F/TR Loads

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 8:57 am

I shot my 170gr LLB load in the Jim Rowe Agg here in WA on the weekend. It shot well. I dropped 8 pts over three ranges which was due to my wind reading ability. My load is doing around 2773fps and seems to have decent elevation. I think I may take this load to the WARA Queens and shoot F-Open (F/TR Spec). Should be good fun I think.

Hows everyone else doing with there F/TR Load dev?

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Mon Aug 20, 2012 2:55 pm

I tried some 175 vlds and they offered little or no wind advantage over my hybrids (155&168) . If you have a 1in12 try some 185s, maybe juggernauts, or if you have 1in10 try some 200 grainers.

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Wed Aug 22, 2012 10:07 am

Id love to try the Juggernaughts but Im limited with my 26" barrel so the 170 - 175gr class seems to be my best bet at this stage.

Once I have a new barrel on the Omark, a 28" should do the 185gr fine

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Sat Sep 15, 2012 8:29 pm

Just an update as this thread is a tad dead

I am shooting my 170gr Lockbase load in the WARA Queens as F-Open and hopefully not the only F-Open 308 shooter either. I will however have my 175gr SMK load loaded up as backup if the Lockbase load goes to crap for some reason......Im not sure if this is logical but Im thinking it could be safe as I have never shot a Queens before soo better safe then sorry I think

Seddo · Post by **Seddo** » Mon Sep 17, 2012 11:36 am

I am a bit closer to my load, 45.3gr 2208 with a 178gr Amax loaded to 2.890 (AI Mag Length). Initial testing showed a 1 hole group at 50m, i took it to 300y in the wind and rain adn had around 2" of veritcal which was okay given the conditions. I have loaded up some more and will do some testign on a NICE day when i am not layign next to the ute to keep dry.

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 6:35 pm

Gents,

I shot my 170gr lockbase load at 1000yds yesterday and she went haywire. It would have been doing around 2800fps and it was going high, low and sideways. First two shots where x's but rest went crazy. I think they where tumbling big time. I shot my second application with my 175gr SMK load and except for my wind reading, elevation was good.

My load is this:

175gr SMK
44gr 2208
Winchester brass (match prepped)
CCI .BR2

I'm going to test the difference between the .BR2 & FGMM 210 and see what gives me best elevation at over 3x 5 shot groups at 300m and then decide what to take to Queens this weekend.

If anyone is gonna be at the WARA Queens, look for the desert camo R700 .308 and that's me.

How's everyone else going?

Ps: I'm going to get a pointing die and see how that effects my groups.

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:19 pm

Shaun,
I don't know what barrel you are using but 44 gn of 08 is a bit light for a 175 SMK-- what speed are you getting??
Barry

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Sun Sep 23, 2012 7:52 pm

Barry,

I get 2655fps at 0 degrees C. Around 2680 for normal shooting conditions. It gives me great accuracy so far.

What would you recommend?

Barry Davies · Post by **Barry Davies** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:27 am

Shaun,

If you are going to shoot 1000 yards with the 175 SMK I rather think you should consider the following.
MV of 2800 f/s-- this will give you a remaining speed of around 1300 f/s at 1000yds based on a temperature of 25c, elevation at sea level,barometer of 30.2 " Hg, and humidity of around 40%.
You may achieve this with a 28" barrel but 26" is doubtful. You also need 12 twist to be safe.
To get 2800 you may need a load of around 45.5 of 2208 but work up from 44.8
Barry

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:47 am

Barry,

I'll keep it in mind mate. But it didn't seem to have any issues. Conditions were 63.1 degrees F, 30.06InHg, 80ft AMSL. Predicted drop was spot on, the load held good elevation aswell. I've pushed a 175gr load to 2740fps in my rifle but just didn't have the accuracy.

A former US F/TR Champ shot a 175gr SMK load in the 2004 US F/TR Nationals, his mv was only 2610fps. Look it up on accurate shooter.

The 175gr SMK has a great reputation for being very accurate and punching through the transonic zone very well.

My barrel is a 26" Krieger 1-12T heavy palms barrel.

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 8:57 am

I recently tested 155 Berger Hybrids , Sierra 2156 Matchkings and Berger 175 VLDs at 1000, 1100 and 1200 yards at Coonabarrabran....
Basically 45.5 08 in the sierras and 45gr in the 155 hybrids, 44 gr in the 175s. I have a 28" barrel. 12 twist

The Berger 155s showed good accuracy and elevations at 1200 yards. The sierra 2156s were not holding elevations at 1100 (hence my switch back to bergers at 1200), despite that load being excellent at closer ranges. The 175 load was not as accurate for me as the two 155 loads, so i have given it away. I may try 185s later....

Andrew

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 12:22 pm

Andrew,

Thats good news the Hybrids perform well at 1200yds. Whats your MV?

Im not suprised the 175gr VLD wasnt accurate. They arnt built for stable transonic flight like the 175gr SMK is.

Im gonna stick with 175gr SMK in my remington w/ 26" barrel and will probs go with 185gr Bergers in my Omark w/ 28" barrel when that gets fitted

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 4:09 pm

Based on the trajectory and the computer (my ups from a 300 zero are 3,6,10,14,19 out to 800m) it has to be going about 2900 fps MV.
So at 1200 yds i was coming up 37min , i have a sightron 8-32 on a 20moa nightforce rail, 155 hybrids are supersonic to 1300 yds according to the computer, at least) I dont have a chrono, yet.

Quick · Post by **Quick** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:03 pm

Ohh nice. Good to know. Well if they bring home the scores, thats proof enough I reckon.

macguru · Post by **macguru** » Mon Sep 24, 2012 6:39 pm

yep, they still get pushed by the wind though, thats why i would try the 185s as well. The best i saw windwise was a 308 shooting 230 bergers. He had a separate barrel for match rifle, 1 in 8 twist, long throat and a duplex compressed powder load, and it worked , he had less than half the wind drift of my 155s but i think this is a bit extreme, however its interesting that it works at all.....