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Posted: 5/10/2010 7:43:07 PM EDT
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I have a new AR10 with a 16 inch barrel and would like to know what loads are working for everybody else. I load 308 for my bolt guns and have 168gn BTHP bullets on hand and was thinking of trying some 150gn FMJ hornadys. I have Varget, TAC, IMR 4895 and H380 on hand. I also have LC brass. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks. |
I got an AP4 that I am trying to work up a load for now as well. So far I have fired the SMK 168's and the amax 168's and like the amax better. I got more consistent seating, and the accuracy was the same if not better than the SMK, not to mention cheaper. I used 42.5 and 43.0g of varget and got about 2350-2400fps. I have some IMR 4064 that I am going to try and see ifI can shrink my groups. Ill let you know Sunday 
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I have a new to me AR-10 that I've started loading for. My 1st rifle loading experience. So I started with 147gn surplus FMJBT bullets, LC brass, Win LP and 43gn of IMR-4895. I don't have a chrono but the accuracy was good.
I'm out of the 147grainers but have a large supply of Prvi 145s I'm going to work with next. Also switching to Varget since many people tell me it is the better powder for .308. Once I get comfortable loading for rifle I have a small stash of Hornady and Sierra bullets to try. |
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Be careful , i have found most load manuals to be a bit high even for starting loads in AR10's. Most loads in the manuals are for bolt guns and i have noticed pressure signs very early with even starting manual loads. I would go 1 to 2 grains less than start load and work up from there. My Fulton upper is 1/12 twist but loves 175g SMK or 168 SMK with 42 of varget and CCI LRP's in LC or Lapua brass. BLC2 works well also and meters better .
Watch for flattend primers as that will be the first sign of high pressue most likley , ejector marks are typical even in low end loads for me anyway. R15 is good too but i never found a good load that was as consistant as Varget or BLC2. I showed pressure signs at 43g of varget but 42g with 168/175 is the magic one for me with .5 moa all the time. Of course YMMV , I usually load 50 for testing in 10 shot groups to find what works best. I have also found the 42g Varget on the 175's works great in my bolt gun so i load up a few hundred at a time. I always full size my brass too. |
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Quoted:
be careful , i have found most load manuals to be a bit high even for starting loads in AR10's. Most loads in the manuals are for bolt guns and i have noticed pressue sign very early with even start loads. I would go 1 to 2 grains less than start load and work up from there. My Fulton upper is 1/12 twist but loves 175g SMK or 168 SMK with 42 of varget and CCI LRP's in LC or Lapua brass. BLC2 works well also and meters better . Watch for flattend primers as that will be the first sign of high pressue most likley , ejector marks are typical even in low end loads for me anyway. R15 is good too but i never found a good load that was as consistant as Varget or BLC2. I showed pressure signs at 43g of varget but 42g with 168/175 is the magic one for me with .5 moa all the time. Of course YMMV , I usually load 50 for testing in 10 shot groups to find what works best. I have also found the 42g Varget on the 175's works great in my bolt gun so i load up a few hundred at a time. I always full size my brass too. I too found that you need to back your charges down for use in an AR10. It is funny that I also like 42 grains of Varget for 168 and 175 milsurp BTHPs out of my Rem 700. Keep in mind that flattened primers and ejector marks may not be true indicators of high pressure in an AR10 as it could be due to chamber size/headspace, over gassing/timing issue, etc... I think so far, my AR10 is my most difficult rifle to load for.as I am still searching for a great load. |
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If you want a no brainer load for .308 semi-auto use;
Lake City brass and Winchester standard large rifle primers 168 grain Sierra Match Kings seated @ 2.800" 40.5 grains of IMR-4895 This was/is a standard match load for M1-A's shooting NRA high power tournaments. |
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Quoted:
If you want a no brainer load for .308 semi-auto use; Lake City brass and Winchester standard large rifle primers 168 grain Sierra Match Kings seated @ 2.800" 40.5 grains of IMR-4895 This was/is a standard match load for M1-A's shooting NRA high power tournaments. Don't have an AR-10, but My Remington R-25 (DPMS) shoots very well with 38.5 grains of IMR-4895 using 165gr Nosler Ballistic Tips, 2.812 O.A.L., L.C. Brass, and CCI's. In my gun, I have to use a Small-base die. Even new factory Federals have problems chambering and cycling in my gun's tight chamber??? My reloads were accurate with no pressure signs, using the LC brass in that gun. Factory Remingtons cycle well too. Haven't tried any new Winchesters yet. (Love this gun.  )
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Thanks for the replies guys. I've run some numbers in Quickload and looked at all my manuals and think I'm going to go with Varget and IMR 4895 to start and see what works the best. I may try some TAC also as that is what I have been loading in my bolt gun with good results. |
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