Rifle is a 700p LTR 20" .308. Federal brass (I know but it as given to me, I'll switch later), CCI BR2 primer. 178 AMAX and Varget.

powder charges were: 43.3. 43.6 43.9, 44.2, 44.5, 44.8, 45.1, 45.1. I think I had slight bolt stick and slight extraction stick at 45.5, but I'm still new and erring on the side of caution. No difference in the primers from 43.3-45.1. Also the high round on 6 was called due to a large caliber going off right next to me at the indoor range as I squeezed trigger I'm thinking 43.6 or 43.9 are the OCW. I know a lot of people run 43.5. Also one at 4 maybe? It's harder to tell with the called flier. Lastly the 2 holes near the word "sighter" and the 43.3 mark are my sighter rounds, 40.8 41.6 42.4, that were shot just off target. The arrow points to here the 3rd hit. Tried to keep the main run on 1 paper.

Is this at 100 yards? How's the trigger on that rifle?

100 yard. Excellent trigger. Not my best shooting. the indoor range and the large rifle next to me was throwing me off a bit, but it was the only option at the time.

Here are some other 100 yard groups with PPU 168 match.

top round is from a previous shooter.


3 in the diamond

I would try to find a longer range if at all possible, 200yrd would be good and 300 would be ideal. Also if you are good on the gun and consistent at the bench a 5 shot group will give you a lot better idea of what the load is doing, 3 shot groups are for sighting in scopes not working up 308 groups.

Any recommendation on what to start with for narrowing down? I have a buddy coming into town this week and we planned to shoot to 500 but haven't had time to dial in a load and funds are dictating I use my components and not buy ammo right now. I still haven't qualified past 250 at the long range near me yet either.

honestly I am at a loss trying to figure your groups out. Did you shoot these offhand or semi supported? what is the twist of your barrel as the 178s might be to long a bullet to stabilize properly or your gun just flat does not like that bullet. all the groups are very similar and none would be good enough for me to consider that powder/bullet/primer combo an option.

sitting on a shop type stool and on a bench at an indoor range. 1:12". I know this bullet powder combo is very common and reliable in a 20" 308. guess I'll have to load develop again

Just because something works for most people does not mean the load will work in you gun. Every barrel and chamber are unique, this is why we tailor loads instead of having one size fits all recipes like factory ammo. Some one with a lot more 308 experience than me will chime in on the twist as the only .30's I load for are 1-10in twist and faster than a 308rem. But I think with a slower twist and the long streamlined nature of the AMAX the 1-12 might be a little slow for the bullet. It should work but I would guess that the accuracy node will be on the high end of the powder charge range. But look at your own pictures, your gun shoots the cheapo 168bthp pretty fair, and it is a good target/hunting bullet.

Many have said a 1:12 will stabilize a 178 A-max, but it doesn't look like this rifle is doing very well with it. I asked about the trigger because of the horizontal stringing. Usually, horizontal stringing is improper trigger control, i.e. pulling the trigger toward the hand, or pushing it away, versus pulling the trigger straight to the rear. But if you believe you have good trigger control, I would look into a lighter bullet.

When I shot a .308 it was with a 24" 1:10" twist, and they faired far better than the groups you posted. Don't think I'm bashing on your shooting skills, because I'm not. I'm just mentioning possible problems. The rifle did shoot 168's better. Though those don't fair too well outside 600 yards, they may be just fine for you.

You could try a 168 gr. A-max (G1 BC of .475) or, if you don't mind spending the money, a 155 gr. Lapua Scenar (G1 BC of .460) The Scenar has a high BC for it's weight. Very close to the 168 A-max, but would be leaving the barrel with more velocity.

I work up loads at 500 yards, but 300 will still give you some good information. If you dialed 1.0 Mil in the scope on a .308 you'll be not only on paper, but very close to being right on the money.

One more thing. I've fired thousands of rounds through bolt action rifles, and I shoot at least once a month, sometimes more. Something I've started adding to the process is getting behind the rifle, getting rock solid, and dry firing about 5 times before ever loading a round in the rifle. It reinforces good habits, like trigger control, as well as not flinching upon firing.

Interesting, I do have 100 155 SMK Palma bullets( 2156 I think) I can try. Just not sure how I'll do it and get to shoot for giggles before my buddy gets here.

1 mil for what? I get mil and moa but not sure what you are referring to. Just fyi my scope is in moa.

Ok, if you do load testing at 300 yards, dial in 3 1/2 MOA. That'll get you on paper pretty close to your point of aim.

gotcha. with 178s correct?

Or the 155's you're going to try. It's just to get you on paper at 300. Once you find the load that shoots the best, refine the elevation correction for that load.

Cool. Thanks. I also have Ballistic AE on my iPhone I can play with to get me in the ballpark.

remember that with a caliber like 308 that is easy on barrels load up at least 5 per charge weight, the only thing I use 3 shot groups to work up loads are over bore barrel burners, and even then I usually confirm my load with a 5 or 6 shot group before I settle on it.

I just bought a rem 700 aac-sd I'm interested in what y'all have had good luck with on ammo