Accurate 308 speeds

[xsn10s]

When I started loading I believe 41.2 Gr IMR 4064 was Sierra's book accuracy load. Your 43.3 gr IMR 4064 load is close to my current max on 168 SMK. I used to max out around 45 grs but something has changed and now 43.5 gr is showing pressure. I may need to polish the throat on my barrel.

 

[Bdubose]

WOW!
You guys have provided some of the most helpful information I've ever seen on the forums with zero drama!
THANK YOU!

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I get 2550 with 18" tube and 168gr and 2590 with a 20". I've pushed faster but that's where I found accuracy.

What powder? I have a 20" barrel and Varget does alright, but none on hand.

Shooters World Precision has been feeding it lately, but wouldn't buy it again...ok in these circumstances I would buy it again. Not if better choices were out there.

That said, OP 175gr VLDH, 41.5gr SWP, Lapua case, CCI 200 with that 20" barrel=2430 FPS. Factory FGMM gets 2550 FPS in this same rifle.

 

[Bdubose]

What powder? I have a 20" barrel and Varget does alright, but none on hand.

Shooters World Precision has been feeding it lately, but wouldn't buy it again...ok in these circumstances I would buy it again. Not if better choices were out there.

That said, OP 175gr VLDH, 41.5gr SWP, Lapua case, CCI 200 with that 20" barrel=2430 FPS. Factory FGMM gets 2550 FPS in this same rifle.

RL-15 and BL-C(2)
It's what we had on hand. Been loading for a gas gun. The RL15 behind 168 Berger's shot well.
The BL powder behind 168 ABLR's started at 2700 FPS and went to 2826 but didn't seem to have the accuracy I get from the ABLR's in my 7 mag.

From what I saw in factory ammo and the Berger's, and based on the responses here - I think 2600 will be the accuracy node I will play around the edges of.

 

[rustyshackleford]

Factory gold medal 168 clocked about 2560 from my FN 20". Using RL-15 I was getting berger 185's up to 2550 if memory serves and Sierra 195 TMK's up to 2520. Never loaded any lighter ones

 

[Greyfox]

My best accuracy using 168 SMK's(competition), and Hornady 165gr SST's(hunting) we're in the 2600-2700FPS range using Varget, R15, IMR 4895)….24/26" barrels.

 

[xsn10s]

I used IMR 4064 again this year because that's all I had left. It's been sitting for around ten years on my shelf. My favorite pre pandemic powders were TAC, RL15, and H4895. All my loads seems to work the best with Fed210M. But even my least favorite primer (Remington) gave me right around half moa in my well used PSS.

 

[bassassassin104]

About the same here. 20" barrel on an AR10: 168 Amax, 165 Accubond, or 168 Berger classic hunter all run 2550 ish with lapua brass, Federal GM210M primers and 43.5 grains of Varget.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I got a Berger 215 going 2493 FPS using RL16 in my 20" barrel.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Low to mid 2600s is typical with 168 class cup/core bullets with a 20-22" tube using typical powders like Varget.

I have a 20" R7005R mil spec that is a fluke. It shoots 175 Berger VLDs at 2800 using RL17 and I actually did a ladder with 168 ABLR and CFE223 that finally hit pressure at 2968fps.

I wonder if they had Weatherby design the reamer when they built it. I currently seat bullets out to 2.950" and still have .070-.100" to the lands.

The attached picture is to the lands with 175 Badlands Bulldozer bullets.

 

[Teri Anne]

Just acquired a new Tika T3x Lite in 308 - my first in that caliber.
It shoots Sierra Match Kings 168 grain sub MOA at 2596 FPS.

When we loaded a ladder test we were flying a bit faster than that.

For those with experience in 308 bolt guns - what speed are you shooting? 2600 feels slow to me, but I normally shoot a 7 mag.

I have been shooting .308s in both of my Model 70's. Have them running around 2450 with 165/168 noslers and shoot 1/2 MOA all day. Those rifles have been responsible for the demise of over 40 white tails over the years.

 

[CoachChris]

My 168gr speeds are right around 2670fps with Lapua Palma brass, IMR4166, CCI#450 primers out of a 24" barrel 1:10 twist

 

[jpfrog]

My 20" barrel with a 12 twist shoots the 168 Amax into clover leafs at 2615fps using just over 42gr of IMR4895, Lapua brass, and a Fed210.

 

[ScottB338]

I've been using AA2460 for years and get great results with CCI 200 primers in LC brass. 41.1 to 41.5 gr. (Depending on the lot year of cases) gives me just under 2600 fps from 2 different M1A's. I use Nosler 165 and 168 gr. Ballistic Tips (I see little difference between bullets in my application). Accuracy is under MOA.