Bullet & Powder Choice

[Mike357]

I am just about to get the Rem 700 VSSF that has sat in the safe for 7 months all dressed up in some Third Eye Tactical rings on one of their 10 or 20 moa bases along with a FOX scope for now.

For the 308 I'm also going to buy an Arbor press and Wilson dies. Once I have got used to the press and loading for 308, I was going to use, Lapua brass, Federal priners, N140 and 155 Scenars.

Until then I have decided to practice on a couple of hundred Norma cases supplied by John25, using Federal primers. Two questions -

1. Should I stick with a single base powder such as N140? The barrel has an unknown round count but isn't high. 26" 1 in 12 twist. The plan is to re barrel to 260Rem in the next 12-18 months so in order to gain an advantage at 900-1000 yds should I use a double base powder to maximise velocity without having to worry about barrel life?

2. I don't want to be wasting money on Scenars at east for the first 200 or so rounds so can anybody recommend a suitable 155gr bullet that is a little more inexpensive? How about Privi?

[dromia]

If you are working up accuracy loads then you will need to be using the components intend to use for real. If you are just plinking and want to practice your handloading skills then get some cheap boxer primed ammunition, shoot that and reload with cheaper components. I wouldn't waste my Lapua brass life on cheaper loads, I use PPu, IMI or what ever brass for plinking but not my target/accuracy components.

[Steve E]

If you don't want to use Scenar's I would recommend the new Sierra (2156) 155 Palma Match. Alot of TR shooters have now gone to these and I think that the GB Palma used them to win the 2011 Palma. Depending on where you but them from they are about £280 a thousand compared with £380 for the Scenars.
My experience is that they will out shoot the Scenars out to 1000yds. They are not so jump sensitive as the Scenars, 50 thou' works just fine. Through my rifle the 2156 bullet with a load of 46 gr of N140 RWS case and CCI BR-2 primers gives 2980 fps.

Steve

[ovenpaa]

Great news Mike :goodjob:

A few things, firstly why the move to Wilson dies and an Arbor press? A Forster micrometer seater is every bit as good in my eyes and does not need the added cost of the Arbor press, especially if you are going to rebarrel in the near future. N140 is fine with the 155 Scenar's and I prefer them to the SMK 155's. I shoot with N540 behind mine. This is a personal thing however they may not necessarily be right for you.

Fed210M in .308 just work so well is a no brainer.

Are you planning on shooting any comps with the .260?

[Mike357]

I currently have no 308 dies so need to buy a set anyway. The Lee Turret is much maligned so I would have to buy either a replacement or another press for all my accuracy stuff. The Arbor press then becomes significantly cheaper as it's about £50. I am also strangely attracted to the operation of the whole thing.

Before rebarreling in 260 I'm going to shoot as many different comps as I can. The way I'm thinking (especially after my trip to Lantac) is that it is going to be too costly to shoot in the F Class League when you factor travel etc. I may give it a whizz while I still have the 308 but may just try the Diggle short range event.

:cool2: so many guns wanted, so little money available :cool2:

[dromia]

You will still need a good "O" frame press as the basis for your reloading. Accurate as the arbours are they do have their limitations. I'm with Ovenpaa on this you can get as good accuracy/concentricty/consistency from a good "O" frame and good dies especially bullet seaters. I'm a Forster fan when it comes to dies for jacketed and like the Vickerman seater for cast.

By all means get an arbour but you will still need a god single stage. The Bonanza Forster Co-Ax for instance combines the benefits of both and I would recommend that you check that press out. Not the cheapest but you will only need to buy once.

Lee Classic cast has fine reputation to and what I've seen and used of it its impressed me at its freindly price.

[Gun Pimp]

Mike,

You can't full-length size your brass with a £50 abor press. Buy a Lee Cast Classic Press and a Forster full length die set.

You have been hit with a massive amount of load info so here's mine - base on my own F Class competition experience and of several others who shoot F Class. (See users kit schedules on the website at www.gbfclass.co.uk)

The 155 Scenar is a great bullet - the World F/TR Champion uses 'em - nuff said!
Use eithet Vit N140 or N540. The N540 will give you a bit more velocity but your barrel might not last as long.
Use Lapua brass - £50 for 100 cases is not too expensive.
Federal primers are good.

Cheers
Vince

[FilippoMo]

Wilson no longer makes full lenght sizing dies,I have one and I used the vice to full lenght size or you need an industrial
arbor press not a portable affair.Therefore a press for sizing is still needed.Wilson bullet seaters are good and still use them for 308 and 223.For good prices see hunting sport and freylinger they have good prices for bullets and cases.
Both located in Luxemburg I dealt with both and they are reliable.I use a single base powder that I can get cheap in Italy but I do not know if Lovex powders are distributed in UK.As far as VV powders are concerned I got better results
with N 150 and when switching to HBN coating to 540.As they cost twice as much as Lovex I discontinued using them with 155 grs class bullets.In my son TRG 22 sierra new palma 2156 gave the best results,followed by 155 A-Max the scenar would not shoot.
Sincerely
Filippo

[ovenpaa]

Buy a Lee Cast Classic Press and a Forster full length die set.

You have been hit with a massive amount of load info so here's mine - base on my own F Class competition experience and of several others who shoot F Class. (See users kit schedules on the website at http://www.gbfclass.co.uk)

The 155 Scenar is a great bullet - the World F/TR Champion uses 'em - nuff said!
Use eithet Vit N140 or N540. The N540 will give you a bit more velocity but your barrel might not last as long.
Use Lapua brass - £50 for 100 cases is not too expensive.
Federal primers are good.

This is exactly what I use and it gives very good returns for a far lower outlay than some alternatives. If I was to start again knowing now what I do now then this is the load and system I would go for again, nothing would change. I have 500 155.5 Berger's here and I am still yet to try them as I am so happy with the Scenar's and all of these componants are readily available as well.

[TattooedGun]

If you don't want to use Scenar's I would recommend the new Sierra (2156) 155 Palma Match. Alot of TR shooters have now gone to these and I think that the GB Palma used them to win the 2011 Palma. Depending on where you but them from they are about £280 a thousand compared with £380 for the Scenars.
My experience is that they will out shoot the Scenars out to 1000yds. They are not so jump sensitive as the Scenars, 50 thou' works just fine. Through my rifle the 2156 bullet with a load of 46 gr of N140 RWS case and CCI BR-2 primers gives 2980 fps.

Steve

I'm also using the 2156 palma match bullets and although I've only shot to 600 yards with them, they are definately damn fine bullets.

currently use 46.8 gr of Varget with a Federal Primer behind mine. fps unknown...