All things .308 Win

[Ranger619]

I shot 10 rounds yesterday. 165 gr AB 44.0 Varget Nosler brass Tikka 20 inch barrel and suppressor. This rifle also likes the 178gr ELD-X with 42.0 gr Varget in Peterson brass.

 

[PC356]

I shot 10 rounds yesterday. 165 gr AB 44.0 Varget Nosler brass Tikka 20 inch barrel and suppressor. This rifle also likes the 178gr ELD-X with 42.0 gr Varget in Peterson brass. View attachment 1041784

Speeds..?

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

View attachment 1041773View attachment 1041772
View attachment 1041774
Finally got to try out a few of the Raven Rocks 168 TMKs. Maybe easiest load dev ever.
Barrel is a 20” Tikka CTR I bought off EBay for a cpl hundred bucks. Spun it up to an older chromoly Tikka T3 action I got in a trade. Had it all Cerakoted and stuck it in a second hand RokStok I procured here.
Lapua brass fired 5-6 times. BR2 primer, 168 TMKs loaded to mag length (2.925”) and 45.4 grains VV N-150. Zero pressure signs at all, if they’re there the Lap brass is soaking it up. Group shot off a rickety portable bench with horseflies annoyin the piss out of me too. Wishin I would’ve bought a 1000 of these pills as opposed to the 200 I picked up.

That velocity seems really good for a 20”, I’m really itching to go shoot now

 

[PC356]

That velocity seems really good for a 20”, I’m really itching to go shoot now

Was very pleasantly surprised. First time tryin N-150 on anything bigger than .223.
Solid speed and temp stability, I like it.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

Was very pleasantly surprised. First time tryin N-150 on anything bigger than .223.
Solid speed and temp stability, I like it.

I keep being told to try it out

 

[Ranger619]

Speeds..?

I am not sure, I haven't shot through a chronograph. I have it zeroed at 100yd. 200yd is +0.6mil, 300 is +1.5mil, 400 +2.2, 500 +3.3, and 600 is + 4.5mil. I think it should be about 2500ft/s roughly.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I am not sure, I haven't shot through a chronograph. I have it zeroed at 100yd. 200yd is +0.6mil, 300 is +1.5mil, 400 +2.2, 500 +3.3, and 600 is + 4.5mil. I think it should be about 2500ft/s roughly.

I’d guess in the 2600s based on drop data and memory of my old data but I could be off as it’s all packed away somewhere currently.

 

[PC356]

I’d guess in the 2600s based on drop data and memory of my old data but I could be off as it’s all packed away somewhere currently.

Def in low 2600s

 

[Hondo64d]

A couple of years ago Sierra brought out some new .308 Matchkings, a 169gr and a 177gr, both of which have much higher BCs than their predecessors. I picked up a box each to try in my match rifle. The 1st group was just to foul the bore and verify zero after cleaning. I used the 168gr Tipped SMKs, discussed earlier in this thread, for the foulers/sighters. Both the 169 and 177gr SMKs are phenomenal, but I guess I’m gonna go with the 177s. 8/10 of the 177s are in the .2s.

I had recently purchased a thousand 178gr ELDXs, and while they shoot pretty well, they don’t shoot as well as either the 169gr or 177gr SMKs, so they’re gonna pull duty in my utility and hunting rigs.

John

 

[Hondo64d]

From above, it sounds like this is the bullet loaded in Federal Tru ammo, this site lists the G1 at 0.48 (vs the regular 168 SMK at 0.462). I didn't find anywhere that listed the G7, but you may find it searching Federal Tru loaded ammo.

I took the G1 listed above and SWAGed a .245 G7 BC. Tried that with my utility rifle today, first at 500 and then at 700. 1st round absolutely center punched my 500 yard steel. Subsequent impacts were on the waterline as well. Moved to the 700 yard target with well centered impacts as well. The .245 G7 BC seems to work well for the 168gr Tipped SMKs.

John

 

[Sponge]

I took the G1 listed above and SWAGed a .245 G7 BC. Tried that with my utility rifle today, first at 500 and then at 700. 1st round absolutely center punched my 500 yard steel. Subsequent impacts were on the waterline as well. Moved to the 700 yard target with well centered impacts as well. The .245 G7 BC seems to work well for the 168gr Tipped SMKs.

John

nice!
I went to buy some of those last week, none left at Ravenrocks.

Testing out some 'regular' 168 TMKs with Leverevolution this weekend... chasing the Quick Drop dragon at sea level
I think ill find it with 155 TMKs, but I have exactly the same number of 168's as I do pieces of brass that need to get thru their first shooting - gonna take that as a sign.

 

[Hondo64d]

nice!
I went to buy some of those last week, none left at Ravenrocks.

Testing out some 'regular' 168 TMKs with Leverevolution this weekend... chasing the Quick Drop dragon at sea level
I think I’ll find it with 155 TMKs, but I have exactly the same number of 168's as I do pieces of brass that need to get thru their first shooting - gonna take that as a sign.

168gr TMKs match quick drop perfectly to out past 600 when launched at 2730ish at the altitude I live at, which is about 2100 MSL.

John

 

[Sponge]

168gr TMKs match quick drop perfectly to out past 600 when launched at 2730ish at the altitude I live at, which is about 2100 MSL

I have a rather specific goal for this rifle (Wood stock Sauer 100, 308 of course):

-Quick drop to 600 at 0' DA
-1800 fps to 500 (seems to be a given if you meet quick drop)
-Coal 2.8"-2.9", mag length is 2.9"-2.95"
-no silly high pressure loads, using GRT and common sense here, aiming for 62K psi in GRT
-18" barrel (willing to go up to 20")

No real reason for it other than I'm going to cut and thread this rifle (currently 22" unthreaded), and need to pick a length, using this 'project' to determine barrel length scratches an itch, is interesting, fun, etc.

Looking at loading manuals/data, playing with GRT and looking at other loads I've shot in this rifle, it's looking like 155 TMKs and something like LVR or CFE223 will be the key. 168's TMKs may work, but i think id have to step on it more than I want in a short barrel.

If it doesn't work out, no big deal, cut it at 18" and shoot whatever shoots best.

 

[Nine Banger]

I have a rather specific goal for this rifle (Wood stock Sauer 100, 308 of course):

-Quick drop to 600 at 0' DA
-1800 fps to 500 (seems to be a given if you meet quick drop)
-Coal 2.8"-2.9", mag length is 2.9"-2.95"
-no silly high pressure loads, using GRT and common sense here, aiming for 62K psi in GRT
-18" barrel (willing to go up to 20")

No real reason for it other than I'm going to cut and thread this rifle (currently 22" unthreaded), and need to pick a length, using this 'project' to determine barrel length scratches an itch, is interesting, fun, etc.

Looking at loading manuals/data, playing with GRT and looking at other loads I've shot in this rifle, it's looking like 155 TMKs and something like LVR or CFE223 will be the key. 168's TMKs may work, but i think id have to step on it more than I want in a short barrel.

If it doesn't work out, no big deal, cut it at 18" and shoot whatever shoots best.

If you can't get Quick Drop with the 18" barrel, pick up some Sig Fury brass and resize it.

Currently using Leverevolution and 195/200gr bullets to get Quick Drop with a 22" barrel.

 

[1000yards]

I have a rather specific goal for this rifle (Wood stock Sauer 100, 308 of course):

-Quick drop to 600 at 0' DA
-1800 fps to 500 (seems to be a given if you meet quick drop)
-Coal 2.8"-2.9", mag length is 2.9"-2.95"
-no silly high pressure loads, using GRT and common sense here, aiming for 62K psi in GRT
-18" barrel (willing to go up to 20")

No real reason for it other than I'm going to cut and thread this rifle (currently 22" unthreaded), and need to pick a length, using this 'project' to determine barrel length scratches an itch, is interesting, fun, etc.

Looking at loading manuals/data, playing with GRT and looking at other loads I've shot in this rifle, it's looking like 155 TMKs and something like LVR or CFE223 will be the key. 168's TMKs may work, but i think id have to step on it more than I want in a short barrel.

If it doesn't work out, no big deal, cut it at 18" and shoot whatever shoots best.

Sounds fun. I have a similar project here. The M77 308 is at the gunsmith for a new stock and a new 18" barrel. I am also at sea level, so as long as I can get that 168 above 2600 fps, then it will be close enough to 1800 fps at 500 yards with a +3 / +4 correction. But if I hit pressure before that I'll try the 155 tmk or 150 sst.

 

[Sponge]

Currently using Leverevolution and 195/200gr bullets to get Quick Drop with a 22" barrel.

That is cooking! Have you had any issues with the steel base of the case scoring your chamber?

Sounds fun. I have a similar project here. The M77 308 is at the gunsmith for a new stock and a new 18" barrel. I am also at sea level, so as long as I can get that 168 above 2600 fps, then it will be close enough to 1800 fps at 500 yards with a +3 / +4 correction. But if I hit pressure before that I'll try the 155 tmk or 150 sst.

looking forward to seeing it! I thought about using the 155 ELDM, but hadn't considered the 150 SST. if the quick drop side of this doesn't work out, I may try the SSTs.

For me, another advantage of the 155 TMKs is an identical BC (according to Sierra) to the 130 TMKs, which I shoot in my 18" 6.5 CM. Plan B is two rifles with 'identical' firing solutions using 130 & 155 TMKs.

 

[Nine Banger]

That is cooking! Have you had any issues with the steel base of the case scoring your chamber?

I can see something happening if I stare at it with a flashlight but 308 tikka factory barrels are essentially free right now so I'm not worried about it.

For me, another advantage of the 155 TMKs is an identical BC (according to Sierra) to the 130 TMKs, which I shoot in my 18" 6.5 CM. Plan B is two rifles with 'identical' firing solutions using 130 & 155 TMKs.

Kudos to you for focusing on repeatability and hit rates instead of speed and BC.

 

[Sponge]

Well. 168 TMKs with Leverevolution or CFE223 ain't it. Velocities all over the place, impacts all over the place. Not a rifle issue, 168 eldms with 42.5 Varget (5 shots along bottom edge of bottom dot) has been my reference load while getting this Starline brass it's first firing, it shot how it usually shots.

168 TMKs have done fine with H4895 and Varget in this rifle, so looks more of a powder issue.
Anyone ever have luck with TAC and these bullets? In particular when other ball powders didn't do well?

However, the rifle did draw first blood today batting cleanup for my Honda. I hit a deer less than a mile from the range, sheriff dept said to go ahead and put it down.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

Playing around with .1 mil elevation clicks at 205 after calm wind day getting windage sorted. She was a little foggy so had to wait till sun cut the fog to start shooting. Sig kilo6k no prob to 205 through that although couldn’t see gong well enough to play precision lol. Only had to wait about 45 min till go time, only reason I took pics of gun and setup, was bored, throw in a lipper and grab the coffee and twiddle thumbs on the sun getting its sh1t together. The boards so I can see gong in snow scapes. Sako 90 peak, atacr 1-8, Hornady white box 168 eldm. Shoddy bench/bipod setup but keeps me humble. May have to invest in a decent bag for front work one day...whatevs. Only 3 shots in those, the 5 shots I’m not showing pics of as they aren’t as cute, this was already done but just wtf playing after to see what I thought between one more click up or not. Those fitting pretty well under the center dot.

 

[PC356]

Well. 168 TMKs with Leverevolution or CFE223 ain't it. Velocities all over the place, impacts all over the place. Not a rifle issue, 168 eldms with 42.5 Varget (5 shots along bottom edge of bottom dot) has been my reference load while getting this Starline brass it's first firing, it shot how it usually shots.

168 TMKs have done fine with H4895 and Varget in this rifle, so looks more of a powder issue.
Anyone ever have luck with TAC and these bullets? In particular when other ball powders didn't do well?

However, the rifle did draw first blood today batting cleanup for my Honda. I hit a deer less than a mile from the range, sheriff dept said to go ahead and put it down.

View attachment 1047600View attachment 1047601

VV N-150 worked great for me, albeit Raven Rocks Tipped 168s