Boy, this is some good stuff! So many directions that I can go. Here is a what I think I have learned so far:
- The 190 SMK should work if the shot is placed well.
- 'Placed well' seems to mean into a shoulder, preferrably the off-side shoulder, although there doesn't seem to be a consensus on this.
- If I bump the velocity of the 190 SMK up I'd probably be better off (no pressure signs yet, so I might try this).
- Or I could try IMR4064 for more velocity. OK I'm already moving this direction since I loaded up some loads with the IMR4064 a while back, but haven't had time to try them. I expect the accuracy will be there, but in my experience the IMR4064 has been overly temperature sensitive, which is fine for target shooting. (Already tried Varget, rifle doesn't seem to like it).
- All things considered the 190 SMK/308 combination appears to be borderline.
- There may be some benefit to trimming the metplate on the SMK's
- The 175 SMK's may open up a little better than the 190's.
- I would be better off with a magnum rifle for the longer shots...Hmmm, maybe I should take the 338 Lapua. Actually, until the McMillan A-5 comes in and the rifle gets 'GA Precisioned' and braked, I don't think it will be up to the task.
- I could pack the rifle with a magazine of 'less accurate' hunting loads in it for potential shots under 300 yards and swap to the 190's for a potential longer shot, but would need to confirm zero's for this.
- It is very important that I am confident with whatever load/bullet that I shoot and, overall, shot placement is more important than bullet construction (but both matter).
- Using a bipod is more practical under field conditions than packing sand bags and a rest, especially if I could shoot half as good as Shawn.
- 1000 yards is 'pushing' it for any bullet combination with the 308.
- The Nosler Accubond seems to be the most recommended bullet for my circumstances. Given this, I ordered some last night and will try to work up a load that I am 'comfortable' with before the season (IF I have time and IF they shoot well).
Some people have recommended that I try this-or-that and work up a load, which is helpful and appreciated, and at some point I will likely take all the advice. For some reason, I'm just not comfortable loading up some rounds, shooting a ladder test, picking the high velocity node and going with it (my impression of typical load work up). For me to be comfortable enough with a load to hunt with it, I need to do all that and then possibly try some different seating depths and neck tensions to 'perfect' the load. Then I test and re-test the load under varying conditions to ensure that it is consistent from day to day and week to week. Sometimes I make some adjustments. During this time I like to document where the CCB shots and the cold bore shots hit at different ranges and temperatures and compare these to the 'follow-up' shots. I like to verify my drop charts under field conditions, all the way out to where I may actually take a shot (including up-and-downhill angled shots), and including taking enough shots at distance to get a 'feel' for making accurate first shot wind calls. Although I carry a 'cheat sheet', I also like to have my drop tables memorized out to 600 yards for the bullet I'm using, this can help if I need to make a slightly hurried shot. I'm sure all this sounds somewhat obsessive, but that is what it takes for me to feel 'comfortable' with a load, and that takes time.
As far as my rifle being picky, I never thought of it that way, but I guess it could be. I've tried 3 different powders with it and it liked two of them (RE15 and IMR4064). I've tried 6 different bullets with it and it liked 3 of them (168,175,190 smk's).
Did I miss anything? Thanks again for all the great advice. Also, keep it coming, I'm not trying to close out this post just yet.