Has anyone has had any experience with these weights? Doing a new load development for a Bartlein 26” .308 1-10 twist. I have both of these weights in 500/box each. One of those panic buys I did lol. Anyways, I know there’s a ton of info on this two on the web, wondering if anyone shot them. And I can’t find any small rifle prime .308 brass. I guess ideally for pushing the Palmas at high mv?

reloaded and shot both but not at 1000 yds

Has anyone has had any experience with these weights? Doing a new load development for a Bartlein 26” .308 1-10 twist. I have both of these weights in 500/box each. One of those panic buys I did lol. Anyways, I know there’s a ton of info on this two on the web, wondering if anyone shot them. And I can’t find any small rifle prime .308 brass. I guess ideally for pushing the Palmas at high mv?

I have shot the 175 gr SMK with my previous Rem 300 .308 (20" and 1-10 twist) out to around 1000-1100.  I still have a bunch 175 gr and 168 gr SMK.  However, I am currently in process load development with new rifles with Bartlein 26" M24 .308 1-10 twist and 168 gr Berger Hybrids.  I also have a couple of different Berger 175 gr bullets, which are very similar to the 175 gr SMK (dimensions, BCs, etc). 

I gave away my Rem 700 .308, but I still have the load data for it.  For both rifles, I've been using Lapua LRP brass.  Mostly because I have LRPs, and SRPs are near impossible to find.  If you want to try some Lapua LRP brass, I have 200 that I had set aside for my Rem 700, but no longer need it.  So it's currently a backup stash. 

I'm about 120 rounds with the new .308.  With powder test coming next.  I also have load development starting for my 6.5 creedmoor as well, for the same purpose of shooting steel in the 600-1000 ish range.  I'm probably going to be focusing more on the 6.5 creedmoor, but .308 won't be far behind. 

Thanks.. I’m thinking I’m gonna go with the 175. On the ballistic calc, the 155 Palma’s has roughly 4 feet less drop then the 175 smk out to a grand. But the thing is, I would have to push the 155’s to at least 2900 vs 2700 on the 175. That’s 6.5 creed territory, and thats 6.5 creed barrel life. Though, 155 would be better on recoil I guess. Since I have to zero my rifle first and fire form the first batch of 50. I’m thinking I’m just gonna do 25 each of SAMMI rounds first. To try recoil and get a ball part on speed before actual load data. Once I get a good load, then I’ll input it to the Kestrel.  So it begins…

Where are you getting your velocity targets from? By amount of projected drop? Or other considerations, like transonic flight? Just curious.

For my 26” Bartlein M24 barrels, I’m pretty sure I’m past the speed up phase.

With Varget, I was getting around 2650/2650 fps with about 0.6 gr buffer to book max load.

RL15 was getting around 2600 fps with 0.3 gr buffer to max load.

8209 was getting around 2740 fps with 0.4 gr buffer to max load.

I was surprised but the RL15 velocities being quite low based on the book numbers. It is what it is. Just something I noticed.

For my old Rem 700 .308 and 175 gr SMK, I was shooting at 42.0 gr and around 2500 fps and getting decent results at 1000. Had room to push it faster, but never got around to it.

I use this one..
https://shooterscalculator.com/ballistic-trajectory-chart.php

I think a member here recommended this one too a while back. Think was @ren
https://www.jbmballistics.com/ballistics/calculators/calculators.shtml

Where are you getting your velocity targets from? By amount of projected drop? Or other considerations, like transonic flight? Just curious.

For my 26” Bartlein M24 barrels, I’m pretty sure I’m past the speed up phase.

With Varget, I was getting around 2650/2650 fps with about 0.6 gr buffer to book max load.

RL15 was getting around 2600 fps with 0.3 gr buffer to max load.

8209 was getting around 2740 fps with 0.4 gr buffer to max load.

I was surprised but the RL15 velocities being quite low based on the book numbers. It is what it is. Just something I noticed.

For my old Rem 700 .308 and 175 gr SMK, I was shooting at 42.0 gr and around 2500 fps and getting decent results at 1000. Had room to push it faster, but never got around to it.

With your givin buffer to max load for your rifle, is based on manual or reading case rim and primer after fired?

Got it. I use GeoBallistics. I meant did you get the 2700-2900 fps targets from studying the ballistic numbers? Or other metric?

There’s a lot of discussion from the various LR shooting disciplines on velocities, caliber, etc. Range of recommendations. Almost as much as for discussion on 9 vs 45.

With your givin buffer to max load for your rifle, is based on manual or reading case rim and primer after fired?

For .308, that’s from book numbers. I haven’t done ladder testing outside those windows. At least not yet. Next phase of testing with ladder test will push the window.

For 6.5, I have done ladder tests and have data where pressure signs show up. At least for H4350, I’ve tested beyond the Hornady load data for the 140 gr ELD-M.

Got it. I use GeoBallistics. I meant did you get the 2700-2900 fps targets from studying the ballistic numbers? Or other metric?

There’s a lot of discussion from the various LR shooting disciplines on velocities, caliber, etc. Range of recommendations. Almost as much as for discussion on 9 vs 45.

That’s just base MV I input to the calc. Not field data. More like a target MV number. Based on internet and forums, with the Palmas some were getting over 2900. And 175 over 2700. All depends how much am allowed to push these weights by readings. If I’m gonna push over recorded data, I’ll start to read my cases. I usually start reading  when I’m close to max then continue. Wants I see pressure signs, then I’ll back out by .02-.03. I usually go in .05 increments climbing.

Did you chamber barrel for specific or tighter dimensions? Say for targeting a specific projectile?  I know some folks push the velocities in their rifles, but they all have chambers for tailored for a narrow use. 

My .308 is chambered with SAC’s match reamer with FB specific for 168 hr Hybrid (175 gr ok too) at mag length. Neither here nor there, just mentioning what I went with. At one point I was going to try the heavier projectiles in the 205 gr area, but that was with my old rifle.

My buddy shoots Lapua 155 gr scenars in his .308. I think his twist is in the 11-12 range. I’ll ask him, but I don’t think he was pushing them that fast. He mostly shoots in the 300-600 yd range, but has had good results out to 1000 ish.

No.. this is a pre fit for axsa or atx AI.

On the Sierra reloading manual app. For 155 Palma.. it seems start load is around 2750 fps. As I increase velocity… arestek (-) not enough to start or over max, orange (*) is low pressure, double red (**) high pressure
CFE223 which is a slow burning powder finish last. Pushing the projectile almost 3000 at high pressure. Please take this as a grain of salt. It’s just Sierra’s reloading app.

Aloha Rhed

WGS had Peterson SRP Brass last week for a decent price. Picked up couple boxes

Hope this helps

Aloha

Aloha Rhed

WGS had Peterson SRP Brass last week for a decent price. Picked up couple boxes

Hope this helps

Aloha

Thanks brotha.. will check it out.

Easy hope u get some if he's out lmk

Aloha

On the Sierra reloading manual app. For 155 Palma.. it seems start load is around 2750 fps. As I increase velocity… arestek (-) not enough to start or over max, orange (*) is low pressure, double red (**) high pressure
CFE223 which is a slow burning powder finish last. Pushing the projectile almost 3000 at high pressure. Please take this as a grain of salt. It’s just Sierra’s reloading app.

SNIP

Wow!  That's zooming with the 155 gr and CFE223.  With my 26" barrel .308, I am getting well over book velocities (24" barrel test rifle) with 8208 and Varget without any pressure signs. 

Aloha Rhed

WGS had Peterson SRP Brass last week for a decent price. Picked up couple boxes

Hope this helps

Aloha

Only ballahs (I mean smart shooters) like you and Rhed have SRPs. . . 

Wow!  That's zooming with the 155 gr and CFE223.  With my 26" barrel .308, I am getting well over book velocities (24" barrel test rifle) with 8208 and Varget without any pressure signs.

Yea.. it seems CFE223 gives extra velocities in other bullets too. Even when I slide the bar to 2910 not even high pressure. At that speed TAC is hitting on the high. Though yes, would be different on 26” barrel. Maybe 10 more free vel.

I have a rifle specific built for the 155, with a 95 Palma chamber cut. The throat is shorter to optimally seat Sierra 155 Palma projectiles. As expected, the rifle shoot superbly with these bullets and I get very high velocities out of a 30” barrel. Around 2950 fps. (This is a very hot load, be careful if your chamber is not tight cut to allow, work up slowly looking for pressure)

I have no opportunity to shoot 1000 yards so I cannot speak to the effects. However, I have used to good effect at 600.

Nowadays modern projectiles have been coming out with super ballistic coefficients. I settled on 168 Berger Hybrid for my match projectile. Better increase in BC, yet still retains a ton of speed. If ever I can shoot 1k this would be the round I use.

Problem is .308 case is too small, if you go heavier than 168 you start losing the ballistic advantage of the more massive bullet because of the decrease in velocity.

If there is no requirement to use .308, 6.5 Creedmore and other variations, have much better external ballistics for long range shooting.

IMO