DPMS LR-308 handloads

tsr1965

May 05, 2009 02:13

I have a DPMS LR-308, with the heavy stainless fluted bull barrel. With the Federal factory match ammo, of the 175 gr. MKHPBT, it is extremely accurate.

I started handloading for it, and am using a 175 grain Sierra MKHPBT, Federal Match Magnum primer, and 48 grains of W760. The gun functions OK, but it seems that the rifle is not quite as accurate with these as it was with the factory ammo. I am thinking that the W760 is a little to slow burning for good consistancy. Should I be using a faster powder like W748?

JustC, nononsense, and sandwarrior...your input please...

Best

EDIT 1:

nononsense,

Nice to hear from you again.

I was considering those A-Max bullets as they will expand on game the way I want them to this fall.

As for the powder, I was trying to stay with a ball type powder that flows nice thru a measure. But I guess we have to do what we must.

Thanks,
Tim

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  nononsense

  May 05, 2009 06:10

  tsr1965,
  
  " I am thinking that the W760 is a little to slow burning for good consistancy."
  
  You're on the right track except that it has less to do with consistency than burn rate and pressure curves, although a case could be made for thinking about that term consistency.
  
  With AR10 platforms, I've gotten better performance from slightly faster burning powders with a particular pressure curve that don't even run at the top end of the pressure range. I also look at the cleanliness of the burned powder. W-760, like it's faster sibling, W-748, burns dirty which contributes to the lesser performance of the platform in general and in the loads specifically.
  
  I really like:
  
  XMR-2495
  
  IMR-3031
  
  V V N-135
  
  All three powders have very similar pressure curves and they all burn within the shorter barrel lengths associated with AR platforms and other battle rifles. They also burn cleaner. I even use these powders in other .308 bolt action rifles because of performance and accuracy.
  
  The 175's have been proving to be a great selection for weight vs velocity and accuracy. You might want to take a crack at some of the newer 155 gr. designs that are out now. Besides the standard Lapau, Berger and Sierra have done some re-design on their older bullets. I get superb performance from the A-Max as well. Lapua is still the best from my records and experience but they are difficult to get occasionally.
  
  Best.

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  hdcolt51

  May 05, 2009 06:35

  What about IMR 4895 and H335?

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  quickmajik

  May 05, 2009 09:29

  Jus thought you'd like to know that mag pul now makes P-mags that will fit your DPMS $20.00
  
  http://store.a51tactical.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1902

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  GUTSS

  May 05, 2009 21:53

  I recently switched from 168grn to 175grn Sierra BTHP's. I worked up various loads and found that my LR.308 liked most of them. Here is the results of my load test. I used GMM brass, CCI#34 primners, and no neck work. The brass is now on it's third firing and still preformed well.
  I jerked the first shot in this group.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  As you can tell, there is a little pilot error involved(my eyes are old)and some of the groups could have been better if I did my job.
  Hope this helps.[:)]

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