fastest .308 175gr you ever pushed safely

Metal god · December 20, 2012, 08:19 PM

I'm about to start reloading and was just wondering how fast you can push a 308 175gr to 180gr SMK or A-MAX bullet ? What I'm hoping to get is 2,700 fps or more is that do-able ?

reynolds357 · December 20, 2012, 08:25 PM

The fastest I have ever pushed a .308 diameter 180 grain is 3500 FPS.
Did it out of a wildcat I built based on a 8 Rem mag.

Metal god · December 20, 2012, 08:31 PM

OK let me clarify . This round will be going in my Savage 308 FCP-K . how fast can I push a 175gr bullet safely through that .

reynolds357 · December 20, 2012, 08:34 PM

Not sure about your barrel length, but 2700 in a 24 inch barrel on .308 win is pretty easy to get. Older reloading manuals showed loads almost 100 faster than that.

Metal god · December 20, 2012, 08:36 PM

It's 24" heavy fluted

reynolds357 · December 20, 2012, 08:41 PM

Hodgdon actually shows data at 2683.

Jimro · December 20, 2012, 08:52 PM

Metal God,

The 175 SMK handles the transonic zone quite well, what really will 2700 fps give you that 2650 won't?

Alliant shows a max charge of 47.7 grains of PowerPro 2000-MR gives a velocity of 2,720 from a 24 inch barrel. There are those who are convinced you won't get long range accuracy from a ball powder though.

Jimro

oldpapps · December 20, 2012, 09:11 PM

" how fast you can push a 308 175gr to 180gr SMK or A-MAX bullet ? What I'm hoping to get is 2,700 fps or more is that do-able ? "

The only way to know if 'your' rifle can and will get to the velocities you are looking for is to start loading. Start at a safe level and work up (slowly), looking for any and all signs of pressure. I don't see any reason you couldn't get close.

If you must, in your mind or your needs, surpass what is safe in your rifle. Look for a trade to a .300 Win Mag (in the same rifle) or some other chambering in other weapons.

Be safe,

OSOK

GeauxTide · December 20, 2012, 09:19 PM

My cut on the .308 is the best accuracy comes from mid to 75% full loads, particularly with the heavier bullets. I've pushed 150s 2930, but 2750 cuts the groups by more than half.

Metal god · December 20, 2012, 09:26 PM

yea your right I was just re- loking at my charts & numbers . I was thinking I would want the round still around 1,200 fps @ 1000yds but I think 1,100 will do .

Im also getting 2 very different numbers from 2 different ballistic calculaters

For a 308 175gr BC of 496 @ 2680fps

Hornady gives me 1,244fps @ 1000yds

Bison ballistics gives me 1,131fps @ 1000yds

Thats a 17" differance does any body know which of these ballistic calculaters is more accurate to the load or is that what you get ? Everybodys calc will be a little different .

4runnerman · December 20, 2012, 09:26 PM

Not sure about your barrel length, but 2700 in a 24 inch barrel on .308 win is pretty easy to get. Older reloading manuals showed loads almost 100 faster than that

Not to sure about this one. Whats posted and what you get are two different stories. Pushing a 175 at 2700 is not easy. If you look i can almost tell you that you will have Extractor marks for sure. How do i know this

. I was going for 1 mile with mine and did a lot of work up to get to that. Did not pan out as well as i thought. Best i could get safe out of my Savage FVSS 24 inch barrel was around 2680. Finally just dropped back to the 155 Palma Hybrids. I use 175's out to 600 yards after that i go with the 155's

December 20, 2012, 08:19 PM	#1
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	fastest .308 175gr you ever pushed safely I'm about to start reloading and was just wondering how fast you can push a 308 175gr to 180gr SMK or A-MAX bullet ? What I'm hoping to get is 2,700 fps or more is that do-able ? __________________ 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; December 20, 2012 at 08:34 PM.

December 20, 2012, 08:31 PM	#3
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	OK let me clarify . This round will be going in my Savage 308 FCP-K . how fast can I push a 175gr bullet safely through that . __________________ 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 .

December 20, 2012, 08:36 PM	#5
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	It's 24" heavy fluted __________________ 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 .

December 20, 2012, 08:52 PM	#7
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Metal God, The 175 SMK handles the transonic zone quite well, what really will 2700 fps give you that 2650 won't? Alliant shows a max charge of 47.7 grains of PowerPro 2000-MR gives a velocity of 2,720 from a 24 inch barrel. There are those who are convinced you won't get long range accuracy from a ball powder though. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

December 20, 2012, 09:26 PM	#10
Metal god Senior Member Join Date: April 10, 2012 Location: San Diego CA Posts: 6,876	jimro yea your right I was just re- loking at my charts & numbers . I was thinking I would want the round still around 1,200 fps @ 1000yds but I think 1,100 will do . Im also getting 2 very different numbers from 2 different ballistic calculaters For a 308 175gr BC of 496 @ 2680fps Hornady gives me 1,244fps @ 1000yds Bison ballistics gives me 1,131fps @ 1000yds Thats a 17" differance does any body know which of these ballistic calculaters is more accurate to the load or is that what you get ? Everybodys calc will be a little different . __________________ 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 .

December 20, 2012, 08:25 PM	#2
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	The fastest I have ever pushed a .308 diameter 180 grain is 3500 FPS. Did it out of a wildcat I built based on a 8 Rem mag.

December 20, 2012, 08:34 PM	#4
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Not sure about your barrel length, but 2700 in a 24 inch barrel on .308 win is pretty easy to get. Older reloading manuals showed loads almost 100 faster than that.

December 20, 2012, 08:41 PM	#6
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	Hodgdon actually shows data at 2683.

December 20, 2012, 09:11 PM	#8
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	" how fast you can push a 308 175gr to 180gr SMK or A-MAX bullet ? What I'm hoping to get is 2,700 fps or more is that do-able ? " The only way to know if 'your' rifle can and will get to the velocities you are looking for is to start loading. Start at a safe level and work up (slowly), looking for any and all signs of pressure. I don't see any reason you couldn't get close. If you must, in your mind or your needs, surpass what is safe in your rifle. Look for a trade to a .300 Win Mag (in the same rifle) or some other chambering in other weapons. Be safe, OSOK

December 20, 2012, 09:19 PM	#9
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	My cut on the .308 is the best accuracy comes from mid to 75% full loads, particularly with the heavier bullets. I've pushed 150s 2930, but 2750 cuts the groups by more than half.

December 20, 2012, 09:26 PM	#11
4runnerman Senior Member Join Date: January 16, 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,577	Not sure about your barrel length, but 2700 in a 24 inch barrel on .308 win is pretty easy to get. Older reloading manuals showed loads almost 100 faster than that Not to sure about this one. Whats posted and what you get are two different stories. Pushing a 175 at 2700 is not easy. If you look i can almost tell you that you will have Extractor marks for sure. How do i know this. I was going for 1 mile with mine and did a lot of work up to get to that. Did not pan out as well as i thought. Best i could get safe out of my Savage FVSS 24 inch barrel was around 2680. Finally just dropped back to the 155 Palma Hybrids. I use 175's out to 600 yards after that i go with the 155's __________________ NRA Certified RSO NwCP- Performance Isn't Optional Last edited by 4runnerman; December 20, 2012 at 09:32 PM.