I want to start by saying accuracy is important to me. I understand that I can have a 2 MOA rifle, and pretty much center cross hairs and pull the trigger and get a dead deer within reasonable distances. I find chasing accuracy to be fun and rewarding.
Rifle is a 308 win, 24" criterion barrel, 1-10 twist.
Bullet is 178gr Hornady ELD-X loaded at 2.825"
Powder is Varget
Im shooting 4 shot groups from a gun vice indoors, 100 yard range.
I used quickload for calculations, and found max pressure recommended was reached with a 43Gr load. I loaded in .5 increments from 41gr to 43, then by .2 increments to 44.
I found a good accuracy node at 42 fps, but the FPS was a bit erratic (.8 MOA, 2542-2602 fps). As i go up in powder, my fps is super consistant, but the accuracy goes down an example is 43 gr (1.5 MOA, 2649-2655 FPS). Shooting 43.2 up to 44 grains, there were no pressure signs, but my accuracy was poor. My FPS was still very consistant though.
my goal is >2600 FPS and =<1 MOA (not sure if this is doable). I also want my FPS to be consistent. If the 42gr had consistant velocities, i think i would stick with that and call it a day. I just am not sure what to do next. here are my thoughts...
1. Change powder, maybe try R15 and see if i get any better results
2. 8.25 seating depth is the longest I can get in my mag box. I could seat deeper and see if i get better results.
3. Change bullet, im hesitant to do this as I think the ELD-X is a great bullet for the lower velocity 308 (compared to 300win lets say).
4. Load 42-43 in .1 .2 increments to see if i can find a good balance.
5. Continue going above 44 grain and check for pressure signs as I go. This is really my last choice as 44 Gr is 9.1% compressed and going over 10% seems shady AF.
Are any of these options more appealing that another? Is there anything else I could try? what would you do?
let me know if you need more information from me. I appreciate your time
EDIT: just ran a simulator with R15, and found that at 44 gr, my pressure is lower and my FPS is higher. might not be a bad route to go. Im still >99% powder burned which is cool too.
Rifle is a 308 win, 24" criterion barrel, 1-10 twist.
Bullet is 178gr Hornady ELD-X loaded at 2.825"
Powder is Varget
Im shooting 4 shot groups from a gun vice indoors, 100 yard range.
I used quickload for calculations, and found max pressure recommended was reached with a 43Gr load. I loaded in .5 increments from 41gr to 43, then by .2 increments to 44.
I found a good accuracy node at 42 fps, but the FPS was a bit erratic (.8 MOA, 2542-2602 fps). As i go up in powder, my fps is super consistant, but the accuracy goes down an example is 43 gr (1.5 MOA, 2649-2655 FPS). Shooting 43.2 up to 44 grains, there were no pressure signs, but my accuracy was poor. My FPS was still very consistant though.
my goal is >2600 FPS and =<1 MOA (not sure if this is doable). I also want my FPS to be consistent. If the 42gr had consistant velocities, i think i would stick with that and call it a day. I just am not sure what to do next. here are my thoughts...
1. Change powder, maybe try R15 and see if i get any better results
2. 8.25 seating depth is the longest I can get in my mag box. I could seat deeper and see if i get better results.
3. Change bullet, im hesitant to do this as I think the ELD-X is a great bullet for the lower velocity 308 (compared to 300win lets say).
4. Load 42-43 in .1 .2 increments to see if i can find a good balance.
5. Continue going above 44 grain and check for pressure signs as I go. This is really my last choice as 44 Gr is 9.1% compressed and going over 10% seems shady AF.
Are any of these options more appealing that another? Is there anything else I could try? what would you do?
let me know if you need more information from me. I appreciate your time
EDIT: just ran a simulator with R15, and found that at 44 gr, my pressure is lower and my FPS is higher. might not be a bad route to go. Im still >99% powder burned which is cool too.
