Load Workup for .308: Seeking Advice

[RangeHot]

I’m currently working on a load workup for my .308 Remington 700. I’ve been testing different powders and bullet weights, trying to find that sweet spot. Would love to hear what others are using and any tips on fine-tuning load development.

 

[Beavis1971]

What are you loading for? Match shooting or hunting? What ranges?

 

[geneva74_]

Id do a ladder test first. It's pretty simple, you just load up some different powder charges and see how they perform. You want to keep an eye out for tight groups and make sure the velocity is consistent.

 

[choprzrul]

308 Win + 137gr Hammer Hunters + H322 powder + Lapua brass + Fed 210 match primers.

Started at 43.2gr and went up firing 1 shot at 1% powder increase increments until I found signs of pressure. Backed off 1/2 grain and fired 2 more into a group that went .33" and an SD of 5.20. 20" barrel is giving me 3053 fps average. Compact Ruger M77. Expect at least 25 fps per 1" of barrel length if you have a barrel over 20".

 

[waveslayer]

Ladder tests are old school and are not productive. Do a good OCW test.

Depends on a lot. Barrel twist for bullet you want to run. What powder do you have on hand, brass and primers.

175 are the go to. Under Varget. Lots of data. Are you target shooting or hunting

 

[KonoctisWigwam]

175 are the go to. Under Varget. Lots of data. Are you target shooting or hunting

I agree Varget is a safe bet on powder, but I also found that IMR 8208 XBR to be a good substitute, and it meters much better than Varget. Neither of these powders are cheap these days, but I'm lucky to have about 6-8 lbs. of each.

I wanted to mention that 175s are not the goto for all rifles. I have a 308 that likes the 168s better. These days I shoot 6.5 Creedmoor over 308, so it's kind of moot. The 150s and 168s shoot fine in 300 WM or 300 WSM.

Don't get me wrong, 308 is a great round, easy to load for, and a lot of powder that works well. I was just getting bored with it... I have some Cutting Edge 165 grainers that I may try in 308... Most of what I was reloading for 308 previously was SMKs, the 168s shoot better in my rifle. Now, I've switched to copper as I can't use lead for hunting, and that is my primary focus these days.

 

[waveslayer]

4064 is good, XBR, H4895, BLC2, the list is so long