Need to feed my new Remington 700

smokindog

smokindog

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Fortunately, the rifle powder I have is well suited to the .308 rounds I want to assemble.

I just ordered some brass from Xtreme
308 Win Primed Brass

and the shell plate and dies I'll need for my LNL.

Most of the ranges around here don't like FMJ ammunition for rifles.

What bullets and sources do folks recommend for 308?
 
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Congrats on the new 700, which version did you get? Not sure what to recommend for non-FMJ bullets. The 168gr. variety is a popular weight for the 1in12 twist barrels.
 
Been shooting .308 Winchester for years. Have fired it in Rem. 700's, K-98 Israeli Mauser, various M-1 Garands and M-1A's. Have had extremely good results with the following load. Remington brass, once fired, trimmed and cleaned. Federal Gold Medal LR primers. Winchester 748 powder. Bullets... I've fired a pile of plain old Remington 150 gr. PSP's. In my Rem. 700 SF-VS they averaged .78 MOA firing five groups of five shots each. This bullet has given equally good results in my M-1 and M-1A rifles. Consult up to date reloading manuals for a recommended powder charge. I will say that using 748 and 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips, I had 10 shot strings that ran down right at .5 MOA. Of course all firing was from a good solid rest w/ sandbags, etc. On thing I very much like about 748 is that when one loads to standard ball level velocities, the gas pressure at the gas port is appropriate for function of a M-1 Garand. HTH. Sincerely. bruce.
 
Presumably from the bench, and don't know what powder you have pre-chosen.

IMR4064 or N140 + Sierra 168gr or Lapua 167gr works well for me.

Just a thought - I "broke in" my 308 with a box of FGMM 168, Lapua Match 167, and Nosler (I forget what their match is called, but you can probably forget it too lol). FGMM and Lapua both shot noticeably better than Nosler from my rifle.

Since FGMM is 168gr Sierra + IMR4064, it was then not much of a surprise to find a handload that worked even better in my rifle with those components. The Lapua 167s seem to shoot a bit better - maybe because they cost more lol, or maybe because they are ever so slightly more consistent.

Point is you might consider shooting a box of FGMM - most times it can establish a reasonable index of how well your rifle is going to shoot.

ETA: Last 5-shot group at 300yds last month was 1.24" with 43.5gr IMR4064 and Lapua 167s, Lapua brass, Win LRP. But the rifle is a good part of that result.
 
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I guess I made a statement about "well suited powders" based on the Hodgdon website. Mistake to have not asked :)

I've got on hand in quantity
  • Benchmark
  • BLC(2)
  • CFE223
  • Clays
  • H322
  • H335
  • and a few other partial pounds from the great powder expo of the past couple years :)
 
smokindog said:
I guess I made a statement about "well suited powders" based on the Hodgdon website. Mistake to have not asked :)

I've got on hand in quantity
  • Benchmark
  • BLC(2)
  • CFE223
  • Clays
  • H322
  • H335
  • and a few other partial pounds from the great powder expo of the past couple years :)
Click to expand...
From this list I'd personally start with CFE223.
 
My Favorite .308 round is 175 Sierra Match King being pushed by N140 or NORMA 202 powder. You will need to experiment to find what load works best for your rifle. I will say that I have had better luck shooting closer to max powder charges then mins.
 
Are you targeting or hunting?

My SPS Tactical (I hate that word) loves 168 SMK's and IMR4895, and 175 SMK's with IMR4064 and 2000MR, 150 SMK's with IMR3031 and 4895.
168 AMAX with N140 and 8208XBR, and a few more combo's that shoot in the .5's

It's a 700, not too hard to make 'em shoot. Usually.
 
Targets primarily
Mad_Charlie said:
Are you targeting or hunting?

My SPS Tactical (I hate that word) loves 168 SMK's and IMR4895, and 175 SMK's with IMR4064 and 2000MR, 150 SMK's with IMR3031 and 4895.
168 AMAX with N140 and 8208XBR, and a few more combo's that shoot in the .5's

It's a 700, not too hard to make 'em shoot. Usually.
Click to expand...
 
WOW!!! Talk about thread drift! (Hate that thread!) OP asks specifically about bullets, and he is given everything about favorite powders, charges, port pressure for gas operated actions (He has a Model 700, a bolt actionfor heck sake! What does port pressure help him with?) Why can't anyone ever directly answer the question that is asked????

Smokin' Dog,

Unfortunately "targets" really isn't really helpful. If you will be shooting paper targets at normal 100 yds then virtually any bullet will probably do well enough. If you are looking for extreme precision (Bench Rest type groups) then no bullet will give you that in your rifle. What I would suggest would be any jacketed bullet in the 150-168 gr. range, from any major manufacturer, it really won't make much difference which specific bullet or make. You will only be able to decide by what gives the best results in your rifle. Yes, it sounds a bit cliche', but it is still true! What is best in my, or anyone else's, rifle may be lousy in yours. There is no way to predict this.
 
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Alk is right. The 700 is a hunting rifle, the model you have. There
is no point in buying expensive match bullets. Also are you using
this rifle only for recreational shooting at range? That narrows it
down even more. No need to pay for premium hunting bullets.
I've had about all the U.S. Bolt guns in 308,still have a few. I
have found most do best with 150gr/170gr, and I still use 4895
Powder.
 
Thanks guys!

My ask is pretty simple (I think)!

I don't want to be spending $0.70+ per round for range ammo.

Most of the ranges around here don't allow FMJ for rifles.

Looking for a bullet and source that folks use which is not FMJ so I can reload range rounds. What I'll "typically be shooting" I'm sure will change as I begin to use this weapon. It's my first bolt and my first 308.

I've listed the powders I have but will buy others if these prove "inadequate". I just want to get the process going. So far I've only shot a couple rounds of Perfecta Soft Point from Walmart. I really wasn't doing anything but focusing on operating the gun.

If the answer is "I need to try a bunch of different things" then that's great! Isn't that why we reload?

This group is always informative and never predictable :)
 
The best bullet would be the cheapest bullet Midway, Graffs, etc has on sale. For general shooting, you could get by with lighter bullets with the upside you will be battered less by recoil.
 
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Alk8944 said:
WOW!!! Talk about thread drift! (Hate that thread!) OP asks specifically about bullets, and he is given everything about favorite powders, charges, port pressure for gas operated actions (He has a Model 700, a bolt actionfor heck sake! What does port pressure help him with?) Why can't anyone ever directly answer the question that is asked????

Smokin' Dog,

Unfortunately "targets" really isn't really helpful. If you will be shooting paper targets at normal 100 yds then virtually any bullet will probably do well enough. If you are looking for extreme precision (Bench Rest type groups) then no bullet will give you that in your rifle. What I would suggest would be any jacketed bullet in the 150-168 gr. range, from any major manufacturer, it really won't make much difference which specific bullet or make. You will only be able to decide by what gives the best results in your rifle. Yes, it sounds a bit cliche', but it is still true! What is best in my, or anyone else's, rifle may be lousy in yours. There is no way to predict this.
Click to expand...

Thread drift! No way!!! You hate it? I created it. I still feel the same way as you do.

Your info is spot on. Thanks
 
For near match grade .308 ammo, I have always used 42 gr. of IMR-4895, CCI std Large Rifle Primer and 165 Sierra Game King's....165 Hornady and Noslers substitue work just as well for my rifles

(they are nearly as accurate as Sierra 168 Match Kings.)

This load replicates Lake City M852 Match, and Federal Gold Medal Match.
I have found that if your rifle won't shoot this load...your rifle isn't going to shoot!

Randy
 
A little thread drift of my own

Thanks for the input so far! Really enjoy the guidance folks provide. I'm still reading before I even think of pulling the handle on my LNL for the first time for 308. I've loaded 223 wo/problems along with 9, 40, 45, and 45C (1873 Uberti revolver and carbine).

The dies I purchased for my LNL have a full length sizing die (Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Dies & Die Accessories :: Custom Grade Rifle Dies :: 308 Win :: 308 Win (.308) 2-Die Set). While reading, I found this quote from Hornady about their neck sizing die:
Neck sizing with this die can eliminate problems of excessive head space, and align the bullet perfectly with the bore, resulting in better accuracy and longer case life. Should only be used for bolt-action rifle cases. Auto-loading, lever and pump action rifles usually require full-length resizing.​
Should I pick up a neck sizing die to use when loading for my 700 ADL? Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Reloading :: Metallic Reloading :: Dies & Die Accessories :: Custom Grade Rifle Dies :: Neck Size Dies :: 30 Cal Neck Size Die (.308) 1 Each

OH, I also realized I forgot to get LR primers :) Plan to pick up some S&B while they are on sale at Cabelas this weekend. Fortunately, part of my "learn a little at a time on my progressive press philosophy" is to start with primed and prepped brass and I purchased these - 308 Win Primed Brass

Based on some discussion with a guy I've gotten to know at Cabelas (he loads for the same exact firearm), I bought a pound of IMR4064 to try but will also try my other powders listed. Like other parts of the anatomy, I'm finding a large array of opinion on which of my "in stock" powders to try first. His preference of what I have would be the H335!!! Fortunately, he said what everyone else has said, "mine likes this, yours may like something else!!!".

I've picked up 100 each (20% off at Cabelas made them cheaper than online!)

  1. Hornady 165gr BTSP - Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .308 30 CAL :: 30 Cal .308 165 gr InterLock® BTSP
  2. Hornady 180gr BTSP - Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .308 30 CAL :: 30 Cal .308 180 gr InterLock® BTSP
  3. Hornady 165gr SP - Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .308 30 CAL :: 30 Cal .308 165gr InterLock® SP
  4. Hornady 180gr SP - Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Bullets :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: .308 30 CAL :: 30 Cal .308 180gr InterLock® SP
  5. Hornady 150gr SP (free with Die purchase) - http://www.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-150-gr-SP/
 
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What bullets and sources do folks recommend for 308?[/QUOTE]

Give a look at Hornady SST. Plastic tip to make your range happy and they are cheap, at least compared to premium bullets.
 
Glad you got a selection of bullets, now my only question is--did you use your $10 off Cabela's coupon too? :)
 
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