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More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
#7146676
04/20/18 11:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 118
Olshovel
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Woodsman
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146730
04/21/18 12:06 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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Small variations in brass length should make very little difference, as long as the case mouth is not get crimped down in the chamber. Many guys will tell you brass has to get quite a bit longer than specification length before that can happen. I have no opinion myself on that because I have not examined every rifle out there.
I think the SMKs are more accurate than the Hornady bullet because of more precisely made jackets. Who knows, though? Maybe some rifles like the Hornady better.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146771
04/21/18 12:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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I see 168 gr Hornady hand loads, Store bought ammo 175 SMKs, store bought ammo 168 OTM, store bought 178 gr ELD-X.
What are you doing here?
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146792
04/21/18 01:20 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 118
Olshovel
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The 168 hand loads were where I landed from shooting a couple of ladders and then loading up rounds of the most promising area of the ladder. I wanted to load up a few more and see how they shot against some factory ammo I had and see how my hand loads compared. I was running the chrono just to see if there were any "patterns". Starting to think load development is more of a black art than science! I am not sure I know what I am doing!
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146801
04/21/18 01:35 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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It is all a SCIENCE project.
*Pick a bullet *Use the most appropriate primers (pick one) *Pick the most appropriate powder *Pick a seating depth *Test, and find the best powder charge
*If, you're still not happy, play with bullet jump/jam and find the best one, but keep the same bullet, same powder and lot, same primer, same brass
*If you're still not happy, keep all the same parameters you found to work best, but use different primers.
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146839
04/21/18 02:31 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 118
Olshovel
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Based on how well the smk's seem to shoot out of my rifle, would it make sense to try to duplicate any of the parameters of that particular round?
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146867
04/21/18 03:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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You do not know what powder they used.
Other than that...
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146949
04/21/18 10:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 33,977
Buzzsaw
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Not sure either but I don't think that gun will shoot much better no matter what you do. Just my opinion.
unless its a 24" Bartlien
P.S. Buy a case of the Federal 175 Premiums
SPACE FOR RENT
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7146998
04/21/18 12:52 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,568
garyrapp55
Extreme Tracker
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Starting to think load development is more of a black art than science! I am not sure I know what I am doing! Like JG said, it is definitely a science. You could always do what I did and pay a professional to develop your load. I too am not 100% confident in my ability to develop the very best load. Is your rifle factory?
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7147041
04/21/18 02:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 118
Olshovel
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It is factory. I bought a Howa heavy 24" barreled action and put it into an hs precision stock. I have not done anything to it other than put a scope and new bottom metal to accept magazines on and start shooting.
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7147055
04/21/18 02:30 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
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Might not hurt to bed the action, and verify the barrel is free-floated from the recoil lug to the end.
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7147124
04/21/18 03:55 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 118
Olshovel
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I have verified the barrel is free floated back to the lug. I have not bedded it yet, I wanted to make sure I didn't have any issues with the new bottom metal befor bedding it.
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7147189
04/21/18 05:03 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,809
Cleric
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The federal 175 look like a 5 shot group under an inch or right about. If it’s inch edge to edge that’s 3/4 moa. Not bad for a factory rifle imo
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7147241
04/21/18 06:33 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,409
rickt300
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Looking good to me. You might see how well it shoots without the can.
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Re: More load tinkering for Howa 308 with 24" barrel
[Re: Olshovel]
#7147243
04/21/18 06:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 118
Olshovel
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I had not even checked that to see what it is! It mic'd out at .65. I sat down this morning and measured everything els but not that. I have measurements of unfired rounds from each of these groups, base to ogive, base to shoulder, averages, ranges in measurements. I almost enjoy compiling and looking at all of this data as much as shooting to collect it!
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