first 308 loads with shilen barrel

[matts318]

I have a savage model 10 that I put a 26" shilen #7 contour, 1-12" twist, select match barrel on, although I had put a few rounds threw the barrel it was with old 168 gr. loads I had left over and it shot ok. Finally I was able to find a box of the 155 gr. match bullets I wanted to shoot and wow is all I can say. My first batch of handloads for this gun produced consistant groups under a half inch, and one group at 1/4". I am very pleased, this was off a not so good rest with high winds. I know I can get the groups tighter with a little more work but am very happy initially. My load was 46.2 gr. of IMR 4064 in hornady match brass with federal 210m primers and 155gr. match bullets, I cant remember the O.A.L. off the top of my head.

 

[bullet]

With so few rounds through the rifle that really sounds promising. If it is shooting that good now in about another 50 or so rounds it should really be reaching it's stride. Sure is good when things come together. 8)

 

[barge]

:lol: :grin: That has really got to feel sooo good. It is not often you know that early you have a shooter. I have a .270 I bought in high school that we went out and shot just to create fire form brass and sort of break in barrel that our first reload shot where a dime would cover the wholes at 100 yds. It still does almost 40 years later. I did have to change powders but the best projectile then, is still the # 1 projectile now. And no it is not for sell and will not be while am still living. Oh yes I did change stock because after upper twenty years it apparently change and I did not like the stock that much and rather than bed it I replaced it with a B&C stock and went right back to same groups.
Congrats on finding a great combo.

 

[FOTIS]

 

[bullet]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: POP YOU ARE TO FUNNY - I LOVE THOSE SIGNS

 

[JD338]

matts318

You have a shooter for sure,

Once you get the barrel broke in and find your load, it will be real interesting to hear about your groups.

Congratulations on a nice shooting rifle.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

Sounds good! :grin:

 

[FOTIS]

 

[1Shot]

Try 43 grs IMR 4895 with that 155 gr bullet. This is a bug hole shooter in my 308.

 

[1Shot]

POP Question: Why do you keep hitting yourself in the head with that hammer? Answer: Because it feels so good when I stop.

 

[matts318]

sorry its been so long the internet stopped working at my house, I am trying to get my hands on a camera for pics but yes I was very excited and relieved that the money i put into the gun was well spent. My old barrel shot 2" groups at 300 yrd and never shot the groups i got the other day at 100 yrd, with around 2000 reloads threw it to find that load.

I bought this rifle for $400, put a duramax stock on it, a custom tube on it, and a 18 power VX II scope on it and it shoots great, total amount invested in the rifle including initial cost is $1500, oh and my acutriger breaks at 18 oz. :grin:

I have plenty of 4895 so i will for sure try that again, I am taking off all of spring break and will have a whole week to test out loads so I know I will find something that shoots good. Im gonna mess with the seating depth a little before anything else, the real test will be getting it out to 300 yrd and seeing what it can do.

What set up do yall use for a rest? Im trying to find a better system than what I have now. I will post pictures next week also, any other advise will be appreciated

Thanks,
Matt

 

[DrMike]

Matt,

There are any number of commercial rests available, and all work reasonably well. I usually use sandbags my wife makes. She sews them out of denim and I fill them with silica sand because it has no dust. This provides a good steady rest that can be manipulated with a squeeze to move the rifle as needed for shooting.

It sounds as if you have a winner. There is nothing shabby about Savage rifles and Shilen barrels are very good. We'll look forward to further posts with pictures as they become available.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Yes, 4895, is a great powder in the .308.
I've had great luck with blc2 over 150gr AB's, with cci 200 primers. I need to play with the customer competition's a little more.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

Excuse me....BT's, NOT AB's.....I the AB's shoot under 1/2 inch, the BT shoot 1/10 of an inch.

 

[matts318]

thanks i will try the sand bags, i have used them before with good results but was just wondering if theere was something better, i broke my hand so we will see how good i can shoot this week

 

[DrMike]

A broken hand will make it somewhat cumbersome to shoot, depending on the location of the break and the degree of swelling. Trust it does not hinder you too much or cause too much pain. That is no fun.

 

[Alaska]

IMR 4895 @ 43.6
165 Sierra BTHP GameKing
Fed 210M
WW Cases

This load has accounted for many caribou and deer over the years and a good target load.