308 win loads

[corbin9191]

Ok, I finally got some powder and some bullets to reload in my 308 win and the load consists of 46 grains of IMR 4064 and a 168 grain hornady A-max bullet and a CCI br-2 primer. I shot it for groups today and the groups were horrible. They were around 3 inches at 100 yards. So I think the seating depth needs to be played with, but I don't know where to start. So the question that I am wondering is where should I start the OAL at? Should I start it at the lands? Thanks

 

[Desert Fox]

I assumed the rifle shoots great and no issue there. If this is the case, try seating the bullet almost touching the land and watch for pressure sign. Also try another brand of powder if you have any. I have good luck with Varget, Reloader 15 and BLC-2. 308 is not a picky cartridge to reload. You should not have any problem finding load.

 

[corbin9191]

The gun has shot great with store rounds. But I will try to seat the bullet at the lands and start working my way from there.

 

[rick smith]

With the short action the loaded rounds have to fit the magazine and not be into the lands. More than likely, the rounds just off the lands will not fit the magazine. Set them to fit the magazine and work with different powders.Rick.

 

[Desert Fox]

Your max COAL is 2.875" This should clear any short action magazine. A-Max has secant ogive. Treat it as if they are VLD's. It's shoot better if they're seated close to the land. My 308 was throated for 175 grain SMK bullet but I cannot seat the 155 grain Scenar more than 2.840 before it touches the land. As a matter of fact, I seat it at 2.833 and still has room left on the HS Detachable magazine. If your rifle won't shoot the A-Max, try the SMK or the Nosler Competition. I'm pretty sure one of those bullet would work.