Anyone reloading for Rem 700 LTR?

[MLC]

I am starting up with reloading, waiting on UPS, I only ordered one die and shell holder 308. Does anyone have reloading tips for 308 out of a 20" barrel? I will be shooting alot of target and some whitetail for crop damage.

[green 788]

I did some OCW (optimal charge weight) testing using Sierra's 168 grain Matchkings and IMR 4895. The conclusion I came up with was that the maximum charge of IMR 4895, 43.6 grains of that powder, drove the 168 grain Sierras very consistently. I used Winchester brass and Federal 210M (Match) primers.

Check for pressure signs at 42 and 43 grains before going to the 43.6 grain charge.

Now for Varget. Varget is doing really well with the 168's and 165 grain hunting bullets with high density charges. It is also very important to use CCI BR primers with the Varget powder for the highest level of accuracy. 46 grains of Varget should drive the 168's at about 2600 fps from the 20" barrel, perhaps even a little faster.

Finally, 42.8 grains of RL15 does a decent job with the 168 grain bullets in my experience.

Let us know how things go, and work up to the above powder charges carefully, watching for pressure signs.

Dan Newberry
green 788

[Dave P]

4064 is also a standard powder. I use 40-42 grns with 168 gr bullets. Suggest you keep OAL about 2.8" and not try to touch lands. They are way the heck out there on rem 700's!

[john kilgore]

With a factory 700 in .308, I would also vote for the 41.0gr load of IMR-4064 with a 165-168. My best friend shoots the 168 Nosler J4 match with Lapua brass, bullet seated .020" off grooves and Fed. Bench-rest primers through a Rem 40 BR and gets groups of 0.20". All his bench rest buddies use this load.
If you have H or IMR-4895, use 44.0-45.0 with a 150gr Nosler BT or Hornady SST. My brother uses this load for mule deer out west and substitutes a Nosler 150 partition for elk with delicious results!