Bullet selection for a new 308

[ReachOutNTouchSomething]

Just added a new caliber and rifle to the arsenal. I'm looking where to start with bullets, its a 26" remington varmint contour with a 1 in 12 twist.. I was looking into lapua scenars (155), amax's, or smks for my first loads. Which would be a good one to start with? Plans for this rifle are long range steel as far as I can stretch it (1100?) and also hunting at moderatly long range (under 800). Any insight it much appreciated.

 

[kermodie]

Any of those listed are good bullets, just depends what your rifle prefers. The factory Rem 700 chamber is often long, so seating lighter weight bullets out near the lands is a problem. If you're lucky, it will shoot well at the standard 2.800 OAL.

The original Sierra 155 gr MK #2155 can be seated out near the lands and works good but won't have a lot of neck support if loaded that long. The newer Sierra Palma 2156 profile is more pointed, (A-Max also) and will have even less neck support if seated near the lands - unless your chamber has a short throat. If that dose'nt work out try the 165-168 or 175 gr.

Get some 155 Sierra's (2155) Varget, 4064, or 4895, load to around 43 - 45 gr with standard rifle primers and give her a try. Load some around 2.800 and some closer to the lands and see what works best for you.

The 308 is probably the most published round out there, so do some on-line checking - you will see the same loads work for most people. If you have a good barrel, and bedding, trigger, etc, are good you should be able to get 1/2 MOA or better from that setup.

 

[ReachOutNTouchSomething]

Any of those listed are good bullets, just depends what your rifle prefers. The factory Rem 700 chamber is often long, so seating lighter weight bullets out near the lands is a problem. If you're lucky, it will shoot well at the standard 2.800 OAL.

The original Sierra 155 gr MK #2155 can be seated out near the lands and works good but won't have a lot of neck support if loaded that long. The newer Sierra Palma 2156 profile is more pointed, (A-Max also) and will have even less neck support if seated near the lands - unless your chamber has a short throat. If that dose'nt work out try the 165-168 or 175 gr.

Get some 155 Sierra's (2155) Varget, 4064, or 4895, load to around 43 - 45 gr with standard rifle primers and give her a try. Load some around 2.800 and some closer to the lands and see what works best for you.

The 308 is probably the most published round out there, so do some on-line checking - you will see the same loads work for most people. If you have a good barrel, and bedding, trigger, etc, are good you should be able to get 1/2 MOA or better from that setup.

I was only thinking of using the 155 scenars because of their crazy high bc, as for the amaxes I was figuring 178s or 175 smks. Sorry for not clearing that up!

 

[lloydsmale]

before the big match bullet craze hit a good old sierra game king won alot of competitive shoots. If your going to actually shoot deer or other animals with it thats the bullet id be fooling with or possibly a ballistic tip. Either of those bullets will give a match bullet a run for there money on paper and are much better game bullets.

 

[TOM H]

Just added a new caliber and rifle to the arsenal. I'm looking where to start with bullets, its a 26" remington varmint contour with a 1 in 12 twist.. I was looking into lapua scenars (155), amax's, or smks for my first loads. Which would be a good one to start with? Plans for this rifle are long range steel as far as I can stretch it (1100?) and also hunting at moderatly long range (under 800). Any insight it much appreciated.

I hate to ask but why not expand this post that you already stated

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/308-win-long-range-hunting-loads-104080/

 

[Nimrodmar10]

The first thing I would do is go buy a box of Federal Gold Medal Match ammo and shoot it through your new rifle. It's loaded with the Sierra 168 gr. Match King BTHP bullet and is the most accurate factory .308 ammo I've ever shot. It shoots one hole groups at 100 yards in any rifle I've ever fired it in. I can also pick it up at a nearby gun shop for $20 a box.

If you want to reload for the .308, use the Sierra 168 gr. MK that is used in the factory ammo. You can match the accuracy but may have trouble surpassing it. Just my humble oppinion.