My First .308 reloads AR10

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13 years 11 months ago #6230 by texjames
My First .308 reloads AR10 was created by texjames
I did my first reloads of .308 and went and shot them this morning.Gun is a Armalite AR10 NM upper stainless steel 1:10 twist 4 groove.All these loads were way light so i will go up on all of them.
From the help asking questions in another thread most seemed to be concerned with starting with reduced loads, working up etc.
I was useing the Sierra manual and addition 5.I was useing new PPU brass and CCI 200 primers.
These are the loads i started out with...loads 1 through 6 did pretty good others were pretty big groups..
#1 175 SMK varget 39.9
#2 175 SMK Tac 37.8
#3 175 SMK IMR 4895 39.0
#4 168 SMK RE15 40.3
#6 175 SMK RE15 37.0
#7 175 SMK varget 38.4
#8 168 SMK IMR 4895 38.2
#9 168 SMK Varget 38.6
Only a few did fairly good none as good as the factory match ammo i tryed last time.All were really mild with no pressure signs.
I shot some LC10 XM80 150gr stock ammo which is not supposed to shoot so good in this twist of 1:10 but it did pretty good really.
No targets to post ya... too bad looking groups...
Well here are my best two targets...

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heres the XM 80

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The following user(s) said Thank You: jtallen83

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13 years 11 months ago #6231 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
Not real bad...hey better than my last load test....I hit dead center of the site in target....problem was I was aiming at the upper left square.....LOL :laugh:
But seriously, as many have said...it takes alot of time to work up and out the perfect load..I would have to say that #1 is about the best out of the bunch....so I would go from there...
Edge and Zfk are the two best reloaders...here...but as what has been said...what works for me, may not work for YOUR gun....keep up the good work and keep trying ...you will find the right load / bullet combo.....Be patient....it will come. ;)
BMS

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13 years 11 months ago #6242 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
texjames,

Once you fine tune your powder charge by changing it every 0.5 grains and trying different powders, try changing the primers.

The primers I used really made a huge difference to the size of my groups. I tried Win, Fed, and CCI primers. All my rifles liked the Fed 210M (match) the best.

The best I've gotten so far from my AR-10T in .308 is using Varget at both 46.0 grains and 48.0 grains pushing a 155 gr SMK Palma. Both charges shot a half inch group of 5 shots at 100 yds. My barrel has a 1:11.25 twist.

Have fun, Jer

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13 years 11 months ago - 13 years 11 months ago #6243 by texjames
Replied by texjames on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
Thanks for the input on the primers idea.Sounds good.All i have right now is CCI large Rifle.I just finished a couple days of on a reloading session of 80 rounds in the .5 increments with the SMK
165 and 175 bullets i have.So hopefully when i have time to hit the range i will have an idea of what my gun likes.I stuck with my multi powder use , hard work but want to do the best testing i can come up with anyway.Useing Varget, Reloading 15, TAC, IMR4895. :woohoo:
Oh yeah...I clean my bore after each 5 round group i shoot also.
Last edit: 13 years 11 months ago by texjames.

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13 years 11 months ago - 13 years 11 months ago #6244 by JustMe
Replied by JustMe on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
I wouldn't put much stock in getting tight groups until you've shot 100-200 rounds through your barrel. That's what some folks say is the normal break-in period, others say a break-in period is hog wash, who knows. After the break-in, then I'd start experimenting with every 0.5 grains, etc. Obviously, I must believe in the break-in theory. :laugh:

You shouldn't have to clean your bore unless you change the type of powder from what I've read. I also tried 3031 and 4895.

Another thing I do is weight all my brass and organize them in rows of 5 in my plastic boxes. I also weight all of my bullets and group them. Suprisingly, a box of SMKs always seem to divide into 3 distinctive weight groups.

Have fun, Jer
Last edit: 13 years 11 months ago by JustMe.

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13 years 10 months ago - 13 years 10 months ago #6252 by texjames
Replied by texjames on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
Well i got about 75 rounds loaded up in somewhat .5 increments.
Some went up more from my original base loads as i started at the minimun listed in the Sierra manual.I did weight the bullets into same weights for each 5 shot groups also.Here's what i have when we get some nicer weather so i can go test again.All PPU brass other then noted below,CCI200 primers..all 2.800 OAL
175 SMK varget 40.5, 41.0 and 41.5
175 SMK TAC 40.5 i only did that as the 37.8 was not too bad before.
175 SMK IMR4895 40.5, 41.0
175 SMK RE15 40.5 and 39.5
175 SMK TAC (in LC Brass) 40.5 This should be a step up from the PPU.
168 SMK RE15 41.5, 42.0
168 SMK IMR4895 39.9, 40.5
168 SMK varget 41.5, 42.0
So that should be fun testing these out.
None of the above are at max load levels listed in the manual.
Last edit: 13 years 10 months ago by texjames.

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13 years 10 months ago #6254 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
I can say I will be waiting with anticipation on the 168 with the RL-15....I plan to use it with 168 A-MAX..for one of my batches.
Thanks.
BMS

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13 years 10 months ago #6256 by foxhunter
Replied by foxhunter on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
I went to load some 168 gr Hornady AMAX last night with Varget. Had been using IMR 4895 before. My sierra manual said the max load for this bullet was 43.5 gr and would produce 2700fps
The 1 lb jar of Varget had max loads on the label and said the max load for 168 grain was 46 grains. I loaded 50 rounds with 43 grain.
Anyone pushing to 46 grains or does anyone have a suggestion/favorite load for the 168 grain in the Varget?
Shooting them through an AR10T

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13 years 10 months ago #6259 by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
I haven't tried the Varget yet....but
I used the IMR 4895 on my 150gr FMJs and went with 43.6...they were all over the place...haven't tried it with the 168 BTHPs yet..using the 4064, either way....I hope with that load it works....I have backed mine down to 42.5 on both the 4895 and 4064...but as you know brother Fox....it's hard to go shooting in the winter in the midwest and plains......and you are colder than I....
Let me know how they turn out....will be curious as well....
I am hoping to get some of the 168 A-max loaded with the RL-15..it is supposed to be a good cold weather powder...from what Zfk said...both Lat and his father...
BMS

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13 years 10 months ago #6260 by foxhunter
Replied by foxhunter on topic Re:My First .308 reloads AR10
BMS
will let you know how that load works out, but it will likely be spring before I get out to shoot. I don't like looking for empty cases in the snow

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