Topic: favorite .308 load??

[mjmcmahon]

Well it took over 6 months, but I FINALLY got Chrono data on the 8208XBR:

   String 1   String 2   String 4   String 5   String 6
Shot 1   2573   2550   2647   2633   2579
Shot 2   2572   2550   2643   2663   2597
Shot 3   2554   2561   2664   2661   2641
Shot 4   2564   2565   2645   -   2687
Shot 5   2551   2560   2641   2662   2685
Shot 6               
Std Dev   9.02   6.11   8.25   12.58   44.23
ES   22   15   23   30   108
Avg   2562.8   2557.2   2648   2654.75   2637.8


Load data:

Powder: IMR8208XBR
Charge: 42.0grn
Bullet: Sierra 175grn SMK
Primer: Federal 210M
Brass: Hornady Match
2.795 OAL

First two strings were LC Match brass which may account for some of the velocity differences.  Best group with this load (to date) has been a 5-shot sub 1/3" group at 100.

[Nomad]

  mjmcmahon Thanks for the post and information
 Did some reloads for a friends M1A 41.75gr of IMR 4064 210M FC military cases shot a 1.1 in
group which thought was good........
 Looking to try some 8208 in it.........

[mjmcmahon]

I'd tossed around the idea of trying 4064 or 4895 but, frankly, both require more powder than the 8208.  I think I'll stay where I'm at.

[ManOnFire]

Winchester brass. (rcbs full sized, trim to 2.006, Weight sorted)
SMK 175 seating at 2.820"
CCI BR2
H4895 42.5(42.8 for Nosler brass)

First found the load in a Rem sps tac. Just happen to work up to the same exact load for my Rem 5R as well. The load seems to have a quite large node from 42.2-43.0 all being capable of .4-.6.  42.5 has gotten a a couple of .3's. IMR4895 has similar results with smaller node and temp sensitive.

[Steve N]

Magnum primers tend to be hotter.

I did an extensive test, with chrono, a year or so ago with Magnum primers and found zero difference between them and regular primers - even micing the primer cups I found the companies lie about thickness and such -

41.5 grns 4895 in a Federal Match case, regular primer (winchesters), and 168 grn Nosler bullet. My M-14 shoots sub 1/2" groups all day with that and I took my Ishapore Lee-Enfield out today and shot the same load. Using a sling and peep sights at 90 yards (some yoyo was shooting a 22 pistol on the only 100 yard section) and was 2 1/2 inch grouping.

[RGinIdaho]

45.0 Varget, 175smk, CCI BR2, Win brass - this is a load worth working up to.


Thanks to Sawtac, I had a new 20" LMT barrel to check out.

I was shooting over the chrono on with the bipod on the concrete bench using a jacket for a rear bag. I think they'll all go in a little tighter shot prone with the bipod in the dirt. I'm sure I pulled the unmarked flyers but they weren't called. There's 8 in about .75".  Damned gas guns, anyways...   

[RGinIdaho]

This one is for Hans Cholo. 20" plate at Parma.

The one group I have on a freshly painted piece of steel at 1k, with a 16" LMT chrome lined bbl and 175smk. Yeah, Varget again...

[han_cholo]

^^^^WIN!!!  Thanks for the good intel.  After hearing the impressive results of your 16" barrel, I'm leaning more towards that length now.  Now just trying to decide between the PWS or the LMT. 

[RGinIdaho]

^^^^WIN!!!  Thanks for the good intel.  After hearing the impressive results of your 16" barrel, I'm leaning more towards that length now.  Now just trying to decide between the PWS or the LMT. 

I'm totally pleased with the LMT. The barrel swap feature as well as the Brits and now New Zealand adoting the rifle for DM duty were deciding factors.

Don't dismiss the  Larue OBR. It is a solid performer. James at Ambush has one. I'd be willing to bet he'd let you fondle it if you stopped by the shop.

[han_cholo]

The Larue is a solid solid rifle, but the LMT and PWS are way more affordable.  I work for the state, so my funds are very limited lol!