Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Post by cusco » 20 Jun 2025, 3:53 pm

Hi, just asking if any knows the velocity of the factory .308 ADI 135gn Sierra varminter factory load. I am just staring out to reload these projectiles for my .308 Howa and would like to reproduce close to the original velocity. Either that or any reloading data using AR 2208 for same 135 gn projectiles please. I cracked 2800 fps with 47 gn of 2208. 48gns were faster but primers showed some flatting. Any suggestions or load data, thanks.
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Re: Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Post by No1Mk3 » 20 Jun 2025, 6:06 pm

cusco wrote:Hi, just asking if any knows the velocity of the factory .308 ADI 135gn Sierra varminter factory load. I am just staring out to reload these projectiles for my .308 Howa and would like to reproduce close to the original velocity. Either that or any reloading data using AR 2208 for same 135 gn projectiles please. I cracked 2800 fps with 47 gn of 2208. 48gns were faster but primers showed some flatting. Any suggestions or load data, thanks.


It is listed at 3000fps, in a specified test barrel under optimum climatic and laboratory conditions. You mileage may vary (considerably). Borrow a chrono and test it in your rifle, then load accordingly but remember ADI use powder batchings not neccesarily available to the reloader,
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Re: Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Post by cusco » 21 Jun 2025, 5:33 pm

Thanks for info. I will try a few test loads around 47 gns at different seating depths.
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Re: Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Post by Over The Hill » 21 Jun 2025, 8:26 pm

Here's some of my own test results for you.
Rifle, Ruger Scout, 18.5" barrel, 1:10, no muzzle bake or flash hider
Factory ADI Sierra Varminter 135g
1 2822
2 2830
3 2856
4 2835
5 2835
Average 2836
SD 12.6

My scout loved this ammo

Make of the results as you will, the short barrel on the scout is an obvious consideration when comparing results.
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Re: Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Post by Bello » 22 Jun 2025, 9:34 pm

Hello Mate
I found that when I did load development with these projectiles, that my loads were slower than the pre-loaded ADI offerings. I think they use "Proprietary' powders.
If you aren't going to shoot lots of them, perhaps the pre-loaded stuff from ADI may save you a lot of stuffing around with load development.
I found the pre-loaded ADI 135gr were giving mw about an inch at 200 meters in my rifle. See pic below.
Attachments
135gr ADI 308.JPG
135gr ADI 308.JPG (370.92 KiB) Viewed 48 times
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Re: Sierra 135 ADI Factory Velocity in .308

Post by cusco » 22 Jun 2025, 11:28 pm

Thanks again for the info. The Ruger Scout results are similar to my 20 " Howa varmint barrel. I am happy to do some testing as I enjoy the reloading side of this shooting game. I have a stack of these same once fired cases to use plus several hundred projectiles to "play with". Reason for the 135 is to have something else for shooting light skinned game. My usual load is 150 Hornady SST which work great on pigs. This particular test rifle set up is my night hunter rig, a Howa 20" Varmint barrel in a MDT HNT26 stock fitted with my thermal scope, Pulsar Thermion2 Pro XP50 LRF. This has been my go to rig for night time fun. Hopefully will get some more tests done soon.
Thanks again for the replies.
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