Most of us use 168 -175 Sierra MK for target shooting for the .308, normally the 175 pills for further past 600 yards, but has anyone tried the 190-200 Sierra MK for better BC and wind resistance? The gun I am shooting is the Crusader .308 from GA Precision with a 26 inch barrel with 11.25 twist.

Generally you don't get enough velocity to make the heavier bullets worth it. Also not all 308 have 1 in 10 barrel.

If you want to fire the bigger bullets step up to a 30-06 or 300

There must be a reason the new Berger FTR .308 bullet is 200gr (200-20X is what the design is called)and was designed for the US Team for 1000 yard matches.

http://www.bergerbullets.com/200-20x-perfect-bullet-f-tr/


I will shooting them tomorrow against my current load with the Berger 200 gr Hybrids. I was using the 185gr Juggernaut as I had a 1/12 twist but I sold it and got a 1/10.5 twist so I could optimize the 200gr bullets for best BC.

I just saw this post of the new Berger and its nice to have a new bullet on the Berger menu. How does the Juggernaut 185 and 200 Hybrid perform in your .308? What powder are you using, if I may ask. I have a 8 pounder of Varget and a couple of pounds of IMR 4064 and RL 17. I only tried the Varget and shot only 71 rounds on the new .308

Varget right now with the heavies.

For longer ranges, I have always liked the heavier bullets for the 308. I currently run a 185 Berger Hybrid (tipped for a 3.5% BC increase) in my 308 at 2742 fps avg in my 28" barrel. It's a flat out hammer! I have taken first place in 2 matches with that rifle and bullet combo. Years ago, I ran the 190 SMK to plink and practice with, and it does very well. If longer ranges are the goal, the higher the BC the better. But there is a point of diminishing returns where the lower velocity and increased bullet drop becomes more than the benefit of the higher BC. This is why I like the heavy 308's, like a 185, 190, or even a 200 grain if you can push it fast. If you have an 18"-20" barrel, you won't get the speeds up enough to really take advantage of the heavy bullets, so a lighter bullet is the better choice.

The Berger F-class shooting team uses the 215 Hybrid and the newer 200 grain Hybrids in F-class. But remember they run 30" barrels, so they get the speeds up. In a common length barrel, like a 22" to maybe 26" barrel, you will be running slower, and drop and speed become a factor. It depends on your personal preference and what you want, and what speeds you can get. I know several shooters who run a 155 Scenar at 2950 fps in a 22" or 24" barrel, and that's all they shoot, and do very well with that combo. I like my combo of 2742 fps of a 185 Hybrid, personally. I have also run a 175 Berger BTHP at 2850 fps, and it was fast and flat.

But yes, the heavy bullets are great for longer range shooting (past 600 yards) if you can get your speeds up. In a 26" barrel, I say stand on the throttle and push a heavy as fast as you can.

Chad, are you using the Varget as well?

Are you referring to the Juggernaut Target or the Juggernaut Tactical OTM ?

Thanks guys for the info, I'll look into the heavier 185 Bergers first.

I've not had much luck with Varget, IMR 4895 has worked well in two Rem 700s

Varget and IMR4064 have worked well with 165gr bullets, if going heavy I would be trying Alliant 2000MR

No, I'm using a secret sauce! But Varget will work fine.

I'm running Alliant 2000MR. It's what I call a hidden jewel of a powder. Not many people know about it, it's more temp stable than Varget, AND it's a spherical powder. This powder was designed to get higher velocities than Varget by 50-75 fps, which it easily does. I know the guy who engineered and made this powder, and have spoken to him a lot about it. I like it a lot!

Thanks Chad for sharing, its a powder that I never heard of and I am eager to buy a pound soon to see how it shoots.