The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - 175 SMK's for .308. And 168 SMK load questions

Metal god · November 29, 2013, 01:32 AM

Your not going to get 1200yds out of a 308 unless your at high altitude and 30" barrel . Other may say different but I don't think its going to happen . 168 are not going to make for sure .

Based on your rifle I'd try 155gr Palma smk bullets with Varget , RL-15 , IMR 4064/4320 , Viht N-140 . With any of those you should get too , or close to 2800fps maybe even more and that will get you close to 1200yds at sea level

I'm new-ish to loading so other will know better and have faster loads then I . So far in my reloading I've never cared about velocity . Yes I want want high velocity but I want accuracy more then velocity . I'll take a sub 1/2 moa round with a velocity of 2550 over a 1 moa round at 2700fps .

I think your 2325fps 168gr cartridge is WAY slower then you can get out of that . At that velocity I don't think that 1-12 twist is spinning the bullet enough to stabilize at longer range . I would bet dollars to donuts there's another node you can hit if not two more before the pressure gets to high .

What powder is working well for you ?

Right now I have 3 good 308 loads , All of these are right about 1/2 moa 4 shot groups @ 100yds

40.7gr IMR 4895 pushing 175gr smk 2560fps .6 moa
40.3gr IMR 4064 pushing 178gr A-MAX 2570fps .5 moa and have shot a few .3 moa groups
38.5gr Viht N540 pushing 190gr smk 2345fps . This load is on the low velocity range but has shot sub moa in 9 different rifles .

Powders to try .
Viht N-140 or N-540 if using heavier bullets 190gr or heavier
Varget
IMR 4064 / 4895
RL-15
Winchester 748 or 760

November 29, 2013, 01:32 AM	#2
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	Your not going to get 1200yds out of a 308 unless your at high altitude and 30" barrel . Other may say different but I don't think its going to happen . 168 are not going to make for sure . Based on your rifle I'd try 155gr Palma smk bullets with Varget , RL-15 , IMR 4064/4320 , Viht N-140 . With any of those you should get too , or close to 2800fps maybe even more and that will get you close to 1200yds at sea level I'm new-ish to loading so other will know better and have faster loads then I . So far in my reloading I've never cared about velocity . Yes I want want high velocity but I want accuracy more then velocity . I'll take a sub 1/2 moa round with a velocity of 2550 over a 1 moa round at 2700fps . I think your 2325fps 168gr cartridge is WAY slower then you can get out of that . At that velocity I don't think that 1-12 twist is spinning the bullet enough to stabilize at longer range . I would bet dollars to donuts there's another node you can hit if not two more before the pressure gets to high . What powder is working well for you ? Right now I have 3 good 308 loads , All of these are right about 1/2 moa 4 shot groups @ 100yds 40.7gr IMR 4895 pushing 175gr smk 2560fps .6 moa 40.3gr IMR 4064 pushing 178gr A-MAX 2570fps .5 moa and have shot a few .3 moa groups 38.5gr Viht N540 pushing 190gr smk 2345fps . This load is on the low velocity range but has shot sub moa in 9 different rifles . Powders to try . Viht N-140 or N-540 if using heavier bullets 190gr or heavier Varget IMR 4064 / 4895 RL-15 Winchester 748 or 760 __________________ If Jesus had a gun , he'd probably still be alive ! I almost always write my posts regardless of content in a jovial manor and intent . If that's not how you took it , please try again . Last edited by Metal god; November 29, 2013 at 01:48 AM.