Josh
Well-Known Member
I tested 4 loads in the 308 today, all 4 were hornady brass, cci primers and 17.5 gr 2400. Groups were 10 shots at 65 yds, why 10 shots? Because that info is more statistically relevant that 3's or 5's. Bullets were the 311440, 31-155W, 311466 and 31-255G. So I will say the last bullet I shot was "just because", there is nothing practical about launching a 255 gr cast bullet from a 308. In fact there are signs of instability with that load. Only going for groups and not velocity I didn't look at anything but the target.
The clear winner today was the 31-155W, followed by the 311440. Group size for all loads shot today (cast and jacketed) are in the last photo, I'll refrain from bothering you with the details about the jacketed stuff.
Next up are the 311466 and 31-255G, the 255 gr definitely shows signs of flubbering around and general instability, that would account for the abysmal group it put together. The 311466 is ho-hum, decent and needing work but not great either.
Now onto the data, this rifle with 150 gr jacketed tends to be a 2.9" rifle, nothing wrong with that, but that's where we're at with the loads tested and a 7x scope. With cast it's a 2.1" rifle at 65 yds, doing the math that gets us close to a 3.6" rifle at 100 with cast. The rifle hated the 175 gr jacketed bullets with tac, but came into its own with the 168 gr MK. I'll not bore you with the jacketed stuff, but I wanted to paint a whole picture.
All in all it's very serviceable, the 31-155W bullet needs playing with, that was stacking bullets. I'll have to revisit the 311440 as well, and cast up some 311041.
The clear winner today was the 31-155W, followed by the 311440. Group size for all loads shot today (cast and jacketed) are in the last photo, I'll refrain from bothering you with the details about the jacketed stuff.
Next up are the 311466 and 31-255G, the 255 gr definitely shows signs of flubbering around and general instability, that would account for the abysmal group it put together. The 311466 is ho-hum, decent and needing work but not great either.
Now onto the data, this rifle with 150 gr jacketed tends to be a 2.9" rifle, nothing wrong with that, but that's where we're at with the loads tested and a 7x scope. With cast it's a 2.1" rifle at 65 yds, doing the math that gets us close to a 3.6" rifle at 100 with cast. The rifle hated the 175 gr jacketed bullets with tac, but came into its own with the 168 gr MK. I'll not bore you with the jacketed stuff, but I wanted to paint a whole picture.
All in all it's very serviceable, the 31-155W bullet needs playing with, that was stacking bullets. I'll have to revisit the 311440 as well, and cast up some 311041.