First long range build attempt: load development to cheek weld

[codyadams]

First off I'm new to this forum, this is my first post, and I just wanted to get some input on this basic build I have so far. I started with a rem. 700 tactical in .308, I wanted a gun for deer elk and antelope, and have always loved my other heavy barreled rifles, but I wanted something I could carry for miles on the mountain, so I figured the 20 inch heavy barreled gun was a good compromise. I stuck a burris 4.5-14 on top, and off i went. I found out this particular .308 is actually quite picky...I got my rifle with the house stock with aluminium pillars, and began taking out material in the for end to float it. Then I glass bedded the recoil lug and tang with brownells acraglass. After some extensive load development, one of the only acceptable loads was any 168 grain bullet I stuffed in it on top of 46 grains of varget. I tried several 150, 165, 180 and 190 grain bullets with many different powders, primers and seating depths, and none would consistently do under 3/4 moa. So my hunting load is nobler 168. With this charge, I was averaging 2672 fps, and only about 15 fps ex. Spread on a 5 shot string, and consistent 1/2 moa, I was pleased. Next was for a better scope...

 

[codyadams]

I researched different scopes, and at the time I wasn't exactly in the money...so my budget was limited. I had heard mostly good things about vortex, especially their customer service. I ended up going with a vortex viper 6.5-20x44 with mil dot reticle, about 430 bucks. After doing a box test, turning G the k observed to their limits and back, firing a shot, and repeating, I decided it was a sound scope. Clarity was good enough, and turrets were functional. As others have said, eye relief is a gripe, even on my now 11 pound .308, the scope will still just touch my eye brow in prone position, I wouldn't want to be behind a 300 mag shorter weight rifle with it...anyways, I went to burgers ballistics calibrator and got a basic card for out to 800. I gripped my kestrel and headed for the desert. After ringing it out, I got my actual drop numbers charted out to 800, a D in 3-8 mph winds, was able to maintain 1 moa groups all the way out. My 800 yard groups were hanging around 6 inches, if I was able to read the wind right shot to shot, as it was NOT consistent that day. But after all that prone shooting at long range, I decided I needed a trigger and a cheek weld. The trigger was simple, a timney 1.5-3 did the job nicely. But for a cheek rest...I wanted to make my own. So instead of explaining it, ill just show pics...

 

[codyadams]

Also the range card I made for where I hunt

 

[Jaxdialation]

nice looking stick. and it's shooting awesome

 

[codyadams]

Thank you, Im about to start working on my next rifle build, Im thinking Sendero 300 win mag, I intend to use the a 200+ grain bullet, im looking mostly at the 208 AMAX or 230 gr berger. Anyone have any experience with this load in this gun, what kind of performance I should expect? From looking at data, 2800 with the 230 shouldn't be out of the question, in the 26" barrel, and just wondering if this has been an accurate load. I know it varies rifle to rifle, just trying to get a general idea

 

[Garycrow]

It looks good. One thing I'd consider though is that the rings you chose are much taller than needed. Going with a lower set of rings and getting the scope down closer to the barrel would lessen the height on your cheek piece or you might not need one at all.