Need load help for RRA .308 AR

[Steel Rain]

Hey fellas, I have a RRA .308 AR (Predator) with a 20" 1:10 stainless barrel. It's new, never fired, only cleaned. I am a novice handloader and have only worked up hunting loads for two different bolt guns. I'm looking for recommendations on loads for 168gr SMK. I can get away with an OAL of 2.80". I thought I'd try Varget first as I've read it's a good choice in .308. I also have Winchester brass and Fed 210M primers in hand. I'm looking for insight about concerns, precautions, starting point, etc. for this platform. Load will be used to kill paper for now. Will find a hunting load after I'm comfortable with the rifle and longer range. I'm comfortable with the platform thanks to Uncle Sam. Any info is greatly appreciated. Have a good one!

 

[Steel Rain]

Anyone?

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Well, I'm a r15 fan but varget will work. I air on the side of caution and use cci military primers when ever I'm loading for a rifle with a floating fireng pin, some don't and have no issues but I'd do.

Also consider using that barrels 1-10 twist to your advantage and picking a bigger bullet. The 168g smk was designed for 300m shooting. Try a 175 smk, 178 amax, 175 berger etc. you can also go bigger if you like but do to the constraints of the rifles mag system you will be giving up powder capacity.

The amax is also cheaper and great for deer sized game

 

[Steel Rain]

Thank you sir. I may have to try some of the heavier bullets out. I tried the 168SMK this past weekend. Best load so far (at 100 yd) was 168smk, 46.0 gr Varget, 2.8 OAL, 210M primer. Five shot group was a between somewhere in between half and three quarter MOA. I say somewhere because target tore a bit and wasn't able to measure accurately. I'm going to work up and down from 46 gr in .3 gr increments and see if it tightens up any. I like the idea about the 175SMK for out past 600 yds. We'll keep at it. Thanks for the info. All I was able to find data for was M1A.

 

[Bart B]

Thank you sir. I may have to try some of the heavier bullets out. I tried the 168SMK this past weekend. Best load so far (at 100 yd) was 168smk, 46.0 gr Varget, 2.8 OAL, 210M primer.

That's a pretty stout load for a .308. It's what is popular with 155's for long range matches, but too hot for 168's.

Try 43 or 44 grains of Varget. 44 grains of IMR4064 under the 168's drove tacks in semiautos in competition years ago.

 

[Nomad]

43.5 of RL-15, win cases prepped, 180 gr balistic tip, 210M.
41.5 Tac 165gr Hornady SST, LC brass prep, CCI lr
44 gr Varget, 168gr Nos CC, Lapula cases 210M
These shot good in a lar 8 and an A10T rifle...

 

[Docduncan]

42.4 of Imr4895 w 168gr
44.0 of varget w 168
42.0 of 8208 w 168

 

[Steel Rain]

Thanks fellas. Looks like it's back to the reloading bench. Have a good one!