder 15 by Alliant with Varget in second. I used to shoot 150 grain bullets with Tac but they were no where as near as accurate as 168 grainers. I think for the weights you used in your OP Ramshot Tac would be a good powder to work with if you are going to stick with the lighter bullets.

 

[cougar1717]

This is a very difficult question to answer since your rifle may like a different combination than others. One MOA is very possible. I would suggest neck sizing your brass and making sure your brass is trimmed to a uniform length. As for bullets, I would use a match style bullet - Sierra Match king, Hornady A-max, Nosler custom competition, Lapua Scenar, etc. Which one works best in your rifle? - this is just something you will have to experiment with. As for powder, this is another exercise in trial and error. I would suggest an extruded powder along the lines of H-4895. Someone else may and will suggest something different. My experience is that extruded powder is more accurate than ball powder, even though it is more work trickling each charge to the exact weight. Your rifle may like it, or it may not.

 

[mbopp]

Sub-MOA groups should be the norm with your rifle. I4895 and I4064 work well in my old 788.

 

[dagger dog]

Most new quality factory varmint style rifles are capable of moa accuracy with varmint style bullets Hornadys V-Max, Nosler Ballistic tips Sierras Ballistc tips ,Barnes and Berger, etc.

The .308 Winchester is one of the easier calibers to get to shoot well with just about any weight bullet, the 1 in 12 twist of your Remington should shoot most weight and length styles up to the 125-168grs and maybe even longer and heavier.

Winchester 748 is one powder that I know will flow through your dispenser well and it gives good accuracy also, my favorite is Varget although it is very crunchey going through a Uniflow, but I can put up with that given the excellent accuracy it gives in my .308 varmint rifle, Re15 is a very close second but tends to bridge in the Uniflow so be carefull.

Neck sizing is definitley the way to go if for no other reason than not over working your brass,but I have shot some of my smallest groupings while fireing new brass, so whoda thunkit! Using benchrest primers gives more consistant chrono results along with brass preparation.

One thing I have found to be true is in the powder loading density, the fuller you can get the case with the correct powder the better the .308 responds. Nosler gives some real good data on .308 load density, along with Lees usefull case capicity. I have played with seating depth, and it can play a factor with some rifles but I also think it is overplayed. Start with your suggested COL and work it out from there.


One thing is your in for a whole lot of fun working up that bughole load for your new rifle.

 

[bootcamp]

Thanks for the input so far guys. Quick question though.

Now I have only loaded .223 for semi autos and I FL resize the whole case. Is FL resizing not necessary in bolt action rifles? I only need to resize the neck/shoulder and don't have to worry about the case as a whole?

I know I will look in the Speer manual tonight but figured i'd ask here anyway for future researchers on THR.

Thanks again.

 

[lgbloader]

Get a can of IMR 4064, Varget, and IMR 4895 and a box of SMK 168's and have fun.

It's a good place to start.

LGB

 

[cvo]

Lapua brass

Sierra or Berger Match 168 grain BTHP

Varget powder


Over at Snipers Hide you can find a lot of known loads for your rifle.

 

[RH45]

For the most accurate loads (and easier reloading), if you have brass that has been fired in the rifle you are loading for, neck size only.

My Remington Varmint .308 just loves Lapua 155 grain Scenars, with 46 grains of Varget behind them and will shoot 1/2" groups at 200 yards.

 

[grubbylabs]

Well since you have the speer book, I am shooting a 165 BTSP with 43 grns of 4064 and I think it is out shooting me. I know it is not what you were asking for, but I stole the load from another thread and just lucked out. Plus you can use that for your varmint hunting as well as target. My best grouping was that load with brand new Winchester brass. Good luck, be safe, and have lots of fun.

 

[tom357mag]

IMR 4064
Nosler 150grn Ballistic Tip
Awsome @ 100 yards

 

[ScratchnDent]

My current favorite combo is Reloder 15 and Sierra 168 MKs.

I have also had great results with 4064, 4895, Varget, and BLC-2 with Hornady Amax, Lapua Scenars, and Berger VLDs.

Lot of good powders and bullets for .308 out there!

 

[Redneck with a 40]

I recommend IMR-4895, its very accurate in my Remmy SPS Tactical.

 

[918v]

Varget, Hornady 168gr bullets, WLR primers will give you half-inch groups from that rifle.

 

[dagger dog]

Boot,

Neck sizing in theory matches the case to any concentricity mis alignment in the barrel, leade, chamber area,keeps you from over working your brass when full sizing, and minimizes the expansion that full size brass has to go through to seal the chamber.

After neck sizing a while your brass may become hard to chamber , and requires the shoulder to be bumped back with a special die for that pourpose or just run it through your full size die.

If you have the Speer Manual I think it covers neck sizing, there are special dies made for this or you can use your full length die just adjusted to resize only the neck portion, you can watch the neck and see the "ring" that is visible as the die moves down the neck, start with your die screwed all the way out and turn it down in small increments and watch the "ring" move down until it is just short of the shoulder.

 

[bootcamp]

Thanks guys, I just picked up some 168 smk hpbt and imr4895. IM friggin stoked!

 

[Franco]

Depends on what you're doing with you 308. If you're killing varmints, then Nosler has some very nice ammo in those weights (partition bullet and one just for varmints -- can't remember the name). I've loaded their accubond and partition bullets at 168 and 180gr for deer and they are fantastic.

 

[Jaybird78]

I have a Savage10FP (1:10" twist). I full length resize. I have been shooting Nosler Custom Comp. 168 match. I was using W748 but have since changed to Varget. I can get 1/2" groups at 100yards with this combo.

You will of course have to find your own combos that work for your stick.
And this of course is half the fun.

 

[Fatelvis]

I think using the bullets that you have, and a safe charge of 4895, RL15, or Varget, you'll be pleasantly surprised in the fine accuracy. The cartridge and rifle you chose are pretty easy to make shoot well, and those componants you are using, are tried and proven to perform well.

 

[USSR]

What is the best projectile and powder to get. Unlike my semi-auto .223 I will not be loading for bulk. So each .308 will be handloaded with a lot more attention to detail. I have a Uniflow and would prefer double ball powder (anything similar to 2230) since my powder measure seems to drop those very accurately.

Now in terms of projectile. Here's where I won't be skimping. What is the top 3 best out there to get and in what weight?

I see where you picked up some 168gr HPBT's and IMR4895. Good move. If you are loading for accuracy, then set your Uniflow to drop charge just under what you want, and trickle up to the desired charge weight using your scale to determine final charge weight. Charge weight is dependent upon the brass you are using. If using milsurp brass, then do not exceed 42.0 grains. If using commercial Winchester or Remington brass, then 43.6 grains is a good place to be.

Don

 

[Snakum]

I just picked up some 168 smk hpbt and imr4895.

You are set. Read everything you can find about the OCW and Ladder methods of reloading and have fun!

 

[rscalzo]

Best luck so far has been with Reloader 15 and bullet weights between 150 and 168 sierra Matchkings. All from a Remington 700P.