.308 data

[klemm]

Never reloaded in my life. I am looking for advice on a brand of power and primer that will be close to federal gold metal match ammo. I shoot 175 grain in my. 308 and this factory ammo will produce a 5 shot group that can be covered with a dime. Thanks.

 

[MudRunner2005]

For all my .308 loads I use Hodgdon Varget powder. Seems to be better about temp swings than some of the others out there.

Also, for 175's, I load with 44.0gr of Varget. Same for 168's. But your rifle might like less. I would try working your load up to 44.0...Starting around 42.0, 42.5, 43.0, 43.5, 44.0 and shooting 3-shot groups of each to see which one your barrel likes.

As for primers I'd use Federal Gold Medal Match 210 primers, also known as Federal 210M primers.

I also use Lapua brass, but it's kinda pricey, but excellent brass that will last a long time.

If you are getting that good of resultts with factory ammo it might be an arduous task to work up a load that accurate.

I shot a 24-shot group out of my factory Rem 700 5R, that measured 1.37" @ 100 yards, with Nosler 168 Custom Comp bullets, 44.0gr of Varget, Federal 210 primers, and Lapua brass. For me, that is my winning combo.

But every rifle is different. So what works in mine might shoot horribly out of yours. You just have to tinker with it and see what works best for your gun.

 

[boomtube]

None of us can tell you what factory ammo is, nor could you purchase their powder if we could.

First thing you need is to buy a reloading manual, it will list many powders and bullet weights for most any cartridge you're likely to load for. Pick a bullet you want to try first and check the manual for the powder that gets the highest velocity for that weight and start there. It will probably take a good bit of experimenting to get the accuracy you seek.

As a noob you will be well served with a Lyman, Hornady, Lee or Sierra loading manual, they all have good loading data and excellant beginner instructions too. (Many guys will strongly suggest multipule manuals but that's because they love to read lots of manuals; one good book is plenty for anyone starting out.)

 

[MudRunner2005]

Hey now....So what if i like to read alot!

Yes, a reloading manual will be your BEST tool as a beginner. And even as time goes on will be very helpful.

I usually buy a manual for every brand of bullet I shoot. Therefore I have a Berger, Nosler, and Hornady manual. They're not real expensive $25-30 each, and will more than pay for themselves, especially if you shoot alot of different calibers, bullet weights, and different brands of bullets, like I do.

 

[Stanm70]

A load I love for my .308 is 43.5 grains of varget, 168 grain amax's. I get solid 1/2 moa from my factory rem 700 XCR long range.

 

[trigger puller]

If you are going to shoot 175 SMK varget is the way to go I have tried RL15, it shoots good and with a little research you can find a load that matches Gold Medal fairly close. I shoot 175 in winchester brass 44.6 grains of varget and CCI BR2 primers, Do Not Try this load in your gun start low and work up to find a load that your rifle likes. Get a reloading manual ask questions and have fun thats what it is about. Good luck.

 

[klemm]

Thanks guys. What is the cost per round of reloaded vs factory.

 

[Stanm70]

Depends on what bullet/brass you choose. Those two are the most variable. as cheap as .40 with good lapua brass that you can get 12-20 loads out of and using amax's you bought in bulk. or you could use super expensive bullets that could increase your price to .60-.80 cents a piece if not more.

Lapua Brass- .10 ish from 10-15 reloads
Primers- .04
powder- .12 ish cents per round
Bullet anywhere from .25 cents a pop to well over a dollar in some cases

 

[klemm]

I have 300 rounds of once fired federal brass. I figured I could use them until they are wore out,then buy lapua brass. What is the typical number of times brass can be used.

 

[Stanm70]

It is very dependant on what loads u put in them, Chamber tolerances, Hardness of the brass, etc... but I would expect 5-11 lol I know thats a very broad range.

 

[klemm]

Fair enough. I am just looking to match the performance of gold metal match or a little better. Is this possible.

 

[Stanm70]

Factory powder is different than the powder we get. very finely tuned for the specified bullet. Sure it is possible to re create the ballistics. but you will have to tune it yourself by increasing amount of powder in very small increments until you either get desired results or start seeing pressure signs whichever comes first. Which powder works best is totally relative, Use a reloading manual for a starting point.

 

[Shane1]

Fair enough. I am just looking to match the performance of gold metal match or a little better. Is this possible.

Yes it's possible, 308 is a very forgiving round to load. As others have suggested Varget is hard to beat 42-45 grains. 175 smk, 178 amax, 175-185g bergers , Fed 210m , Winchester and lapua brass have both worked great for me.

 

[MudRunner2005]

The Nosler Custom Competition bullets are surprisingly inexpensive, and have worked excellently for me. I have some 168's & 175, and both of those fly great with 44.0gr of Varget for me.

I also have fairly recently discovered Berger VLD's, and am now shooting those in every caliber I hunt with. I am using 168 VLD's and 210 VLD's in 2 different .308 loads. I use 44.0gr of Varget for the 168 VLD's, as well.

The 168's are wicked, but the 210's are just disgustingly nasty...Like 3-shot groups in a 1/2" cloverleaf @ 100 yards nasty... And boy can you hear them SOB's thump hard when they hit that plywood backstop @ 2400 fps...

Here's a pic of 2 of the different .308 loads I use...

Left: Nosler Custom Comp 168 in a Lapua case
Right: Berger 210 VLD in a new Lapua case that hasn't been cleaned, tumbled, or fire-formed yet