Groups From Another "Sinister Lefty"!

[pbcaster45]

Earlier in the week I swapped out the scope on my Remington SPS (A Nikon Monarch 2.5-10X44SF M IL MD) and mounted it on my Savage 10FLP. Well, on the first tripped to the range with the Nikon I was getting some pretty ho-hum groups and I was getting a little worried (my Springfield Armory M1A was shooting better!) Today I realized it was just ammo my gun didn't like and nothing was wrong. I've been trying to work up a good load for hunting hogs and deer and I think I might be on the right track with a powder I've never tried before in any of my .308s - IMR 4350! I've used in my 30-06 but I thought it would be too slow and bulky in a .308 Winchester - I've only got a partial can left and now I may have to get some more!

Left group is a target load with match bullets (almost managed a bughole that even 1Shot would approve of... but I blew it)


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/10FLPGroups.jpg

The groups on the right is the hunting load I was testing with Nosler 168 gr Ballistic Tips and IMR 4350 - might not have much work to do if the velocity is up to snuff.


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/Monarch25-10X44SFMILMD.jpg

[sinman]

To be really Sinister it should have a Sin Arms barrel made by a Sinner haha. Looks good though

[pbcaster45]

I probably should have posted this in the reloading section but today I chronographed the .308 Winchester hunting load I've been working on. It really suprised me how much velocity is lost when seating out near the lands. Accuracy is still sub MOA but the velocity is not where I want it just yet. I'd worked up to 48.0 grs of IMR 4350 and today went 1/2 grain higher. Still not seeing any compression but the powder is touching the base of the bullet now. I'd like to get at least 2630 fps (same as my 30-06 load with the same bullet).

Bullet: Nosler 168 gr. Ballistic Tip
Powder: IMR 4350 48.5 grs.
Primer: CCI-200
Case: Winchester
LOAL: 2.895 (2.273 Base to Ogive)
Comments: Magazine allows 2.915 maximum LOAL, this for 0.085 bullet jump. Rounds feed from magazine no problem.


#01 Forgot to turn on printer
#02 2552.17 fps
#03 2564.07 fps
#04 2561.90 fps
#05 2562.98 fps
#06 2560.81 fps
#07 2554.33 fps
#08 2573.33 fps
#09 2584.87 fps
#10 2564.07 fps
----------------
2563.55 fps Avg Velocity

ES: 32.70
SD: 9.38

[1Shot]

...Time to break out the 4" drop tube....lol..& stuff in some more...Never tried 4350 in the 308..But I do use H4350 in the 243 & 270... ;)

[slipp]

Nice stalk what make and where did you get it thanks slipp

[pbcaster45]

It's a McMillan HTG in Dark Camo. Not cheap but this is my favorite rifle and worthy of such extravagance! I probably spent more on the stock than the cost of the rifle (Ugh! Something I try not to think about!) :'(

I've been using a vibratory tumbler to settle the charge but I've got a drop tube - I think I'll start using it too. I just had a little left over powder and decide to use it up in the .308 - didn't expect that kind of accuracy. I like the fact that powder position won't be a factor when I'm up in a stand taking a shot. All theory really...

[ellobo]

You didnt say how long the barrel is but it looks pretty short. That could be your velocity problem. Try IMR4064 or a faster burning powder like IMR 4895.

El Lobo

[pbcaster45]

It's a 24 inch barrel. This is really more of an experiment than anything else; I've got plenty of IMR 4064, H4895, Varget, and XBR. I'm just trying to see if I can reach +2600 fps and still maintain those one hole groups I've been getting.

[Cycler]

Why would you expect a .308 to equal the velocity you get with a .30/06? The case capacity is significantly smaller.

[pbcaster45]

Cycler, my main 30-06 hunting load uses a moderate charge of IMR4064 and is in the velocity range of the .308 Winchester. It's accurate and knocks feral hogs flat! I could load to higher velocity but I get less blood shot meat when it's loaded down. Mostly I hunt in wooded areas so a 150 yard shot would be considered a long one. If I was hunting in more open country I'd probably switch to a 150 grain bullet and go for maximum velocity. My 30-06 is a Tikka T3 Lite.

Bullet: Nosler 168 gr. Ballistic Tip
Powder: IMR-4064 49.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Federal
LOAL: 3.350 (2.720 base to ogive with Stoney Point gage)
Velocity: 2639.38 fps
Extreme Spread: 30.43
Standard Deviation: 10.14
Comments: Extremely accurate load! Will put 3 shots in the same hole when the barrel is kept cool.

[pbcaster45]

Well, it looks like I've found my hunting load for this rifle. No way is IMR 4350 going to wean me off Varget but it's working out very well with the Nosler Ballistic Tips! Here are the final results.

Bullet: Nosler 168 gr. Ballistic Tip
Powder: IMR 4350 49.5 grs.
Primer: CCI-200
Case: Winchester
LOAL: 2.895 (2.273 Base to Ogive)
Comments: Normal pressure signs, primers rounded.

2629.58 fps Avg Velocity
ES: 17.13
SD: 5.38!!

Temperature 91 degrees, 59% humidity (YUCK!)

Accuracy: 10 shot group at 100 yards 0.862 inches (plenty good enough for hunting feral hogs & whitetails)

On a side note, Caroby was shooting next to me with his new Chrome Moly (Shilen?) .308 Winchester barrel. It was a 1 in 12 twist, 6-groove (Palma 168MK & 155PMK chamber) in factory varmint contour and unlapped. Not match grade but that thing was not showing any copper during his break-in and his groups kept me kinda quite. I think I'll be getting one myself soon...


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/CMShilenMuzzle.jpg

[pbcaster45]

I thought I had my mind made up on my hunting load but I decided to give Reloader 15 a try since it works so well in my 16FLHSS. Looks like the IMR 4350 load just went to second place!


The obligatory gun porn


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/Savage10FLP308W.jpg


A five shot group at 100 yards (0.429 inches)


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/5shots100yards.jpg


A four shot group at 200 yards (first three went 0.489, then I messed up the forth opening it up to 1.209)


http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc265/pbcaster45/4shots200yards.jpg

I'll have to load up some more ammunition to get it dialed in but if the velocity is up to snuff I think I can quit expermenting. Here's the load:

Bullet: Nosler 168 gr. Ballistic Tip
Powder: Alliant Reloader 15 44.0 grs.
Primer: Federal 210
Case: Winchester
LOAL: 2.895 (2.273 Base to Ogive)

[flatshooter]

Nice rifle!! ;D I'd have to say the black bolt, nice crown... nice gun bro! ;D

[demented]

I've had really good luck with IMR 4064. My rifle shoots best just one grain below book max. My groups average 5/8", IMO not bad for an untuned rifle