Background and Foundation: We reside in the NW suburbs of Minneapolis, MN, kind of semi-rural and chilly this weekend!

This is our first post and am absolutely new; this is our first forum and first request for guidance in the domain of reloading.

This will be a new family effort with all of you guiding along the way. Being lost without asking or giving up early is not a good thing for us on this endeavor. Our goal is to be successful with ever present advice.

We have a .308 Tikka (new)to be tested, i.e., my son and I. We hunt deer together each year along with small game; as far as bear and elk out West or moose to the north, most possibly in the future. We love to fish together and will begin paper target shooting occasionally, mainly for sight-in and to maintain and improve rifle skills.

Our Lee Anniversay press will arrive today.

We are acquiring dies (Redding Competition set), measurement equipment; caliper,Stoney Point Chamber Tool, Sinclair Comparator, etc. We have the book ABC's of Reloading arriving next week and the Tubb's video to reloading arriving at the end of the month due to an out of stock condition.

We have selected (2) reloads to concentrate our initial efforts upon. The components we wish to use are the Barnes TSX 168gr (hunting primary request) and SMK 168gr (paper)for bullets, Lapua brass, CCI BR2 primers,and Varget powder. We agree, we might have to have another powder, either an IMR type or N150 depending on your guidance.

Safety is primary. Accuracy and performance is next, the ultimate result, of your guidance, suggestions, and all of our efforts.

In many replies to posts the novices like us become scared, it appears there is one or two components of data missing, most likely because you are Pros and highly experienced, either the primer type, case type, or both, distance from the lands, and exact grains of powder to key on; although a range is given understandably for starting 10% under, and then seeing what the rifle likes best.

Novices like us become apprehensive internally when components appear, missing or become mixed, the feeling is like walking on first ice and hearing it crack or watching it bowl (depress)as you walk. It maybe safe at the moment. However, substituting 210M primers for BR2's or Win brass for Lapua even when loading the same grain of bullet can be daunting, that is why we selected (2) reloads and this forum's guidance.

If there is a highly accurate and performing .308 load (hunting TSX 168gr and SMK 168gr target) that you use or are aware of, that sharing would be an extremely appreciated, sincere and a respected beginning if that could be shared in this post with us.

We plan to purchase one box of factory Federal Premium TSX 165gr, (although we do not wish to use the 165's from a compatability respect) with the purchase of one box of SMK 168gr FGMM (industry standard target).

These will be used for measurement, preformance comparison and rifle sight-in, never again to be purchased or used.

We will perform several simulated press setups and checks prior to actual manual reload production.

Those are our strategies at the moment.

It would be important to us if all the components for (hunting and target) were listed for us novices to begin creating the final reload. Example below really, really helps the new people.

Caliber: .308
Bullet: TSX 168gr
Case: Lapua
Primer: CCI BR2
Powder: Varget --.- grains
Distance from Lands: .060 example, where applicable, not sure for target loads but for TSX's will be important.
COAL: x.xxxx
Comments:

There maybe others.

If components that can be interchanged with others, because of your actual use or test please let us know, a response will confirm you are alive and well and that the ice is safe for the moment.

We are very glad and proud to be accepted as a member of this forum and Thank All Very Much.
Thank You!

Sincerely and Respectfully,

TJD

43 to 45 grains of Varget

Distance from Lands 0.060 is about right. Work outward in 0.005 increments

COAL is specific to your rifle

What I use in mine is 44.5gr of Varget with OAL of 2.84"

Ive been useing R15 powder, 45gr with Hornaday 165sp, very accurate. Im going to buy some imr4064 also for my 308.

Im also testing some Lapua Mega 185 gr

For my 308 rifle shorter to ogive bullets work better for me so the bullet isnt seated into the case too far for the short COL of the mag. All the long plastic tip bullets have to be seated too deep to fit the mag

Varget should be a good powder for your 308. There are several others too if Varget doesn't work out. I'd suggest you try a few different weights with the varget, load up a couple of groups at each weight, and see what kind of accuracy you get. There is a endless possibility of what your rifle may like the best but, if it's got a good tube, it should do quite well with several loads. Tikka has a good reputation for accuracy so you should be able to find some loads that will work for you and your son's needs. I think your OAL may be effected by your clip length due to the short clip and long throat in the Tikka rifles but, your measurements will tell.

Good Luck with this new hobby, it truly is a ball of fun.

Reloader

Here are some good examples for other powders:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

Good Luck

Reloader

30378

Thanks for getting my thoughts centered on Varget and the distance from lands as a beginning; I will be be careful with the OAL
as measurements are determined. Thanks

GSP7

I will do more review on R15 and IMR 4064 as alternatives. It nice to see the info on the .308 in the forum. Your note concerning the magazine did not occur to me, being new and anxious to reloading. What a major snafu for this beginner that would have been. Thanks.

Reloader

I was fearing the endless possibilities of experimenting, I will load in groups of 4 with the different weights of powder. 30378 has me most likely in the very close black zone groupings.

Reloader, both you and GSP7 saved me from that
wrong turn where the loads would not fit the clip. I just wasn't that far along in the thought process but believe me, I would have had a bunch of rework and a severe rose colored face. Both Thanks, for keeping an eye down stream for me I would have missed that one.

The hodgdon data site is great, I never knew it existed, they certainly have great examples, it is a designated favorite.

As things develop I'll keep everyone up-to-date.

tjd

TJD:

You've picked a good caliber to start with, because the .308 is generally not a picky round to load accurately. There are MANY powders in the middle of the burn rate chart that shoot well in the .308. I personally have had great results with AA2520, 44.5 to 45.0g, 168g SMK, any large rifle primer. AA2520 is a small, ball powder that flows thru a powder measure like water. Other powders that have a good history in the .308 are: Varget, IMR 4064, RE-15. You have picked some of the best brass available. You being a new reloader, I'd offer the suggestion to set a routine when you start reloading and stick to it. For example, lube all your cases, then re-size all, then clean primer pockets (if needed), trim to same length overall, camfer the case mouths, prime cases, measure and throw powder (I load one round at a time, weighing each load, although others throw powder for ALL the brass, then seat all bullets). The important thing starting out is that you establish a pattern and stick to it so you don't overlook anything. Turn the TV and stereo off and keep distractions to a minimum. After you've loaded a couple hundred rounds, you will have established a routine that is safe and works for you.

Welcome to reloading! I warn you, it's addictive...

MKane160

MKane160

Your advice is well received, I will look up the AA2520 powder. Varget as of now appears our
first choice, however the IMR 4064 & RE-15 will for sure be on the research list.

It is great to see a guidance load for the SMK 168g. We will compare groups from the initial factory box with what we reload.

For sure you are correct with establishing a routine. I have printed your reply for what to do and when. I know my son and I will look like a comedy act at first. We will do exactly as yourself load (1)round at a time and then admire the first completed cartridge. I am sure if I miss an operation, the whole family will hear about at the next get-together.
Thank for the info.

tjd

TJD, Welcome to the site! Glad to see another .308 shooter, it's a wonderful and accurate round to begin reloading with. I absolutely agree with your choice of the 165/168 grain bullet weight for this cartridge. Though I would add in the 165 Nosler BT configuration if you find some on the cheap. I have been loading the .308 since 1965, and still use IMR 4064 as my first choice of powder with 165 grain weight bullets. I also use Varget especially with the 150/155 grain weight bullets. The Vita Vourhi powders have proven very accurate for me as well. My primer of choice is Federal, but see absolutely nothing wrong with your choice. My preferences for the brass I shoot: Lapua, Federal nickel match from years ago, Winchester, lastly Rem-Pete.

As to loading, the distance from the lands is an important but not critical part of the process. It is very important to know where you are in relation to the lands, but concentricety, neck tension and powder charge can make up for an inability of the bullet to reach the last few thousandths to engage the lands. Think Weatherby freebore and accuracy here. It would be important to also learn to change only one thing at a time when developing loads. Example, your COL is 2.820 and this is the maximum that will work through your magazine, but is .020" short of cantact with the lands. So in the initial load development you should load all cartridges at 2.820" (Note that when changing bullets their relationship to the lands will be different. The Sierra may be -.020 but the Barnes only -.005) Then you should vary the powder charge to see where the accuracy nodes are in the barrel. By starting at the longest possible length and then selecting the most accurate powder charge, you can then back off in .005 increments and see if any improvment follows you home.

Good luck and welcome once again.

HAVE NO FEAR I'AM HERE! I think the 168gr bullet should be shot in a 1-12 twist barrel for best results.The most accurate powder for this above combo is Vit 540,and Varget a close second.Vit 140 worked great with the 155gr bullet and a 1-13 twist barrel.I should get a picture up of todays range results with my 308.I am waiting to get it emailed and should have it up tomorrow.

308Sako

Excellent information, glad to see some very experienced .308 reloaders respond. Thanks! I will be very sure to ask as I go along. I will certainly keep the 2.820 measurement checked, one load at a time. I am afraid of the Barnes 168g TSX having to
be built up to maybe .060-.065 off the lands; not sure yet if this will fit in the magazine and load properly. I will set up empty blank loads (bullet and case only) and see if the cycle. Would very much hate to see them not perform accurately because of a magazine issue, this bullet is planned to be our benchmark for hunting. Our next alternative will be in the Nosler Partition or Sierra Pro-Hunter family. But first, I have to get comfortable with the overall reloading process, and based on trial loads, performance, fit, function and bullet groupings, if I fail in performance with Barnes because of the potential magazine length, then there will be an immediate switch. Just slightly cautious and fearful the Barnes 168g TSX will not work before I even begin, that would be a heartbreaker. The barrel has a 1:11 twist, 20" length. As I go along I will post to you and the forum. Thanks for the great advice!


Shootaway

The barrel has a 1:11 twist, 20" length. I will also check the Vit 540. Kind of have an idea of grains per load with Varget w/168g top, Vit 540 will be very new to me and will have to be researched, not sure of grains per load to begin or maximum, I see you're near the cool climate also. Will watch for the pictures. Not quite sure what will happen or expect with the 1:11 twist compared to your 1:13. As you know I will be reading, trying, posting and updating. I am sure there will be many good and not so good questions. Talk to you later. Thanks Much!

As you can see, we like to delve into the esotheric aspects of reloading. Makes you wonder how all those gazillions of rounds were loaded using a Lee Loader.
Don't overload yourself with trivia. After the first firing, make sure all of your cases are of the same length. Then work on producing a nice uniform round of ammo. Don't worry about how far the bullet has to jump to the lands (as long as its not touching), how much foot/pounds to seat the primer, nor any other nice to do perhaps stuff. Learn how to use the various pieces of equipment you have (and you seem to have plenty).
Once you are familar with your stuff, and can produce a consistant round, you can start tweeking your loads. Trying other primers, other bullet, bullet jump, etc. Make those changes one at a time so you'll know if they do in fact affect accuracy.
Make up a binder for each rifle and save ALL of your targets so you can see how you improve over time as a shooter (shoot more, score more) and as a ammo smith.
Remember, your rifle(s) are gonna be different from everyone else's rifle so any info you get in here is more of a guideline than an absolute.

This group is from a Rem 700 VLS with a Krieger 1-13 twist Palma barrel.I was useing a 8X scope and there was blowing snow.I've done better but here are yesterdays results.

shootaway

Highly impressive! That Rem is an awfully tight
piece of equipment. That load sure fits and of course you found a secure match. That group clearly demonstrates very sound human mechanics.
Thanks.

Lots to look forward to.

To All Forum Members

New to posting so if something appears erroneous
or I mess up a response, it is not by intent. Just tripping while learning to walk on the forum.

tjd

stillbeeman

Guidance well taken. Now off to research.

Thanks,

tjd

TJD,

Please note that the 2.820" measurment is an estimate, not an actual. You may be able to load longer than that. My Rem 700 VSSF is good to go at 2.835 COL from the magazine as a further example.

Once again learn what your rifle(s) are capable of.

Shootaway, very nice shooting, but isn't that a relatively light load? My HART/Sako best accuracy load is 41.3 of V V 540, Lapua, Fed 210M... with the 165 weights...???

308,I use the lightest load that will group to keep cost down and increase barrel life.I use the load for offhand target practice only.I use Win cases for my loads,I have not tried Lapua for the 308.With the 1-12 twist barrel and 168gr bullets 39,40,and 41grs of vit 540 or Varget worked beautifully.

308Sako

I have a better idea now, good example, followed
with actual measurement. Those actual examples are what we needed to assure ourselves we are learning and still moving the ball forward.

Our gages are to arrive this Friday or Monday the 12th. Still have to set-up from scratch.

Talk to you later,
tjd