New load work up for hunting rifle

cjmac

cjmac

Beginner
Mar 24, 2026
171
121
Morning . Hot wifes rifle sorted out now for mine... its a old gen1 ruger american 308 . It used to shoot 43gr varget with sierra btsp pretty good . Then all the sudden it dont anymore . Cleaned barrel , checked rings , bases , action screws. Nothing !
Maby the scope is gone bad ? Either way im replacing it cause the turrets have gotten hard to turn and theres slop in them before it catches the next click. If that makes sense.
Id like to make the load better anyways ..
How would yall recommend finding a load that will be decent at 100 yards without having to load tons of ammo? If possible?

Iv always loaded 3 at each charge weight in book by half grain increment. Seat bullet to fit magazine. Shoot them and pick smallest group

I have had to thought of starting about mid-range charge weight because I have never found a good load that was at the minimum for the maximum.
 
Bummer on the groups gone sour. You've already checked off the common things to look for. Some things I'll add. How many rounds down the barrel? Did it foul much from bullet? If so make sure it's really clean. I've found that 45-46 grs of Varget with 150gr bullets gives good accuracy in my 308. Might try bumping up the powder charge. Have you tried any other powders or bullet weights? If changing scopes doesn't cure your problem try these suggestions.

Do you have a conograpgh? It helps checking speeds when trying different loads one each half grain difference. Look for the loads closest together without a big jump in velocity. Works for me.
 
I do have a chrono but didnt take it that day .. i might try bump the charge weight up some 43 gr worked ok a while back but maby it wasnt what it really liked ?

So this is going to sound crazy but.. thinking about it the last time I cleaned this hunting rifle that I'm having an accuracy problem with. I couldn't get a 30 caliber patch on a Jag to start down the barrel. I had to go down and Patch size, it just hut me could that be heavy carbon build up ?? If so how do I check without a borescope and how do i get rid of it !!!!
 
You just need the patch to be sung not straining to push through the bore. Try using a 284 diameter jag or thinner patch on your 308 jag. Nylon brush passed thru few times. What cleaner are you using. I like BoreTec and WipeOut.
 
wvbuckbuster said:
You just need the patch to be sung not straining to push through the bore. Try using a 284 diameter jag or thinner patch on your 308 jag. Nylon brush passed thru few times. What cleaner are you using. I like BoreTec and WipeOut.
Click to expand...
It was fine on my other 2 rifles . But this one wouldnt think of going through or even start ... I have boertech eliminator and there copper solvent I think
 
cjmac said:
I I don't know much about carbon ring in a barrel could that be what's going on?
Click to expand...
Possibly. Runs patches till no more black( carbon-powder reside) shows up, comes out clean. Brush a few strokes with a copper remover, let soak for about 20 minutes. Push a clean patch through the bore and if blue is on the patch repeat until there isn't any. Pretty much it.
 
wvbuckbuster said:
Possibly. Runs patches till no more black( carbon-powder reside) shows up, comes out clean. Brush a few strokes with a copper remover, let soak for about 20 minutes. Push a clean patch through the bore and if blue is on the patch repeat until there isn't any. Pretty much it.
Click to expand...
Well I home its just the scope but im clean the barrel again good . Maby its not clean enough. Im lost at this point lol
 
If it improves after the barrel cleaning, great.
If no improvement, try a different scope to see of there is more going on in that scope, as it doesn't sound good from your description.

I always load 5 rounds for each charge weight in 1/2 gr increments up to max. If I get sticky bolt lift or other pressure signs then I stop before getting to max. Should I have a called pulled shot, I can still provide a 3 shot group.
For years prior to getting a chrony, I trusted this method. Now that I have had a chrony for several years, and now a Garmin, I get to judge by also looking at velocities and ES/SD., but do not use this info alone.
 
Blkram said:
If it improves after the barrel cleaning, great.
If no improvement, try a different scope to see of there is more going on in that scope, as it doesn't sound good from your description.

I always load 5 rounds for each charge weight in 1/2 gr increments up to max. If I get sticky bolt lift or other pressure signs then I stop before getting to max. Should I have a called pulled shot, I can still provide a 3 shot group.
For years prior to getting a chrony, I trusted this method. Now that I have had a chrony for several years, and now a Garmin, I get to judge by also looking at velocities and ES/SD., but do not use this info alone.
Click to expand...
The scope if very suspicious right now lol . It might be ok but I may replace it anyways .. wish I could post the video of the turrets I took but it wont allow video on here
 
I’ve spent way too much of my life cleaning rifle barrels. Best way to avoid carbon build up is to avoid carbon build up. My opinion Boreteck eliminator is a pretty good product. I have gone thru a couple of 16 oz bottles in the last year. The other Bore Teck Products are redundant and I recently got rid of a bottle of Carbon remover and what was left of a small bottle of copper remover.
The eliminator will certainly slow your carbon build up and does a good job with copper, but I don’t want to spend that much time scrubbing carbon. If I want to get to bare metal I was adding Isso to the brush along with eliminator as a carrier. Run that thru the bore 5 or 10 times and you’ll be amazed how dark it gets.
Couple months ago I saw Carbout sitting on the shelf at my local gun store. It was expensive but it does work, even being retired my time has value. Compared to anything else I’ve tried it is a good value.
I clean guns when Catherine has me busy on the farm. Set the rifle up give it a good soaking with Bore Teck. Go mow the lawn or fire up the chain saw or wash a couple windows, till the bottom pasture-what ever my lovely bride needs done. Walk thru the shop periodically and run two or three patches thru the rifle and let it soak.
Some times over night, bore teck you don’t have to worry about.
When I have a little time to devote to the rifle I’ll pull out the Carbout and finish the barrel off. I don’t think I want to leave carb out soaking for too long. It does work.
Witches brew is recommended by Pac Nor for cleaning during the recommended break in process. I havn’t tried it yet but may on my next re=barrel.
 
Last edited:
wvbuckbuster said:
Possibly. Runs patches till no more black( carbon-powder reside) shows up, comes out clean. Brush a few strokes with a copper remover, let soak for about 20 minutes. Push a clean patch through the bore and if blue is on the patch repeat until there isn't any. Pretty much it.
Click to expand...
Im try pick up a scope on way home today also . .. try same load again, might bump the charge up and down a little with few extra rounds see if it helps the grouping at all later ..

My wifes 308 and target 308 seemed to like the 150gr bullets in the 2600-2700fps range . Im using 43gr of varget right now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AMMUNITIONAmmunition BULLETSBullets BRASSBrass FirearmsFirearms GearGear
Back
Top