Starting point for a Savage 10 T in 308

[Majja13]

Ok a buddy of mine I recently purchased a Savage 10 T in 308 24 in tube with a 1:10 twist. Has any one got a good starting load? He is looking for longer range paper punching out to 500-800 yds. With the scarcity of components these day What is shooting well for you guys? 168 TMK's, 175 TMK's or the same in smk's, ect. What do you all like and where is a good place to start. I am going to be teaching him to reload with this as well.

Thank You

[Process_engineer]

I've worked up a load for 168gr BTHP Hornady Match with 43.3 of Varget. It's getting me sub MOA out of my 10T.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bearcatrp]

Was shooting berger 175 and hornady 178 a-max and match. Now i shoot hornady 178 ELD-X using varget with 43.9 gr. Getting 2720 fps around 70 degree weather. Without looking at my notes, pretty sure I was using 43.7 gr of varget with hornady 178 a-max and match. For the match, make sure your real close to the lands. A-max and ELD were 2.800 OAL. Still, start in the middle and work up. Have the 208 ELD-M loaded up to test once the weather gets better.

Hornady 178 A-Max G1: 0.495
178 Match G1: 0.530
178 ELD-X G1: 0.531 G7: 0.271
208 ELD-M G1: 0.670 G7: 0.335

The 178 ELD is like a A-Max and Match combined. Expansion of a A-Max and G1 of a match round.

[bigedp51]

Cartridge, Caliber 7.62mm Special Ball, Long Range, MK 316 MOD 0 (United States): A 175-grain round specifically designed for long-range sniping consisting of Sierra MatchKing Hollow Point Boat Tail projectiles, Federal Cartridge Company match cartridge cases and Gold Medal Match primers. The Propellant has been verified as IMR 4064 (per NSN 1305-01-567-6944 and Federal Cartridge Company Contract/Order Number N0016408DJN28 and has a charge weight per the specs of 41.7-grains.

They modified the older M118LR sniper ammo and changed the powder from the double base RL15 powder to the single base IMR-4064 powder which is less temp sensitive.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7.62%C3%9751mm_NATO

[390fe]

I like 175 grain Sierra Matchkings and 180 grain Sierra Gamekings in my 1:10 twist Savage. I use IMR 4064 in Remington brass with Remington 9 1/2 primers.

Both bullets will shoot point of aim at 100 yards with the Gameking needing slightly more hold over at distance due to a lower bc than the matchking.

I would not bother trying the tipped matchkings in a factory rifle. The TMK design is very similar to a vld, and the bullet likes to be seated very close to the lands. Also, the tmk is longer than the standard matchking. Combine those two points and you end up with a round that will no longer fit in the magazine.

For me, the no hassle easy going standard matchking gets my vote.

[rallykid]

I've been experimenting with my 10BA. (also 24" barrel with 1:10 twist)
155gr Lapua Scenar, 175gr SMK, 178gr A-Max and 185gr Berger Juggernaut. Ramshot TAC and IMR-4895 powders. CCI #200 primer. Lapua, Hornady Match and LC LR brass.

The most consistent loads for accuracy and velocity have been:
155gr Lapua Scenar w/ 44.5gr TAC in Lapua brass at 2.702" COAL comes out at 2924fps
185gr Berger Jugg w/ 42.1gr IMR4895 in Lapua brass at 2.806" COAL comes out at 2642fps
**measured via MagnetoSpeed at 70*F

Both loads are very capable and do well at 1000yds if I'm doing my part. On windier days, I tend to stick with the Berger Juggernaut.

My only problem is my rifle has a really short throat and i can't really seat the bullet out like i want.

I could have done more testing with the 175 SMK but my rifle did not like the 178 A-Max at all.

LC LR brass as expected is military brass, strong and durable but very inconsistent. Hornady match brass was very good and exceeded my expectations. Lapua did slightly better and has so many positive reviews that I decided to stick with it.

Having said that... make sure you start with safe loads and work up to the rifle's potential. Have fun!

[alltherage]

not the same rifle, but my 12FV (1/10 twist 26") with 168 grain hornady bthp match is doing a tick less than 1/2 moa with 44.5 grains of varget and federal 210 primers. 2.800 which is .01 off the lands in my rifle.

[bearcatrp]

Ralleykid, did you try putting the 178 a-max close to the lands? If you did, don't. I found out that won't work. Once I backed them off to a OAL of 2.800, tightened right up. For those planning to try the ELD bullets, was told by hornady to load the 178 ELD like the a-max.

[jonbearman]

Do you have a Sierra reloading manual? If you do it shows their accuracy load with each bullet and they are usually very good loads but you must start lower and work up as each barrel is different as to what it likes. I would also buy a Hornady and Hodgdon manual as they show loads with different powders etc to experiment with. I used to use Hornady 168 match hollow points with 42.0 grains of BLC-2 with a CCI primer and it was a sweet load, but in hot weather you would have to drop a half a grain as it is temp sensitive. I used to seat them at .040 off the rifling for my particular rifle. I also used Tubbs lapping bullets in my barrel as it was rough from savage. Once I was done fire lapping it cleaned way easier as well as shooting much better groups.

[eddiesindian]

41.5gr of imr 4064 and 175SMK going 2700fps has worked for me out of my 24"tube.
The teaching thing?..........drill the basic s

[eddiesindian]

Do you have a Sierra reloading manual? If you do it shows their accuracy load with each bullet and they are usually very good loads but you must start lower and work up as each barrel is different as to what it likes. I would also buy a Hornady and Hodgdon manual as they show loads with different powders etc to experiment with. I used to use Hornady 168 match hollow points with 42.0 grains of BLC-2 with a CCI primer and it was a sweet load, but in hot weather you would have to drop a half a grain as it is temp sensitive. I used to seat them at .040 off the rifling for my particular rifle. I also used Tubbs lapping bullets in my barrel as it was rough from savage. Once I was done fire lapping it cleaned way easier as well as shooting much better groups.

Used the Tubbs system as well. Same results as yours. Increased my freebore considerably.

[rallykid]

Ralleykid, did you try putting the 178 a-max close to the lands? If you did, don't. I found out that won't work. Once I backed them off to a OAL of 2.800, tightened right up. For those planning to try the ELD bullets, was told by hornady to load the 178 ELD like the a-max.

Thanks. I'll give it another shot (pun intended). I was 0.010 from lands before so I'll try a few different jump lenghts.

[bearcatrp]

Hornady will be dropping the A-Max soon in favor of the ELD from what they told me. Just remember to load them like the A-Max. Start at 2.800 then go from there. Good luck.

[Majja13]

I should probably invest in new manuals as mine are about 22 years old. Thanks for the info though.

[Majja13]

Thank you all since I shoot Varget in my 22-250 I think I will start with a few of those loads and have him see how the fire after he gets her broke in a bit.

[Lonewolf72]

Thanks for all the great information! I will be getting out there to try some of these loads in the 10T as soon as I "reappropriate" a scope [Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 PA or Vortex Diamondback 4-16x42] from another rifle. Thanks for starting this thread Majja13.

[bearcatrp]

Thanks for all the great information! I will be getting out there to try some of these loads in the 10T as soon as I "reappropriate" a scope [Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 PA or Vortex Diamondback 4-16x42] from another rifle. Thanks for starting this thread Majja13.

Don't replicate anyones load that was put on here. Back off some and work up for your safety. What works in my rifle could be hazardous to yours. Mine are a bit but not totally hot. Sure you knew that already but just mentioning it. Good luck and post your results.

[Lonewolf72]

Thank you for the heads-up...I appreciate the reminder and you all sharing your knowledge.