I am looking for info on reloading 308 for a Remington 700 with a 5R barrel. Any pet loads,sizing tips, what type of brass to use etc. I was planning to use Federal Match brass,either neck sized or full length. 155 or 168 grain bullets. 2520,4895,or Varget powder. primers? let me know your likes and dislikes. I currently have a small base die set so I want to get some info before I order anything. Thanks

Sneakers,



I also have a Remmy 700 w/5r milspec barrel. I replaced my trigger with a Shilen and the J-lock and firing pin with a Taylor set. I have a Leupold Mark 4 3.5x10 LR/T M1 Duplex, on board mounted in Leupold Ultra Rings and bases (they are now called Mark 4's).



Before we get to your questions first, what are you going to use it for, hunting or punchin' paper?



I do both with mine, I use Lapua brass, Federal 210M primers and Hornaday 168 BTHP match for paper, and Barnes 168 XLC's for hunting. I use Varget, and you can find a good load starting @ 43 grains and working up.



My dies are a RCBS Competition die set.



Bob

I will basically be punching paper for now. I have a Leupold 4.5x14x50 scope mounted on Mark4 rings and base. Ken

Good rifle, the scope is a bit big for my tastes, but hey, that's what makes for good conversation. Mr. Shadow is obviously smart, and a man of good taste. Your sweet load will be 44.5-45.5 grains of varget depending on a whole lot of things. Lapua brass on earth is proof of a merciful and loving God in Heaven, where they also shoot Lapua. Trust me on this little point. RCBS Competition Dies are good, but Redding Bushing style "S" dies are better, especially when coupled with a Redding micrometer seater. Don't go down the neck size only road, it was put in front of you by the devil. If this is a factory barrel and it doesn't shoot, but it does foul, firelapp the bore (use the final finish system), and have your gunsmith turn the barrel back two threads and cut a straight min spec Palma chamber. Set the trigger right at 3#, become one with your sling, and all will fall in 600yards. Don't be afraid to cut up your puss pad and tape it on the stock so the bitch fits you like she's your best bitch in the whole world. Shoot a while and give her a name. She will be yours for ever, and will never treat you bad if you learn to caress the trigger.

If any body wants free form trigger time come over to our mountains and deserts. We set the metal targets up hill and down arroyo. You get to scout for enemy sniper, and read the ambush, don't worry, it will be too late, and you get to safely shoot you way of a 360 degree shoot box. Not much fun, eh? Its free, that sucks, huh? We do it when you come up. We have loaner rifles. If you believe the crap in the gun mags you get an AR or Chevy, I mean Remington LTR. If you're tough you get a Sako TRG 22.
If you pray to gunsite five times a day you get a Styer scout (in Black, dude). If you are a little light in the loafers you get the Sig Blaser LRSII, and the suppressor. The student who was abused as a child and likes rat guns gets a M12 Mod1/B, also with a suppressor. Evaluations will be obtuse, arbitray, unfair, and final. You will not be able to discuss courses for fire or grading criteria with anyone not present unless you don't wan't to come back.You will get a certificat the says what skills you demonstrated or proved, how you solved problems, and how well you adapt to change.
It is cold in the winter here, and mid summer sizzles. The terain looks exactly like Afghanistan on the west, and Irag on the east. Their will be significant water hazards in unnexcpected places. Transport will be by truck, horse, foot and river raft in the summer/fall. Snow shoe and ski's in the winter. Bring rations. Take a guess at clothing. Bring packs, one light for assault movements, one heavier for troop movements. WE aren't idiots. If it is 115 degrees during the day we will hole up in the shade and clean weapons. If it is 10 degrees we will build snow caves, stay warm, clean weapons, and move when day light dawns, unles the mission profile changes. We have a doctor to give one on one training for any 18D's that show, long range guys for the sniper teams to work with. You can tell the instructor to go toss off behind a bush, he will, he don't care. Logistics (bullet re supply, hot chow) can be an illusive entity to locate. Don't forget your sidearms. What ever you bring, and our various Glocks, Sigs, 1911, Tokarevs, and revolvers will be mixed in. Your assigned side arm will change daily. You will not be pushed to the point of exhaustion. The point of this is for everyone to learn, and teach everyone else.
This is designed for the military scout/sniper/DM teams. Hunters will find that the course simulates an average day of duck hunting on the Snake river. Any game killed by legal licensed holders goes into the pot. Non hunters get to pay for their dinner that night. If somone does something shit-hot or right-on during an exercise he/she/it will get a can of Copenhagen, a chocolate bar, or a shot of whiskey, depending on what appeals to the "teachers pet" at that moment. If you are a newbie to all this you will learn, get stretched, and get hooked. No one will blow you any shit unless you act like a dork.

If interested, please send a PM with your experience. No need to embroider your resume, all becomes known by day three. Say when you want a go. Cat killers are welcome. Dog killers are evil, and may not attend. No felons or batterers either.
We have 7500 square miles of mountains, cliffs, sand dunes, rivers, arroyos, and a light population density.
Let us know, and we'll put a field exercise together.
JCN

The best load I ever found for both accuracy and power in my .308 was 51 grains of H380 and the 165-grain Sierra HPBT. It also worked well using Sierra 168-grain Matchkings, but the hunting bullet was just as accurate. This load must, obviously, be worked up to, and may be too much for a lot of rifles. I had to cut it three grains for use in the M99 Savage.

JCN,

Your right about the Redding S dies and the seater, I have them in several calibers, and they are a bit better than the RCBS comp dies.

However, I've this set of RCBS dies for more than a decade and they have made lots of good ammo. I should retire them but I've sort of become attached to this old black set.

Your little range (7500 square miles, wow) sounds like hoot. Being well north of 50 years old, and a flatlander, I not sure how many mountains, cliffs and the like, I'm ready to scamper around toting 11 lbs of rifle.

But it do sound like fun!

Regards,

Bob

We got pickup trucks! I personally refuse to run, and only climb hills chasing Chukar Partridge. Shooting a few hundred yards either up or down hill at targets on a 45 degree angle is an eye opener. A good die is a thing of pleasure. They even live longer than good dogs.
JCN