Loads for new rifle - ideas?

[artiglio]

+1 for Kent Ammo Supplies, nice chap, keen pricing.

regards phil

[Mr_Logic]

Will try there.

What primers should I be using? I see Federal mentioned quite a bit in the top-10 people's kit, which Federal will they be?

Edit - I have Remington LR at the moment but won't use them, I've had two misfires in this 1000 box. Might not sound much but it's two more than I've had total with every other CF round ever...

[ovenpaa]

For .308 Fed210M

[Mr_Logic]

Lovely, many thanks!

[Gun Pimp]

What is actually wrong with Nosler's Custom Competition bullets? their hunting bullets are excellent - very accurate, consistent and reliable expansion.

I'm sure they are 'excellent' (but what does that mean?) and you may have discovered a 'secret' bullet that will outshoot the Lapua, Berger and Sierra - but somehow I doubt it.

Really, to find out you would have to have someone test them who has tested all the other bullets - in other words a benchmark to compare with.

Laurie Holland has tested just about every 308 competition bullet on the planet - I'll ask him.

Vince

[Mr_Logic]

I'm confused by your reaction Vince. I totally understand that the Nosler isn't commonly used. Looking to actually try a box, they're pretty rare which in itself is a reason not to proceed, and the cost you said of the Scenar is another. However, Nosler's general bullet quality is IMHO superior to Sierra - I've shot both makers' hunting rounds and the Nosler is generally more accurate. The difference is small, but against those tests Nosler is a decent bullet maker.

My question was driven because I wanted to know if there were issues I should be aware of.

[Gun Pimp]

I don't think that any of the major manufacturers make a bad bullet - they all make them to the best of their ability. The major bullet makers, as far as target-use is concerned, would be Berger, Lapua, Sierra.

Lapua have recently 'upped their game' with the new 'L' bullets - same design but built better - which probably means more concentric. I had the opportunity to speak with Hornady at IWA and they are attempting to do the same. Personally, I think Berger have forced the others to improve - which is all to the good. Now Berger have moved the goal-posts again with their new hybrids.

Honestly, I've only ever shot a couple of dozen Nosler bullets - they were 30 cal and loaded in a 300WSM. I was sorting a load for someone's hunting rifle; I managed a really tiny group at 100 yards - which impressed me but not enough to go against the trend in F/TR - set by the World Champion, European Champion and GB League Champion and a dozen others - not to mention the Americans.

If you are going to play this long-range shooting game, you must look at the opposition and what they are using. Believe me it's hard enough with a 308 - you gotta take everything you can.

I did get a reply from Laurie BTW - he says accuracy-wise, not bad but BC is inferior to latest Berger, Lapua and Sierra. Some of the A Max bullets are good but their 155gn 308 has a poor BC (0.415) compared to others - 0.462 for the Lapua, 0.464 for the Berger - and only 0.398 for the Nosler.

If you want 'cheap' why not go for the Australian 155gn bullets? One of the Spanish guys finished in the top ten in the Europeans using them. Stuart built his rifle and sorted a load but Enrique had hardly shot it before the comp. Brian Fox imports them - don't ask me the price - contact Brian.

Vince

[Mr_Logic]

Vince, where are you seeing 0.398 for the Nosler? their site is advertising it as .450; the 175gr is .505.

if the BC were that low I would completely agree it's a pointless waste of time. It may still be - seems these things are rather hard to get hold of in any case.

I shall try the 155.5 Bergers since Ovenpaa sent me that box, also 155 Scenars as they always worked well. At some stage the 185 Bergers will be worth a go also.

[ovenpaa]

It will be interesting to hear you views on the four different bullets, what distance will you be testing at? In an ideal world 600y plus is good once you have decided on loadf data.

[Mr_Logic]

I'll start with 100 yards over at Oundle, and when I get some loads there showing promise will move further out. Likely test them with club shoots at ibis out to 1K.