The last post with this rifle, I was thouroughly bummed about the scope I previously had on the rifle and the sub par accuracy I was getting with my hand loads.

Got the new Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44 and made some more ammo and headed back to the range this past weekend. The scope was superb as I expected it to be from previous experience!

Contrary to my screen name, I am not and never claim to be an excellent marksman. My Dad was always into handguns growing up, I learned to shoot from him, but pretty much self taught when it comes to scoped rifles. I'm always trying to improve based on techniques and such that I read here and there. I pulled a few shots and knew it when the trigger broke, but it's all part of learning I suppose.

All groups were fired at 100yds using front bi-pod and rear bag with a 5-8mph cross wind. My loads are using New Lapua brass and CCI LR primers. The grid on targets are made up of 1/2 inch squares.
I'm quite pleased with the performance thus far.

Factory Wolf Gold .308 ammo.


46.0gr Varget, 155gr AMAX, .020 off lands


46.4gr Varget, 155gr AMAX, .020 off lands


46.0gr Varget, 155gr Berger VLD


46.4gr Varget, 155gr Berger VLD

barrel length?
rate of twist?

18" barrel, threaded with JP Tactical Comp. 1:10 twist.

If the Berger's weren't Hybrids then they will perform better jammed. Also jump down to .02 jumps in charge weight you can easily skip over a accuracy node with a big jump in charge weight.

I loaded 45.8, 46.0, then jumped to 46.4 and 46.8. Didn't even try the 46.8/ Going to try 46.1-46.3 next and play with bullet seating depth

I think short (20 or less) do better with heavy bullets.
I would suggest 178 AMAX and 44-45g of Varget

Some of your targets appear to show vertical stringing. How quickly are you shooting your groups?

The first group with 155 AMAX I shot too quickly. The others, id say 1 shot every minute or so.

Might want to drop down to 2 min between shots. Also how long did you let the rifle cool between groups?

15 min cool down between groups.

A barrel that short shouldn't string very much, even warmed up. Jam the bullets one thousandth and put .3 gr. between powder charges.

178 A-max 44.0 to 45.0 of Varget shoots in every 308, especially with a 1:10 twist.

I will try some 178's as well, when I can find them.
Thanks for the help and pointers!

Good luck finding any. I liked the 155 Sierra Palma MK bullets but I doubt you would be able to get the necessary speed out of a barrel that short for them to be any advantage. They did however tolerate a jump to the lands very well.

How is $29.39/100 for 178gr AMAX? Is that a decent deal, not including shipping?
Also found some for $32.29/100.

Both places have them in stock...

I would get the cheaper ones. I'm not sure if the price is good or not though.

Found 155 Sierra HPBT Matchking Palma for $35.99/100 with free shipping. The $32.29 for the 178 AMAX also has free shipping...

This year, if you're getting those bullets for $35 per 100 or less, you're doing good. Get em, and don't worry about the price. They shoot, the kill, they're very consistent bullet to bullet.

I went from 175 SMKs to 178 A-maxes, in 308, I went from 130 Berger VLDs to 140 A-maxes in 260, and went from 55 gr SGKs to 75 gr A-maxes in 22-250. Needless to say I believe in the A-max. Even talked a friend into 105 A-maxes for his 243. The only rifle I have that doesn't shoot A-maxes is the 7 Rem Mag, and that's because they don't make a 7mm A-max at 180 gr, so I'm stuck with Bergers.

You can't get 155s moving fast enough out a short barrel to realize their long range potential.


178 AMAX are known to be a very good bullet in the 308.
To a lot of people, me included, it's the ideal bullet.
Cheap, accurate, works great long range and hunting.

I shot a deer last year with one quartering towards me on a slight incline, shot base of neck/front shoulder and it exited behind the off shoulder. DRT. Massive blood loss on the exit side.

Within 500 yards the BC won't matter much and it will be more pleasant to shoot.

+1 I agree. You can use flat back up to 500 easily.

Maybe I'll just play with what I have for now and try some heavier bullets down the road. Max distance I can shoot currently is only 250yds but that's over 1.5hr away on a friends property. Locally, the ranges only go to 100yds.

I agree with you 100%
I have an ongoing argument with a buddy who is obsessed with long range and ultra high BC bullets.

I have continually explained to him for the average guy shooting under 400 yards hunting BC really doesn't mean anything.
They may have an inch less wind drift..

Added velocity can help overcome the lack of BC as well. The 257 Weatherby does this very well considering the poor BC of 25 cal bullets.

My 22-250 is pretty darn salty inside 400. Lowest BC bullet I shoot, with the highest MV. And I've sent a whole bunch of em in panhandle wind. An exploding prairie dog will definitely put a smile on your face.

22-250 is another good one. I love mine and it never gets old shooting prairie dogs with it.