Results of my first .308 reloads

[ZGunner]

So this is how I did on the first 15 rounds of my reloads. 46gr of H4895 over 110gr Sierra HP Varminter from my Savage 10 Precision Carbine. COAL is 2.62", I was kinda guessing at this, my first cartridge was that and fit well in the rifle so I kept it. According to load data I'm guessing at about 2750-2800 fps from a 20" barrel. All shots are 100 yrds.

Orange - first group, aiming at center, about 2" high but 1" group

Red - second group, using first MilDot on center, just a hair over 1" group

Pink - letting fiancé shoot, still 1.25" for the farthest apart

Green - just finishing up what reloads I had, .75"

The #1 is a reload, #2 is a Magtech 150gr FMJ. I know it's not a very good representation, I just wanted to see where the point of impact was for the loads.

Overall I'm extremely pleased. I'm impressed with how consistent my loads were. Now I just need to toy with some 155gr Nos BTHP and get my scope dialed in to work for both.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It looks like you found a good load right off the bat.

Do not expect to use the same scope setting for both a 110gr and 155gr bullet. Those bullet weights are just too far apart for you to get the same POI without changing the scope settings. The good news is, if you have a good scope you can write down the hold-offs and change the setting when you change ammo without having to test the loads again.

 

[splithoof]

You might find that with H4895, in your rifle a 168BTHPM bullet will give even tighter groups. That rifle very likely has a superb barrel, as many of the Savage rifles I have seen.

 

[grumpy66]

Keep working with those loads.

You found a good one right off the bat.

They will improve.

 

[vujade]

Look up OWC (Optimal weight charge) test or ladder tests. It makes looking for that perfect load very scientific.

Once I found a good powder weight, start to play with OAL. I found that 2.75 (.15 off the lands) to be that 'magical sweet spot' where I could even go up and down a full some grains and still find it within 1 MOA.

I noticed you're using some lighter weight bullets. You'll check your twist rate but my 1 in 10 Savage really likes the 168s. 150 grains will give it 1 inch but 168s will cut my groups by half.

I love that rifle you have by the way; 20 inch barrels are so handy.

 

[James2]

Very nice. At least your rifle is sighted in. Two inches high at 100 yds is perfect. I love to see groups that land on target. You are off to a good start.

 

[ZGunner]

I noticed you're using some lighter weight bullets. You'll check your twist rate but my 1 in 10 Savage really likes the 168s. 150 grains will give it 1 inch but 168s will cut my groups by half.

My bullet choice was heavily dependent on availability and price. It was hard to find what I really wanted after the "panic" kicked off. After everything passes I'll definitely need to play around with 168's.