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.308 tack driver load

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.308 tack driver load was created by Don Gordon

I'm sure a number of you have experimented with different bullets and loads, I'm asking, what have you found to be the most accurate combo of bullet and powder for a .308?
15 years 1 month ago #1176

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Replied by CBnL on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

I like using Winchester brass, Hornady 30503 168 gr BTHP(M) with 48.5 gr of Win760 and a COL of 2.790 and a "Factory" crimp via a LEE Factory Crimp die. I'm right at 2650 fps.
I tried both BTHP and A-Max but the nylon tip of the A-Max could/would get deformed as it was loaded, the BTHP suffered less damage during cycling/loading.
15 years 1 month ago #1219

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Replied by m51chris on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

I have not tried many different bullets, but 44.4 grains of Varget and the 175 grain Sierra match king have worked well for me. I get unexplained fliers with that load, but generally 7 of 10 will go into a 1/2 inch group (100 yards, firing from a bench with improvised rest). The fliers I'm attributing to inconsistent hold...need to keep working on that.

That's quite a contrast to the Indian surplus I tried, which was lucky to make a 5 inch group!


15 years 1 month ago #1280

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Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

Bullet selections are getting limited and very tough to come by these days,these were the only bullets I can get here locally.I have some 125gr Sierra Spitzer lead nose bullets and I found that using 44 gr. of Accurate 2460 powder is a real good load.
I also have some 175 Hornady HP-BT-Match bullets and using 38.5 gr of the Accurate 2460 powder works very well.
I loaded 3 groups of bullets X 2 and test fired these rounds in My AR10 and I also fired them in My M14
Springfield,Loaded, and the loads i listed gave me the best groups at 100 yards.
Things is moving fast now.
What`ll You say when Jesus asks, Why did`nt You read My book ???
15 years 1 month ago #1281

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Replied by CBnL on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

The loads I mentioned earlier give me about 3/4MOA in my bolt action rifle and 1.5 or better in my AR-10(T)
It is all about being consistant. Get you a chronograph to measure the velocity of your rounds.

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I hope this comes out when posted... but you want each bullet to have as close to the same velocity and be as close to the same ~everything~ as possible... that is where your accuracy comes from.
Test # Vel fps Dev off Avg Cartridge Firearm Bullet B.C. Powder Chg gr. C.O.L. Crimp
1 2,660 16 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,644 0 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,618 26 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,627 17 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,638 6 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,645 1 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,654 10 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,648 4 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,648 4 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
1 2,660 16 .308 Win AR10T 30503 168gr BTHP(M) 0.450 Win760 48.5 2.790 Factory
Max 2,660
Min 2,618
Spread 42
Sum 26,442
Avg 2,644
SumDiff 100
AvgDev 10
StdDev 14
15 years 1 month ago #1284

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Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

That is one thing I do`nt have is a Chronograph.NEXT!!
I keep getting these packages coming in from UPS,USPS,FedEx,etc{reloading suppliess,ETC} and the wifey is`nt in a real good humor right now.LOL "Well what do I get" syndrome has hit Her quit hard.
Maby I`d better give it a bit of a cooling off before I get any more packages in the mail,UPS,ETC.
She does`nt understand that after working as a mechanic for over 31 years and am now retired that maby it is time to play just a little.LOL
Things is moving fast now.
What`ll You say when Jesus asks, Why did`nt You read My book ???
15 years 1 month ago #1287

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Replied by CBnL on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

Now lots of people will weigh every component... brass, primers, projectiles, etc... the only thing I do is use a powder trickle to make sure each powder load is as exactly the same as I can... then at the end, I do weight each finished round and group them by weight. Usually I'll have 1, 2, or 3 on each end of 100 that I load up... the rest are right in a nice group that varies only by a few tenths of a grain.
I use a LEE case trimmer to make sure all the brass are exactly the same length and that the neck is square to the centerline of the cartridge. I also use a case neck turner to make sure the case neck is a uniform thickness. Those are two other items that can throw off accuracy.
15 years 1 month ago #1288

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Replied by MrMarty51 on topic Re:.308 tack driver load

CBnL wrote:All of the above helps in getting that very fine accuracy.
I have a friend that uses a dial indicator set up on a bed to check that the bullet is properly aligned with the shell.
I had never seen one of those before and thought it was something He made{which He did}to check His bullets just for shooting the Quigley matches with His 45-110 Sharps but then I have seen them for sale in the various catalogs.
Thats what i`d call getting them right down to the super fine stage.
Things is moving fast now.
What`ll You say when Jesus asks, Why did`nt You read My book ???
Last edit: 15 years 1 month ago by MrMarty51.
15 years 1 month ago #1296

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