178 grain A-Max for 308 Winchester

[Desert Fox]

This is the heaviest bullet I've tried on my 308 Win Tactical rifle. I thought the 12 twist is not enough to stabilize the 178 A-Max. Boy, was I surprised. I've tried two different powder that I had on hand. I loaded 5 each using Varget starting from 39.5, 40.0, 40.5, and 41. BLC-2 at 40.0, 40.5 and 41.0 respectively.

I set-up the sky screen of my chronograph only to find out that I left the module at home . I hate when that happen. I'm glad there's another fellow member shooting besides me that brought a chrono. He let me fire two rounds thru' it.

Here's my result: These are all 3 shot group @ 100 meters unless noted.

I also re-installed the 338 Lapua Improved barrel on my SSG rifle and shoot it a couple of times just to zeroed it for the upcoming 1000 yard shoot next month. For his trouble, I let the gentleman that has the chronograph shoot the 338. I handed him 3 rounds but he elected to shoot only 2 rounds. He is a retired Air Force Vietnam Vet. To my surprised the 2 bullet went into the same hole. He shot at the upper left target.

 

[DrMike]

Rommel, Those are enviable groups. You are in the zone, my friend. Congratulations!

 

[SJB358]

Awesome groups DF!

 

[Desert Fox]

The rifle just plain shoot. My goal is 2600 fps. I attained it easily without pressure whatsoever. These are all starting load according to Hodgdon. I can easily push this thing to 2700 with no sweat. Any of these load will work just fine. Darn, and I'm about giving up on 308.

 

[Desert Fox]

Went back to the range Sunday with the wifey for much needed practice and also for further load testing and fine tuning of the 178 grain A-Max for the 308. I used my IMI match brass now that I know the 178 will work. The IMI is a bit lighter than the PMC that I use in the previous range session. I also switched primer, using Federal 210M instead of Winchester WLR that I used on the PMC load.

I duplicated the 40 grain Varget load from the previous day shoot and fired 10 deliberate shot at the target 200 yards away while recording the velocity with my chrono at the same time. The average velocity I was getting was 2568 fps, 50 fps less than the PMC load, but the accuracy however was outstanding. All 10 shot clustered less than an inch at 200. I'm so excited with this load that I may try them at 1K.

 

[DrMike]

You have every reason to be excited with that load; it is superb. Good job, Rommel.

 

[laylandad]

Wow! Very impressive. Is this a custom rig or factory?

 

[Desert Fox]

You have every reason to be excited with that load; it is superb. Good job, Rommel.

Thanks DrMike. I will bump the load incrementally until I get to the magic number of 2600. I don't think I need any more faster than that. If this load perform well at 600 yards, I will definitely use it at 1K. I'm dreading using my 338. My shoulder remembered the unpleasant experience the last time I used the rifle at the match. :?

 

[DrMike]

I will bump the load incrementally until I get to the magic number of 2600. I don't think I need any more faster than that. If this load perform well at 600 yards, I will definitely use it at 1K. I'm dreading using my 338. My shoulder remembered the unpleasant experience the last time I used the rifle at the match.

I believe that .308 will work just fine. It is certainly performing for you and your form is obviously excellent.

 

[Desert Fox]

Wow! Very impressive. Is this a custom rig or factory?

Hi' LL, it's a custom Tactical rifle built by a local smith here in Southern Cal.

Here's the Spec.

Remington 700 ( Blueprinted )
AICS Chassis 1.5
Pac-Nor 3 grove Supermatch 12 twist MTU contour
IOR 3X18X42 MP-8 Reticle
IOR 35 MM Rings
Leupold MK4 20 MOA Picatinny rail
Teflon Coated Barreled Action
Gruning Precision Tactical Bolt knob
40X Trigger set at 1.5 lbs
Tubbs oversized recoil lug

 

[laylandad]

Very nice! I'm practically drooling!

 

[russ808]

Rommel
Good shooting. Really good shooting.
Russ

 

[Guy Miner]

I've read this topic with great interest two or three times now, and have started to reply a couple of times.

But doggone, DF, you really said it all with that fine shooting of yours. Thumbs Up!

Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Rommel

Those things are scary accurate!

 

[Desert Fox]

I've read this topic with great interest two or three times now, and have started to reply a couple of times.

But doggone, DF, you really said it all with that fine shooting of yours. Thumbs Up!

Guy

Guy, you with your Green Machine knows what this cartridge is capable of. I showed Jim the target last Saturday and even he was pumped.

 

[CMBTshooter]

DF,

What range do you shoot at?

 

[Desert Fox]

DF,

What range do you shoot at?

I shoot at West End Gun Club.
http://www.wegc.org/wordpress/

 

[CMBTshooter]

Sweet range! A little far out of the way for me as I live by the port.

Nice groups and an especially nice rifle. I like the teflon coated barrel.

 

[Desert Fox]

Pedro or Long Beach?

I use to live in San Pedro.

 

[CMBTshooter]

I live in San Pedro. What a wonderful place.