Loading for the LR308

[sgreen3]

Just wondering if anyone here loads for their LR308 model DPMS? An if so what are some loads your getting the best results from.

 

[Electronrider]

Federal GOld medal Match 168's have been the best performing ammo for me on my 24" LR-308/ I am pulling 3/4" 5 shot groups at a hundred yards, using a scope and bipod. I have been working on replicating that result using Varget and sierra 168's. I know a lot of other people that are very happy with Varget, although there are some other great powders out there. Pick a good match bullet and start out at starting powder throws and work your way up. Every rifle has a little bit different sweet spot.

 

[sgreen3]

Yup I got about 7lbs of Varget for my bolt guns, so yea that's what I plan on starting with. Just need a few more boxes of projectiles! Cant seem to find any in stock were Im at and never seem to catch it when its for sale on line.

 

[M67]

168gr Sierra Match Kings with 47.8gr (if I remember right) of CFE223

Varget, BLC2, and 4895 didn't shoot worth a damn though it, same with Barnes and Hornady match ammo.

For "plinking" loads, 44.7gr of Win748, not much on accuracy but good enough for making noise and shooting

 

[indyjohn]

Tell me what the max OAL on that barrel is & I'll share my Varget match recipes with you..

 

[sgreen3]

168gr Sierra Match Kings with 47.8gr (if I remember right) of CFE223

Varget, BLC2, and 4895 didn't shoot worth a damn though it, same with Barnes and Hornady match ammo.

For "plinking" loads, 44.7gr of Win748, not much on accuracy but good enough for making noise and shooting

Thanks for info! I guess Ill have to look into getting some different powder. Although I do have a brand new bottle of 3031 I was gonna use to play with the bolt gun?.....

 

[sgreen3]

Tell me what the max OAL on that barrel is & I'll share my Varget match recipes with you..

Awesome thanks John! Ill dig it out of the safe later and post the spec.

 

[sgreen3]

I already load for my AR in 223 an use a factory crimp on all the rounds I load for it. So Im assuming I should factory crimp for my 308 AR as well?... Those that load for your AR10 based rifles do you factory crimp the rounds?

 

[M67]

Thanks for info! I guess Ill have to look into getting some different powder. Although I do have a brand new bottle of 3031 I was gonna use to play with the bolt gun?.....

I have a 16" barrel, M4 profile. With that CFE load, I can shoot sub .5 MOA groups. Seems like DPMS barrels vary a lot from a lot of various posts, so mine, like all, should be taken with a slice of skepticism. Without actually trying all of those loads, hard telling the results you'll get

 

[indyjohn]

I already load for my AR in 223 an use a factory crimp on all the rounds I load for it. So Im assuming I should factory crimp for my 308 AR as well?... Those that load for your AR10 based rifles do you factory crimp the rounds?

I don't crimp my match loads. I don't know if any other competition shooters do or not. But I don't know of any reason you would NOT want to crimp a match load. There are others here that know better than I...

I'm referring to "competition" and "match" because that is what I equate to "best results" as you cited in your OP....

 

[shibumiseeker]

I crimp any load I will be using from a magazine in an autoloader.

I only rely on neck-tension in my bolt action rifles.

 

[Leo]

Federal GOld medal Match 168's have been the best performing ammo for me on my 24" LR-308/ I am pulling 3/4" 5 shot groups at a hundred yards, using a scope and bipod. I have been working on replicating that result using Varget and sierra 168's. I know a lot of other people that are very happy with Varget, although there are some other great powders out there. Pick a good match bullet and start out at starting powder throws and work your way up. Every rifle has a little bit different sweet spot.

+1 Varget will do the trick.

 

[Leo]

I don't crimp my match loads. I don't know if any other competition shooters do or not. But I don't know of any reason you would NOT want to crimp a match load. There are others here that know better than I...

I'm referring to "competition" and "match" because that is what I equate to "best results" as you cited in your OP....

I never crimp either for the AR or the M1a, and the M1a is surely not a gentle action. I do use a powder that fills up the case like 4064 or Varget, so the powder is compressed when you seat the bullet. With no extra room in the case, where is the bullet going to go?

 

[Broom_jm]

I never crimp either for the AR or the M1a, and the M1a is surely not a gentle action. I do use a powder that fills up the case like 4064 or Varget, so the powder is compressed when you seat the bullet. With no extra room in the case, where is the bullet going to go?

Isn't it possible the bullet could be set back, compressing the powder charge and driving up start pressures? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that why EVERY reloading manual out there recommends that bullets used from an autoloader be crimped?

 

[indyjohn]

... and the M1a is surely not a gentle action.

I love my M1A.

 

[indyjohn]

Isn't it possible the bullet could be set back, compressing the powder charge and driving up start pressures? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that why EVERY reloading manual out there recommends that bullets used from an autoloader be crimped?

Of course it's possible. But I believe Leo is pointing out what is common practice amongst Highpower competition shooters. You're splitting hairs... which would make you a good Highpower Rifle competitor..

 

[sgreen3]

I crimp any load I will be using from a magazine in an autoloader.

I only rely on neck-tension in my bolt action rifles.

This was kinda what I was thinking. An what im currently doing with the loads Im loading for my bolt guns an AR's. Ill probably crimp my LR308 ammo as well. Why not error on the side of caution.

 

[sloughfoot]

Isn't it possible the bullet could be set back, compressing the powder charge and driving up start pressures? Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that why EVERY reloading manual out there recommends that bullets used from an autoloader be crimped?

The answer to this is actually a resounding NO. No crimp has anywhere near the strength of a .001 neck tension.

How can a bullet be set back unless the nose is being slammed into the feed ramp? Bullet noses do not get slammed into the feed ramp in M1, M1A, or M16 rifles. The side of the bullet may slide along the feed ramp, but this gliding action cannot possibly push the bullet into the case. Even in machine guns.

Literally millions of 30.06, .308, and 5.56 rounds have been fired in compettion with no crimp whatsover. I have fired a few myself.

I do have to admit that I don't have any experience with the AR10 type rifle in 30 caliber.

You guys remember the year the Army shooters showed up for long range and kicked some butt with what was advertised as M16's but were actually AR10's? They were stock Armalite rifles that they wouldn't let anybody get a close look at...Mike Gingher had a hand in that and I'll bet he is still chuckling about that from the grave.

 

[shibumiseeker]

This was kinda what I was thinking. An what im currently doing with the loads Im loading for my bolt guns an AR's. Ill probably crimp my LR308 ammo as well. Why not error on the side of caution.

Let me clarify something though: neck tension, properly set, is better than a crimp for bullets that do not have a crimping groove, but it requires a lot more attention to setting up the dies, brass prep, and bullet selection. If you are going through the trouble to make match ammunition then choosing not to crimp is perfectly acceptable.

 

[sgreen3]

Let me clarify something though: neck tension, properly set, is better than a crimp for bullets that do not have a crimping groove, but it requires a lot more attention to setting up the dies, brass prep, and bullet selection. If you are going through the trouble to make match ammunition then choosing not to crimp is perfectly acceptable.

Ok thanks