Handload for .308win 20" barrel 1 in 12 twist...
Got a new rifle, need to work up a handload, where to start?
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Looking for target or hunting loads? 0 -
leeblackman,
Start at the beginning...
Determine what your goals are for these loads.
Use your reloading manuals to get an idea of the powder/bullet selections.
Use the internet to obtain additional load data from the individual powder and bullet makers:
Makers of Powder.
Accurate Powder
These folks offer smokeless powders for all handguns, rifles, and shotguns, for reloading or OEM purposes.
Alliant Powder
Alliant offers reloading data and how-to info, along with several powders for loading shotshells and pistol, revolver, and rifle ammo.
Hodgdon Powder Co.
Hodgdon is one of the gunpowder industry's leaders. This site contains a lot of useful information for the reloader, including a basic reloaders manual.
IMR Smokeless Powders
An old and experienced powder manufacturer, IMR offers shooters a broad, well-known line of smokeless powder.
Ramshot Powders
Ramshot makes several varieties of powder, and offers a downloadable Load Guide. Left side of screen does not scroll on this site, so maximize your browser of you want to see the full menu.
Vihtavuori
This company makes smokeless gunpowder for loading many cartridges.
Winchester Powder (see Hodgdon)
Then when you have your ideas sorted out, tell us where you want to be and we can add our experiences.
Best.
ADDED:
The 1:12" twist rate will handle hunting style bullets up to and including the 185 grain level. This is for standard hunting bullets with flat bases and spitzer shape, not the VLDs or boat tails. As a matter of fact, the 1:13" twist is capable of stabilizing these hunting bullets so long as you stay in the 2650-2700 FPS velocity area.
Best.0 -
With a 1 in 12 twist, it is most likely not going to favor bullets over 168 grain, or at least like them as well as a lighter weight bullet. I would bank that a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip, on top of about 48 grains of Winchester 748, will be a show stopper. Seat the bullet about 0.020" off the lands, or the maximum length your magazine will allow...which ever is shorter.
If you are wanting to use this rifle for deer, go to the Accubond, or Barnes TSX(130 grain, or 150 grain). For Elk, the 165 grain Accubond, or Barnes TSX in 150, or 165 grain.
Best0 -
1:12 is pretty much standard for the .308. Winchester 70's were the first ones and they are 1:12. From what I've read, Remington used 1:10 though I haven't measured mine. It surprised me to learn that cartridges like the .30-30, .300 Savage, and the .308 were mostly 1:12 twist while the bigger, faster cartridges; .30/06 on up, use mostly 1:10.
Most of my .308's shoot well with 43.5 grs. of TAC and 165 gr. Nosler balistic tip bullets. 18.5" barrels produce around 2625 fps and 22-24" barrels give 2700-2725 fps. As usual, start low, etc. Most .308's, I find, shoot well with most anything.0 -
For my M1A I load 165grain sps powder charge of 44.1 grain of imr 4320 with a "coal" of 2.750". I use this load for deer hunting it preforms quite well out to 300 yds. 0 -
Well my rifle is a Remington 700 SPS Tactical. I guess whats considered a lower end precision rifle. But non-the less, I dropped a Leupold 6.5-20mm on it, and want to start working up a good load. There is lots of info online when you google search, but so much so that its literally overwhelming.
nononsense, basically I want to make a good accurate load that will never hit anything but paper. I want something from 100 to 600 yards. I see it to a prelude to my eventual build of a more serious rifle, and longer range shots in the future.0 -
leeblackman,
"basically I want to make a good accurate load that will never hit anything but paper. I want something from 100 to 600 yards. I see it to a prelude to my eventual build of a more serious rifle, and longer range shots in the future."
Excellent!
One comment first.
The Hogue stocks are not the first choice (or 4th for that matter) for rigidity and strength in the forearms area. They exhibit flexing and torquing from a rest or bipod. I hate to suggest this but I would look into one of the laminated finished stocks for the short action Remington M700 in order to make a switch to an inexpensive stock with better characteristics.
Handloading for the .308 Win. is simple. There is a ton of data available online from both the competition folks and the casual bench shooters.
Varget is apparently the choice of the internet experts although I personally detest the stuff. Other choices are:
Re-15
IMR-3031
H-/IMR-4895
AA 2495
V V N-530
I suggest starting with a Sierra Matchking 155 gr. Palma bullet. These are the new breed of 'pointed up' hollowpoints and are seeing some good reviews from shooters. I use them for testing as a baseline in order to have a comparison for other bullets, specifically the VLDs. The Sierras are easily tuned and are available at reasonable prices. There are some articles online which get into the specifics of these bullets.
The Leupold 6.5-20 is a good scope to get you started but you might consider moving up at the later date when you build your best rifle.
Enjoy the process!
Best.
ADDED:
This is a good article:
http://www.appliedballisticsllc.com/index_files/155_Berger_Lapua_Sierra.pdf
Best.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Ambrose
1:12 is pretty much standard for the .308. Winchester 70's were the first ones and they are 1:12. From what I've read, Remington used 1:10 though I haven't measured mine. It surprised me to learn that cartridges like the .30-30, .300 Savage, and the .308 were mostly 1:12 twist while the bigger, faster cartridges; .30/06 on up, use mostly 1:10.
Most of my .308's shoot well with 43.5 grs. of TAC and 165 gr. Nosler balistic tip bullets. 18.5" barrels produce around 2625 fps and 22-24" barrels give 2700-2725 fps. As usual, start low, etc. Most .308's, I find, shoot well with most anything.
I just purchased a new Remington 308 Model 673, it has a 1:10 twist.0 -
With a 1/12 for target loads I would try the 155gr HPBT match bullets by Sierra and to save money the Nosler "seconds" version buying direct from Nosler's web page.
IMO, the Sierra's are a very slight bit more accurate but not enough to justify the almost double the price and in your barrel the Noslers might be better anyway.
For 308 powder I use IMR-4895.
Use the book start loads to be safe and work your way up watching pressure.
Now, if you will only be shooting 100-200 yards you might consider the start load and work down as why increase barrel wear if you are not utilizing the pressure for longer ranges.
Working down on a start load can be safely done with IMR or Hogdon 4895 but I can not recommend other powders.
1/12 should shoot the 150-155gr HPBT match best but all barrels are different and maybe yours will settle on a unique weight.
Only a search using various bullets and powder combinations will give you the answer.
Wulfmann0 -
I realize you said paper and 600 yards but if you're ever interested using that rifle for varmints, 48 grains of Ramshot TAC under a 125 grain Nosler ballistic tip works really well in my buddies new Savage 10 with a 20" barrel and 1:12 twist. 0
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