Right on Clay! The Federal ammo did not do bad and just having a 3 shot group is not really enough to say yea or nay on it. My Gen I shoots the heck out of the Core Lokt and that is why I'm trying to see if this Gen II will like them enough for being the hunting round. That way I can just carry one brand of ammo while hunting. I'm planning on keeping the gen I in the truck as a back up. When I go get more ammo today I'll see if they have some more Federal and I'll pick that up too. Then I can continue testing with more groups.
Cool, that is what I'm seeing out of this 308 as well. I need to do some more testing. Mainly I want to verify 100 yard performance. I also want to do some more group testing as well, but in actuality with my hunting rifle the first cold bore shot is what it is all about.
Most people would be surprised if they had the $ to buy multiple bing bangs of the same make model and caliber and then set them up identically and then try this. If all's you are looking for is a 1 to 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yards they would be close but if you start trying to be closer then that they would all have there own loads. Keep up the good work
You are so correct. In fact after getting this one regulated to what I want from a hunting rig, I'm going to compare it to my original Ruger American 308 to see how they each perform. I could actually get out a couple more of my 308 rifles and do a 4 way comparison, but I thin I'll just start with two. Also, every gun likes its own brand of ammo. While the Core Lokt works great in my original it may not be the ammo that the Gen II is most happy with.
Let that barrel cool all the way before shooing next group. I always do a 3 round group, then let it cool. When hunting all you're normally taking is that 1 shot cold bore
First, did you remove the stud for sling? It will affect recoil/accuracy snagging on the bull bag. Second, look at how far the forend creeps back from start to finish of testing. If you can’t repeat your shooting setup, you really can’t trust the results. Third, I know it’s just 75 yards, but that’s some heavy wind you’re shooting in. And without a radar or chronograph how do you know what’s going on?
My exact same gun shoots like shit doesn’t like anything above 150 grain. but I’m gonna give the normal and corelok a shot.Thanks for saving me some money. Also I did re tourqe the screws on action and mount.
I'm still dealing with trying to get decent groups. So fat the Norma, Core Lokt and Core Lokt Tipped seem to work the best. That's the 150 grain. Like you I really can't get anything heavier to work.
I have the same set up and I tried 3 different 165’s and it didn’t like any of them. I’ve had a lot of the 30 caliber rifles and I don’t remember a 165 GR ever blowing my socks off.
Thanks Andrew for the insight. I've always used the 150 grain in my 308 rifles with the exception of the Ruger Precision Rifle in 308. I use the Federal Premium with the 168 Gold Medal Sierra Matchking projectiles. Those drive tacks with ease, but that is the only heavier than 150 round I use for target only not a hunting round.
Tim after I got home and looked at my 308 ammo I found a box of the Hornady 150 grain. I was like man, I wish I grabbed that box instead of the 165 grain. I'll test it later. I'm going to go back to Academy and pick up some more of the other types for more testing. I just can't believe the 165 grain shot like that and I want to re-try it again too.
@@brhoffer7 No I dont have a suppressor. I have wondered that as well, but suppressors dont seem to affect grouping on other channels that I subscribe to.
@@Saltwaterassassin Yes I did and they worked well compared to the 165 grain. I think I actually have some footage of it, but I never got to put that together for a video.
I think the can on the end is a variable over looked. Ruger made this gun with a brake. This also stabilizes the exiting round. Change that and your changing a variable. Zero it as ruger intended it to be shot. You might he surprised at the result
I've tested this on several other rifles including my Ruger Precision 308 and other than a slight elevation change the group size didn't change. I'll do a test with and without the can on this rifle, but I will not have the original radial break/flash hider on as that has been changed out and the current break is indexed and set. I intend to shoot and hunt with this rifle using the can as I do with most of my Ruger Americans. I'm confident that it will preform well once I get it dialed in. However to eliminate all variables, I'll test it as you mentioned. Thanks!!
I shot a 5/8 in group. Hornady whitetail 150. Try taking your hush hush off and use the brake it was made with. It did not like 165 or 180. But did like the 168 gr. Unless you are clamped in a vise or secured in a sled, your accuracy will vary on the shooter. So in a real world situation. Its all in the shooters ability😊
Bradly I replied earlier to both your statements but it didn't take. I've found a box of the Hornady 150 grain so I'm trying those and the 165 again. You're correct about the Vice and the shooter's ability. In all honesty, I really need to focus on the cold bore shot placement as this is a hunting rig and that is the kind of shot that counts. However, I do like my hunting rifles to have close to or under a one inch group at 100 yards.
Great comparison. The Remington CoreLockt is a great load for the money. I haven't bought some in a while, but they used to be one of the more reasonably priced rifle hunting round.
Since I'm rained out this weekend, I think I'm going to Academy tomorrow and I'll get a couple more boxes as well as some of that Norma Whitetail too. I found another box of the Hornady American Whitetail in 150 grain. I wish I had grabbed that box for the testing. Oh well. The CoreLokt and Norma Whitetail work great.
Yes, very much so. It is just like a muffler on a car. That cover I have on it, while is great for preventing the heat waves that cause mirage, it also keeps me from burning my hand as I've done several times before.
Hey Cervus. It looks like you have quit a tash of bullets there. Go with norma better brass and consistency. Federal premium and Hornady custom always worked out better for me. A little more pricey but what the heck we are retired ,,,so why not live a little and enjoy lol. Take care my friend 👋👋🤝🤝
You shot several different loads but nearly all of it was 150gr? I'd have thought part of finding a load it likes is more related to the bullet weight rather than the bullet design or variations between manufacturers What I'm saying is is if your barrel doesn't like 150s but you don't test any other bullet weight you might think that guns a piece of crap when it shoots 168 or 169s like a beast I've seen groups as small as .3moa So what are you actually determining by trying all these different brands of ammo at 150 grains? The 308 offers you a huge window of bullet weights to choose from from 110 grains to 220 grains but everything you tested was 150 interesting approach
So basically my approach is testing hunting ammo that I had on hand and what I can find easily at the store. I did test some 165 grain as well as some 168 grain. The 168 shoot sub MOA in my Ruger Precision all day long, but not so much in this rifle. And to tell you the truth I was kind of shocked that they didn't shoot a sub MOA group out of the Gen II. The 150 grain standard Core-Lokt shoots sub MOA in my Gen I Ruger American and I'd prefer to use that, but what I ended up going with is the 150 grain Core Lokt Tipped. They consistently give me 1 inch or less and can be found at my local store just about any time I walk in.
That's interesting as another friend said pretty much the same thing. I did find in my stash a box of the 150 grain Hornady Am Whitetail so I'll be trying it and the 165 grain again just to double check them. Right now I'm liking the Norma and Remington stuff.
Always good to see what round works Cervus. I use Fusion in most rifles. btw go check out Mason Outdoors ballistics testing. He's going testing of tons of ammo. Well worth it. Across all calibers that Fusion expands superbly as does the Blue box Federal. I'll take a little wider group for excellent penetration and expansion. Cheers
I'll certainly check that out. I always like seeing ammo testing especially the factory hunting rounds that I can get off the shelf. I like the Fusion no doubt. If I can buy more boxes of the Federal I'll get them. Currently these are my only two, while I have several of the Core Lokt and a couple of the Norma. I also have several of the Winchester too. I'm going by Academy tomorrow to wee what i can pick up.
Wow, another gun not liking Hornady ammo. The others look like they did pretty good. Glad to see I'm not the only one having target cameras shutting down mid video...hate when that happens.
Yeah, I found a box of the Hornady 150 grain at the house so I'm going to try those and re-try the 165 grain because I just can't figure out why they are so erratic. I also want to see if they continue doing that, but I'm sure they will. As for the camera, yeah I was pushing my luck with the battery. I had been out there a long time shooting and the batteries only last about an hour of solid recording time. I had fun though testing all the ammo and just shooting in general. I was going to go out Wednesday and shoot some more, but Francine put a damper on that plan. So far since Wednesday I have got 5.5 inches of rain with about 3 of it falling Friday morning in about 30 minutes.
@@Halfmilesniper Per the web page and rifle stats it is a 1:10" RH Twist. It is the same as my Ruger Precision 308 that I shoot the 168 grain out of and it does great with them. That gives me an idea. I may shoot some of the Federal Premium 168 grain just to see how they group from that rifle.
Man, I love that they are putting the 308 in the Ranch Rifle. I may have to get me one, lol. So the 168 grain in what brand? I shot some Match 168 grain and it just didn't do too well. Although, in my Ruger Precision they do great. Thanks Mark! And if you get a chance let me know which 168 you are using. I'll get some even if I have to order them.
It is very rare Norma ammo does not shoot well in any rifle I have. I tagged three deer at the same spot 3 days in a row last season at 300 yards using my Tikka Compact 708 and factory Norma 150 grain Whitetail ammo. All pass through. None of my rifles in any cartridge shoot the Rem corelokt well at all
I think by what I saw, you could fine tune the Core Lokts, and be dead on with the Norma's to hunt with. Easier on the billfold that way too, which is always a good thing. But, they don't say the Core Lokt "is the deadliest mushroom in the woods" for nothing.
I agree. I checked my stash and I have another box of the CoreLokt and another box of the Norma too. I also found a box of the Hornady American Whitetail in 150 grain. I wish I'd grabbed that one for testing, but oh well the Norma and Corelokt prove to be the top hitters at that moment.
3 місяці тому+1
Try taking the suppressor off and use the factory muzzle device. As a gunsmith and veteran long gun shooter, I don't get why people think that they need to use suppressors off the battlefield. They actually eff up the muzzle pressure!
People either seem to love a suppressor or hate it. Because I own and shoot a lot of long rifles with and without a suppressor I know the effects the suppressor has on my shooting. I've shot long rifles for 40 plus years and I've been using the suppressor for the past 10 years. I can tell you that I've not seen any noticeable effect on a group's size from shooting with a suppressor. It will change a point of impact, but I've not seen the grouping of the rounds being shot change any noticeable amount. The suppressor also makes it a lot more enjoyable to shoot too and has nothing to do with a battlefield in my mind.
A suppressor will generally improve one’s shooting not make it worse. They help to mitigate recoil just as the factory brake does and reduce noise instead of blow your ear drums apart like the brake is really good at doing. Crevus thank you for taking the time and testing your ammo and posting your results to help others along.
@@mikekoehler7098 Thanks Mike! I've tested more ammo and I have footage of it. I just have not taken the time to put it together in a video. I did put together the video of the ammo I selected. (criteria being hunting ammo, readily off shelf availability, and not too expensive) The ammo I chose was the Remington Core Lokt Tipped. While it is a little more expensive than I prefer, it seems to give me the best consistency and it perfect for the cold bore shot hitting dead on where I want it to.
Hornady whitetail is shit ammo to me.. I dont even like looking at the box. It shoots like shit in all my rifles. My savage groups federal 150 power shocks great. Shots touch
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks for the video! My RA Gen 1 loves Fed PS 150.
Right on Clay! The Federal ammo did not do bad and just having a 3 shot group is not really enough to say yea or nay on it. My Gen I shoots the heck out of the Core Lokt and that is why I'm trying to see if this Gen II will like them enough for being the hunting round. That way I can just carry one brand of ammo while hunting. I'm planning on keeping the gen I in the truck as a back up. When I go get more ammo today I'll see if they have some more Federal and I'll pick that up too. Then I can continue testing with more groups.
My savage will group federal PS 150 really good. Touching shots. I donl theb3 round shot and then let cool all thw way
@@stephenknecht7189 I personally like Federal PS. Just good rounds in general. Thanks!
👍👍the Norma and the core lokt group very close to each other in my 30 06 and my 308 rifles. Both group well. Thanks Cervus
Cool, that is what I'm seeing out of this 308 as well. I need to do some more testing. Mainly I want to verify 100 yard performance. I also want to do some more group testing as well, but in actuality with my hunting rifle the first cold bore shot is what it is all about.
Most people would be surprised if they had the $ to buy multiple bing bangs of the same make model and caliber and then set them up identically and then try this. If all's you are looking for is a 1 to 1 1/2 inch group at 100 yards they would be close but if you start trying to be closer then that they would all have there own loads.
Keep up the good work
You are so correct. In fact after getting this one regulated to what I want from a hunting rig, I'm going to compare it to my original Ruger American 308 to see how they each perform. I could actually get out a couple more of my 308 rifles and do a 4 way comparison, but I thin I'll just start with two. Also, every gun likes its own brand of ammo. While the Core Lokt works great in my original it may not be the ammo that the Gen II is most happy with.
Looking good. Nice ammo testing.
Thanks Xtreme!
Great testing my friend.
Thanks Ken 👍 Much appreciated!
Yes Sirrrrr! Cool video Cervus!
Thanks Bullets. I just tested some more today. This rifle is very pick on the bullets it likes.
It’s something how rifle and ammo combinations very so much! It’s fun to do other than the cost lol!
Yeah that is why I only did 3 shot groups.
Let that barrel cool all the way before shooing next group. I always do a 3 round group, then let it cool. When hunting all you're normally taking is that 1 shot cold bore
Cold bore shot is the one that counts.
First, did you remove the stud for sling? It will affect recoil/accuracy snagging on the bull bag.
Second, look at how far the forend creeps back from start to finish of testing. If you can’t repeat your shooting setup, you really can’t trust the results.
Third, I know it’s just 75 yards, but that’s some heavy wind you’re shooting in.
And without a radar or chronograph how do you know what’s going on?
Thanks for the info xforce! Much appreciated.
My exact same gun shoots like shit doesn’t like anything above 150 grain. but I’m gonna give the normal and corelok a shot.Thanks for saving me some money. Also I did re tourqe the screws on action and mount.
I'm still dealing with trying to get decent groups. So fat the Norma, Core Lokt and Core Lokt Tipped seem to work the best. That's the 150 grain. Like you I really can't get anything heavier to work.
I have the same set up and I tried 3 different 165’s and it didn’t like any of them. I’ve had a lot of the 30 caliber rifles and I don’t remember a 165 GR ever blowing my socks off.
Thanks Andrew for the insight. I've always used the 150 grain in my 308 rifles with the exception of the Ruger Precision Rifle in 308. I use the Federal Premium with the 168 Gold Medal Sierra Matchking projectiles. Those drive tacks with ease, but that is the only heavier than 150 round I use for target only not a hunting round.
I have the exact same rifle, and it shoots the Hornady American Whitetail 150gr well.
Tim after I got home and looked at my 308 ammo I found a box of the Hornady 150 grain. I was like man, I wish I grabbed that box instead of the 165 grain. I'll test it later. I'm going to go back to Academy and pick up some more of the other types for more testing. I just can't believe the 165 grain shot like that and I want to re-try it again too.
Mine shot .657 with these 150 hornady rounds also. Did you have a suppressor on it? I didn't. I believe that is a variable these guys are over looking
@@brhoffer7 No I dont have a suppressor. I have wondered that as well, but suppressors dont seem to affect grouping on other channels that I subscribe to.
@@cervus-venatordid you end up trying the Hornady 150?
@@Saltwaterassassin Yes I did and they worked well compared to the 165 grain. I think I actually have some footage of it, but I never got to put that together for a video.
I think the can on the end is a variable over looked. Ruger made this gun with a brake. This also stabilizes the exiting round. Change that and your changing a variable. Zero it as ruger intended it to be shot. You might he surprised at the result
I've tested this on several other rifles including my Ruger Precision 308 and other than a slight elevation change the group size didn't change. I'll do a test with and without the can on this rifle, but I will not have the original radial break/flash hider on as that has been changed out and the current break is indexed and set. I intend to shoot and hunt with this rifle using the can as I do with most of my Ruger Americans. I'm confident that it will preform well once I get it dialed in. However to eliminate all variables, I'll test it as you mentioned. Thanks!!
I shot a 5/8 in group. Hornady whitetail 150. Try taking your hush hush off and use the brake it was made with. It did not like 165 or 180. But did like the 168 gr.
Unless you are clamped in a vise or secured in a sled, your accuracy will vary on the shooter. So in a real world situation. Its all in the shooters ability😊
Bradly I replied earlier to both your statements but it didn't take. I've found a box of the Hornady 150 grain so I'm trying those and the 165 again. You're correct about the Vice and the shooter's ability. In all honesty, I really need to focus on the cold bore shot placement as this is a hunting rig and that is the kind of shot that counts. However, I do like my hunting rifles to have close to or under a one inch group at 100 yards.
Great comparison. The Remington CoreLockt is a great load for the money. I haven't bought some in a while, but they used to be one of the more reasonably priced rifle hunting round.
Since I'm rained out this weekend, I think I'm going to Academy tomorrow and I'll get a couple more boxes as well as some of that Norma Whitetail too. I found another box of the Hornady American Whitetail in 150 grain. I wish I had grabbed that box for the testing. Oh well. The CoreLokt and Norma Whitetail work great.
That should get your tags full !
I'm hoping so. Thanks Charles!
Never shot with a suppressor before, does it retain heat ?
Yes, very much so. It is just like a muffler on a car. That cover I have on it, while is great for preventing the heat waves that cause mirage, it also keeps me from burning my hand as I've done several times before.
👍Thanks
Thank you Mike 👋
Hey Cervus. It looks like you have quit a tash of bullets there. Go with norma better brass and consistency. Federal premium and Hornady custom always worked out better for me. A little more pricey but what the heck we are retired ,,,so why not live a little and enjoy lol. Take care my friend 👋👋🤝🤝
Thanks JC! Yeah I'm going to Academy today to pick up some more of the 308 rounds. I'm hoping to find the Norma while there.
I'll have to pickup a new ruger gen2 at some point
I certainly am enjoying it so far.
You shot several different loads but nearly all of it was 150gr?
I'd have thought part of finding a load it likes is more related to the bullet weight rather than the bullet design or variations between manufacturers
What I'm saying is is if your barrel doesn't like 150s but you don't test any other bullet weight you might think that guns a piece of crap when it shoots 168 or 169s like a beast I've seen groups as small as .3moa
So what are you actually determining by trying all these different brands of ammo at 150 grains? The 308 offers you a huge window of bullet weights to choose from from 110 grains to 220 grains but everything you tested was 150 interesting approach
So basically my approach is testing hunting ammo that I had on hand and what I can find easily at the store. I did test some 165 grain as well as some 168 grain. The 168 shoot sub MOA in my Ruger Precision all day long, but not so much in this rifle. And to tell you the truth I was kind of shocked that they didn't shoot a sub MOA group out of the Gen II. The 150 grain standard Core-Lokt shoots sub MOA in my Gen I Ruger American and I'd prefer to use that, but what I ended up going with is the 150 grain Core Lokt Tipped. They consistently give me 1 inch or less and can be found at my local store just about any time I walk in.
My two rifles don't like any Hornady American whitetail ammo
That's interesting as another friend said pretty much the same thing. I did find in my stash a box of the 150 grain Hornady Am Whitetail so I'll be trying it and the 165 grain again just to double check them. Right now I'm liking the Norma and Remington stuff.
Always good to see what round works Cervus. I use Fusion in most rifles. btw go check out Mason Outdoors ballistics testing. He's going testing of tons of ammo. Well worth it. Across all calibers that Fusion expands superbly as does the Blue box Federal. I'll take a little wider group for excellent penetration and expansion.
Cheers
I'll certainly check that out. I always like seeing ammo testing especially the factory hunting rounds that I can get off the shelf. I like the Fusion no doubt. If I can buy more boxes of the Federal I'll get them. Currently these are my only two, while I have several of the Core Lokt and a couple of the Norma. I also have several of the Winchester too. I'm going by Academy tomorrow to wee what i can pick up.
Wow, another gun not liking Hornady ammo. The others look like they did pretty good. Glad to see I'm not the only one having target cameras shutting down mid video...hate when that happens.
Yeah, I found a box of the Hornady 150 grain at the house so I'm going to try those and re-try the 165 grain because I just can't figure out why they are so erratic. I also want to see if they continue doing that, but I'm sure they will. As for the camera, yeah I was pushing my luck with the battery. I had been out there a long time shooting and the batteries only last about an hour of solid recording time. I had fun though testing all the ammo and just shooting in general. I was going to go out Wednesday and shoot some more, but Francine put a damper on that plan. So far since Wednesday I have got 5.5 inches of rain with about 3 of it falling Friday morning in about 30 minutes.
@@cervus-venator Do you know the twist rate on your rifle? Those 165s might not like the twist...maybe.
@@Halfmilesniper Per the web page and rifle stats it is a 1:10" RH Twist. It is the same as my Ruger Precision 308 that I shoot the 168 grain out of and it does great with them. That gives me an idea. I may shoot some of the Federal Premium 168 grain just to see how they group from that rifle.
I have the ranch in 308 it loves 168 gr drives nails at 100
Man, I love that they are putting the 308 in the Ranch Rifle. I may have to get me one, lol. So the 168 grain in what brand? I shot some Match 168 grain and it just didn't do too well. Although, in my Ruger Precision they do great. Thanks Mark! And if you get a chance let me know which 168 you are using. I'll get some even if I have to order them.
It is very rare Norma ammo does not shoot well in any rifle I have. I tagged three deer at the same spot 3 days in a row last season at 300 yards using my Tikka Compact 708 and factory Norma 150 grain Whitetail ammo. All pass through. None of my rifles in any cartridge shoot the Rem corelokt well at all
I've heard some others say the Norma is a great shooting round. It certainly seems to show that here.
@@cervus-venator I bought 2 cases of 308 Norma Bondstrike on sale for about $22/box no shipping or tax
I think by what I saw, you could fine tune the Core Lokts, and be dead on with the Norma's to hunt with. Easier on the billfold that way too, which is always a good thing. But, they don't say the Core Lokt "is the deadliest mushroom in the woods" for nothing.
I agree. I checked my stash and I have another box of the CoreLokt and another box of the Norma too. I also found a box of the Hornady American Whitetail in 150 grain. I wish I'd grabbed that one for testing, but oh well the Norma and Corelokt prove to be the top hitters at that moment.
Try taking the suppressor off and use the factory muzzle device. As a gunsmith and veteran long gun shooter, I don't get why people think that they need to use suppressors off the battlefield. They actually eff up the muzzle pressure!
People either seem to love a suppressor or hate it. Because I own and shoot a lot of long rifles with and without a suppressor I know the effects the suppressor has on my shooting. I've shot long rifles for 40 plus years and I've been using the suppressor for the past 10 years. I can tell you that I've not seen any noticeable effect on a group's size from shooting with a suppressor. It will change a point of impact, but I've not seen the grouping of the rounds being shot change any noticeable amount. The suppressor also makes it a lot more enjoyable to shoot too and has nothing to do with a battlefield in my mind.
A suppressor will generally improve one’s shooting not make it worse. They help to mitigate recoil just as the factory brake does and reduce noise instead of blow your ear drums apart like the brake is really good at doing. Crevus thank you for taking the time and testing your ammo and posting your results to help others along.
@@mikekoehler7098 Thanks Mike! I've tested more ammo and I have footage of it. I just have not taken the time to put it together in a video. I did put together the video of the ammo I selected. (criteria being hunting ammo, readily off shelf availability, and not too expensive) The ammo I chose was the Remington Core Lokt Tipped. While it is a little more expensive than I prefer, it seems to give me the best consistency and it perfect for the cold bore shot hitting dead on where I want it to.
Hey Cervus
Hi Randle👋
Hornady whitetail is shit ammo to me.. I dont even like looking at the box. It shoots like shit in all my rifles. My savage groups federal 150 power shocks great. Shots touch
I like the power shot too.