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Posted: 9/28/2015 7:37:26 AM EDT
I'm in the process of building my first 308 platform AR. I'm using an 18" Mid-Length barrel from Ballistic Advantage and Aero receivers. I'm looking to develop a load that will work well enough for range use out to 600 yards. I realize the .308 platform can exceed that, but I just don't have access to ranges that go beyond 600. Here are my primary questions:
Thanks for any helpful suggestions you may have. Let me know if I need to provide clarification on any points. |
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I'm in the process of building my first 308 platform AR. I'm using an 18" Mid-Length barrel from Ballistic Advantage and Aero receivers. I'm looking to develop a load that will work well enough for range use out to 600 yards. I realize the .308 platform can exceed that, but I just don't have access to ranges that go beyond 600. Here are my primary questions:
Thanks for any helpful suggestions you may have. Let me know if I need to provide clarification on any points. If you are not chasing accuracy, why the desire to shoot at 600 yards? 600 yards is a long way and a cheap-bulk bullet may be extremely disappointing at that distance. |
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Yes, I knew I forgot something, it is a 1:10 twist.
I'm not looking to purchase a cheap bullet, but I'd rather stay in the cheaper end of the spectrum. I don't consider 600 yards a long distance. I can reliably put 62gr bulk bullets out of my 16" .223 on torso sized steel at 500 yards with a 4x scope and a sling. I'm sure that 600 yards with better glass and a bipod with a .308 round will make that easily attainable as well. |
| I just bought a bunch of pulldown 4064 and I'm heading in the same direction you are. I bought some Nosler custom competition bullets on sale (168 or 169gr) and have some 175's to try in the AR10. Many older shooter's I competed with used 4064 and 169gr bullets in the Garand. They were probably not aware of all the new powder choices and there are more now though. I am hoping my untried Lee Perfect Powder Measure works with the 4064 or I'll just trickle the charges. I don't fire that much .30 cal. ammo in a year's time. |
| My experience early on with a Lee Perfect Powder measure and 4064 was not great. I finally just broke down and ordered a power tricker/scale combo. While it trickles up a funnel pan, I seat a bullet. It's not screaming fast, but I don't really want it to be. The timing works out pretty well most of the time, unless it throws a high charge. I'm thinking of trying some of the Hornady 168 HPBT. I can get them in a 100 pack to try, then buy them in bulk if they work out. Seems there are quite a few that are working a load for these in the Garand with a fair amount of success as well. Good luck with your Nosler load. I think they would make an excellent choice as well. |
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After you find your load with 4064, you may want to try 8208 XBR since its a faster burning powder than 4064 and you have a short barrel. Been using 4064 for a couple years with great success though. Easy to find too. That's part of the reason I'd like to stick with 4064. Readily available and I've got a fair amount on hand. I'm trying to simplify my stockpile to more commonly used and available components when it makes sense. |
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Yes, I knew I forgot something, it is a 1:10 twist. I'm not looking to purchase a cheap bullet, but I'd rather stay in the cheaper end of the spectrum. I don't consider 600 yards a long distance. I can reliably put 62gr bulk bullets out of my 16" .223 on torso sized steel at 500 yards with a 4x scope and a sling. I'm sure that 600 yards with better glass and a bipod with a .308 round will make that easily attainable as well. Then ya might want to check this out, Blems and Over-runs. You have to check back often as they only come up during a production run. http://www.shootersproshop.com/ |
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Then ya might want to check this out, Blems and Over-runs. You have to check back often as they only come up during a production run. http://www.shootersproshop.com/ Quoted:
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Yes, I knew I forgot something, it is a 1:10 twist. I'm not looking to purchase a cheap bullet, but I'd rather stay in the cheaper end of the spectrum. I don't consider 600 yards a long distance. I can reliably put 62gr bulk bullets out of my 16" .223 on torso sized steel at 500 yards with a 4x scope and a sling. I'm sure that 600 yards with better glass and a bipod with a .308 round will make that easily attainable as well. Then ya might want to check this out, Blems and Over-runs. You have to check back often as they only come up during a production run. http://www.shootersproshop.com/ This... your time reloading is money.... and using a average grade bullet will get it done, but at what cost ? Just a quick look around shows Hornady 150gr FMJ ( my choice for a inexpensive bullet ) for 20 cents / bullet.... at the same shop... 168gr SMK is 32 cents / bullet.... powder etc costs will be about the same... so , for 12 cents more per round.... you can have a Known, everything else is compared to bullet.... ( as far as accuracy is concerned )... heck even the Newest greatest latest 168gr TMK is only 36 cents per bullet....( Much better BC ) Also... if you aren't in a hurry.... Christmas sale prices are just around the corner... so all sorts of good deals should be had. ( Last year I got 4k of 75gr BTHP Horn. for $400 bucks... ) What I am saying is... if you are going to spend your time developing a 600yd reload.... at the very least use a known good bullet.... and spend your time wisely. ( No offense intended at all ) I learned a long time ago that my time is really money.... and that if I am going to reload... I should use at least a very good bullet. |
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That's part of the reason I'd like to stick with 4064. Readily available and I've got a fair amount on hand. I'm trying to simplify my stockpile to more commonly used and available components when it makes sense. Quoted:
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After you find your load with 4064, you may want to try 8208 XBR since its a faster burning powder than 4064 and you have a short barrel. Been using 4064 for a couple years with great success though. Easy to find too. That's part of the reason I'd like to stick with 4064. Readily available and I've got a fair amount on hand. I'm trying to simplify my stockpile to more commonly used and available components when it makes sense. Same here to simplify. Seems 4064 is always in stock, which is a good powder. The new 4166 is as good as 4064 and about the same price. Always on the shelf too. Good luck. |
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Any negative to using LC brass? I really don't mind the brass prep as it gives me multiple opportunities for inspection. I only use commercial brass in my bolt 308 and LC for my semi. You can load max powder in commercial brass vs LC brass which comes in handy when needed on some bullets for stretching out the yardage. |
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Winchester case Federal 210M primer 168 gr Sierra MatchKing 42 gr IMR4064 Seating depth (OAL) to your preference but start with a magazine length load. This is a known accuracy load using these components. If you use Lake City brass lower the charge slightly. |
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I don't understand why some people say this. Reloading is a hobby. If you are home reloading, instead of being at work earning money, you have a problem but that problem isn't reloading. Quoted:
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... your time reloading is money.... I don't understand why some people say this. Reloading is a hobby. If you are home reloading, instead of being at work earning money, you have a problem but that problem isn't reloading. Reloading is therapy! Thanks for all the advice so far, guys! |
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4064 is a great powder for the garand and your lr308 The garand can shoot up to 175gr dont use anything over 180. Remember not to use regular 30/06 data for your garand. I use 175gr cc with imr4895 for my garand i use that load out to 600yd for high power comps.
check out the cmp forums for more info on reloading for the garand those guys know a lot. |
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I'd been shooting a M118LR clone load for years, but wanted something with a bit less recoil, using ball powder that I could run quickly through my 550B, and also that might not get the brass chewed up quite so much in gas guns: specifically a SCAR 17 and a Colt 901.
Hornady 150FMJ Ramshot TAC 40.3 LC Match CCI 400 200 seated mid-cannelure LFCD This load is just over MOA in these 2 rifles, using a 4x ACOG and an NXS 1-4, has a noticeably softer recoil impulse, and runs at about 2425fps and 46k psi in these 16" barrels. It's at node 7 for 16" barrels, which is mild/slow. Brass is not hammered, and TAC meters on the Dillon beautifully. I already had a bunch of TAC for Mk262 clones, so I wanted to try that. |
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I don't understand why some people say this. Reloading is a hobby. If you are home reloading, instead of being at work earning money, you have a problem but that problem isn't reloading. Quoted:
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... your time reloading is money.... I don't understand why some people say this. Reloading is a hobby. If you are home reloading, instead of being at work earning money, you have a problem but that problem isn't reloading. LOl... there was a time when I had all sorts of free time..... not so much anymore. I do still consider it a hobby, but have moved into spending that time loading for accuracy.... not bulk. Even my trigger time is valuable time. ( Again all sorts of chores make less time for hobbies ) I spent a lot of money developing loads using average bullets... finally I realized that those same bullets were never going to give me the accuracy I was chasing..... So I am saying using your time to develop a great load, takes as much time as loading a "ok" load. There are plenty of good starting loads for great bullets, why not use that to your advantage.... in the long run it will be cheaper. The previous post makes sense... a mild ball powder 150gr , easy on brass load.... Thanks for sharing Colt933 ! |
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What kind of distance are you reaching out to with those 150's? I was using those in my Garand loads, but I switched to the 150 SP instead after finding better accuracy. Only 200 yards, but groups are around 3" or less at this range, and groups are smaller than the aiming points/reticles in the optics at this distance. I suspect I could shoot smaller groups with a target scope. It is what it is: a mild, accurate, reliable, economical plinking load. It's not a long range match load with the finest components. |
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Although my "new-ish" semi isn't an AR-10, the load I've found works for one. I purchased an M1A, and the best friend purchased an AR-10. Headspace and seating depth was the only difference for each of us.
**** I'm not promoting the retailer in desciption posted below. Just dictating prices, since cost for bullet is concern from OP's third comment. **** As for bullets, the Nosler 168 gr. HPBT Custom Competition fit the bill. Powder Valley sells the 1,000 rd. box for $231.67. I purchased a few once I found my load. Same distributor, I stocked up on IMR 4064. And, yes... I will be shooting for a while. Since I decided to try and save cash on my need for primers, I went into a large bulk-purchase for the CCI #34's with a couple of local fellows. We purchased enough to get the cost per 1,000 down to $18.12. As for brass, I've purchased all military once-fired for the caliber. There are plenty of retailers out there, so there isn't need in mentioning of a particular company. If you have a supplier you are confident in and trust... have at it. What works in my rifle with 22" barrel w/ 1:11" twist ~ - LC Brass trimmed to 2.005" - CCI #34 Primer - 42.0 gr. of IMR 4064 - Nosler 168 gr. CC seated at 2.820" Hope that helps. Good luck and have fun with your new project. |
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