A little fun with 308

[wvbearhunter]

I have two loads above this but the accuracy fell off and I have not re-tried them after adjusting my seating depth. These were fired at 200 yards using a Tripod with me sitting in a folding chair. Sig Tango 6 4-14×44, BHO with 20" PVA barrel.
195 grain Sierra TMK
Fed LR Mag Primers
Viht N-550
New Fed Brass
2.880" OAL

I am, by no means, an expert but this load, in this rifle, makes me smile.

I used the cheap 147 FMJs to get my baseline.

 

[Fish4Food]

That 45.6 off a bench at 200 would be legit.

Off a tripod and lawn chair!!! Chingao! That's solid!

 

[wvbearhunter]

That 45.6 off a bench at 200 would be legit.

Off a tripod and lawn chair!!! Chingao! That's solid!

This rifle really seems to like heavies in 308. 130-155s do not shoot well at all from it (1:10 twist) but 165 and above are laser beams.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Great shooting and hoping mine does as well when it's assembled.

 

[Bang4theBuck]

I am curious if you were actually doing load development at 200 yds? I've never done load development at extended ranges, except ladder testing for velocity nodes, before owning a good chronograph. It seems to me that the risk of the wind kicking up could have adverse affects on the groups at that range. I never hold for wind in any accuracy testing so to maintain all the constants that I can.... maybe there is something to be learned from this approach. Please share.

BTW- those are great 200 yard groups. Good shooting!

 

[ranch manager]

I am curious if you were actually doing load development at 200 yds? I've never done load development at extended ranges, except ladder testing for velocity nodes, before owning a good chronograph. It seems to me that the risk of the wind kicking up could have adverse affects on the groups at that range. I never hold for wind in any accuracy testing so to maintain all the constants that I can.... maybe there is something to be learned from this approach. Please share.

BTW- those are great 200 yard groups. Good shooting!

I my opinion vertical is what should be considered. I've done the same, powder charges as well as seating depth ( separate of course) just verifying for the least amount of vertical at 200 and also 300. It has proven to be a very reliable load.

 

[Tiny Tim]

I do most of my testing at 300. But I am fortunate to have a 300 yard berm either side of the shooting lane and generally in line with prevailing winds.

 

[wvbearhunter]

I am curious if you were actually doing load development at 200 yds? I've never done load development at extended ranges, except ladder testing for velocity nodes, before owning a good chronograph. It seems to me that the risk of the wind kicking up could have adverse affects on the groups at that range. I never hold for wind in any accuracy testing so to maintain all the constants that I can.... maybe there is something to be learned from this approach. Please share.

BTW- those are great 200 yard groups. Good shooting!

I always test at 200. I have always felt that 100 does not give a true indication of accuracy

 

[Tiny Tim]

I always test at 200. I have always felt that 100 does not give a true indication of accuracy

I agree. If you shoot a cloverleaf at 100yds, is the horizontal or vertical deviation part of the rifle's normal dispersion or a true indication of a horizontal or vertical component of the load developed?

 

[Bang4theBuck]

To each his own, I guess. My opinion has always been that 100 yards was a good starting point, as it is far enough away to accurately measure groups and elevation differences. 200 yds is nothing more than an extrapolation of the same results, only with a higher possibility of wind and bullet BC affecting POI. I suppose if all you are looking at it vertical dispersion, the further the better. Seems more like personal preference than science. Thanks for the replies fellas.

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I just shot and harvested a cow elk with mine. 600 yards with a 155 TMK. No tracking involved. I love the .308.