135g Sierra MK in 308 loads

Bfglowkey · June 10, 2018, 07:23 AM

Just curious if anyone else has played with them extensively. I acquired a large cache of them a while back for pennies per round and decided to make them my next project for a lighter recoil load that could still make it out to 600 yard range. Not a lot of data out there that I could drum up and many say the same...use 150 data as a starter. So I inventoried my powder cache and found several that could work:

IMR 8208 XBR
H335
VARGET
CFE223

I also have a decent stash of both IMR 4350 and H4350 ( I load my 6.5 with those mostly but will share but not completely sold their burn rate would match up)

Rifle is a build based off the Savage 12FV w/ varmint contour barrel ( almost BBL) 1:10 twist. I have been very very very fortunate that it seems to like everything I feed it and it absolutely shined with my 125g SMK low recoil load I tuned. Any thoughts or suggestions will be taken as just that and wont hold anyone's feet to the fire for their opinion. I am newly retired and have nothing but time

brasscollector · June 10, 2018, 08:11 AM

Hodgdonreloading.com has data for 130gr in 308win, you could start with that. Just a quick look shows data for all the powders you listed plus some. I'm pretty sure IMR 4350 or H4350 is just a touch too slow for any 308 application.

Bfglowkey · June 10, 2018, 08:14 AM

Yea I usually use that site/application for sanity checks in my paper development stage. It fits my style well: start low and enjoy the journey upward

T. O'Heir · June 10, 2018, 11:50 AM

"...usually use that site/application for sanity checks..." Don't. Use a manual. Hodgdon's site is decidedly inconsistent with some of their data. Suggesting magnum primers for magnum named cartridges with some powders(H110, for example), but not with other cartridges(.30 Carbine is one).
"...use 150 data as a starter..." Absolutely not. 130 grain data is close enough. 15 grains difference is far too much. No 4350 of either flavour either.
"...make it out to 600 yard range..." Any bullet will go 600 yards out of a .308. However, I'd be thinking varmints with a 135 grain bullet. Kind of an odd weight to start with though, but it's not really made for .308. Sierra says it's a bullet for smaller capacity cartridges.

Bfglowkey · June 10, 2018, 06:44 PM

Ya I am sure it was a 300 blackout design primarily. I do enjoy the challenge and discovery. Went with h335 and xbr for my first test run. Starting around 41.3 with h 335 and 41.0 on xbr. Range report once they are shot and logged.

Bfglowkey · June 12, 2018, 08:39 AM

Pretty interesting loads. XBR seemed to be all around best accuracy wise and POI using the OCW method was very consistent from 42.2-43.1.....which is a very large node. Velocities were 2850-3025 in my 26" barrel. Once I tune it more this weekend I will put up specifics and 10 shot report at 300 yds

June 10, 2018, 07:23 AM	#1
Bfglowkey Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2018 Posts: 302	135g Sierra MK in 308 loads Just curious if anyone else has played with them extensively. I acquired a large cache of them a while back for pennies per round and decided to make them my next project for a lighter recoil load that could still make it out to 600 yard range. Not a lot of data out there that I could drum up and many say the same...use 150 data as a starter. So I inventoried my powder cache and found several that could work: IMR 8208 XBR H335 VARGET CFE223 I also have a decent stash of both IMR 4350 and H4350 ( I load my 6.5 with those mostly but will share but not completely sold their burn rate would match up) Rifle is a build based off the Savage 12FV w/ varmint contour barrel ( almost BBL) 1:10 twist. I have been very very very fortunate that it seems to like everything I feed it and it absolutely shined with my 125g SMK low recoil load I tuned. Any thoughts or suggestions will be taken as just that and wont hold anyone's feet to the fire for their opinion. I am newly retired and have nothing but time

June 10, 2018, 08:11 AM	#2
brasscollector Senior Member Join Date: July 26, 2015 Posts: 526	Hodgdonreloading.com has data for 130gr in 308win, you could start with that. Just a quick look shows data for all the powders you listed plus some. I'm pretty sure IMR 4350 or H4350 is just a touch too slow for any 308 application. __________________ He may look dumb, but that's just a disguise. -Charlie Daniels

June 10, 2018, 11:50 AM	#4
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...usually use that site/application for sanity checks..." Don't. Use a manual. Hodgdon's site is decidedly inconsistent with some of their data. Suggesting magnum primers for magnum named cartridges with some powders(H110, for example), but not with other cartridges(.30 Carbine is one). "...use 150 data as a starter..." Absolutely not. 130 grain data is close enough. 15 grains difference is far too much. No 4350 of either flavour either. "...make it out to 600 yard range..." Any bullet will go 600 yards out of a .308. However, I'd be thinking varmints with a 135 grain bullet. Kind of an odd weight to start with though, but it's not really made for .308. Sierra says it's a bullet for smaller capacity cartridges. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

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June 10, 2018, 08:14 AM	#3
Bfglowkey Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2018 Posts: 302	Yea I usually use that site/application for sanity checks in my paper development stage. It fits my style well: start low and enjoy the journey upward

June 10, 2018, 06:44 PM	#5
Bfglowkey Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2018 Posts: 302	Ya I am sure it was a 300 blackout design primarily. I do enjoy the challenge and discovery. Went with h335 and xbr for my first test run. Starting around 41.3 with h 335 and 41.0 on xbr. Range report once they are shot and logged.

June 12, 2018, 08:39 AM	#6
Bfglowkey Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2018 Posts: 302	Pretty interesting loads. XBR seemed to be all around best accuracy wise and POI using the OCW method was very consistent from 42.2-43.1.....which is a very large node. Velocities were 2850-3025 in my 26" barrel. Once I tune it more this weekend I will put up specifics and 10 shot report at 300 yds