Interpreting hand load results - .308

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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by powelly2006 » 09 May 2018, 9:46 am

bigfellascott wrote:Is it in one of those plastic Hogue stocks? If so they are notorious for flex so might be pushing turds up hill with chopsticks to get better out of it. Personally I reckon it would be better to set up some gongs (5" size) or thereabouts at 100, 200 and 300m get a good steady rest as best you can and see if you can hit them with reasonable consistency.


Haha, yeah roger. It is one of those flexy Hogue stocks.

Thinking about making it more rigid with some epoxy like I've seen on some YouTube videos. Just prevents it from contacting the barrel at the fore end and gives it a more solid feel too. Ideally, I'd just swap the stock out for something better, which I may do in time, but if I can get it shooting well now I may also not bother and put that money into another rifle. :)

I'd love to test out the gongs, but my local range is pretty particular about how practice days are run. I reckon if I asked it would be a straight up "no". But I can hit as much paper as I want, provided it is at the predetermined range for that days practice.

Cheers for all of the advice so far, it is very much appreciated.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by Barrettmr » 09 May 2018, 1:44 pm

I have the same rifle, and found that 46gr 2208 with 150gr hornady interlocks gave me around 1.25/1.5 at 100. It's only a short range pig gun for me so that's as far as I went.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by powelly2006 » 09 May 2018, 2:24 pm

Barrettmr wrote:I have the same rifle, and found that 46gr 2208 with 150gr hornady interlocks gave me around 1.25/1.5 at 100. It's only a short range pig gun for me so that's as far as I went.


Yeah nice.

It's a great little rifle. Functions well, and will serve its purpose perfectly out in the scrub.

If I can get my groups to close up a little I'd be happier than a pig in s**t.

I suppose, as the title of the topic suggests, for me it's more about interpreting the results more than anything... Just so I know the next step. It will also help me with my load developments for future rifles.

What are you paying for the Hornady projectiles ? I think I'm paying $58 for 100 at my local gun shop in Cairns. Believe I can get better projectiles cheaper up on the tablelands, but I'm okay spending that money on the Speer SPBT.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by powelly2006 » 09 May 2018, 2:26 pm

Barrettmr wrote:I have the same rifle, and found that 46gr 2208 with 150gr hornady interlocks gave me around 1.25/1.5 at 100. It's only a short range pig gun for me so that's as far as I went.


Question of curiosity, what optics are you using ?

I've currently got a horrible Nikko Stirling 3-9x40. I was looking at an Athlon Talos 3-12x40 as an affordable hunting upgrade.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by Barrettmr » 09 May 2018, 6:56 pm

powelly2006 wrote:
Barrettmr wrote:I have the same rifle, and found that 46gr 2208 with 150gr hornady interlocks gave me around 1.25/1.5 at 100. It's only a short range pig gun for me so that's as far as I went.


Yeah nice.

It's a great little rifle. Functions well, and will serve its purpose perfectly out in the scrub.

If I can get my groups to close up a little I'd be happier than a pig in s**t.

I suppose, as the title of the topic suggests, for me it's more about interpreting the results more than anything... Just so I know the next step. It will also help me with my load developments for future rifles.

What are you paying for the Hornady projectiles ? I think I'm paying $58 for 100 at my local gun shop in Cairns. Believe I can get better projectiles cheaper up on the tablelands, but I'm okay spending that money on the Speer SPBT.


Western firearms have them for 45 per 100. They have them in stock now, but sell out quickly, the cheapest I have been able to find. They are excellent to deal with online.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by Barrettmr » 09 May 2018, 6:59 pm

powelly2006 wrote:
Barrettmr wrote:I have the same rifle, and found that 46gr 2208 with 150gr hornady interlocks gave me around 1.25/1.5 at 100. It's only a short range pig gun for me so that's as far as I went.


Question of curiosity, what optics are you using ?

I've currently got a horrible Nikko Stirling 3-9x40. I was looking at an Athlon Talos 3-12x40 as an affordable hunting upgrade.


leupold 3-9 x 40.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by in2anity » 11 May 2018, 9:04 pm

For a light barrel, shoot groups of two or three, then wait for it to fully cool. Rinse, repeat. I bet she shoots better then!
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by SCJ429 » 11 May 2018, 10:26 pm

You should be able to shoot them under 1/2 inch with a little 2208 behind them.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 12 May 2018, 10:14 am

How much 2208 would you put. As adi doesn't have any data on zmax... or just use Sierra 168 specs as reference. Thanks
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by nightforcenxs » 12 May 2018, 10:30 am

Ziad wrote:How much 2208 would you put. As adi doesn't have any data on zmax... or just use Sierra 168 specs as reference. Thanks


i use the 168 sierra load data for 2208 with the zmax as its the exact same weight projectile ive ran the zmax .5 from max load before and never experienced huge pressure signs but i like to load .5 more then minimum as this gives me great accuracy for punching paper
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 12 May 2018, 10:37 am

Thanks... researching and they are supposed to be rebadged amax.... and punching paper is what I will be doing
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by powelly2006 » 12 May 2018, 1:48 pm

Yeah, I've got a mate that shoots the Z-Max. He seems to think they're really good for smashing at the range as opposed to the ELD Match stuff he uses for serious comp.

Do they hold up as a round that would drop pigs ?

I've been doing groups of 5 and allowing the barrel to cool down in between - plinking with my little Ruger in 17HMR while I wait. ;)

Cheers.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by nightforcenxs » 12 May 2018, 3:24 pm

powelly2006 wrote:Yeah, I've got a mate that shoots the Z-Max. He seems to think they're really good for smashing at the range as opposed to the ELD Match stuff he uses for serious comp.

Do they hold up as a round that would drop pigs ?

I've been doing groups of 5 and allowing the barrel to cool down in between - plinking with my little Ruger in 17HMR while I wait. ;)

Cheers.


powelly i cant say yes or no as i dont hunt but a friend uses the .22 cal 55gr zmax in his 223 and says they make decent holes in stuff and dont have a problem with dropping critters so i would only be guessing that the 168gr zmax is good but i know alot of americans love to use the 168gr Amax for hunting with no problems even though your not meant to
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by SCJ429 » 12 May 2018, 4:30 pm

The ZMax is a frangable bullet that will do well on pigs, probably not ideal to shoot them in the shield, neck but at normal hunting ranges they will be effective. I would start a ladder test at 43.5 grains of 2208 and run it up to and perhaps beyond 45.5. Look for consecutive shots that are sitting on the same vertical axis and commence load testing from there.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by SCJ429 » 12 May 2018, 4:35 pm

The Amax was an excellent hunting projectile at short or longer range. Perhaps you are thinking of the ELD or SMK? The ELD-X is the replacement for the Amax. I have had good results from ELD-X at longer ranges.
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Re: Interpreting hand load results - .308

Post by powelly2006 » 16 May 2018, 3:46 pm

Alright.

Tested three loads today. Two which had the best results from the last test (which sparked this thread - and the question about interpreting the results), and one more load in between those.

So the original loads which performed best initially were the 46.5gr and 47gr loads of AR2208. So this time I loaded 46.5gr, 46.7gr and 47gr loads.

The 46.7gr performed badly. Not exactly what I was expecting. The 47gr performed in much the same way as it did last time. With the spread on the vertical plane more so than on the horizontal. But, the 46.5 shot beautifully well. The groups were noticeably tighter, and with very little deviation on the vertical axis of the target.

Quite please with the results. So, in this instance, the best option from the first load development test probably would have been the 46.5gr load with the least vertical spread over the different charges.

I don't know if this is a "rule of thumb", or if it is coincidence, but I just thought I'd let everyone know the results from today. Thanks to everyone for their input and advice. This forum really is a great resource for such discussions.

Cheers and beers,
Powelly.
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