New Load Workup for .308 Win

[RangeHot]

I've been working on a new load for my .308 Win setup. I'm focusing on 168gr bullets with various charges of Varget. Anyone have tips on tweaking the OAL for better accuracy? Would love to see your load data as well.

 

[ALR]

I am still working on loads my dad worked up mostly using W760 with 165 gr Speer Spire points, back in the '80s. He had several 308s, Winchester 70s and Savage 99. He went every Thursday to the Mo Bottoms Range thats long gone. I have his Winchesters and the 99, but safe queens for now. I recently bought a Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle in 308 And did a little bit of short range shooting and seemed very accurate with dad's loads. I have a couple cans of Varget for when when I run out of the W760. He set up his dies to put the bullet a couple thousands off the lands of the rifle barrel using a dummy round for setup. I dont have the load data at hand at the moment, I have to look it up and compare the burn rates with the W760 and Varget. On the burn chart Varget is slightly faster burning than the W760. I will try to get the full data he used.

 

[Callawegian]

You have the best bullets and powder available for the 308. I use benchrest primers for my match grade 308 handloads. You will find your greatest accuracy will be between 44-46 grains depending on your rifle and pressure signs.

For OAL, First, I start out with a dummy round with the bullet seated out to fit the magazine, then I smoke the bullet with a candle and chamber. If it doesn't chamber, or you get land marks on the smoked bullet, I seat the bullet deeper and repeat. I keep going until the bullet is just off the lands.

I then mark the cartridge with the bullet, rifle, and seating depth and keep that round for that bullet, and that rifle as a gage for setting up my die just in case I have to move the seating stem for a different bullet.

It's old school, but it works.

Callawegian STITCHERY