Full mag Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 First off let me thank everyone for the help. I am new to rifle reloading, I used to just buy all my ammo until I started reloading for my pistols. I recently won a Remington SPS Tactical 308 with a 20" barrel and a 1/12 twist. I have researched and found some info but I really would like to know the best bullet weight and powder. It has a new stock and a Burris 6x20x50 Fullfield II Tactical scope on it. I am limited to 200yds at my home range but will try and be traveling to find some longer ranges. Thanks again for all the help and advice..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powder Finger Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I've had good luck with varget and 168SMK, 168VLD Berger, 175SMK. Just don't get speed greedy with the 20". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RBros Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 +1 on Varget an 168-175gr bullets. 308's are not finicky to load for is the good thing. Pickup a loading manual and just about any load with Varget will shoot great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VegasSean Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I also load Varget with 168gr SMK's. You won't go wrong with that combination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgary Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I also load Varget with 168gr SMK's. You won't go wrong with that combination. +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bones Posted April 21, 2011 Share Posted April 21, 2011 44.0 gr Varget, 168 Gr SMK or NBT, 2600 fps A 20" barrel will limit your velocities so the 150-168 gr target bullets (A-Max, SMKs, VLDs, etc) will get you better long range performance than the heavier ones. You'll struggle to get over 2500fps with the 175 gr SMKs. That said, out to 500 yd that really doesn't matter much anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singlestack Posted April 21, 2011 Share Posted April 21, 2011 I'm getting 2650 with 175g SMK out of my 20". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted April 21, 2011 Share Posted April 21, 2011 I'll second the SMK/Varget combo, but if you don't find something that really shines, don't be afraid to try the 168gr and 178gr Hornady A-Max. They are a good shooting bullet and a bit longer in case your chamber dims are long and you want to load right up to the rifling. I'd say you do need to stick with the 155gr-168gr area. With that short barrel and slow twist, it will be important to keep your velocity as high as possible for performance at longer ranges. I'm running 44.6gr Varget under the 175gr SMK out of my Savage 10FP-LE2B (26" 1/10 barrel) and getting around 2750fps if I remember correctly. It might have been closer to 2800. VERY minimal signs of acceptable pressure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted April 22, 2011 Share Posted April 22, 2011 If you are sticking to ranges under 500yds, the SMK 168's over Varget is a VERY popular load. The only downside is that you won't get quite as much velocity with this combo in a 20" barrel as you will from a 24" or 26". I'm also shooting a 20" and am experimenting with 155gr Noslers over H4895 which should give me a complete burn and really good velocity from this rifle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted April 22, 2011 Share Posted April 22, 2011 A guess is that a Varget/155gr Berger combo would work really well, too! The 155gr Lapua Scenars have been popular in the .308 world for a long time. Stick to proven bullets and you'll be pleased with your results! .308's are fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted April 22, 2011 Share Posted April 22, 2011 (edited) A guess is that a Varget/155gr Berger combo would work really well, too! The 155gr Lapua Scenars have been popular in the .308 world for a long time. The 155.5 Bergers and 155 Scenars are high BC bullets designed for Palma competition and are very expensive. That's not to say they cannot be used but they really don't offer any advantage to a tac rifle shooter that would justify their cost. I've found that one of the most difficult things about .308's is that they are used for so many different things and while a load may work really well in one gun for one purpose, they may not work so well for other things. Edited April 22, 2011 by Graham Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik S. Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 True...those Lapuas and Bergers are very expensive. You're right about using what works....that's what it comes down to. Hopefully this thread will give you a place to start. Bottom line is you PROBABLY want to stay on the lighter side (168gr and below), but even THAT may prove to be incorrect for your gun. Remy 700 in .308 is like the 1911 in .45....LOOOOTS of options. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Full mag Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 I just want to thank everyone for their input and help. I am starting with some Varget, its nice to hear that this powder gets high marks from everyone. I am going to try the 155, 168 and 175, after I finish loading my pistols, I need another press. Thanks again everyone... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ERIC Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I have the 308 varmint model with a 26" 1:12 twist barrel and for some reason, it doesn't like 150s which surprised me because of the slower twist rate. It shoots 168s fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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