168gr. .308 Loads?

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Mitch H.

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I'm looking for some good 168gr. loads for my new AR-10. The barrel is a 1:10 twist, so I want to stay with the heavier bullets. Also, where is a good place to buy projectiles reasonably? Thanks, Mitch
 

LDA.45

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Try 41.0 of H4895 and the Sierra 168 BTHP match...
Dead nuts accurate in my bolt gun, should be GTG in a gas gun.
 

Jeff3C

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I shoot 155s and 178s out of my .308s but Varget seems to do best with everyload I've tried. I have been happy with the a-max for hunting/targets. If your going strictly paper try the Sierra Match Kings or the Berger VLDs (little more pricey).

I'm sure you probably know better than anyone but I can shoot 2-3gr more powder in a Hornady case than a Laupa case so start low and work up slowly.
 

Profreedomokie

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I have the AR-10T and I think the barrel is a 1 in 11.25" Lorthar Walther barrel. My best load is 168 BTHPMK with 42.2 grs of Varget with Winchester cases and primers. It will put them in one hole at 100 yds. off a bipod. You may have to go with 175's with your twist rate.
 

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Kind of depends on what you're looking to do with it really?.. I've got an AR-10NM with a 1:10 twist 20" barrel and it really likes the heavier MatchKing Sierra BTHP, but is still dead accurate with 150/168gr too...

FED 210 or 210NM primers, Lapua/WIN/PMC brass. OAL as far out as you can get it to safely feed through your magazines.

For 600yd prone:
43.0 grains of IMR4064 with 175/180gr Sierra BTHP

For 200yd off hand:
39.0 grains of IMR4064 - 150gr Sierra BTHP
42.0 grains of IMR4895 - 168gr Sierra BTHP

I perfer IMR4064 over IMR4895, but thats just me...

Im still trying to dial in a 600 yard prone load with Accurate 2520, its got a nicer recoil to me then the IMR powders, so im considering using 2520 across the board now. It meters a hole lot better for me as well...

44.0 grains Accurate 2520 - 168gr Sierra BTHP is pretty competitve at 600yards... Ive just got some 190gr in and this is really what I was wanting to dail in with the 2520 for a 600yard load, so im hoping to get back out before the weekend to see how these will perform.

For places to buy... I just usually watch the major players online for sales and stock up.. lately Ive been catching decent deals at Midway or worse case i can buy the same at Dongs in Tulsa for 2-3 dollars more then what Midway shows...
 

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Shadowrider, no I haven't.. From Accurate's website:

2495 Very similar to 4895, this single base, extruded propellant gives satisfactory performance in a wide variety of cartridges. It offers service rifle shooters who prefer extruded propellants an Accurate alternative to our 2520

According to Sierra's loading manual:

168gr HPBT
2495 - 38.7 vel 2385
2495 - 43.0 vel 2592

You will have to try it out and let me know if you like it? Got me curious to know what the differences would be when compared to 2520?

Thanks! I will have to go get me a pound a test it out too...
 

abinok

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Without getting too technical, the best thing going these days for conventional weight and load 308 is 175gr SMK, or your favorite VLD, loaded over Varget. The 175 SMK is so much better than the 168 that its not even funny.
 

UnSafe

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Best price? If you get dealer rates from any of the big vendors, look there first. And, Midway has a sale on 500 ct. SMK's in 168 and 175gr this weekend that matches dealer price.
 

tiny68

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44.0 gr of Varget, Laupa brass, Fed210M primers, and a 168 SMK is a perfect match to Federal Gold Metal Match in my 26" M700 bolt gun. Not sure how it will perform in your black gun. Make a trip out to El Reno to Gene Sears for your components. If you are a gun club member, tell them and set up an account for a significant discount. Luck, Tim
 

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