Good to see a channel showing the struggles and realities of working up loads and trying to get consistent tight groups rather than the usual bs thrown out on the internet of grabbing a (brand here) rifle off the shelf and getting 3/4 inch groups with whatever discount ammo they can find at the gas station while shooting freehand over the hood of their pickup.
i guess im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an instagram account?? I somehow forgot my password. I would love any help you can offer me
@Yael Jad thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
Johnny, As far as Videos. Your life has changed and you have less and less time between working and Maintaining Lifes domestic duties. However, The quality of your show has not changed and your research is untouched by any other channel, when I need to know, I can watch what your results have been with selected powders and Bullet combinations and have confidence that if inaccuracy has been a problem or not. we don't have the same rifle, However, Your results reveal data the is close enough to get a starting point I need at the end of the day. Your earn every dollar that is contributed in that hat at the end of the ile by the door on the way out. also, you give a handshake and "see you next week" at the end of every show. You have one of the best shows out. Dave.
It's more than kind words. we have a scientist that is studying the nature of ballistics outside and independent of a laboratory, Real opinions, and trueness to the medium of the subject. No one, "Nobody" is cranking an organ grinder while you tip your hat for the Penneys you get. Like a little Monkie on the end of a string. Keep up the good work, we will be patient and understanding. The quality, not quantity of your content is what people tune in for and we all appreciate it. Dave.
@jimhans1 That's what I'm going to do. I was looking into it yesterday and noticed they removed the AR10 barrels from the Krieger Direct website. Hopefully they're still making them!
Johnny's Reloading Bench they are still making them, they just don’t have any in STOCK, so you’ll have to wait a few weeks versus having one able to ship out immediately. Edit: click the go custom, AR10 platform, M110 contour, Stainless Steel, 1:11” twist, 308 Winchester chambered, with standard M110 muzzle threads, total is $560 shipped to use your JP bolt you have already!! Edit 2: the Krieger direct is just Barrels that are in stock already, they will make you whatever you want always.
hahaha me too! so dramatic, especially the first time the camera gets knocked over. Johnny doesn't have a good track record with cameras, hope it was ok haha
Your honesty is always refreshing. The recoil looked manageable. I shot ar10s only in 308 my bolt guns are RPRs in creedmoor and both heavy. Thank you for the attention to 308.
I have watched a ton of these videos every time I start reloading a new caliber and tonight is the first time I have seen an actual bullseye. A few of them too. Love these data videos. Thanks !
I noticed your shooting off bi-pods with both your rifles. I have discovered that using by pods with rubber feet from a shooting bench causes strange harmonics with the rifle and groups are less true. I have found using a heavy towel folded under the bi-pod does a pretty good job to cancel the harmonics and groups are much better. I shoot off bi-pods a-lot when I shoot from a wooden bench I like the sharp spike feet vs the rubber feet. I prefer shooting from my sand bag rest for checking what a rifle and bullet and load can do. Awesome video, I am very interested in getting my hands on some of those game changers.
"...don't screw it up.......don't screw it up". Thank for being real and showing the realities of working up a load and being kicked in the 'squishies' now and then.
Even with an 1800fps required expansion floor, the Grendel should be able to get those 130gr Gamechangers up to 2450-2500fps with 2000-MR or CFE223. Which would make them a very viable 200-300yd hunting bullet in Grendel!!
For cooling a lightweight barrel for group shooting,, I use canned air but I invert the can and direct the tube down the barrel so the stuff comes out as a liquid. As soon as the pressure on the liquid is released inside the barrel, the liquid turns to gas and acts as a refrigerant. This is the reason they tell you not to invert the can and spray it on a body part or anything you don't want frozen. On live tissue it can cause burns or frostbite just like dry ice or liquid nitrogen. A couple of shots down either end of the barrel and a 30 second wait will bring the barrel temperature down dramatically.
Thanks for the video. After 30+yrs I was able to get my favorite .308 Winchester. I needed a starting point for my rig. This is gonna be really helpful. Varmint profile will definitely help that stick shifter of yours. Did wonders for mine.
Thanks for another great video. I’ve been reloading for 30 years or so and I nearly always gain more insight from your reloading techniques. Thanks for the ah-ha’s!
It would be interesting to see if what affects the heating of the ammo in the magazines might produce. Powder is affected by heat energy. Warmer ammo does burn faster as do primers. The faster ignition and burning produces a sharper pressure curve on the projectile. More pressure should produce higher fps. Less time traveling, the less drop on the projectile. From personal experience with heated ammoi; a 30 cal M1 carbine which had too many rounds fired over a short time (800 rds/30 min). caused the firearm to reach its "cook point" , that's where a round detonates part way into the breach due to super heated receiver and magazine. My face and eyes took the brunt of the blast, brass fragments, receiver pieces and hot gases. Deaf for awhile too . So temperature can have an effect on powder and ballistics..
I've got a Remington Model 7 in .308. It's been a nightmare to get groups out of. I decided to shim the front of the stock and fed it some 168 SBT with 45.5 grains of Varget. My little wippy barrel 20'" job settled down and started shooting excellent groups for that little rifle. And it's not too particular. I loaded some H4395 with some 150 grain bullets....they shoot less than an inch at 100 yards. I was ready to get rid of that gun and thought I'd try the shim and if it didn't work, it was gone. I'm glad I hung on to it.
I found that IMI 308 brass to be very, very soft in the case head, along with Federal. Also, I put Gentry muzzle breaks on these 700 Sporters. The Gentry muzzle break has ports facing forward, thus much of the concussion is thrown forward. Accuracy with the Gentry is between 1/4" groups and 3/8" groups with Remington sporter rifles, AR 10's, Browning A bolts, and Tikka's. Model 7 Remingtons have proven to be unbelievably accurate with the Gentry muzzle breaks...hard to believe. We put Stick on Wheel weights in the forearm of the Rem plastic stocks that make them very rigid, bed the recoil lug, freefloat the magazine box, free float the barrel...small groups are the result.
If you want to seat bullets to longer lengths in your Tikka, you can use mags made for longer cartridges (30/06) but you'll have to change the bolt stop/release.
My Tikka T3 lite 308 loves cheap 150g steel cased shells. Also I put on a Witt machine clamp on break, shoots like a ar15, recoil wise. It's a great 100 dollar option to tame the beast without machining the barrel
Johnny do the 6.5 Grendel FIRST! You should also try the 308 game changer in the gel again but load them to velocities that are equal to a 300yd to 500yd shot. To see how well they will perform at longer distances like the bullet was designed for.
.308 Win has been my tack driver. I shoot a Savage Model 10 in .308 with a Vortex Viper HST 4-16x44 that will consistently shoot sub 1/2 min groups and occasionally sub 1/4 min groups with 44.0gr of Varget behind a 168 Hornady match bullet. I too use an ogive comparator and I set my COL to .005" off the rifling. I live in Wyoming at 5,000ft elevation so I get more range out of the cartridge, but busting milk jugs at 1100yds is not real difficult... unless the wind is blowing 50mph that is.
I'm late to the party and you have more experience then I but a few thoughts. - Those markings on the cases from the ejector are certainly in part to the square ejector in the JP bolt. If you can try the other bolt or ejector. - The markings are also of course happening when the bolt rotates, mayyybe there's still some pressure when doing so. If so a longer lockup might help. That would mean a heavier BCG or buffer. - On accuracy, no idea if you're cleaning the bore but all my .308s are more accurate when they haven't been cleaned for hundreds of rounds.
Lapua Palma brass is where the small primer small flash hole for large primer brass started. So yes the 308 Palma from Lapua has the issue. Couple others for 308 to followed suit.
you need a heavier buffer weight in your A.R. 10. My brass looked very similar to yours with case head swipe. I went up to an H2 to buffer weight, that delayed the rearward motion of the bolt long enough for the case expansion cycle to complete in the chamber. The problem with my rifle was that the bolt was trying to unlock while the brass was still expanded in the chamber. This cured all of my case damage issues unless I load an extremely hot round.
The critical thing in any loading endeavor is to find a load with the lowest Standard Deviation possible. If that load isn't accurate start changing your distance to lands until the groups improve but first get the load balanced and a low SD will tell you when you're there.
I have several Hundred . 44 Magnum Brass from IMI ! I bought it when I got a Desert Eagle which is a Original marked Made by IMI in Israel ! I Absolutely LOVE my Eagle I loaded up Several Hundred of them with the Hornady XTP Hollow Point 180 Grain !
I bought some of these and loaded them with 42 grain of imr 4064, Winchester brass ( once fired), with cci primers, cases trimmed to 2.001-2.004, overall length 2.800-2.801. Shot pretty accurate
Gonna be loading and shooting the Game Changers this summer from my M-14. Really want to work up a nice whitetail, muley and elk load. Another great video, ty.
Johnny I’ve been loading that brass , IMI for 25 years and it is wonderful, but it’s capacity is six percent less than a Winchester or Remington, that translates in at about a grain and a half less on max charges, and the flash holes have to be reemed , all said it is the best lasting and most accurate brass I’ve ever tried.
@John Beige a simple flash hole hand tool will work , that’s what I use but they don’t last forever so you must buy a couple at a time then reorder when one dulls , also after three firings the case length of IMi is shorter than any other brass so trimming is not needed as often.
I have a Ruger compact 77 mk2 16.5 inch barrel it shoots about the same as the Tikka.. going to go to a lighter bullet 150 gr. I just want 3 in an inch at 100.. really like your channel. Keep it coming
I also reload for the M5E1 and have had nothing but problems from this Aero precision rifle. I have sent it back to the factory three times and it's finally shooting right... For the most part. Still snatching brass kind hard, but after Aero finally just put a hole new user on it, I don't have head space problems anymore.
Great video, so many variables to contend with. I can even go into paranoid thoughts of last barrel batches made before retooling and recalibration. As you already know, you can shoot identical Tikka rifles with identical ammo and have varying results. But the reloading fun is over if we get lucky and get one big hole at 100y with cheap factory ammo. I have a .223 that I bought several different factory loads of all price ranges on my first range trip. I was very lucky to get the best groups on the least expensive ammo. It was discontinued Perfecta 55g fmj at Walmart for $13.99 per 50 rounds. Not a hunting load, but fun accuracy practice at inexpensive cost.
Thanks for the video, yet another one that has helped me out... The backlit photo shows how the bullet tip isn't so consistent by the bubble in the plastic. Thanks for showing this in two different rifles. Johnny, u da man! Oh, I just loaded my first test rounds in 243 = 90grain, w/H414 40gr, COAL 2.740"
I am the owner of an older Remington model Seven in 308 with a synthetic stock. I can appreciate the 'kicking like a mule' comment. Mine ate 5 cheaper scopes until I put a Leupold on it. She jumps a bit...
I like to run a little drill bit through all of the flashholes when I get new brass in. It usually doesn't even contact but I have had some where it did (some of the PPU 7.62x51 maybe?). It measures at .075". I usually just hold it in my fingers and go in and out a few times, not rotational. but have chucked it up in a drill when I ran into the undersized ones, going very slow and making sure to keep everything squareish. It will knock off burrs pretty well too, and a very light pass after sizing will scrape off any burned on crap.
I'd definitely stick with the 42 grain charge, but if that is a hunting rifle; just my opinion; I'd try to get a cold cold sight in. One shot, wait five, one shot wait five with the Tikka.. but the AR I'd definitely stick with the 41.7
Holly cow Johnny those blocks of gel new they were getting smacked lol shame about the grouping hopefully further load development will improve, look forward to the 6.5 load development cheers G. 👍
You are absolutely right that shorter than rifle length gas systems can be hard to tune (so that they don't destroy brass). Go with rifle length next time. NSW has used the LaRue (out of Texas) in ,260 Rem in some of their long distance training.
Johnny, Patriot Valley Arms makes production replacement barrels and barrel nuts for Tikka. They use and manufacture a barrel nut like Savage. They use Rock Creek barrels, button rifled or cut rifled. They have 4 different barrel tapers. Check them out.
I love my Tikka T3. Mine is a lite stainless .308. I have a Vortex diamondback 4-16 on it. I don't think it kicks at all, personally. It shoots sub-MOA with anything I've thrown at it except for standard NATO 147gr
Go to mountain tactical they have the parts and information on how to get your bullets to seat farther out. I did it with a Tikka in 7mm08 it worked great
The backlit pic at 0:22 does a great job of unfortunately highlighting that these plastic tips all have air bubbles in them that vary in size and location. This certainly will cause less stability in flight and reduce accuracy.
Always good to watch, thanks for putting in the effort. Tikka guarantees a 3 shot sub Moa group with shop ammo with their light barrel rifles. I had accuracy issues with my Supervarmint in 308, pillar bedding the action solved the problem. It now shoots half moa groups with nosler 165 grain accubond bullets and Varget. I use a drop tube when pouring my powder, I can add another 1.5 grains before the crunch start. Love your channel.
Johnny, I just learned about you re-opening your Patreon account after dropping a few cents in the hat for the channel via PayPal. I don't know how I missed it since I hang on your every word. LOL But if I missed the announcement, I'm sure there are others as well. Maybe you could mention it every now and again or throw something back in the video at the end like you used to.. to remind the people that would like to contribute. Now I'm back on board over at Patreon again. Thanks for letting me back in the club brother!
I didn't announce it. I plan to be a little less annoying about it in the future, but I will start adding the link to the end of my videos like I used to. I really appreciate the support!
I wanted to thank you for this extremely well made video. I'm enthused about this bullet. I have two new & unfired .30'06 bolt guns that have been sitting in the safe and waiting on me to get off my arse and mount some scopes on them and get them ready to hunt. This 165gr TGK bullet is off great interest. You really showed the workup very nicely. I also appreciated the recovered bullets at 2,000fps impact velocity. This shows what I can expect with short range impact. I'm really enthused about this one. Thanks again.
It looks like the 165 has a better b.c. than the game kings but should still contact the lands at the same point. I shot a few whitetails with 165 Fusions in .308. I didn't need that much toughness. Some exited, some didn't. I now shoot Hornady SST's. They open on impact and jelly innards. They exit sometimes, sometimes they don't. It doesn't matter, they rarely go far if at all.😅👍
Glad to see you back on patreon, keep up the great work. I have learned so much from you, going from knowing nothing to developing my own loads for my 9mm and 300blk. My next project is an AR 10 in 308 so please keep them coming
The 168gr MatchKing works great in my PSS 308 over 46 gr BLC2 loaded at 2.8, but it is not a hunting bullet. I am interested in trying the tipped Gameking in hopes they will group like the Matchking yet perform on mule deer and hogs.
Big pay off in reducing group size when you hold the forearm down. The bullet is in the barrel for about .200 during recoil, so controlling the recoil is critical. Do not attach your magneto speed on the barrel and shoot groups as the additional weight acts like a barrel tuner. Shoot your groups, then chronograph, or vise a versa. When shooting the AR off of a rest, try different positions on the forearm. Mine shoots best with the rest just in front of the magazine, sub 1/2" abounds with mine, but every gun is different.
Great video, I'll be picking up a 30-06 bolt gun in the next couple weeks and that look like a great bullet to try out in jacketed although I'll be feeding it a steady diet of cast lead. Honestly your 308 brass doesn't look that bad, you should see what brass looks like after a couple firings out of gas operated Russian rifles like the SKS in X39 the Vepr in 7.62 x 54r
Wow, that's interesting. I purchased some once fired Lapua .308 brass some years back (ex military MG brass I suspect) for use in my Mauser 98 based sporter. My subsequent reloads demonstrated significant pressure issues from day one. Eventually I ended-up with loads that were fully 10% below the listed (ADI) starting weights. I had assumed, at the time, (erroneously and unfairly as it turns out) that these issues possibly resulted from poor loading data. It didn't occur to me that thicker case walls are a much more likely cause. Very interesting, thanks.
Very impressed with all the info,,,I have the same issue with the AR-10, shoot my M-1 (M-14) match with a match barrel and archangel stock..it shoot a 1 1/4" groups at 300 ysd. with a SWFA straight 10x scope, and 3/4" groups at 100 yds,,,why do I hit 10" left at 300yds? scope miss alignment??? has a t Springfield scope mount, the scope is held on the side with two big screws, a standard M-14 mount,,,,,, Hits left of center about 10",, think I should shim the right side of the scope on the mount and try it out. Really enjoyed all the powder and bullet info,,,thanks so much
I minimized case head swipe using a really heavy buffer and a tubbs flat wire spring. My buffer is 7.6ish oz. Rifle length buffer. Before I did that the case head swipe was insane, like beaver brass insane.
The only time you need to worry about bbl heating is during prolonged testing. During deer or other game hunting are you going to be able to shoot so many times to heat up the bbl? Maybe during competition. Next question; can an AR beat a bolt gun-NEVER!!!
Hopefully they will carry over to .224” as well. I’ve always liked the Sierra #1365 as it was a thicker jacket BTSP and didn’t fragment as readily as most other 55gr softpoints. If they make a 55gr bullet with that new ballistic tip, I will be buying a bunch.
RWS is good brass. Flash hole tool looks like a center drill for a lathe, most likely is. I appreciate your videos, saves me time and $$ starting up loads.
The advertisement before this video was of midwayusa and they shipped a lantac 308 bcg $330 in a bubble pack twice midwayusa is worthless however JRB is a gift to reloaders
You really should test out different seating depths with all loads a LOT more. That is how I've finally figured out how to develop a load after shooting thousands of rounds working on charge weights for no reason. I find a charge that is in the velocity I want and then find the seating depth that shoots well. It amazes me how much a few thousandths difference can easily cut the group size in half or more.
I think Sierra just took the Matchking and thickened the jacket and put a clear green tip on it. I bet its actually a good hunting bullet. But then again the standard soft points are good hunting bullets. Siera just trying to stay on top of the "sniper/hunter" crowd that thinks shooting deer at over 1000 yards is ethical and considered "hunting"
I think the tikka light weight is a great hunting gun, the light weight sacrifices a little on shooting alot of rounds quickly, but how many rounds are actually used when hunting, one shot at the time between cooling. equals easier if you come across an off hand shot.
as far as your chronograph goes, i know they're pretty pricey, but those LabRadar's are top notch. you can shoot in the dark and get velocity readings all the way out to 80 yards. maybe one of your rich patreons will donate one to your channel haha. also, i shoot 308 in F class competition. i believe you're loading these things pretty light. keep going up on your charges a little until you feel your bolt just start to get a little sticky. at least that way you know where your ceiling is with that case/bullet/powder/primer combo. you may find another velocity node up there where you've not been on the high side. also, i have good results with IMR 4064 in 308
I was watching an older video while loading some ammo. You mention having a .243 but not an exciting gun to shoot. Putting a .243 barrel on the Tikka could be a fun project.
Are you lapping the front of the upper and bedding the extension into the upper? Get your gas/lock time straightened out then give it a shot. Really helps with fliers!
Good to see a channel showing the struggles and realities of working up loads and trying to get consistent tight groups rather than the usual bs thrown out on the internet of grabbing a (brand here) rifle off the shelf and getting 3/4 inch groups with whatever discount ammo they can find at the gas station while shooting freehand over the hood of their pickup.
@James clark
It's a 100 yard shot, not a 100 inches.
@James clark you triggered.
i guess im asking the wrong place but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an instagram account??
I somehow forgot my password. I would love any help you can offer me
@Yael Jad thanks so much for your reply. I found the site on google and im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Yael Jad It did the trick and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thank you so much you saved my account!
There are so many reasons to love .308
Cuz u can’t afford a 30-06?
@@soundsgood9766 - still shooting your great grandfathers rifle ?
@@soundsgood9766 that comment makes no sense whatsoever. I own both and cost is comparable. 06 ammo is harder to find
Johnny, As far as Videos. Your life has changed and you have less and less time between working and Maintaining Lifes domestic duties. However, The quality of your show has not changed and your research is untouched by any other channel, when I need to know, I can watch what your results have been with selected powders and Bullet combinations and have confidence that if inaccuracy has been a problem or not. we don't have the same rifle, However, Your results reveal data the is close enough to get a starting point I need at the end of the day. Your earn every dollar that is contributed in that hat at the end of the ile by the door on the way out. also, you give a handshake and "see you next week" at the end of every show. You have one of the best shows out. Dave.
Thanks, brother! I appreciate the kind words.
It's more than kind words. we have a scientist that is studying the nature of ballistics outside and independent of a laboratory, Real opinions, and trueness to the medium of the subject. No one, "Nobody" is cranking an organ grinder while you tip your hat for the Penneys you get. Like a little Monkie on the end of a string. Keep up the good work, we will be patient and understanding. The quality, not quantity of your content is what people tune in for and we all appreciate it. Dave.
Johnny's Reloading Bench I still say get in touch with Krieger and swap out that JP barrel for a real shooter :))
@jimhans1 That's what I'm going to do. I was looking into it yesterday and noticed they removed the AR10 barrels from the Krieger Direct website. Hopefully they're still making them!
Johnny's Reloading Bench they are still making them, they just don’t have any in STOCK, so you’ll have to wait a few weeks versus having one able to ship out immediately.
Edit: click the go custom, AR10 platform, M110 contour, Stainless Steel, 1:11” twist, 308 Winchester chambered, with standard M110 muzzle threads, total is $560 shipped to use your JP bolt you have already!!
Edit 2: the Krieger direct is just Barrels that are in stock already, they will make you whatever you want always.
I had to pause the video and wipe the tears from my eyes after watching the gel test! Another good video.
hahaha me too! so dramatic, especially the first time the camera gets knocked over. Johnny doesn't have a good track record with cameras, hope it was ok haha
This has to be the best information I have seen for reloading .308 hands down. Thanks so much.
Amen. Glad I found this channel. It’s all good
Your honesty is always refreshing. The recoil looked manageable. I shot ar10s only in 308 my bolt guns are RPRs in creedmoor and both heavy. Thank you for the attention to 308.
I have watched a ton of these videos every time I start reloading a new caliber and tonight is the first time I have seen an actual bullseye. A few of them too. Love these data videos. Thanks !
I noticed your shooting off bi-pods with both your rifles. I have discovered that using by pods with rubber feet from a shooting bench causes strange harmonics with the rifle and groups are less true. I have found using a heavy towel folded under the bi-pod does a pretty good job to cancel the harmonics and groups are much better. I shoot off bi-pods a-lot when I shoot from a wooden bench I like the sharp spike feet vs the rubber feet. I prefer shooting from my sand bag rest for checking what a rifle and bullet and load can do. Awesome video, I am very interested in getting my hands on some of those game changers.
"...don't screw it up.......don't screw it up".
Thank for being real and showing the realities of working up a load and being kicked in the 'squishies' now and then.
These would be AWESOME in a M1 Garand. Those old 162 g Black tips were some great performing 300 yrd bullets.
*Shoots a 3 leaf clover*
"Don't screw it up, don't screw it up"
*Shoots damn near 2" low* LMFAO
Lol that flyer broke my heart
That is me even time! Chaps my butt!! So glad to see I'm not the only one!
@@terrycobbs9189...AMEN to that 😖😖😖
Even with an 1800fps required expansion floor, the Grendel should be able to get those 130gr Gamechangers up to 2450-2500fps with 2000-MR or CFE223. Which would make them a very viable 200-300yd hunting bullet in Grendel!!
Love your videos! Thanks for taking the time to document the testing of all these components for the reloading community!
You Rock!
You jinxed it buddy. Loved the “don’t screw it up thoughts being verbalized
For cooling a lightweight barrel for group shooting,, I use canned air but I invert the can and direct the tube down the barrel so the stuff comes out as a liquid. As soon as the pressure on the liquid is released inside the barrel, the liquid turns to gas and acts as a refrigerant. This is the reason they tell you not to invert the can and spray it on a body part or anything you don't want frozen. On live tissue it can cause burns or frostbite just like dry ice or liquid nitrogen. A couple of shots down either end of the barrel and a 30 second wait will bring the barrel temperature down dramatically.
Thanks for the video. After 30+yrs I was able to get my favorite .308 Winchester. I needed a starting point for my rig. This is gonna be really helpful. Varmint profile will definitely help that stick shifter of yours. Did wonders for mine.
Thanks for another great video. I’ve been reloading for 30 years or so and I nearly always gain more insight from your reloading techniques. Thanks for the ah-ha’s!
It would be interesting to see if what affects the heating of the ammo in the magazines might produce. Powder is affected by heat energy. Warmer ammo does burn faster as do primers. The faster ignition and burning produces a sharper pressure curve on the projectile. More pressure should produce higher fps. Less time traveling, the less drop on the projectile.
From personal experience with heated ammoi; a 30 cal M1 carbine which had too many rounds fired over a short time (800 rds/30 min). caused the firearm to reach its "cook point" , that's where a round detonates part way into the breach due to super heated receiver and magazine. My face and eyes took the brunt of the blast, brass fragments, receiver pieces and hot gases. Deaf for awhile too . So temperature can have an effect on powder and ballistics..
I've got a Remington Model 7 in .308. It's been a nightmare to get groups out of. I decided to shim the front of the stock and fed it some 168 SBT with 45.5 grains of Varget. My little wippy barrel 20'" job settled down and started shooting excellent groups for that little rifle. And it's not too particular. I loaded some H4395 with some 150 grain bullets....they shoot less than an inch at 100 yards. I was ready to get rid of that gun and thought I'd try the shim and if it didn't work, it was gone. I'm glad I hung on to it.
I found that IMI 308 brass to be very, very soft in the case head, along with Federal. Also, I put Gentry muzzle breaks on these 700 Sporters. The Gentry muzzle break has ports facing forward, thus much of the concussion is thrown forward. Accuracy with the Gentry is between 1/4" groups and 3/8" groups with Remington sporter rifles, AR 10's, Browning A bolts, and Tikka's. Model 7 Remingtons have proven to be unbelievably accurate with the Gentry muzzle breaks...hard to believe. We put Stick on Wheel weights in the forearm of the Rem plastic stocks that make them very rigid, bed the recoil lug, freefloat the magazine box, free float the barrel...small groups are the result.
If you want to seat bullets to longer lengths in your Tikka, you can use mags made for longer cartridges (30/06) but you'll have to change the bolt stop/release.
I don't even own a .308 and this video has me hooked.
My Tikka T3 lite 308 loves cheap 150g steel cased shells. Also I put on a Witt machine clamp on break, shoots like a ar15, recoil wise. It's a great 100 dollar option to tame the beast without machining the barrel
if you can can get one vid a month i'll be happy cause there so informitive
Thanks!
As far as the AR 10 you need to work with 748. It was originally designed to run in 20” barrels. I’ve also had great luck with Varget and RL-15.
Johnny do the 6.5 Grendel FIRST! You should also try the 308 game changer in the gel again but load them to velocities that are equal to a 300yd to 500yd shot. To see how well they will perform at longer distances like the bullet was designed for.
I am a big fan of that redding dry neck lube. I havent ripped a press off a bench since i started using it.
.308 Win has been my tack driver. I shoot a Savage Model 10 in .308 with a Vortex Viper HST 4-16x44 that will consistently shoot sub 1/2 min groups and occasionally sub 1/4 min groups with 44.0gr of Varget behind a 168 Hornady match bullet. I too use an ogive comparator and I set my COL to .005" off the rifling. I live in Wyoming at 5,000ft elevation so I get more range out of the cartridge, but busting milk jugs at 1100yds is not real difficult... unless the wind is blowing 50mph that is.
Anther great video/resource for us slowly learning new-reloaders. Thank you for all you do mate.
I'm late to the party and you have more experience then I but a few thoughts.
- Those markings on the cases from the ejector are certainly in part to the square ejector in the JP bolt. If you can try the other bolt or ejector.
- The markings are also of course happening when the bolt rotates, mayyybe there's still some pressure when doing so. If so a longer lockup might help. That would mean a heavier BCG or buffer.
- On accuracy, no idea if you're cleaning the bore but all my .308s are more accurate when they haven't been cleaned for hundreds of rounds.
Lapua Palma brass is where the small primer small flash hole for large primer brass started. So yes the 308 Palma from Lapua has the issue. Couple others for 308 to followed suit.
Love the progression of saying how awesome the gun is to eventually calling it stupid. How I feel half the time when I shoot, lol
you need a heavier buffer weight in your A.R. 10.
My brass looked very similar to yours with case head swipe.
I went up to an H2 to buffer weight, that delayed the rearward motion of the bolt long enough for the case expansion cycle to complete in the chamber.
The problem with my rifle was that the bolt was trying to unlock while the brass was still expanded in the chamber.
This cured all of my case damage issues unless I load an extremely hot round.
Ahhh. Sunday morning coffee and a new JRB video. Going to be a fine day!
The critical thing in any loading endeavor is to find a load with the lowest Standard Deviation possible. If that load isn't accurate start changing your distance to lands until the groups improve but first get the load balanced and a low SD will tell you when you're there.
I have several Hundred . 44 Magnum Brass from IMI ! I bought it when I got a Desert Eagle which is a Original marked Made by IMI in Israel ! I Absolutely LOVE my Eagle I loaded up Several Hundred of them with the Hornady XTP Hollow Point 180 Grain !
I bought some of these and loaded them with 42 grain of imr 4064, Winchester brass ( once fired), with cci primers, cases trimmed to 2.001-2.004, overall length 2.800-2.801. Shot pretty accurate
I’m learning a lot from these videos. Thanks for doing them.
Great humour too 👍
These videos are therapeutic.
The scope mount job on your tikka pleases me so! 😁
Put Some Thru my Creedmoor yesterday .. Can cover the Group with a Dime, maybe smaller than a Dime.. Great Shooter...
It’s the rifle. A Remington 783 150g GameKings three touching. A inexpensive rifle with unreal accuracy.
I love your videos Johnny always entertaining and informative !
Gonna be loading and shooting the Game Changers this summer from my M-14. Really want to work up a nice whitetail, muley and elk load. Another great video, ty.
Johnny I’ve been loading that brass , IMI for 25 years and it is wonderful, but it’s capacity is six percent less than a Winchester or Remington, that translates in at about a grain and a half less on max charges, and the flash holes have to be reemed , all said it is the best lasting and most accurate brass I’ve ever tried.
@John Beige a simple flash hole hand tool will work , that’s what I use but they don’t last forever so you must buy a couple at a time then reorder when one dulls , also after three firings the case length of IMi is shorter than any other brass so trimming is not needed as often.
I have a Ruger compact 77 mk2 16.5 inch barrel it shoots about the same as the Tikka.. going to go to a lighter bullet 150 gr. I just want 3 in an inch at 100.. really like your channel. Keep it coming
I also reload for the M5E1 and have had nothing but problems from this Aero precision rifle. I have sent it back to the factory three times and it's finally shooting right... For the most part.
Still snatching brass kind hard, but after Aero finally just put a hole new user on it, I don't have head space problems anymore.
Great video, so many variables to contend with. I can even go into paranoid thoughts of last barrel batches made before retooling and recalibration. As you already know, you can shoot identical Tikka rifles with identical ammo and have varying results. But the reloading fun is over if we get lucky and get one big hole at 100y with cheap factory ammo. I have a .223 that I bought several different factory loads of all price ranges on my first range trip. I was very lucky to get the best groups on the least expensive ammo. It was discontinued Perfecta 55g fmj at Walmart for $13.99 per 50 rounds. Not a hunting load, but fun accuracy practice at inexpensive cost.
Been waiting for this video all week :)
Thanks for the video, yet another one that has helped me out...
The backlit photo shows how the bullet tip isn't so consistent by the bubble in the plastic.
Thanks for showing this in two different rifles. Johnny, u da man!
Oh, I just loaded my first test rounds in 243 = 90grain, w/H414 40gr, COAL 2.740"
I am the owner of an older Remington model Seven in 308 with a synthetic stock. I can appreciate the 'kicking like a mule' comment. Mine ate 5 cheaper scopes until I put a Leupold on it. She jumps a bit...
I like to run a little drill bit through all of the flashholes when I get new brass in. It usually doesn't even contact but I have had some where it did (some of the PPU 7.62x51 maybe?). It measures at .075". I usually just hold it in my fingers and go in and out a few times, not rotational. but have chucked it up in a drill when I ran into the undersized ones, going very slow and making sure to keep everything squareish. It will knock off burrs pretty well too, and a very light pass after sizing will scrape off any burned on crap.
Looking forward to the 6.5 Grendel & Creedmoor tests! As always great content and info! Thanks Johnny & God bless sir!
I'd definitely stick with the 42 grain charge, but if that is a hunting rifle; just my opinion; I'd try to get a cold cold sight in. One shot, wait five, one shot wait five with the Tikka.. but the AR I'd definitely stick with the 41.7
Holly cow Johnny those blocks of gel new they were getting smacked lol shame about the grouping hopefully further load development will improve, look forward to the 6.5 load development cheers G. 👍
You are absolutely right that shorter than rifle length gas systems can be hard to tune (so that they don't destroy brass). Go with rifle length next time. NSW has used the LaRue (out of Texas) in ,260 Rem in some of their long distance training.
Johnny, Patriot Valley Arms makes production replacement barrels and barrel nuts for Tikka. They use and manufacture a barrel nut like Savage. They use Rock Creek barrels, button rifled or cut rifled. They have 4 different barrel tapers. Check them out.
Wow!! I just shot a .580" group...I think I'll change that barrel!!🤔
My Rem 40X puts bullet hole almost into bullet hole. An older wooden stocked Rem with Hart barrel in 7.62. Using Hornady 168g HPBT and IMR 3031.
I love my Tikka T3. Mine is a lite stainless .308. I have a Vortex diamondback 4-16 on it. I don't think it kicks at all, personally. It shoots sub-MOA with anything I've thrown at it except for standard NATO 147gr
Go to mountain tactical they have the parts and information on how to get your bullets to seat farther out. I did it with a Tikka in 7mm08 it worked great
I agree with Keith Milbradt. I used this outfit to help me with seating my bullets. Change the mag. box. Keep up the good work on your videos.
The gamekings are my go to load in my 308.
The backlit pic at 0:22 does a great job of unfortunately highlighting that these plastic tips all have air bubbles in them that vary in size and location. This certainly will cause less stability in flight and reduce accuracy.
Always good to watch, thanks for putting in the effort. Tikka guarantees a 3 shot sub Moa group with shop ammo with their light barrel rifles. I had accuracy issues with my Supervarmint in 308, pillar bedding the action solved the problem. It now shoots half moa groups with nosler 165 grain accubond bullets and Varget. I use a drop tube when pouring my powder, I can add another 1.5 grains before the crunch start. Love your channel.
Every one has a poly tip now, and I sure do like them!
Johnny, I just learned about you re-opening your Patreon account after dropping a few cents in the hat for the channel via PayPal. I don't know how I missed it since I hang on your every word. LOL But if I missed the announcement, I'm sure there are others as well. Maybe you could mention it every now and again or throw something back in the video at the end like you used to.. to remind the people that would like to contribute. Now I'm back on board over at Patreon again. Thanks for letting me back in the club brother!
I didn't announce it. I plan to be a little less annoying about it in the future, but I will start adding the link to the end of my videos like I used to. I really appreciate the support!
Thanks for the video man we enjoyed it,like all powders lol sometimes it just is a pain, like that imi brass and what a great dude to send it .
I wanted to thank you for this extremely well made video. I'm enthused about this bullet. I have two new & unfired .30'06 bolt guns that have been sitting in the safe and waiting on me to get off my arse and mount some scopes on them and get them ready to hunt. This 165gr TGK bullet is off great interest. You really showed the workup very nicely. I also appreciated the recovered bullets at 2,000fps impact velocity. This shows what I can expect with short range impact. I'm really enthused about this one. Thanks again.
Great vid, awesome channel. Eager to see Grendel results
It looks like the 165 has a better b.c. than the game kings but should still contact the lands at the same point.
I shot a few whitetails with 165 Fusions in .308. I didn't need that much toughness. Some exited, some didn't. I now shoot Hornady SST's. They open on impact and jelly innards. They exit sometimes, sometimes they don't. It doesn't matter, they rarely go far if at all.😅👍
Glad to see you back on patreon, keep up the great work. I have learned so much from you, going from knowing nothing to developing my own loads for my 9mm and 300blk. My next project is an AR 10 in 308 so please keep them coming
The 168gr MatchKing works great in my PSS 308 over 46 gr BLC2 loaded at 2.8, but it is not a hunting bullet. I am interested in trying the tipped Gameking in hopes they will group like the Matchking yet perform on mule deer and hogs.
Big pay off in reducing group size when you hold the forearm down. The bullet is in the barrel for about .200 during recoil, so controlling the recoil is critical. Do not attach your magneto speed on the barrel and shoot groups as the additional weight acts like a barrel tuner. Shoot your groups, then chronograph, or vise a versa. When shooting the AR off of a rest, try different positions on the forearm. Mine shoots best with the rest just in front of the magazine, sub 1/2" abounds with mine, but every gun is different.
Great video, I'll be picking up a 30-06 bolt gun in the next couple weeks and that look like a great bullet to try out in jacketed although I'll be feeding it a steady diet of cast lead. Honestly your 308 brass doesn't look that bad, you should see what brass looks like after a couple firings out of gas operated Russian rifles like the SKS in X39 the Vepr in 7.62 x 54r
Great video. I was thinking about using my .308 this deer season and was looking at this bullet. The Jell-O test was awesome.
Love Arcomp, I bought it because of the exact same scenario. Now it’s my go to powder.
Wow, that's interesting. I purchased some once fired Lapua .308 brass some years back (ex military MG brass I suspect) for use in my Mauser 98 based sporter. My subsequent reloads demonstrated significant pressure issues from day one. Eventually I ended-up with loads that were fully 10% below the listed (ADI) starting weights. I had assumed, at the time, (erroneously and unfairly as it turns out) that these issues possibly resulted from poor loading data. It didn't occur to me that thicker case walls are a much more likely cause. Very interesting, thanks.
Very impressed with all the info,,,I have the same issue with the AR-10, shoot my M-1 (M-14) match with a match barrel and archangel stock..it shoot a 1 1/4" groups at 300 ysd. with a SWFA straight 10x scope, and 3/4" groups at 100 yds,,,why do I hit 10" left at 300yds? scope miss alignment??? has a t Springfield scope mount, the scope is held on the side with two big screws, a standard M-14 mount,,,,,, Hits left of center about 10",, think I should shim the right side of the scope on the mount and try it out. Really enjoyed all the powder and bullet info,,,thanks so much
I minimized case head swipe using a really heavy buffer and a tubbs flat wire spring. My buffer is 7.6ish oz. Rifle length buffer. Before I did that the case head swipe was insane, like beaver brass insane.
The only time you need to worry about bbl heating is during prolonged testing. During deer or other game hunting are you going to be able to shoot so many times to heat up the bbl? Maybe during competition. Next question; can an AR beat a bolt gun-NEVER!!!
Hopefully they will carry over to .224” as well.
I’ve always liked the Sierra #1365 as it was a thicker jacket BTSP and didn’t fragment as readily as most other 55gr softpoints.
If they make a 55gr bullet with that new ballistic tip, I will be buying a bunch.
Yes! I think GameChangers based on the 69gr MatchKing and the 95gr MatchKing would be a great help to the .224 hunting bullet market.
RWS is good brass. Flash hole tool looks like a center drill for a lathe, most likely is. I appreciate your videos, saves me time and $$ starting up loads.
The advertisement before this video was of midwayusa and they shipped a lantac 308 bcg $330 in a bubble pack twice midwayusa is worthless however JRB is a gift to reloaders
The Super Shock Tip 150 is the game changer in 308.
You really should test out different seating depths with all loads a LOT more. That is how I've finally figured out how to develop a load after shooting thousands of rounds working on charge weights for no reason. I find a charge that is in the velocity I want and then find the seating depth that shoots well. It amazes me how much a few thousandths difference can easily cut the group size in half or more.
I think Sierra just took the Matchking and thickened the jacket and put a clear green tip on it. I bet its actually a good hunting bullet. But then again the standard soft points are good hunting bullets.
Siera just trying to stay on top of the "sniper/hunter" crowd that thinks shooting deer at over 1000 yards is ethical and considered "hunting"
You should change the barrel. Go with the KRG Chassis. They have worked flawlessly for me.
I will definitely consider them. Bravo or X-Ray? My wallet couldn't handle the Whiskey-3.
I am not looking for any hook up. I appreciate the offer but I'd rather shop myself and buy retail so I can give an unbiased opinion. Thanks!
That 41.1 AR10 group was "circling the wagons."
Magic Magazines!!! Appearing from thin air.
"Don't screw it up! Don't screw it up!"... I laughed way to hard at that lol.
Great job Johnny. Thanks
I think the tikka light weight is a great hunting gun, the light weight sacrifices a little on shooting alot of rounds quickly, but how many rounds are actually used when hunting, one shot at the time between cooling. equals easier if you come across an off hand shot.
Cases are Milspec thicker walls so holds less powder.
Watching your vids get me pumped to clean up my primer pockets. Lol
as far as your chronograph goes, i know they're pretty pricey, but those LabRadar's are top notch. you can shoot in the dark and get velocity readings all the way out to 80 yards. maybe one of your rich patreons will donate one to your channel haha. also, i shoot 308 in F class competition. i believe you're loading these things pretty light. keep going up on your charges a little until you feel your bolt just start to get a little sticky. at least that way you know where your ceiling is with that case/bullet/powder/primer combo. you may find another velocity node up there where you've not been on the high side. also, i have good results with IMR 4064 in 308
I was watching an older video while loading some ammo. You mention having a .243 but not an exciting gun to shoot. Putting a .243 barrel on the Tikka could be a fun project.
I’m going to have to try these in my p.o ackley.308 with 1-12 twist
Are you lapping the front of the upper and bedding the extension into the upper? Get your gas/lock time straightened out then give it a shot. Really helps with fliers!
Use TAC for the gas gun and Varget for the bolt action. Do this and your 308 accuracy will improve!!!