Hornady 208g A-MAX in .308

[dee]

I think your problem with cases getting tight is probably due to the fact you're on the long end of head spacing those cases to begin with. All cases will grow, but if they are already at max, they will do that.

They would all be tight not just the higher charged rounds, pressure is most likely the problem due to the bullet taking up too much volume causing a significant increase in pressure compared to a lighter smaller bullet.

[Vanner27]

They would all be tight not just the higher charged rounds, pressure is most likely the problem due to the bullet taking up too much volume causing a significant increase in pressure compared to a lighter smaller bullet.

This is what I was thinking, but I could be wrong. That is a huge bullet in that short case.

[dee]

A crunch is healthy, eventually your bullet will get a crease from the seating die when there is quite a bit of pressure. You can stop there.

There is also a point sometimes before that sign is after seating there isn't enough neck tension to hold the bullet good over the charge inadvertently pushing it back out some causing varying OAL.

[CJ]

There is also a point sometimes before that sign is after seating there isn't enough neck tension to hold the bullet good over the charge inadvertently pushing it back out some causing varying OAL.

That's true, but that's well over the bullet crease. I've never gotten there before and I'm smashed the hell out of some charges.

[CJ]

They would all be tight not just the higher charged rounds, pressure is most likely the problem due to the bullet taking up too much volume causing a significant increase in pressure compared to a lighter smaller bullet.

Pressure is relative to the charge. 2300fps is pretty slow for a 200gr .308 round, since that's the only verifiable evidence chances are good that it isn't high pressure. Granted, he doesn't have a chrono. If those cases are as full as you say you might be a lot faster than you think.

For comparison, my .300 blk shoots a 147gr @ 1900fps out of a 9.5", and that case has 1/4th the volume of a .308, and half the barrel length of this .308. You're welcome to use my chrono if you like, I can let you know the next time I head to the range.

I pulled some of my load data, and in my G3, out of a 20" barrel my load was a sierra matchking 200gr 45gr of H4350 and it chrono'd 2400fps. But honestly that load seems quite accurate, so I guess it all matters what you want to do with it. The 200gr have excellent energy retention out to around 400 yards or so. But if you plan on shooting long distance, you're going to have quite a bit of drop. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as my long range gun uses ~300 inches of drop at 1,000 yards. I shoot in F-class and most of the guys shooting at that range with .308's are shooting 200gr's at 2700fps, but they usually have 30" barrels. But if you plan on shooting F-class you better have your doping down as the shooting style is drawn out and wind shifts will murder you.

[Vanner27]

Thanks guys. I have a chrono, I just need to get it set up. I will definetely be getting a case gauge and we will see what happens. I appreciate it very much.

[CJ]

Thanks guys. I have a chrono, I just need to get it set up. I will definetely be getting a case gauge and we will see what happens. I appreciate it very much.

That first group you posted is as good as it gets, so you're definitely doing it right, haha.

[dee]

Powder burn rate and relative case capacity also will dictate pressure. As in this case RL17 is pretty darn slow for the relative case capacity of the 308 especially when the bullet is taking up even more area, it's more suited for something with 30-06's case capacity and up.

[CJ]

Powder burn rate and relative case capacity also will dictate pressure. As in this case RL17 is pretty darn slow for the relative case capacity of the 308 especially when the bullet is taking up even more area, it's more suited for something with 30-06's case capacity and up.

Right, it all depends on the powder choice, it may be time to try a different powder. But if he's punching paper inside of 400yds that load is excellent. If he can reproduce those groups regularly, he can win benchrest competitions. If he wants to do long range shooting 2400 isn't going to do it.

[dee]

I believe Varget or RL 15 or something in that burn rate area, maybe 4350 if the barrel is 26" or so. Another option is to keep running the RL 17 just seat the 208's to the lands and single feed the rifle.

Informal BR maybe but a factory savage 308 will not compete against a 6mm PPC BR gun those guys go down to the .000's at a minimum. Factory rifles can be well accurate but where they fall short is in consistent repeatabilty that the customs offer.

[CJ]

I believe Varget or RL 15 or something in that burn rate area, maybe 4350 if the barrel is 26" or so. Another option is to keep running the RL 17 just seat the 208's to the lands and single feed the rifle.

Informal BR maybe but a factory savage 308 will not compete against a 6mm PPC BR gun those guys go down to the .000's at a minimum. Factory rifles can be well accurate but where they fall short is in consistent repeatabilty that the customs offer.

Seems like you're talking about the unlimited BR class. His first group up there is competitive for 100yd benchrest. At least, it is at the shoots I attend.

[dee]

Seems like you're talking about the unlimited BR class. His first group up there is competitive for 100yd benchrest. At least, it is at the shoots I attend.

Informal short range, right? Unlimited is some crazy stuff like rail guns (engineering masterpieces but cheating in a way). That one group may compete but it takes more than one to do any good.

Most of our local br stuff is 200yrd instead of 100yrds and it's down right scary/impressive at what some of those guys can consistently do.

[Vanner27]

I believe Varget or RL 15 or something in that burn rate area, maybe 4350 if the barrel is 26" or so. Another option is to keep running the RL 17 just seat the 208's to the lands and single feed the rifle.

Informal BR maybe but a factory savage 308 will not compete against a 6mm PPC BR gun those guys go down to the .000's at a minimum. Factory rifles can be well accurate but where they fall short is in consistent repeatabilty that the customs offer.

I have NO intentions of being a competive benchrest guy. I am a plinker, through and through.

The whole "problem" I am having is I am seating them into the lands and they are still extremely short. It is really cool though that I am able to get them into the lands and still feed them from the magazine. If I can't get the velocity up I will for sure go back to the 168's or 175's. I just thought it would be fun to give these 208's a try.

[Vanner27]

Seems like you're talking about the unlimited BR class. His first group up there is competitive for 100yd benchrest. At least, it is at the shoots I attend.

I was at Alpine today and they have a 100 yd contest each day for a free T-shirt and from the winners on the wall this would have been competitive. That being said, one of the winners on the wall was a 6BR and you could not tell that he put 3 shots in that one little bitty hole. My Savage (and myself) would get raped bad at any kind of competition I think.

[CJ]

I was at Alpine today and they have a 100 yd contest each day for a free T-shirt and from the winners on the wall this would have been competitive. That being said, one of the winners on the wall was a 6BR and you could not tell that he put 3 shots in that one little bitty hole. My Savage (and myself) would get raped bad at any kind of competition I think.

At 100 yards my .223 gun shoots like that but in comparison shooting 100 yards is so easy, theres much less skill involved then there is shooting long range. So many less people do F-class it makes it competitive. Any many associations give concessions and handicaps to calibers/semi autos - which makes it interesting. Regardless your savage is shooting very well - and it's on par with many that shoot bench - at least that group is.