Hunting AR Thread, Built!

[Yondering]

Eld has arrived. Not sure i want to load the 178s for hunting as im concerned about a partially compressed load. I think ill look at the gameking and berger for a hunting round.

h20hunter, not sure why you're concerned about compressed loads, but thought I'd share this for you, from Hodgdon's website: http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-education/reloading-beginners/compressed-loads

"Hodgdon notes in its reloading data if the subject charge is a compressed load. A full case, or lightly compressed charge is an ideal condition for creating loads with the most uniform velocities and pressures, and oftentimes, producing top accuracy"

You can load 175 or 178gr bullets in your 308 with confidence, just follow published load data.

[h20hunter]

Thanks! I emailed Hornady and got the same feedback. With varget i believe max load was 42.6 or so. I've got brass prepped and will load sone eldx at a 42.2, or .5 under max, and give them a run.

For the why I was concerned? Because ive only loaded for a few years now and want to do it right and safely.

[Yondering]

Stick powders like Varget take compression well, lots of good loads with stick powders are compressed. Ball powders, like W748 or TAC, can only be compressed a little bit, because they're already fairly dense and compact.

[h20hunter]

Good info, thanks for that.  I think the eldx is going to be the one.  Match grade accuracy and reluable, so they say, expansion at just about and distance.

[BULLBLASTER]

I killed 2 deer with 6.5 mm eld x bullets last fall. They performed well for me and I'll continue to use them. Actually switching my 7 mag to the 162 eld x also.

[h20hunter]

Here is a quick update on how things are going. I did try a few of the Eld-x.....shot about 5 inch group at 100. Not sure my barrel will like them. I've loaded Amax, eld, and Matchings, all 168 gr with 45.0 varget and they shoot very nice. Just today I ran 12 rounds of 165gr accubond with the same powder charge. At 100 yards I had a ragged hole about the size of a quarter and a few shots right around there. Went very well and they shoot very nice. At 200 yards I'm only holding about a 3 inch group but know I can do better as I mess with the loads and learn the gun better. As of now, every shot on paper or steel out to 250 would be a dead dear in one shot.

[h20hunter]

Well, thought I would put an update up.

I believe we are broken in and got any, if only a few, kinks worked out. First minor issue I had was the scope was not holding steady in the mounts. I contacted Aero and they suggested the proper type of loktite on their mounts. Did that, problem solved. Next, as I was working on loads I would occasionally have a round hang up in the gun. Turns out I was loading them just a touch long. I found that every now and then the bolt was not closing 100%. Adjusted my loads just a touch shorter and have had zero cycle or hanging up issues. The trigger is awesome and I'm getting used to it. The scope is dialed in and turrets are zeroed out. I've found that 165gr Nosler Accubonds pushed by 45.0 gr Varget is money. Best group is 3 shots at about 1/4 inch. My best rapid fire group off the bench was two shots dead on about 1/4 inch apart and my 3rd shot I pulled about 1/2 inch low. For me, being an average shooter, trying to shoot fast, I'm very happy. I'll attach a pic of an average 3 shot group at 100 yards. With a 100 zero shooting out to 250 on steel is almost mundane. Hold a few inches high on the plate and let it ring. Average velocity with my rounds is 2653 per the Crony. I'm only getting about 30 fps difference between the fastest and slowest. Again, I'm no expert but I feel pretty good about that range.

[Skillet]

Very cool man.  Impressive accuracy.   

[TRD1911]

@dreadi

Who makes the top you're wearing in the bottom photo? Cool looking rifles too. Turned out great.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've got a Rock River Complete 458 SOCOM with 60 rounds Corbon and 100 Starline vigin cases for $900 plus shipping. Never been shot.

[h20hunter]

Heck of a shooter Camp. Did not get to bloody my 308, fingers crossed for Sunday.

[CAMPMEAT]

Heck of a shooter Camp. Did not get to bloody my 308, fingers crossed for Sunday.

I bought it for bear hunting and never used it. The 308 is a great caliber. That's why I want to sell it, along with some others to buy a Begara
14 HMR Hunter in 308 for Longrange shooting.

[h20hunter]

Nice...as an average reloader the 308 is very versatile. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Nice...as an average reloader the 308 is very versatile.

.......especially when you have all the reloading equipment and 5 pounds of Varget laying around.

[h20hunter]

Perfect. If you saw above.....45.0 gr, 165 gr accubond for me. I like varget for 223 as well as 308.