Range Day with the new rifle

[Osprey78]

So, Nosler06 and I went to the range today. I made up some loads for my Savage 10 .308 which consisted of loads in 1/2 grain increments from 42-46 grains, Nosler HPBT Custom competitions in 168 grain, Nosler Brass and CCI 200 primers.

Not very proficient in the length of the round itself. Luckily, Nosler06 had a couple of Factory custom rounds that I set my die to.

Mounted on the rifle is a 4-12x40 Redfield Revolution with the Accurange Reticle. I wasn't too sure on this reticle when I first bought it, however I am actually quite impressed with it. I would prefer a little bit more of a scope, however this is the one that can get me shooting at the moment. The other one I would like is not in the budget right now.

I had shot this rifle only once before (well 20 times actually) with a box of Remington Factory Core Lokts, however the store only had 150 grains.

You'll see with the first target that the holes are quite low, that's because I was aiming in the centre which the 150's were dialed into. The remaining strings I aimed higher, therefore they are on target.

There is a couple of pages you'll see a red streak...let's just say the stapler and I now have an understanding...

I did not Chrony these...but I will after I work up the load that seemed to work best for me.

Also you'll notice that on the first 6 I believe, there is a flyer. The last 3...I didn't clean my barrel in between. I notice that with my .300 WinMag as well if I clean my barrel the first shot is always a flyer... I didn't measure the flyer in with the groups today, as I know that those were my first shots with a clean barrel.

All shots at 200 yards.

The crowd all gathered for an outing...



At the range, only 3' of snow left or so...not too bad. Temperature was 1 degree C when we arrived, and was 6 degrees C when we left.



42 grains Varget- Eeesh... The other 2 were below the target itself about 1" and 1 1/2"...they are marked with small arrows at the bottom of the page.



42.5 Grains Varget-



43 Grains Varget-



43.5 Grains Varget-



44 Grains Varget-



44.5 grains Varget-



45 grains Varget-



45.5 Grains Varget-



46 grains Varget-



Soooo......

Although the groups are tighter on the 42.5 grain and43 grain target, I think I am going to try and work with the load on the 45.5 Grain target. It shows promise and also velocity. I know, I know speed isn't everything but there is less drop with a faster bullet. Keep in mind, this is pretty much a "dial in the load, target practice (informal), type hobby rifle.

Thanks for looking.

 

[DrMike]

That is some very encouraging work. You should be able to make some fine loads from that data. Glad to see you have some warmer weather. It got up to -4 here today. Still, that is pretty nice.

 

[Guy Miner]

Cool. I usually run 165's and 168's up around 45 - 46 gr Varget.

The .308 as you've already seen, can be very accurate. Some of those are really quite good 200 yard groups! Good shooting.

 

[1Shot]

The first round out of a clean bore is not a flyer. It is just where your rifle shoots with a clean bore. That is the reason that you should always zero on a fouled bore and hunt, shoot etc. on a fouled bore unless you are willing to clean your bore before EVERY shot.

 

[JD338]

Nice work.
Once you get your load, try seating the bullet deeper in .005" increments to tighten up your groups even more.

JD338

 

[Osprey78]

The first round out of a clean bore is not a flyer. It is just where your rifle shoots with a clean bore. That is the reason that you should always zero on a fouled bore and hunt, shoot etc. on a fouled bore unless you are willing to clean your bore before EVERY shot.

Ahh...when put that way, it makes sense.

Thanks guys for the feedback.

 

[nvbroncrider]

My brothers 308 AR-10 shoots the 168 CC into .5" groups with 47 gr of IMR 4350 if I remember the load right loaded to mag length. It's pretty sweet.

 

[sask boy]

Thanks Osprey, for the photos and the range report. You have a good start there and I believe in no time at all you will have it dialed in :wink:!

Blessings,
Dan

 

[nosler06]

Hey what in the world is the red smudge on the one target? I will upload some target photos, but are not as impressive. It was fun and couldn't of asked for better weather.

 

[Osprey78]

Hey what in the world is the red smudge on the one target? I will upload some target photos, but are not as impressive. It was fun and couldn't of asked for better weather.

Ha! you know exactly what that was.

 

[SJB358]

45.5 grains of Varget looks real good to me. I would think the speed should be right in the 308's sweet spot and with a little seating depth work, they should be incredible.

 

[Osprey78]

45.5 grains of Varget looks real good to me. I would think the speed should be right in the 308's sweet spot and with a little seating depth work, they should be incredible.

So JD338 was saying to back it off in .005" increments. here's the thing... I have no idea of where the bullets are in regards to the lands, as i just used some factory Nosler customs to guage the length by.

I can see an OAL guage in my future though.

 

[wildgene]

45.5 grains of Varget looks real good to me. I would think the speed should be right in the 308's sweet spot and with a little seating depth work, they should be incredible.

So JD338 was saying to back it off in .005" increments. here's the thing... I have no idea of where the bullets are in regards to the lands, as i just used some factory Nosler customs to guage the length by.

I can see an OAL guage in my future though.

...there's a formula you can use to convert threads/in. to 1/1000", but in the meantime, if you just move your seating screw a 1/4 turn, do it consistently & keep track of how many times you change your seating depth, you can find your sweet spot...

 

[Osprey78]

OK Thanks, and correct me if i am wrong, but the closer to the lands the better, right?

 

[nvbroncrider]

Yes but each rifle has it's sweet spot with each bullet so it may end up different. That bullet may like close or it may want a jump only work with the rifle will tell you. It appears that you have the classic 2 in 1 out so if you load a set with a certain powder charge at varying COALs you will see a change of accuracy. Pick the the that is best and your done. There was a really good post recently about it.

 

[sask boy]

Hey Osprey, how west is west Kootenays? My son played for the ICE for awhile but got traded.
There used to be a Taxidermist in Cranbrook that grew up in the same neighbourhood as I did back here in Regina. He went to school with my younger sister. Wilf was a avid outdoors man and I have been advised that he is a half decent taxidermist.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[nosler06]

Ahh Cranbrook. When did your son play for the Ice? My son who is 15 follows the WHL would prob know who he is. Where is he playing now?

 

[Osprey78]

Hey Osprey, how west is west Kootenays? My son played for the ICE for awhile but got traded.
There used to be a Taxidermist in Cranbrook that grew up in the same neighbourhood as I did back here in Regina. He went to school with my younger sister. Wilf was a avid outdoors man and I have been advised that he is a half decent taxidermist.

Blessings,
Dan

PM Sent

 

[hunting1]

My Savage 10's, plural shoot best with 45-gr of Varget. I would suggest you check your torque on the bolts. Your groups should do better. Just trying to help but I have 3-different Savage model 10's in 308 and one shot similar to your groups and it got worlds better when I re did the torque settings.

I tried to find the instructions but if you google Savage Torque you will pull up a wealth of articles and procedures.

 

[Osprey78]

My Savage 10's, plural shoot best with 45-gr of Varget. I would suggest you check your torque on the bolts. Your groups should do better. Just trying to help but I have 3-different Savage model 10's in 308 and one shot similar to your groups and it got worlds better when I re did the torque settings.

I tried to find the instructions but if you google Savage Torque you will pull up a wealth of articles and procedures.

Thanks I will try that but keep in mind. A lot of the variance is probably me, the shooter.