oal question

[ss84carlo]

I have a fcp with Hs precision stock. Out of the box I ran 60rnds of fed match 168hpbt. Groups touch at 200 yards all day @ factory length. So I have been playing with loads on sierra 168's best group was with 39grain. Hodgdon benchmark btw. With groups of .5" around .250" between holes. So my question is if it shoots the fed beautifully. Should I stretch my custom loads to minimize jump or switch to different powder? Not sure what my next step should be to tighten up the group.

[bootsmcguire]

My rule of thumb for working up new loads with bullets and powder both being a variable is to keep length constant until I discover the nominal powder charge, then play with OAL to fine tune.

Sounds like you found your happy charge of 39.0gr, so now start playing with your length. I have found that many of my barrels like to be on or near the lands. So if it were me my first instinct would be to move the bullet out. If after playing with you OAL you still don't get satisfactory groups, you may have to go back to square one and try a different powder. For the 308 (which is what I assume you are shooting based off of your bullet weight and powder charge) I find Varget to give me the best results, FWIW.

[foxx]

I'd stock up on fed match 168hpbt and call it good.

[Joetinva]

I was reading in Berger's new reloading manual that you should find the best seating depth first using a low to medium powder charge and then work up the powder. I'm going to try that and see how it works out.

[emtrescue6]

Kinda hard to beat touching groups at 200 yards right out of the box...can we assume this is a .308?

What do you want to do with this rifle? Target shoot, at what ranges? Hunt, at what range?

You'll probably be hard pressed to beat those groups...if it were me I'd do as Foxx suggests and buy a pile of the Fed Match 168's of the same lot # and call it good...if it were me!

[ss84carlo]

I apologize. Yes it is a 308. And I shoot way to much to stock up on $2 a pop.lol I reload for a few calibers. For instance I reload for my 556 ar and all I did was max oal to mag limit. Played with charge. Had sub moa results. Also reload supers and subs for 300aac. I have the blackout holding 2" @ 100. At the moment I'm thinking it's the powder I'm using. Burn rate? Idk. Have yet to purchase a chronograph. One think I can tell u the feds are 1" high and .5" left of my pet load. That's @ 100 yards. By no means am I an expert I have maybe 700 loads under my belt.

[emtrescue6]

I understand...I'd try some different powders....my 308's (5 in all right now) prefer IMR4895 and IMR4064 for 165/168 class bullets. IMR 4064 seems to be fairly available right now....I managed to find 8 pounders locally not long ago.

[ss84carlo]

Honestly I'll probably just run it as is for now with the 168's because I scooped them cheap at a gun show. And really put work into some lapua scenar 155. I read there trajectory is um matched. Maybe even hold on to these 168's for subs. Although 300aac subs would be identical in power and velocity. Who knows.lol