Now that I've started down the rabbit hole of reloading for precision rifle, starting a thread to document/share my experiences.  Hopefully more successes than failures, but all good data.  I've found it helps to be able to go back and read experiences at the start of going down a path with shooting (training, LPVO, handgun sights and red dot, etc).  Appreciate help and advice moving forward, as well as hope to just have fun with getting into reloading. 

Initial load testing is primarily to get my feet wet in reloading and get familiar with all of the steps. I am starting with a buddy’s reloading equipment while I supplement here and there (dies, powder thrower, etc) as i gear up to more serious load development. Part of this initial phase is also to fire forming brass in my gun and hopefully get leads on powder combinations that show promise.

Overall goal is consistency at longer ranges, where I’m chasing consistency in the 600-1000 yard window. I have had good success with this particular gun in shooting groups at 100 yards with factory ammo as well as good results in the 300-450 ish range. So I know this gun can shoot at least decent level. Not really chasing uber accuracy like in benchrest, but I do want to see what results I can get with this gun.

these are some good tools to have and at a good price: https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=39698.0
a good set of reliable and repeatable calipers is a must i.e. Mitutoyo or Starrett

these are some good tools to have and at a good price: https://2ahawaii.com/index.php?topic=39698.0
a good set of reliable and repeatable calipers is a must i.e. Mitutoyo or Starrett

Thanks. I have the .308 Precision mic from a buddy (who gave up loading for .308). I also have a range of calipers, including Mitutoyo digital and dial calipers.

4064 with 175 gr SMK and CCI No.200

Target is left to right, top to bottom

1-40.0 gr
Ave 2352
SD 16.1
ES 42

(Not gonna lie, there was a bit of hesitation prior to pulling tigger on the first round, haha)

2-40.5
Ave 2415
SD 19.5
ES 43

3-41.0
Ave 2445
SD 13.8
ES 37

4-41.5
Ave 2487
SD 17.0
ES 45

5-42.0
Ave 2526
SD 13.7
ES 34

Varget with 175 gr SMK and CCI No.200

1-41.0 gr
Ave 2387
SD 15.8
ES 35

2-41.5
Ave 2433
SD 18.7
ES 47

3-42.0
Ave 2457
SD 15.2
ES 36

4-42.5
Ave 2499
SD 14.8
ES 41

5-43.0
Ave 2522
SD 11.5
ES 30

8208 with 175 gr SMK and CCI No.200

1-40.5 gr
Ave 2493
SD 17.0
ES 44

2-41.0
Ave 2530
SD 9.7
ES 25

3-41.5
Ave 2570
SD 19.7
ES 49

4-42.0
Ave 2588
SD 7.0
ES 18

5-42.5
Ave 2621
SD 8.6
ES 19

Shooters World with 175 gr SMK and CCI No.200

The “just as good as Varget” powder

1-40.0 gr
Ave 2303
SD 20.7
ES 54

The first shot was way low and velocity much lower than rear of group.

2-40.5
Ave 2327
SD 25.5
ES 67

3-41.0
Ave 2381
SD 9.4
ES 22

4-41.5
Ave 2467
SD 6.7
ES 15

5-42.0
Ave 2457
SD 10.4
ES 25

I had loaded some Varget 42.0 to shoot after this batch and I had noticed a trend of seating depth varied gradually as the box went along. I’ll go back and recheck/reseat those, but I suspect the seating depths on this batch was off. Dunno if I will revisit this powder when I start the serious load development.

Going to be shooting at a friend’s property in a few weeks for some long(er) range shooting. Loaded up some Varget 42.0 based on results of the initial test and shot some to test prior to that. Will likely load up some 8208. That will get me a good amount of fire formed brass for the next steps in load development.

I have 3031 as well, but will likely stick with Varget and 8208 first. Maybe more 4064 as well.

Going to be shooting at a friend’s property in a few weeks for some long(er) range shooting. Loaded up some Varget 42.0 based on results of the initial test and shot some to test prior to that. Will likely load up some 8208. That will get me a good amount of fire formed brass for the next steps in load development.

I have 3031 as well, but will likely stick with Varget and 8208 first. Maybe more 4064 as well.

tfti

That’s some pretty good shootin’ there slim. 

How do feel about your results? Are you happy or no about them?

That’s some pretty good shootin’ there slim. 

How do feel about your results? Are you happy or no about them?

Thanks! :bow:

Results?  Mixed.  I was pretty happy with the first round, which was 4064 and Varget.  On one hand, I was just looking forward to shooting my reloads and see the results, no matter the outcome.  That they all went boom and no problems was good.  That said, I was pretty pleased to see some promise, particularly with the Varget.  Enough so that I loaded up a bunch for the upcoming range day.  I would ideally have liked more time to get further in my load development, but I decided to load up some.  I wasn't sure if I was going to have time for another loading session.  It looks like I will have time for one more, so will have to decide which one to load up.  Probably the 8208. 

The second round was 8208 and Shooters World.  Maybe I had set my expectations high from the first round, but I was a little disappointed with the results of that day. Particularly with the Shooters World.  Not all the powder as I suspect some (or much) have to do with my loading, especially attention to detail.  I have better components now and some more on the way, so still in the middle of the process of upping our game into the (more) precision loading realm.  Prior to that, my buddy was mostly setup for emphasis on higher volume as opposed to precision. 

Overall, I am enjoying the experience and having fun.  I am excited to see where this goes in many aspects. 

Thanks! :bow:

Results?  Mixed.  I was pretty happy with the first round, which was 4064 and Varget.  On one hand, I was just looking forward to shooting my reloads and see the results, no matter the outcome.  That they all went boom and no problems was good.  That said, I was pretty pleased to see some promise, particularly with the Varget.  Enough so that I loaded up a bunch for the upcoming range day.  I would ideally have liked more time to get further in my load development, but I decided to load up some.  I wasn't sure if I was going to have time for another loading session.  It looks like I will have time for one more, so will have to decide which one to load up.  Probably the 8208. 

The second round was 8208 and Shooters World.  Maybe I had set my expectations high from the first round, but I was a little disappointed with the results of that day. Particularly with the Shooters World.  Not all the powder as I suspect some (or much) have to do with my loading, especially attention to detail.  I have better components now and some more on the way, so still in the middle of the process of upping our game into the (more) precision loading realm.  Prior to that, my buddy was mostly setup for emphasis on higher volume as opposed to precision. 

Overall, I am enjoying the experience and having fun.  I am excited to see where this goes in many aspects.

I don’t have a lot of experience with 8208 and Shooters World. I have heard a lot of good stuff about 8208. And mixed results with Shooters World. I am not surprised with your results with Varget. I have very good results with it. Though not in 308. Keep plugging along and the results will continue to get you closer and closer to your goal.

I don’t have a lot of experience with 8208 and Shooters World. I have heard a lot of good stuff about 8208. And mixed results with Shooters World. I am not surprised with your results with Varget. I have very good results with it. Though not in 308. Keep plugging along and the results will continue to get you closer and closer to your goal.

One of my shooting buddies has had good success with 8208. So if I don't like it, I will have a buyer lined up.   

Varget was a powder that I wanted to get from the start.  Tougher to find here, but I was able to find a decent amount.  TAC and RL15 are the other two that I would like to get my hands on, and N150 as well.  However, those seem even harder to find than Varget, so I'm somewhat leery of trying, end up liking, and can't get. 

Yeah, will keep going for sure.  I haven't even started what I consider the "real" load development yet.  Still waiting on getting all of the equipment that we want for the loading setup.  Have things that will work, but might as well wait a little bit more and have the right (or better) equipment.  I am happy with the initial results though, don't get me wrong. 

can you please change the title of the thread?
i don't read it as dRck on first quick glance

heads

can you please change the title of the thread?
i don't read it as dRck on first quick glance

heads

Don't you have anything better to do?   

Don't you have anything better to do?   

He’s a dentist. So no. 

He’s a dentist. So no. 

not a real doctor

Don't you have anything better to do?   

heads

not a real doctor

Glad you agree.