308 with 16" barrel

joshua79109

joshua79109

New member
Hello all,

I'm looking for info from anyone who has loaded for a 308 with a 16" barrel.

So far I've been able to get real good groups with Varget (44gr) and 168gr SMKs.

My avg speed is 2505 fps. I was hoping to get to 2600 fps and was wondering if anyone found a good load that gets there and holds the accuracy. I have a few other powders to try.

I'm wondering if there is any chance of getting 2600 fps with the Varget if I add to my load or if I should just be happy with the 2505 fps and good groups.

I'll keep tinkering of course, but was just wondering if anyone here had made it to 2600 with good groups.

So far my loads show no problem signs and I believe I could go all the way to 46gr of Varget (per their info).

Thanks
 
if your getting sub moa with 2500fps i wouldn't be disappointed with a 16" barrel, i've got a couple AR-10's with 20" barrels and i'm using about 44.5grains of varget and getting about 2650 w/175 SMK's and getting anywhere from .5-.75 MOA, i do have some 4064 i'm going to try just to c what i can come up with.
 

I have a Savage Striker in 308 Win(bolt action pistol with a 14"
barrel). I developed a load with a 130 gr. XBT/TSX Barnes
bullet, using Win 748 powder. I get a chronograph measured
2800 fps, with sub-MOA accuracy. In short barrels, faster
burn rate powder helps ring out a little more speed. The
trick is not loosing accuracy in the process.

Squeeze
 
Originally Posted By: Squeeze
I have a Savage Striker in 308 Win(bolt action pistol with a 14"
barrel). I developed a load with a 130 gr. XBT/TSX Barnes
bullet, using Win 748 powder. I get a chronograph measured
2800 fps, with sub-MOA accuracy. In short barrels, faster
burn rate powder helps ring out a little more speed. The
trick is not loosing accuracy in the process.

Squeeze

Yea Boy! 130's with 748 really screams both in velocity and accuracy! I shot the same bullet at 3200 fps with 748 out of a 24" barrel!
 
I purchased but have not had the time to try IMR 8208 XBR a few months back. A few of my friends have used this in .308 win, .223 rem and .30 Rem AR with great success. (Cut and pasted from IMR's site) " IMR 8208 XBR The latest in the versatile IMR line of fine propellants, this accurate metering, super short grained extruded rifle powder was designed expressly for match, varmint, and AR sniper cartridges. Ideally suited for cartridges like the 223 Remington/5.56mm, 308 Winchester/7.62mm NATO and the 6mm PPC, shooters will find IMR 8208 XBR totally insensitive to changes in temperature, while yielding max velocities and “tack driving” accuracy. Clearly, the competitor’s “choice” and the Varmint Hunter’s “dream powder”.

http://www.imrpowder.com/rifle.html

According to the load data for 168gr SMK :
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Varget will give you: 2520 fps. with 42.0gr. to 2731 fps. with 46.0gr. (compressed)

IMR 8208 XBR will give you: 2493 fps. with 39gr. to 2707 fps. with 43.3gr.

I see the velocity with Varget is slightly higher at the max load than the 8208 xbr - but you will not have to run compressed loads with the 8208 xbr.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2353366
 
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nothing wrong with a compressed load. the 308 case is more efficient the fuller it gets. i used to load 110s in my single shot used 36gr of reloader 10x. i can say it had a nice flash but the accuracy was lacking. a full case of slow powder does wonders, the heavier bullets do well with it
 
Great info, thanks all.

I've never really considered going to a lighter bullet, but maybe I should try those 130s with Win 748 to see what I get.

So far I am getting right at .75 moa at 100 and .9 moa at 200. I haven't even moved out further with this one yet.

This is out of a 308 AR. I might also need to try the 175 SMKs. I'll have to tinker some more and see what I get.


That IMR 8208 XBR sounds like it's worth trying. I was going to try the 4198 next, but I might move to that 8208 first.

Thanks again everyone.
 
Originally Posted By: chefpierreIf I were you I would keep tinkering, but my thoughts are velocity does not equal accuracy.

+1

My 308's love IMR4064 and I just loaded and shot some 8208XBR loads and they loved those too...although I see no reason to make the change permanently from 4064.
 


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