Load Suggestion for Savage 308

[RodgerC130]

Looking for load suggestions for my new Savage model 10 FCP-SR .308 for 1000 yard shooting. Thanks

 

[82ndreddevil]

I used to load a bit for my 308 Savage 10FP, it was a great shooter! My most consistant and best groups came from 42.5 grains of Varget with 168 gr SMK. It shot a half MOA with no issues. Thats a nice looking rifle!

 

[RodgerC130]

Thanks 82ndRedDevil. I'm trying to get 2 or 3 different ideas for a load so I can see which one my rifle will like best.

 

[TomBruto]

My savage 10 FCP McMillan likes all kinds of ammo. I can probably shoot 5 different rounds and keep under an moa! that may be slightly exagerated. My go to load is 43 gr varget with a 178 a-max, oal ~2.787 it consistantly shoots around .2-.3 moa out of black hills brass. My best group however was at 41.2 gr varget in federal gold brass with 175 smk. all with cci br2 primers. Hope this helps. The best group i ever got from factory ammo was from Hornady match 168, at .210 moa. all these groups were at 100 yards. I have hit 12" or < diametrer rocks at 1163 yards with the 43 gr load, and have taken hogs at 500+ yards with it as well.

 

[liltank]

Here are a few of mine. I should tell you that I have a 1:12 twist. Components are RWS brass, and Federal 210M primers.

With either a 175 Nosler Custom Comp or 175SMK
43 and 45 grains of Reloader 15 (work up to the 45grn load) .015" off the lands

I'm starting to play with 168 Berger Hybrid. They have a higher BC than the 175's and 178 A-max. They have a .519 G1 BC and a .266 G7 BC. These are all .015 off the lands.

42.6 grains AR Comp
45.7gr RL15
49.0gn RL17
49.0grn Power Pro 2000MR

These are all hot loads, so work up to them. They are max in my rifle, but give me the best accuracy and the lowest ES.

The last load is one I cam up with for my 18" 1:10 .308 hunting rifle. It's 38.5grn of RL15 and a 200grn Sierra Game King.

 

[rscott5028]

Getting .25-.5 MOA with...

Berger 175 OTM
Lapua Brass
CCI BR2 primers
IMR-4064 @ 43.4gr
.035 jump and fed from the AICS magazine

2650 fps and no signs of pressure
This is a Rem 700 with a 20" 1:10 Shilen barrel, suppressed.

Just worked this up and haven't shot past 300yds yet.

I also noticed this is similar to the loaded ammo you can buy from Bryan Litz. But, I haven't tried any of that.

-- richard

 

[RodgerC130]

Hey thanks for the information guys. Gotta get busy reloading and check some of these loads out. Much appreciated.

 

[liltank]

Just an update. Went out to the fields and shot some of the loads I posted at 318yds. Here's what I got. These are all shot with 168 Berger Hybrids.

This one measured .98MOA. That was due to my horizontal stringing due to not paying attention to the wind. The vertical looks really good on this one. Going to give it a go again and seat it a little deeper to see if I can tighten it up some. Right now it is .030" deep.

This is an experimental load that will be retested with more shots than just three. It is with 42.5grn of Varget. 1.099"=.333MOA

2.218"= .672MOA

 

[liltank]

Forgot to mention this load too, in case you don't want to go past 900yds, this load gives me a 4fps ES, and a 2.8SD. It is with RWS Brass, F210M, 42.8grn AR Comp, and 168 Nolser Ballistic Tip.

.116" at 100yd 3 shots.

1.5" at 718yds 3 shots

 

[RodgerC130]

Liltank, thanks for the posts on your groups. Waiting for Nathan at Muzzle Brakes and More, to send me a muzzle brake. Then it's off to the range. Can't wait, had this rifle for a couple of weeks now and itching to get to the range.

 

[diriel]

Nicely informative posts Liltank, thank you!

Gary