TackDriver284
Handloader
- Feb 13, 2016
- 3,057
- 3,478
Tried out IMR4064 in the 308 with 168 Sierra Matchkings / BR 2 in Lapua fired 5X brass. OAL 2.805"
I am a Varget fan using the 308, but I have 2 pounds of the 4064 sitting there for years, decided to put it to good use. With right to left crosswind around 15 mph @100 yards / 4 shots with average velocity of 2815 fps / ES of 8 printed a nice cluster of 3 with one out a tad to the left.
2nd test with 6.5 Creed / 140 Nosler Ballistic Tips / H4350 in 5X fired Lapua brass @100. OAL 2.817"
Three shots with average velocity of 2765 fps gets the nod. 1 grain over book max with no pressure. I'm happy and Nosler Ballistic Tips are hard to beat, and my recent test with 120 Ballistic Tips did very well with a single hole at 100. Great bullets. Should be ready to hunt a deer or two this season with it. My last spike in 2025 was with the 6.5 x 284 / 143 ELD-X with a shot under the right ear at 175 yards if I could remember, its time to try with the Needmore.
Soon I'm dusting off the 300 WM and going to repeat the same load with 180 grain Barnes TTSX for a possible nilgai before Spring. I may have to turn down the load a grain or so because RL25 is sensitive to temp ( its so hot here in the summer of June ) and I was running full steam with it in the mild cool weather between winter and spring last year, last ran it with no pressure at 3225 fps / Lapua brass which was extremely fast. Pressure was at 3260 fps, but backed off for accuracy.
I am a Varget fan using the 308, but I have 2 pounds of the 4064 sitting there for years, decided to put it to good use. With right to left crosswind around 15 mph @100 yards / 4 shots with average velocity of 2815 fps / ES of 8 printed a nice cluster of 3 with one out a tad to the left.
2nd test with 6.5 Creed / 140 Nosler Ballistic Tips / H4350 in 5X fired Lapua brass @100. OAL 2.817"
Three shots with average velocity of 2765 fps gets the nod. 1 grain over book max with no pressure. I'm happy and Nosler Ballistic Tips are hard to beat, and my recent test with 120 Ballistic Tips did very well with a single hole at 100. Great bullets. Should be ready to hunt a deer or two this season with it. My last spike in 2025 was with the 6.5 x 284 / 143 ELD-X with a shot under the right ear at 175 yards if I could remember, its time to try with the Needmore.
Soon I'm dusting off the 300 WM and going to repeat the same load with 180 grain Barnes TTSX for a possible nilgai before Spring. I may have to turn down the load a grain or so because RL25 is sensitive to temp ( its so hot here in the summer of June ) and I was running full steam with it in the mild cool weather between winter and spring last year, last ran it with no pressure at 3225 fps / Lapua brass which was extremely fast. Pressure was at 3260 fps, but backed off for accuracy.
