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.308 load up #5797046 06/19/15 11:13 PM
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Rob M Offline OP
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Okay, so I'm just getting into reloading for my .308 AR. Below are the load ups I shot today. I loaded 178 grain A Maxes with varget staring with 43 grains all the way to 45 grains. My best groups seem to be with 43.3 and 43.4 grains of powder. I just need some expert feedback as to whether or not I'm on the right track?

Bullet-178 grain A Max
Brass-Lake City
Powder-varget
Barrel length-18"
Distance-100 yds


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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797055 06/19/15 11:21 PM
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I'd say top right target is your load. Can't quite read the charge.
43.2 looks promising as well. Good work so far. up


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797058 06/19/15 11:22 PM
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Rob M Offline OP
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Top right is whatbim thinking too. It's 43.4 grains.


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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797064 06/19/15 11:26 PM
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You can see the consistency in your group shapes as they tighten up, that's a good indicator of not only well put together test loads, but of your shooting technique being consistent as well.


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797073 06/19/15 11:33 PM
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Rob M Offline OP
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Yeah, I watched them tighten up pretty well, but it's hard to decide which load to run with. I might just load up the two best ones again and shoot to see if I get the same results.


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Re: .308 load up [Re: tth_40] #5797080 06/19/15 11:38 PM
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Originally Posted By: tth_40
I'd say top right target is your load. Can't quite read the charge.
43.2 looks promising as well. Good work so far. up


This.

If you want to retest them, do it at 300 yards and see what you get.


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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797110 06/19/15 11:54 PM
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yepper, now its time to stretch her out a bit


SPACE FOR RENT


Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797119 06/20/15 12:02 AM
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Rob M Offline OP
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Gotta find a 300 yard range smirk I think there is one in Leonard,TX


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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797254 06/20/15 01:52 AM
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Or you can come to mine, in Wolfe City, and have privacy...


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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797362 06/20/15 03:04 AM
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Unless there are other supporting indicators, don't get too sold on the "best" group. Look at 43.2 which from what I can tell appears that you have 2 separate groups. One is tight, the other scattered a bit. Personally, I'm not sold on 43.4..sure it is the best looking group there, but 43.5 (just one tenth more) is really scattered. Without knowing anything more (chrono info, hot barrel or not, shooting set-up) I'd probably be looking at 43.2...maybe 43.3 and then adjusting my seating depth +/- 3 thou to try and tighten them up.

Last edited by jbd76266; 06/20/15 03:06 AM.
Re: .308 load up [Re: jbd76266] #5797425 06/20/15 04:28 AM
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Rob M Offline OP
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Originally Posted By: jbd76266
Unless there are other supporting indicators, don't get too sold on the "best" group. Look at 43.2 which from what I can tell appears that you have 2 separate groups. One is tight, the other scattered a bit. Personally, I'm not sold on 43.4..sure it is the best looking group there, but 43.5 (just one tenth more) is really scattered. Without knowing anything more (chrono info, hot barrel or not, shooting set-up) I'd probably be looking at 43.2...maybe 43.3 and then adjusting my seating depth +/- 3 thou to try and tighten them up.


The bottom 3 targets were shot last week, and 43.2 was my best group. I fired them all under the exact same conditions at an indoor range. The only thing I didn't do what chrono. I'm by no means done with my load up, but I have significantly narrowed the gap on which loads to test.

Last edited by robdawg14m; 06/20/15 04:29 AM.

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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797543 06/20/15 12:41 PM
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In that case Rob I would stick with 43.2 and play with different seating depths. The charge above and below hit at close to the same poi and this lays in between. Just my thoughts

Re: .308 load up [Re: jbd76266] #5797602 06/20/15 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted By: jbd76266
In that case Rob I would stick with 43.2 and play with different seating depths. The charge above and below hit at close to the same poi and this lays in between. Just my thoughts


I'm limited to the OAL of the AR mag. The only thing I can do is seat them deeper than I currently am.


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Re: .308 load up [Re: J.G.] #5797734 06/20/15 04:10 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
Or you can come to mine, in Wolfe City, and have privacy...


I highly recommend JG's range. Awesome opportunity to go through all your steps with zero interruptions.


Originally Posted by onlysmith&wesson
I was wrong...on anything technical.

Originally Posted by Sailor
Fitz............. is right, ya know............
Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797739 06/20/15 04:15 PM
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Should I try and shoot the load ups in a round Robin to see if I get the same groups? I shot 5 rounds of each load before moving to the vet highest.


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Re: .308 load up [Re: Rob M] #5797795 06/20/15 05:06 PM
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I'd say you're past that. Load your best group, as well as .2 gr under and .2 gr over and shoot them at 300. That is if you even want to retest anything.


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Re: .308 load up [Re: J.G.] #5797819 06/20/15 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
I'd say you're past that. Load your best group, as well as .2 gr under and .2 gr over and shoot them at 300. That is if you even want to retest anything.


This exactly.


Originally Posted By: theserxtremedays
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