Guys,

I'm relatively new to reloading and I'm starting for my .308 Remington 700 Police with 26" Barrel.
I have bought Lapua Brass, Sierra 150gr HPBT Match Heads and Vit N140 Powder, primarily used for 100 yard target shooting.

I was wondering whether I should start with stated C.O.L as per Vit. Reloading Manual or whether I should make a sacrificial fire formed case and measure to the lands and then back off?

Anyone with any advise/suggestions? I'm not looking for specifics and obviously extreme caution will be used when developing a load, as I fully understand all rifles are different.

Has anyone got any other match bullet (not hunting type) & powder suggestions, your previous experience could potentially save me a fair few hours and money if I’m barking up the wrong tree so to speak!

Thanks again,
Mike

My springfield m1a loves, 175 gr sierra matchking, 210m primers, 42 grs of imr 4064. Gives me 3/4 in. Groups out of a standard m1a. COL. is 2.820, still fits in the mag. I dont load longer than magazine length for anything I own

Here is a cheap "what I would do" solution.

Take a sized and trimmed case and slice the case neck twice with a Dremel cutter so you have a double-slotted case neck that will grip a bullet but not fix it in place. I cut mine about half way thru the shoulder.

Push it firmly into your chamber with your bullet stuck in your modified case. You may not need to use your bolt to do this. That is your MAX COAL for that rifle MINUS whatever you want to stand off your lands..

If you have Lapua brass and V-V powder you are already WAY ahead of most .308 reloaders, so I can only wish you good luck on your first attempts!!!!

hammer 1 wrote:My springfield m1a loves, 175 gr sierra matchking, 210m primers, 42 grs of imr 4064. Gives me 3/4 in. Groups out of a standard m1a. COL. is 2.820, still fits in the mag. I dont load longer than magazine length for anything I own

We should go shoot out M1A rifles together one day. I could learn a LOT from you.

As far as another match bullet I think the Nosler Custom Competition is a wonderful choice.

Nitesite, I will remember this trick with the case. My m1a has been through alot, the safe act mainly, I had to have a solid "flash hider" , put on. It actually helped the accuracy. I shimmed the gas system, and put in a sadlak spring guide, with wolff springs.

I would also look forward to shooting with you

nitesite wrote:If you have Lapua brass and V-V powder you are already WAY ahead of most .308 reloaders, so I can only wish you good luck on your first attempts!!!!

My first made five rounds with Sierra HPBT 150, Vit N140, Lapua "Virgin" Brass and Federal Primers. These rounds made to spec as per Vit Reloading Manual "Starting Figures" and Stated OAL.

Don't think I need much more than this group (5 shots at 100yrds).

Wow. That's some fancy shootin' right there. Good rifle, good ammo and good shooter!

Hammer 1 has discribed the recipe for the 1000 yard recipe the military has been using for 40 years I think it's called the M118LR it is going to be the best recipe out of remington 308 be sure to use remington brass there isn't enough cc's in the others to stay super sonic past 1000 yards ! It was used in the M24 sniper rifle but the primers are federal gold dot match should have a muzzle velocity of 2780 if I remember! You will love the recipe ! The only bullet that can replace the 175 seirra is the 155 it gives the same ballistics but doesn't penitrate glass and car doors like the military want but it is unaffected by drift the same as the 175 grain . With the M24 snipers could group 10 rounds at 500 yards in .710 inch !!! They kept the powder secret till just a couple years ago some folks replace the 4064 with 44.6 grains of varget in a pinch it gives 2780 fps as well oh yang lapua brass has the case capacity too I belive just win and lapua for the 1000 yards ! Here's my civilian M24 cause I live in canada

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A bit upside down...but we catch your drift Jason.

SHOOTER13 wrote:A bit upside down...but we catch your drift Jason.

Upside Down!!! Good one.

And I couldn't see enough of the hardware. But it is all good. Canadian riflemen that I've known deserve a lot of respect!