[deadshot2]

DS2, does the Sinclair insert fit in the Hornady comparator body?
I have 2 comparators, the Hornady and a nut type from PTG. Of those 2, I prefer the Hornady as it is easier to handle; but, as you said there is some wiggle in the Hornady.

The Sinclair inserts not only fit into the Hornady bodies perfectly, they are steel so they are less prone to damage on the "datum point".

The only issue in using Sinclair inserts in Hornady body's is when measuring the headspace on a completed round. Hornady uses the same body for both comparator and headspace inserts. Sinclair uses a deep body for their headspace insert. The Sinclair headspace insert in a Hornady body can only be used for measuring empty cases as there isn't enough room for the bullet.

To add, Hornady makes a real nice "Anvil Kit". Install it on the 'other' blade of your caliper and cartridges are easy to square up for uniform readings.

 

[mamalukino]

Thanks DS2, I will give the Sinclair's insert a whirl.

 

[ArmyJerry]

Excellent thread, only getting better with age. Will have to look into the Sinclair insert. Looking for a 8208 load with 155 smk in LC brass for AR 10 shooting. I have 4064 in stock also.

 

[Cliffy]

Excellent thread, only getting better with age. Will have to look into the Sinclair insert. Looking for a 8208 load with 155 smk in LC brass for AR 10 shooting. I have 4064 in stock also.

All be working on that load for a bolt gun soon.

Cliffy

 

[NorCalFocus]

I have a few pounds of 4064 and some Amax 178's what are you finding your best load?

My Benchmark Barreled (24", 1:10, 5 C) .308 does real well with a load between 42.0 and 42.4 using IMR 4064. I'd do a load workup around that area although some rifles do well around the 44 gr charge weights as well. As always, it's going to depend totally on YOUR rifle so I'd recommend an OCW test covering the entire load range to find the best charge.

I'm headed out this AM to do exactly this. Am shooting 10 groups of 3 rounds each starting just under 42 gr and ending at 44.5, using .3 gr increments. Every shot will also go over the chronograph so I can compare accuracy nodes with low SD/ES and Speed numbers. I like to do this with a new case/powder/bullet combination and do it with the bullets in the lands. Once done I have a baseline and can pick a "slow" or "fast" load to fine tune.

Deadshot, how is the 4064 and 178 AMAX combo working out for you?

I decided to bite the bullet (lol I made a pun) and step up to a heavier bullet for longer range shooting. I was looking to try the 175 Hornady HPBT, but Cabela's only had the 178 AMAX in stock. Anyone know how theses will work in a 1:12 SPS Varmint? The box says 1:10 twist, but I think I should be fine.

Lastly, is it just me, or is Hornady the only bullet you can't find load data online for?

 

[KRPattman]

When Reloading for general plinking ammo, what do you guys focus on more, accuracy or highest velocity? I recently chrono'd some ammo and both group were the same size but the velocity difference between the two groups was about a 40fps difference.(two loads were 0.6gr difference) Is this a big issue or should I just split the difference? mostly shorter range plinking ammo but would like to take it out further past 700-800yds eventually.

My main thing is trying to figure out which is more important, accuracy of the test groups or the velocity, or both? If velocity is the main thing, as it can affect downrange trajectory, then I would assume the higher velocity is preferable if the group sizes(using the OCW method) are the same. I also getting into reloading some 223 so would be interested in the answer as I believe the idea behind which is most important would be the same as with .308.

 

[NorCalFocus]

Always accuracy over speed. With a 0.6gr spread is Forsyth sounds like your in a node. Split the difference and make that your load. That way you know you right in the middle and your error on either side will still be good.

 

[mamalukino]

Deadshot, how is the 4064 and 178 AMAX combo working out for you?

I decided to bite the bullet (lol I made a pun) and step up to a heavier bullet for longer range shooting. I was looking to try the 175 Hornady HPBT, but Cabela's only had the 178 AMAX in stock. Anyone know how theses will work in a 1:12 SPS Varmint? The box says 1:10 twist, but I think I should be fine.

Lastly, is it just me, or is Hornady the only bullet you can't find load data online for?

I emailed them for their load recommendations for the 178 BTHP:Hornady’s 178 GR BTHP Load Data it is the same as the Amax, pretty low.
I am shooting the 178 with 41.0 grains Imr4064 at 2530 out of 24" Bartlien 1:10, the 1:12 should do fine.

From Hornady:
IMR-4064 started with 34grs @ 2000fps and a MAX of 41.3grs @ 2400fps.
IMR-4895 started with 33.8grs @ 2000fps and a Max of 41.1grs @ 2400fps.
Varget started with 32grs @ 2000fps and a MAX of 43.2grs @ 2500fps.
RL-15 started with 34.8grs @ 2000fps and a MAX of 41.4grs @ 2400fps.

Twist rate stability calculator: Twist Rate Stability Calculator | Berger Bullets

 

[deadshot2]

Deadshot, how is the 4064 and 178 AMAX combo working out for you?

I decided to bite the bullet (lol I made a pun) and step up to a heavier bullet for longer range shooting. I was looking to try the 175 Hornady HPBT, but Cabela's only had the 178 AMAX in stock. Anyone know how theses will work in a 1:12 SPS Varmint? The box says 1:10 twist, but I think I should be fine.

Lastly, is it just me, or is Hornady the only bullet you can't find load data online for?

They work great for me however my rifle is a 1:10 twist. If I had a 1:12 I'd probably try to find a node at the highest speed I could achieve without pressure. This will help stabilize the extra length of the bullet.

When Reloading for general plinking ammo, what do you guys focus on more, accuracy or highest velocity?

To me, accuracy is the most important but accuracy at the maximum distance you intend to shoot at. A nice light load that delivers "bug-holes" at 100 yards may not have enough "steam" to reach 1,000 yards with enough stability to be accurate. Use a ballistic's calculator like JBM to determine if your lighter load will still be supersonic at your desired long range. Tip: Just check the box at the bottom of the input page to "Show when passing sound barrier" and a colored background will highlight that speed/distance.

I emailed them for their load recommendations for the 178 BTHP:Hornady’s 178 GR BTHP Load Data it is the same as the Amax, pretty low.
I am shooting the 178 with 41.0 grains Imr4064 at 2530 out of 24" Bartlien 1:10, the 1:12 should do fine.


Twist rate stability calculator: Twist Rate Stability Calculator | Berger Bullets

Your right, that's rather low. I load 42.2 gr of IMR 4064 for my 24" Benchmark 1:10 5-C and get an average of 2620 fps with the A-Max. 41.5 yields ~2550 fps. Both speeds are nice and accurate but I tend to stick with the 42.2 gr load to simplify things. The faster load tends to deal with wind better.

 

[Rhyno430]

Hornady is always a bit low.

Kind of interesting when they've had issues with pressure in their factory loads.

But it's a good starting pint work up and find what your max pressure is.

 

[NorCalFocus]

Thanks for the input guys. I've never seen that calculator before, but I plugged in my info, and even if I shoot em slow at 2500fps, it says they'll be stable.

I think I'll start my ladder around 40 grains, 34 just seems way to low. Maybe to 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5???

 

[deadshot2]

Thanks for the input guys. I've never seen that calculator before, but I plugged in my info, and even if I shoot em slow at 2500fps, it says they'll be stable.

I think I'll start my ladder around 40 grains, 34 just seems way to low. Maybe to 40, 40.5, 41, 41.5, 42, 42.5???

I don't know if I'd bother with anything under 41 gr with that bullet. FWIW, the load for a MK316 Mod 0 round, the replacement for the M118LR, is just under 41.8 gr using a 175 gr SMK. I find that the 178 gr A-Max and the 175 SMK's can use just about the exact same load in my rifle and I've read numerous posts where others have the same results. I'd start at 41 gr and increase in increments of .4 gr rather than .5 gr. This makes sure you won't "skip over" a good load. Somewhere along the road I read a recommendation that load workup increments should be in 1% increments. Half grain increments work better for cartridges like the 30-06 but in the .308 where you're working in 4x.x grains of powder the .4 gr increments make more sense to me. It's like shooting at a target when sighting in and your spotter says you missed to the left. You then dial in windage and the next shot is a miss to the right. At least with a target you KNOW you need to go back half way but in charge weights how can you tell? Smaller increments is how.

 

[NorCalFocus]

So 41, 41.4, 41.8, 42.2, 42.6 then?

 

[deadshot2]

So 41, 41.4, 41.8, 42.2, 42.6 then?

I'll wager that you'll find what you want in that "zone" but you can continue if you wish right up to the published max or pressure sign, whatever occurs first. You may find yourself limited as to what the case will hold if you hold to a "Mag Length". I load to .040 off "Jam" and get great performance with the charge weight I mentioned.

As usual, every rifle will be different so you have to go with what your rifle tells you as you work up the load.

 

[Longrange247]

168 gr AMAX
42.2 gr of IMR 4064 is a great load in my savage model 10 FCP le2. Working up some new kids with same powder and bullet to see if I can get it even more precise

 

[deadshot2]

168 gr AMAX
42.2 gr of IMR 4064 is a great load in my savage model 10 FCP le2. Working up some new kids with same powder and bullet to see if I can get it even more precise

That seems like a rather light load for the 168. I use this charge weight for my 178 A-Max loads. It would seem that you could definitely explore possibilities in the heavier charge weights. Lots of room left as the published max is a compressed load of 27.5 gr.

 

[NorCalFocus]

That seems like a rather light load for the 168. I use this charge weight for my 178 A-Max loads. It would seem that you could definitely explore possibilities in the heavier charge weights. Lots of room left as the published max is a compressed load of 27.5 gr.

I use 42 grains behind my 168 match rounds. I know it seems lite, but that's what she likes.

 

[mamalukino]

I use 42 grains behind my 168 match rounds. I know it seems lite, but that's what she likes.

Same here, bugholes.

 

[swadiver]

.308 Savage Target Action with a 28 inch Criterion pre fit barrel, XLR Industries Element chassis

168 Berger Hybrid on top of 41.4 of RE 15 or
175 SMK on top of 42.6 IMR 4064 or
175 SMK on top of 41.0 of IMR 4166

all 5 @ 100 yds front and rear rest

 

[SICARIO]

Rem700 with a 20" criterion remage barrel

178gr BTHP 2.19" ogive length

44.2gr reloader 15
Just did load development so no chrono info yet