308 178gr velocity for 1000

Goobie270

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I'm shooting a 308 5r and I'm getting great accuracy around 2580-2600 and hit the accuracy node but did not load higher than 43.7gr of imr 4064 for hpbt 178gr, is this velocity good for out to 1000 yards?

I've reloaded my hornady 178 gr to mag length and I'm starting to crush powder pretty good so I stopped. It gets 2600 fps. I have no pressure signs but got nervous due to the powder crush, should one stop there?
 
You shooting paper/steel? If so, those velocities should get you to 1k. If you're worried, try a different powder that doesn't have quite as much case fill maybe?

I took a factory Rem700 ADL Varmint with a 26" barrel a few years back that I tweaked- added a Timney, B&C stock and bedded the action, and added a magwell that took AI mags, but left the barrel and action alone. I was using 178 Hornady Amax with IMR4895 (42.3gr if I remember correclty), Lapua brass, and Fed 210 primers and getting about 2560fps. Took that rifle and load to my first ever precision rifle class, and by the 2nd day of shooting I was ringing the gong at 1k. Felt great! I miss that rifle- sold it when I probably shouldn't have, but everyone on this board has a story about that.

Your 5r comes with a better stock than I added, and a better barrel. Does that 178 you're using have a tip or is it a true hollow point? I'd check the BC against a 178 Hornady with a tipped bullet and maybe give those a try also. With those velocities you should be good, as long as it's steel/paper. You may also try the 168gr- you'll lose some BC but gain some speed. I wouldn't try critters at that range with the .308, but that's just me.

Edited to add: I have a 20" on another Rem700 .308 now...factory 12 twist barrel. I'm shooting the 168 Amax at 2596 with IMR 4895...so you might try a different powder. I've never used 4064, so can't compare, but tinkering is half the fun.
 
You shooting paper/steel? If so, those velocities should get you to 1k. If you're worried, try a different powder that doesn't have quite as much case fill maybe?

I took a factory Rem700 ADL Varmint with a 26" barrel a few years back that I tweaked- added a Timney, B&C stock and bedded the action, and added a magwell that took AI mags, but left the barrel and action alone. I was using 178 Hornady Amax with IMR4895 (42.3gr if I remember correclty), Lapua brass, and Fed 210 primers and getting about 2560fps. Took that rifle and load to my first ever precision rifle class, and by the 2nd day of shooting I was ringing the gong at 1k. Felt great! I miss that rifle- sold it when I probably shouldn't have, but everyone on this board has a story about that.

Your 5r comes with a better stock than I added, and a better barrel. Does that 178 you're using have a tip or is it a true hollow point? I'd check the BC against a 178 Hornady with a tipped bullet and maybe give those a try also. With those velocities you should be good, as long as it's steel/paper. You may also try the 168gr- you'll lose some BC but gain some speed. I wouldn't try critters at that range with the .308, but that's just me.

Edited to add: I have a 20" on another Rem700 .308 now...factory 12 twist barrel. I'm shooting the 168 Amax at 2596 with IMR 4895...so you might try a different powder. I've never used 4064, so can't compare, but tinkering is half the fun.


Ok thanks, the bullet is a hornady 178gr hpbt so it's a true hollow point. This it strictly for paper target use, I keep a distance of 150 yards or less when it comes to shooting animals no matter how big the are and never running shots.

If only you kept that gun!!, I hope to never say that!!
 
Can't or should I say won't comment on what is too much or not pressure but you can take care of the volume issue by using a drop tube. If you are after more vel cfe223 can usually give it a good vel boost with that weight bullet in 308.
 
I've loaded 178amaxs for a 3085r, with 4064 and varget you can not get enough of that powder in it for 2.8" coal.
If you have good accuracy and for shooting steel, stick with ur load. For 1k I would be more concerned with velocity consistency over how much velocity you can achieve.
Check out vhitavouriis load data on 308, 155gr, with n540(I believe, it's one of their 5series powders anyways)if ur wanting more speed
 
+1 on CFE 223. My varget load in my gun is quite a bit faster at 2735 with the 178eld's. CFE was alot faster than that in my gun. I ran out of time to figure out a load before I started fishing for the summer(profession) Come next fall I will explore what it will do. The tipped bullets ie 178elds and Serria 175tmk's have a better bc. Also the 168 bergers vlds shot extremely well for me over 2750fps. My gun will shoot the hornady178hp match at 2705 and the 175 serrias in Federal gold medal match at the same 2705 into the same group no less. So my speeds are a bit higher than normal for reference.
 
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