Thread: Bergara BA13 308 16in load difficulties

Anyone have any loads that seem to work? I've tried a selection of projectile weights and loads but can't seem to get a decent grouping at 100m. Mainly looking at super loads (200m max) but open to heavy subs too.
Rifle is always suppressed.

The best shooting load I had out of one was actually a 225gr eld-m. This was a long time ago but if I remember rightly they topped out at about 2300, maybe a little less, with milder loads shooting better. Kicked the shit out of your shoulder.

Consistent shoulder pressure, firm rear bag, bipod and light to no hold on the front.

Originally Posted by Pommy

The best shooting load I had out of one was actually a 225gr eld-m. This was a long time ago but if I remember rightly they topped out at about 2300, maybe a little less, with milder loads shooting better. Kicked the shit out of your shoulder.

Consistent shoulder pressure, firm rear bag, bipod and light to no hold on the front.

Yeah, probably makes sense with that tight twist. Will try that.

I had one for a bit, had baffle strike on suppressor when it was attached.
If I left if off everything was sweet, grouped under inch with most loads.
How does it shoot without the suppressor.
Sold it when a Tikka 16 inch barreled 1-8 twist became available

Originally Posted by mikee

I had one for a bit, had baffle strike on suppressor when it was attached.
If I left if off everything was sweet, grouped under inch with most loads.
How does it shoot without the suppressor.
Sold it when a Tikka 16 inch barreled 1-8 twist became available

I'll admit I haven't shot it without a suppressor. I'll see how that changes things.

Originally Posted by SilverKiwi

I'll admit I haven't shot it without a suppressor. I'll see how that changes things.

If you look at edge of the hole in the end of the suppressor sometimes you can see a mark where the projectiles lightly "kiss" it on the way past.

Mine was factory threaded. I tried it with a suppressor designed for 338 and problem went away. Then as usual something better came along.

I reckon they are good design but could do with going to "Jenny Craig" as they are quite a bit heavier than they look or should be.

Clean it back to bare steel clean barrel and try some copper/monolithic projectiles 110-130 gr

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Clean it back to bare steel clean barrel and try some copper/monolithic projectiles 110-130 gr

Open to try anything at this point... Any particular load you'd suggest?

Originally Posted by SilverKiwi

Open to try anything at this point... Any particular load you'd suggest?

2206h goes good behind 130gr ttsx...you should be able to work up to around 3000fps from 16 inch barrel.
H335 a good option if you cant get enough 2206h in.

Originally Posted by veitnamcam

2206h goes good behind 130gr ttsx...you should be able to work up to around 3000fps from 16 inch barrel.
H335 a good option if you cant get enough 2206h in.

How much AR2206h are you putting in to get 3000fps 48gr-49gr?

Originally Posted by crunch

How much AR2206h are you putting in to get 3000fps 48gr-49gr?

50gr in my rifle...load is safe in my rifle, shitty fed brass over 6 firings over multiple different rifles. still holding primers no extraction or case head elevation issues.

As always work up your own load for your own rifle.

Mine has "kissed" the end of the suppressor (DPT muzzle forward) twice since owning it, it only had to loosen very slightly for this to happen (when it got hot), I think the tolerance on the suppressor holes is pretty tight compared to bullet diameter. Not enough to damage the suppressor end cap but left a mark, and shots were all over the place. I took suppressor off and also gave it a good clean, shot much better. I have now reamed the end of suppressor in the lathe to take it 0.5mm larger, problem has gone away - it could simply be 'cause threads might be a bit loose between factory threaded rifle and 2nd hand well used suppressor.

Mine shoots ok (2 moa or better) with a range of super handloads from 125gn up to 168gn, shoots 190gn and 90gn sub loads well (10mm @50m, 40-50mm group at 100m). Seems to group tighter with the heavier super loads (168gn Sierra HP MK and 168gn A-max), using 2208. I haven't tried heavier projectiles, though have loaded up some 220gn RN to try next time I'm at the range.

Originally Posted by bjp

Mine has "kissed" the end of the suppressor (DPT muzzle forward) twice since owning it, it only had to loosen very slightly for this to happen (when it got hot), I think the tolerance on the suppressor holes is pretty tight compared to bullet diameter. Not enough to damage the suppressor end cap but left a mark, and shots were all over the place. I took suppressor off and also gave it a good clean, shot much better. I have now reamed the end of suppressor in the lathe to take it 0.5mm larger, problem has gone away - it could simply be 'cause threads might be a bit loose between factory threaded rifle and 2nd hand well used suppressor.

Mine shoots ok (2 moa or better) with a range of super handloads from 125gn up to 168gn, shoots 190gn and 90gn sub loads well (10mm @50m, 40-50mm group at 100m). Seems to group tighter with the heavier super loads (168gn Sierra HP MK and 168gn A-max), using 2208. I haven't tried heavier projectiles, though have loaded up some 220gn RN to try next time I'm at the range.

Dpt supressor hole to bullet clearance is not very tight. I've run 308 out of a 7mm can plenty on threads i trust. I'd say bad thread is more likely.

Originally Posted by Stocky

Dpt supressor hole to bullet clearance is not very tight. I've run 308 out of a 7mm can plenty on threads i trust. I'd say bad thread is more likely.

this!

a 308 DPT suppressor has about a 9mm hole in it, If your bullets are striking that, its either:

- Bullet not stabilizing (i.e. keyholing)
- Suppressor loose (i.e. sagging)
- Whoever retard posing as "gunsmith" that did the barrel threading job is incapable of dialing a barrel in so that the thread sits concentrically and its shoulders are perpendicular (unlikely if its factory threaded)
- Smacked the suppressor and bent the thread tenon (is that even possible?)

As for the lack of accuracy

- If the op can shoot 0.5 MOA groups with other rifles its probably not him (otherwise I would have suggested getting a different shooter to try it)
- Have you checked the barrel with a borescope? Carbon Build-up? excessive Copper fouling?
- Some barrels can be very picky with regard to harmonics and what bullets and powder combinations they like, which is annoying. Sometimes using a different powder, or different primer can work
- any factory ammo that shoots well?
- has it ever shot anything well?
- what is your reloading technique? consistent shoulder bump? trimming of brass? etc.

Originally Posted by STC

this!

a 308 DPT suppressor has about a 9mm hole in it, If your bullets are striking that, its either:

- Bullet not stabilizing (i.e. keyholing)
- Suppressor loose (i.e. sagging)
- Whoever retard posing as "gunsmith" that did the barrel threading job is incapable of dialing a barrel in so that the thread sits concentrically and its shoulders are perpendicular (unlikely if its factory threaded)
- Smacked the suppressor and bent the thread tenon (is that even possible?)

As for the lack of accuracy

- If the op can shoot 0.5 MOA groups with other rifles its probably not him (otherwise I would have suggested getting a different shooter to try it)
- Have you checked the barrel with a borescope? Carbon Build-up? excessive Copper fouling?
- Some barrels can be very picky with regard to harmonics and what bullets and powder combinations they like, which is annoying. Sometimes using a different powder, or different primer can work
- any factory ammo that shoots well?
- has it ever shot anything well?
- what is your reloading technique? consistent shoulder bump? trimming of brass? etc.

Let's drop the suppressor talk issue if its not apparent on the OPs suppressor, my post about it might be just confusing things. [BTW, have since retired that suppressor from that rifle, have now picked up a OB suppressor that fits the stubby 16" barrel]