Quoted: Just my estimates from reloading the 308 Estimate per 1000, asuming you have all the tools(Press, dies...) Winchester Brass: $10 per 100 new, can be reused4-5 times(about 500 shots per 100 brass for total 1000 shots) 2 x $10 = $20 CCI Primers $25 per 1000(May be cheaper at places) Powder Varget $20 per container (can make appro 300 rounds+) 4 x $20 = $80 SMK bullets from MidwayUSA $20 per 100 10 x $20 = $100 Total cost of 1000 rounds for me is = $225 roughly.

How are you getting 300 rounds from 1lb of Varget powder?  (I assume 1lb for the $20 price)

I see most Varget charges around 45-46 grains.  There are 7000 grains per 1lb of powder so there are roughly 155 charges for 1lb of powder.

How does "10 x $20 = $100"?

Given the numbers you quoted above, I show your actual cost to be about $373.57/1000


For those interested, I built a simple spreadsheet that allows you to plug in your component cost and uses formulas compute the price per round, and per 20/50/100/400/1000.  Shoot me an email or IM w/email an I'll be happy to forward.

Quoted: I figured if I can hold .75MOA with the 175's, that will serve me better in the long run.... than the .2MOA advantage with the 168's. LOL,  I wish for that .2 MOA.

I didnt mean I could hold .2MOA with 168's.    I meant, they tended to group .2MOA better on average...  I could group around .55MOA (just a bit over .5") with the 168's, vs .75 with the 175's.  It wasnt a huge difference, but consistently noticeable.

Then, I have had days where I could not consistently group any better than 1.2".  But I chalk that up to coffee on the way to the range.  

My setup runs a little under .75 MOA out to 500.  A 3-1/2" - 4" group is very common for me at 500.  I haven't tried the 175s for quite a while, but, now that I've put so much into the 168s I'll stick with them.

Thats cool.  Sounds like a great load.  I have never really shot for groups beyond 100.  I dont get many chances.

At the LR match I did... I shot a 200/12x @ 300, and a 195/4x @ 600.

The X ring was MOA, and the 10 ring was 2 MOA @ 300.  So, I could not even keep mine all in 1MOA @ 300.  I averaged 1.5 I would guess.

At 600 (same target) the X ring was .5MOA, 10 ring was 1 MOA, and I believe the 9 ring was 1.5.  I suppose I got a little closer to MOA with that one, but the wind died down, and that helped a lot.  

It would be cool to shoot on a windless day.

I think a pound of powder will get you about 150 loads.

7000 grains per pound / 45.5 gr Varget = 153

I think that is right.

Quoted: Since this is post 308 I'll edit up a pic of my setup a little later. ETA:

Nice looking brush pile.  Thought you were posting pics of a rifle...  

Quoted: I think a pound of powder will get you about 150 loads. 7000 grains per pound / 45.5 gr Varget = 153 I think that is right.

Correct.

We did a Varget group buy a while back to share shipping and Hazmat, and got it for around $115 per keg, delivered.  That is $14.38 a lb, or $0.00205 per grain, or ~$0.10 per typical .308 charge.

That might have been my cost on the 6.8 stuff?

Then, I have had days where I could not consistently group any better than 1.2". But I chalk that up to coffee on the way to the range.

LOL, I know what you mean.

Much past 300 and the wind can really tear you up.  Our 500 range is densley protected by trees so the wind remains very stable and low.  The 1k range at Tiger Valley was a blast and an eye opener.  Drop was easy, the wind killed.  Like  said even at 1k the drop was within 5-6" of where I needed  to be, the windage on the other hand........, a real eye opener.

I need to do more of that long range work.

For those that are wondering.  I believe that on average:

0-300 is short range
300-800 is mid range
800+ is long range

This seems to be what most of the people "in the know" use as a reference when they speak of distances.

Ok, so I'm slow reading all this, like usual.

I used to think the perfect (reasonable) rifle was a 700 in .308. I've changed my mind. My old 700 was doing good to shoot 1.5 MOA. It had a sporter barrel, but was still plenty accurate for what I needed it for.

Then, a few weeks ago, I bought a Savage 12FV in .243 that shoots well under .5 MOA out of the box. Best group is .319" at 100 yds while fireforming brass and breaking in the barrel. One of the best parts about a Savage is that barrel changes take under 15 minutes and anyone that can't handle it shouldn't be allowed to own guns And now I'm trying to find a .260 barrel I can stick on there when .243 gets boring.

Someone said that .308 was better than 5.56mm or 6mm because of the higher ballistic coefficients of .308?

All bullets are Hornady, just because I like them:
.30 cal 178 grain AMax BC=.495
.22 cal 75 grain AMax BC=.435
6mm 105 grain AMax BC=.500
6.5mm 140 grain AMax BC=.550

Up to 500 yds I would (and did) pick .243. 500-1k I'll take .260 AI. Past that .338 LM out to .50 range. Savage for the first two, maybe the .338 if it'll somehow fit, and McMillan for the .50. Gee, and I wonder why my wife confiscated my credit card?

Still a huge topic. Everything you need to know is in the "pits". Listen to and watch the old guys at a 600 X 60 or palma match. "Old guy", a full value flag at 1000 is 10 MOA (.308 approx). "Me thinking", so what? Two weeks later.... flash.... 600 is 6 MOA, 1/2 value at 1000 is 5 MOA, 1/4 value at....... you get the picture. Flags are a good reference but watch the grass and trees and equate the two. There aren't always flags. Learn the flags, and the next step is mirage. It is everything beyond 900.  

Quoted: But in how many shots? Just messin' with ya.....I could be out there all day and probably never hit it. Good shootin'!!

four.    Not my rifle.  

Quoted: AS I recall it was my rifle.  Since then I sold it, but the replacement has an accutrigger and a longer barrel. Should stay stable out to 1000 with the new rifle. Whenever you guys are ready for it, I am game to go back out to the 1000 range and throw some lead. TRG

How about a beer can holder?

Quoted: Whenever you guys are ready for it, I am game to go back out to the 1000 range and throw some lead. TRG

Jan 22  1300

www.fwssc.org/schedule.html

Quoted: Quoted: Whenever you guys are ready for it, I am game to go back out to the 1000 range and throw some lead. TRG Jan 22  1300 www.fwssc.org/schedule.html

Damn thats a drive for us H-town folks...

Quoted: Damn thats a drive for us H-town folks...

I was born in Houston and raised in East TX...I don't think anyone could pay me enough to move back down to H-town.

I despise going back just to visit family...

Quoted: Whenever you guys are ready for it, I am game to go back out to the 1000 range and throw some lead. TRG

TRG, you know of anyplace in our neck of the woods (East TX) to shoot out to 1000?  500 is the most I have access to in these parts.

I am up for some more long range fun.

Quoted: For those that are wondering.  I believe that on average: 0-300 is short range 300-800 is mid range 800+ is long range This seems to be what most of the people "in the know" use as a reference when they speak of distances.

1200+ is ultra-long range (like out to 1500 - 2000 yards).

Longview has a 600 yard range, maybe it's out to 1000 yards now.

Quoted: Longview has a 600 yard range, maybe it's out to 1000 yards now.

Where in Longview?  The range I shoot at in Longview (ETRPC) only goes to 300.  The range in Tyler has a 500Y lane, but it's not open to the general membership.