Shot my first batch of .308

[compujas]

Finally managed to get to the range to shoot my first string of reloads for my load development. I'm using fired Remington UMC brass, FL sized, 168gr SMK, IMR 4064, WLR primers, 2.800" COAL. These were fired from a Marlin XS7 on a Lead Sled Plus to eliminate my sub-par rifle skills (for the moment). I'm pretty excited with the improved accuracy vs factory Remington UMC ammo. Obviously though this ammo drifts more than the UMC, so I'll have to adjust my scope once I find a good load. My plan now is to try 37.5-39.5 grains by .5gr increments to start walking it in and find the sweet spot.

The top left is 38.0 grains of powder.
The top right is 39.0 grains.
The bottom left is 40.0 grains.
The bottom right is 41.0 grains.
The center is Remington UMC 150gr.

If anyone has any comments or wisdom to share to steer me in a better direction would be much appreciated since I'm new to this.

Edit: Forgot to mention, on the 41.0 grain loads I started seeing some slight primer flattening around the edges.

 

[1KPerDay]

Good job! Your first rifle reloads are much more successful than mine have been so far.

 

[compujas]

Oh, don't worry, they weren't. My last thread I was begging for help on why my bullets fell into the cases and wouldn't stay put even though I crimped them. I wound up having to FL size the cases with the primers already in them because I didn't properly neck size them the first time. If you notice, there's only 4 rounds in the first group and the other 3 have 5 rounds. That first round was fired before I noticed that my cartridges didn't have good neck tension. Oops.

 

[ReloaderEd]

Nice reloading, good shooting Tex. You mentioned primer flatening at the higher charges of powder. I don't know what the temperature was when you fired your first reloads but it is a factor you should not ignore. If you shoot the same loads on a hot day, it could cause problems. I did that once with a 243 Win with 100 gr bullets and 4895 rifle powder. shot .4" group at 100 yards before spring. Temperature was probably just over freezing. That summer did a bench rest shoot. As I fired my group I notice a fired case on the bench and the primer was laying next to it. The primer pocket had opened up. I took the remaining loaded home and pulled the bullets and weighed all the charges. Everything was copasetic and I was not at maimum charge on the loading chart. Live and learn. Be Safe!!!

 

[compujas]

That's a good point, but fortunately it's a reasonable temperature here today, only in the mid 70s.

 

[USSR]

compujas,

I wouldn't worry about the temperature with the loads you are currently using. Those loads are all very mild. I would estimate that all will fall below 2500fps. A full power load with the brass and bullet you are using would probably fall in the neighborhood of between 42.5 and 43.0gr.

Don

 

[compujas]

I'm not really worried about it, just commenting. I'm also not going for a full power load, just high accuracy since it's just paper punching, and being that I was seeing signs of excessive pressure at 41.0 gr, I don't think I'll be going for anything higher than that, especially since the lower loads showed better accuracy anyway.