16” Tikka .308 factory load chrono results

[Leinad]

Hey folks,
New member, couple year lurker. I thought I’d post some numbers I would have liked to have when I was chopping my .308.
I wish I could reload but rental situation isn’t reloader friendly. So, I acquired a chronograph and went to work with factory loads. Velocities are only the median of 5 shots. I realize not the best sample size. Hope it’s useful information for some.

All measurements suppressed. At about sea level, lol.

I’ve settled on the hornady 168 ELD superformance load as my current favorite. Surprisingly good velocities out of my shorty.

Superformance 168 ELDm @ 2683 fps
Hornady 178 ELDx precision hunter @ 2500
Hornady outfitter cx 150 @ 2697
Hornady outfitter cx 165 @ 2500
Federal trophy copper 165 @ 2584
Federal premium Barnes tsx 150 @ 2693
Federal fusion 150 @ 2725
Remington core lokt tipped 165 @ 2559
Remington core lokt tipped 150 @ 2643
Sako superhammerhead 150 @ 2750

Just some rough info as to what you might get if you are contemplating a shorty .308
With factory offerings. Velocity standout was the sako soft points, accuracy standout would be the 178 ELDx (for me). Biggest surprise was how slow the lot of cx 150 I got was.
Ammo availability here in AK is a crapshoot.

Here is my “shorty”, lol. Don’t judge her by her looks Ground down the stock fore end recently (thanks @Formidilosus) to truly free float her….made a difference.


Cheers all!

 

[cgavason]

Velocities look good. My 18” Roughtech is only averaging 2611 with Hornady Superformance 168 ELDM’s


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[Leinad]

Velocities look good. My 18” Roughtech is only averaging 2611 with Hornady Superformance 168 ELDM’s


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I have noticed some pretty big velocity differences with factory loads from lot to lot. When possible I try to buy a bunch of the same lot number for consistency. An acquaintance was chronographing a 7PRC with factory hornady cx copper and had and avg velocity change of 90fps from two different lots.

 

[norenorse92]

I took my 18" 308 out yesterday shooting some steel and other odd targets. A shorty 308 is such a goldilocks rifle for any use. Compact, light enough to carry but very accurate. Not picky with ammo, I was shooting 150gr fmj factory ammo and shooting the gauges off of old fire extinguishers with it.

Those are some great speeds for 16 inches.

 

[matthewmt]

This is making me want to chop my 308 compact pretty bad.

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[cgavason]

I have noticed some pretty big velocity differences with factory loads from lot to lot. When possible I try to buy a bunch of the same lot number for consistency. An acquaintance was chronographing a 7PRC with factory hornady cx copper and had and avg velocity change of 90fps from two different lots.

Yes, starting loads with a 168 Eld-M. I want to get faster than 1611, really hoping for 1625 or so.


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[Leinad]

This is making me want to chop my 308 compact pretty bad.

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[Leinad]

Yeah that’s the route I went. The muzzle diameter at 16” will want 1/2x28 threads. but I had a stainless permanent adapter machined 5/8x24 with a nice shoulder for mounting a can. Then ceracoated the barrel and action.
Having done both, doing the extra work for the 5/8x24 is worth it.

 

[matthewmt]

Yeah that’s the route I went. The muzzle diameter at 16” will want 1/2x28 threads. but I had a stainless permanent adapter machined 5/8x24 with a nice shoulder for mounting a can. Then ceracoated the barrel and action.
Having done both, doing the extra work for the 5/8x24 is worth it.

Yeah, I run adapters on 2 tikkas and a roughtech with 5/8x24. Adapters have been fine by me.

I shot 140gr eldm factory loads at 1,000. Fell 2' or so low but the garmin chrono showed a deviation of 50fps slower than the previous therfore no corrections were made at distance but was nice to see the round was slower instead of adjusting.

I've been pretty happy with the consistent speeds from federal just wish hornady would get them as advertised consistently at least.

Typically buy as much of the same lot# as I can.

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[norenorse92]

This is making me want to chop my 308 compact pretty bad.

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You may get some flash at 16 inches but at 18 likely not. If you're using a can 16 all the way though.

 

[matthewmt]

You may get some flash at 16 inches but at 18 likely not. If you're using a can 16 all the way though.

Can for sure, I learned my lesson a couple yrs back when I shot a buck at 14 yds with a 300wm and apa little bastard

I'm gonna make the call and see where the Smith is at, 16" would be a handy rig.

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[matthewmt]

Welp, I'm dropping my 20" tikka t3x 308 off in the morning, I'm still debating a tad on how much to chop.
Been back and forth between 18"/16". Have a pile of 165 gr sst factory loads and a bunch of random 150s.

Anyone shooting federal terminal ascent out of a short 308?

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[ktm450]

.308’s are such good rifles and it’s nice to see a resurgence. I have a 22” and 16” and have used them on elk and deer out west in a variety of distances. With hand loads and 150’s or 165’s.

22” 165’s with max Varget = 2850
16” same load = 2650

Both shoot one hole groups and more experimenting I am sure would tweak the speeds a bit.

 

[Leinad]

Welp, I'm dropping my 20" tikka t3x 308 off in the morning, I'm still debating a tad on how much to chop.
Been back and forth between 18"/16". Have a pile of 165 gr sst factory loads and a bunch of random 150s.

Anyone shooting federal terminal ascent out of a short 308?

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I’m glad I went 16 with mine. I have shot terminal ascent, but it was before I had a chronograph. I do barely stay supersonic at 900. Though I bet with hand loading and the right bullet I would be good to 1000. So depending on what matches you shoot it won’t make the velocity cut if that is important to you.
The short barrel makes the balance great with a can on. I personally don’t feel the velocity gain from 16-18 makes it worth the extra length. For my purposes.
Shot a 600 yard NRA match with it in 20 mph wind yesterday. My results are nothing great but I was shooting a stock tikka with a 10 power trijicon over my pack. So my gear was definitely not comparable to what the regular competitors shot. The interesting thing was using the electronic targets, which record impact velocity. Mine varied from a low of 1631 to a high of 1749 over a 20 round string. For what it’s worth. Factory 168 hornady match eldm superformance.

 

[Leinad]

Correction, lowest velocity was shot number 1 at 1617 fps.

 

[matthewmt]

I'm going to go 16". Will try the scythe ti and harvester evo.

I've wanted to grab some new 308 to hunt. Ended up with a lot of sst superformance during the covid Era etc.


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[cgavason]

Anyone shoot 155gr Scenar’s out of a short barrel?? I have some loaded up with CFE223 to try.


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[matthewmt]

Just got my t3x back, holy crap it's short! lol

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[sdupontjr]

How short? My 20" ctr shoots them 2840 with varget

 

[Leinad]

Just got my t3x back, holy crap it's short! lol

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lol! Post er up!