.308 hunting loads in Howa 1500 not awesome so far

[razorsharptokill]

This rifle is a 1/10" twist, 20" barrel. With factory AMAX in 168 gr. it shoots just under MOA. In 150 grain, with Ramshot TAC, I have tried Hornady interlocks, GMX, Speer Hot-Cor, Sierra SBT Game Kings. Game kings shot best 3 shot group at just under .5". Maybe a fluke. Same bullet with S.W. Precision shot two 5 shot groups at around 1.75".

In 165gr I tried Hornady SSTs with Shooters world Precision and Match Rifle seated to 2.810" like their load data states. DISMAL. Over 2 MOA. Using once fired L.C. LR brass. Locking the bolt was very snug with this brass, could it be that much ticker than commercial brass? This seemed odd and makes me doubt that my results were indicative of what this load combo is capable of.

Going to re-check the action screw torque also. I lightened the trigger pull and when re-assembling I guess it is possible that I have it in a slight bind. The HS Precision stock has a set screw on each side of the action that I have never seen before. Anyone know the torque value for those?

 

[Wrench]

Couple quick things to check. Magazine bind. Make sure the mag can not bind up. It is far better to be able to rattle than be tight.

Front action screw, sharpie the end of the screw so you can prove there is no contact on the end of the screw at the barrel.

Measure your fired brass. If you have fired brass from lc and others, Measure the case neck diameter if each. Then check fit a bullet in the fired lc brass. Compare oal as well.

How does coal compare between the loads? Could be it doesn't like the jump.....but typically rifles that go from well under MOA to 3x that have something mechanically or optically wrong.

 

[Wrench]

I'd like to see a pic of the set screws you're talking about.

 

[Highvoltage1]

Sierras and ballistic tips always fly well for me, varget, rl15, or imr 4064 are what shoots well for me also. Best wishes I know how frustrating load work up can be.

my go to is a max load of varget and 165 ballistic tip/accubond

 

[razorsharptokill]

I'd like to see a pic of the set screws you're talking about.

 

[razorsharptokill]

Best I came up with was 44.5 gr. Conserving components and only shooting 3 shot groups. I had shot a great group with 150 gr Sierra SBT Game King last week. Loaded some more of the exact load and it opened up considerably with a 5 shot group. 1st pic is the 165 SSTs showing the best group being 44.5gr, 2nd pic is the great group with the game king in 150 gr. the last pic is the 5 shot groups with the game king yesterday. If they hadn't been spread out laterally, these would have been good groups.

Nothing has been done to the rifle action screws during any of the recent range visits.

 

[Wrench]

I've been around a LOT of howa/vanguard/s&w rifles and never seen that set screw arrangement. I am guessing it was someone's attempt to accurize the rifle.

I have seen barrel tuners in the channel....but never at the action.

 

[Highvoltage1]

If I’m not mistaken I believe those set screws on the stock are to center the barrel in the stock, I’m not certain there is a torque setting for those.

 

[razorsharptokill]

HS PRECISION video shows them as a barrel centering feature. I loosened the action screws, re centered the barrel, and retightened the action. We will see. Maybe it will settle in now.

 

[EdP]

I shoot Sierra GKs in several rifles including a Cooper, Vanguard, and a couple of different Browning B78s, all in different calibers. They shoot very good in all of them. One comonality is that they like to be close to the lands (.005 close). You might give that a try.

 

[sneaky]

What was the length on your fired brass? Have you had to trim any? Have you checked your chamber with an OAL tool?

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[razorsharptokill]

I haven't measured the fired brass but it is twice fired now. I will check it. My buddy did check the chamber with an OAL guage. Will have to check my notes. I remembered a group I fired with TAC and Hornady 168 BTHP-M that shot well, also... "in a 3 shot group". Loaded some SSTs with that load. 2.810" and 43.0 gr of TAC. Will give them a try when I can get back to the range. The load data for both S.W. Shooters and TAC says 2.810" Hornady data says 2.750" but my powders aren't shown by Hornady. Also attached is a pic of the brass from the SW Shooters Precision loads. from 44.0 44.5, 45.0, and 45.5. I see some indentation of the ejector but even on my lightest load. Pressure?

 

[razorsharptokill]

Just had a thought... Mil. Brass = less capacity...

 

[Wrench]

You're flowing into the ejector hole in the spring time.....you need to stop and back off the powder about 10%. You are filtering with disaster when it warms up.

 

[razorsharptokill]

You're flowing into the ejector hole in the spring time.....you need to stop and back off the powder about 10%. You are filtering with disaster when it warms up.

Will do! Thanks.

 

[razorsharptokill]

Sizing bushing is not making it all the way to the bottom of the neck. Problem? This is a Redding bushing in a Hornady match grade sizing die. Sized on the top or left, un-sized on the bottom or right.

 

[razorsharptokill]

Finally found a COUPLE combinationS that will work. Hornady 165 grain SST. Seated 2.810" with 45.5 gr of Shooters World Match Rifle. New Winchester brass. Avg muzzle velocity 2628 fps. Sierra SBT Game King seated 2.810" with 46.6 gr of TAC. Not as tight as the Hornady load but getting better. No pressure signs with either load.

 

[Wrench]

Sizing bushing is not making it all the way to the bottom of the neck. Problem? This is a Redding bushing in a Hornady match grade sizing die. Sized on the top or left, un-sized on the bottom or right.View attachment 278273
View attachment 278271View attachment 278278

If you're making contact with the shell holder, you can take the top of the shell holder down with a belt sander.

 

[wind gypsy]

Sizing bushing is not making it all the way to the bottom of the neck. Problem? This is a Redding bushing in a Hornady match grade sizing die. Sized on the top or left, un-sized on the bottom or right.View attachment 278273
View attachment 278271View attachment 278278

The hornady and Redding bushings I have look pretty different from one another. I would guess that the Redding bushings are not compatible with hornady dies.

 

[wind gypsy]

Over 2 MOA. Using once fired L.C. LR brass. Locking the bolt was very snug with this brass, could it be that much ticker than commercial brass?

If you are saying closing the bolt on the live round before firing is very snug, it sounds like your brass is too large and that can impact accuracy.