Thread: Load development in the SI

Originally Posted by Strider B

My rem700 .308 was running 165gr Sierra hpbt on top of 40gr of 2206h at 2.80” getting 2650fps which was super accurate.

I stupidly sold that as soon as I got my kimber which is very light and rather short. So I opted for something in the 150gr weight.

Have tried 150gr sst and a few other projectiles in the weight range.

I’m playing with 150gr nosler BT on 44.0 gr of 2206h, fed primer and brass, loaded to 2.80” which is mag length.

Out of a 5 shot group I’ll get 3 touching, and 2 fliers all MV is within 10fps and I’m pretty particular when I’m prepping and loading.

I tried going up to 44.25 and 44.5 gr but groups opened up.

Short light rifles can shoot very well. Or Not. Depends entirely on the way the barrel responds to heat(ing). A barrel that is not carrying internal stresses etc can be very light and shoot well, I've had a very light (and reprofiled twice) Krieger that would consistently hold 75mm groups at 450M, but a current Rem model 7 with factory barrel won't even get close to that.

There is a well known rule of thumb (promoted by several people including John Barsness) that 46.0 gns of AR2206H behind a 150 to 165gn projectile in the 308 is very hard to beat. Its worked for me in several 308's and has proven out to be right on the money using OBT theory in the GTR tool for my 22" barrels - my Lithgow LA102 shoots 1/3 moa with this load and 165 Targex projectiles. I'd be working up if using it with anything other than 150 Gn projectiles.