Best .308 load

44Bob · October 20, 2005, 09:36 AM

I've been trying to find an accurate load for my AR-10A4C. What do you all recommend I try with a 150 grain ballistic tip boat tail? Also, COL seems to vary all over the place in the manuals, any suggestions? I've got some IMR 4064 and some Hodgdon H-4895. thanks,

30Cal · October 20, 2005, 10:22 AM

I would start with 40.5grs H4895 in a LC case and work from there.

alan · October 20, 2005, 02:55 PM

Re loads for .308 Win, the following was my experience, with BOLT ACCTION RIFLES, 1 Remington 40X and a couple of Winchester Model 70's

Propellant WC 846, this is surplus powder, so lot to lot variations are certainly possible. I used 41 to 42 grains, try starting perhaps 10% below this, with Match brass and Winchester primers. Bullets used were 173 grain FA Match projectile, and the no longer made, so far as I know, 168 grain Winchester flat base Match bullet, depending on the rifle. This worked quite well for 200 and 300 yard shooting. OAL 2.8", or slightly longer, depending on what the magazine would feed.

Propellant IMR 4895 with Sierra 180 grain Matchkings, same brass and primers. Started with 39 grains, and stopped at around 41.0-42.0 grains, depending on the rifle. 600 yard load, OAL varied, but I seated out to about .005 clear of rifling, where I could.

Never used 150 grain bullets.

Swamp Yankee · October 20, 2005, 05:42 PM

My AR10 liked 168 gr MatchKings on top of Varget.

If you're set on 150 grain boat tails try WW748. Start at 47 grains and work up. I always had better results using WW748 with lighter bullets. Also found with my AR10 the hottest loads are not the most accurate loads so don't be afraid to experiment.

Pointer · October 21, 2005, 01:58 AM

What Swamp yankee said, +1

hIPSHOT33 · October 27, 2005, 04:58 PM

You Might Try 44grns Of 4064 Its About 4 Grains Below Max And Runs Along At Around 2750 Fps Not A Hot Load But Works Well .col Is 2.810

J. Scott · October 29, 2005, 03:24 PM

Lapua brass, CCI-BR primers, 44.5Gr. Varget and 175 SMK's. I use this in my bolt gun with great results. What is your twist rate?
J.
ETA: This also worked in a Match M14 with 168 GR. SMK's.

**Unclenick** · October 31, 2005, 02:29 AM

I agree with J. My loads ran 44.6 grains, but a few tenths one way or the other will be gun dependent. The 175 SMK is a great bullet and doesn't fall apart beyond 700 yards like the 168 SMK does.

Keep in mind that seating depth is critical to powder burning pressure. This is why different shapes of bullets with the same weight don't all get loaded to the same C.O.L. Instead they are loaded to the same seating depth below the case neck, where that is possible.

Nick

Ole 5 hole group · November 6, 2005, 12:27 PM

In 30 Cal's post he listed the perfect load for a 168 grain Matchking. I've found 39.9 to 40.8 grains of H4895 behind a 168 grain Matchking to produce outstanding accuracy in an M1A with a twist of 1 in 10 as well as a trued up Model 700 with a 1 in 14 twist. I've never shot the load with 150 grain bullet but I'd sure give it a go to see how it performs in your "heavy rat gun".

October 20, 2005, 09:36 AM	#1
44Bob Junior Member Join Date: October 14, 2005 Posts: 7	Best .308 load I've been trying to find an accurate load for my AR-10A4C. What do you all recommend I try with a 150 grain ballistic tip boat tail? Also, COL seems to vary all over the place in the manuals, any suggestions? I've got some IMR 4064 and some Hodgdon H-4895. thanks,

October 20, 2005, 10:22 AM	#2
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	I would start with 40.5grs H4895 in a LC case and work from there.

October 20, 2005, 02:55 PM	#3
alan Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 1999 Posts: 3,847	Re loads for .308 Win, the following was my experience, with BOLT ACCTION RIFLES, 1 Remington 40X and a couple of Winchester Model 70's Propellant WC 846, this is surplus powder, so lot to lot variations are certainly possible. I used 41 to 42 grains, try starting perhaps 10% below this, with Match brass and Winchester primers. Bullets used were 173 grain FA Match projectile, and the no longer made, so far as I know, 168 grain Winchester flat base Match bullet, depending on the rifle. This worked quite well for 200 and 300 yard shooting. OAL 2.8", or slightly longer, depending on what the magazine would feed. Propellant IMR 4895 with Sierra 180 grain Matchkings, same brass and primers. Started with 39 grains, and stopped at around 41.0-42.0 grains, depending on the rifle. 600 yard load, OAL varied, but I seated out to about .005 clear of rifling, where I could. Never used 150 grain bullets.

October 20, 2005, 05:42 PM	#4
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,019	My AR10 liked 168 gr MatchKings on top of Varget. If you're set on 150 grain boat tails try WW748. Start at 47 grains and work up. I always had better results using WW748 with lighter bullets. Also found with my AR10 the hottest loads are not the most accurate loads so don't be afraid to experiment.

October 21, 2005, 01:58 AM	#5
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	What Swamp yankee said, +1

October 27, 2005, 04:58 PM	#6
hIPSHOT33 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2005 Location: ETNA CA. IN THE REAL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Posts: 120	You Might Try 44grns Of 4064 Its About 4 Grains Below Max And Runs Along At Around 2750 Fps Not A Hot Load But Works Well .col Is 2.810

October 29, 2005, 03:24 PM	#7
J. Scott Member Join Date: July 14, 2004 Location: Casco Maine Posts: 66	Lapua brass, CCI-BR primers, 44.5Gr. Varget and 175 SMK's. I use this in my bolt gun with great results. What is your twist rate? J. ETA: This also worked in a Match M14 with 168 GR. SMK's.

October 31, 2005, 02:29 AM	#8
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	I agree with J. My loads ran 44.6 grains, but a few tenths one way or the other will be gun dependent. The 175 SMK is a great bullet and doesn't fall apart beyond 700 yards like the 168 SMK does. Keep in mind that seating depth is critical to powder burning pressure. This is why different shapes of bullets with the same weight don't all get loaded to the same C.O.L. Instead they are loaded to the same seating depth below the case neck, where that is possible. Nick

November 6, 2005, 12:27 PM	#9
Ole 5 hole group Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2002 Location: Red River Valley of the North Posts: 203	In 30 Cal's post he listed the perfect load for a 168 grain Matchking. I've found 39.9 to 40.8 grains of H4895 behind a 168 grain Matchking to produce outstanding accuracy in an M1A with a twist of 1 in 10 as well as a trued up Model 700 with a 1 in 14 twist. I've never shot the load with 150 grain bullet but I'd sure give it a go to see how it performs in your "heavy rat gun".