LR308 For Longer Distance

303hunter

303hunter

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I have a home built LR308 that I’d like to set up to shoot 600 yards, or maybe a bit longer. It has an 18” 1-10 twist mid gas Ballistic Advantage government profile barrel, and will easily shoot 1” or less at 100 yards. The present trigger is a worked over PSA two stage that breaks at 2 pounds.

Scope is a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 second focal plane. This will be the first thing I replace. Went shooting with @Downeast a few days ago, and found the limitations of the Nikon quickly. He recommended a SWFA fixed power, and I’m looking hard at the 16 and 20 power options. I’d appreciate any feedback or opinions.
 
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303hunter said:
I have a home built LR308 that I’d like to set up to shoot 600 yards, or maybe a bit longer. It has an 18” 1-10 twist mid gas Ballistic Advantage government profile barrel, and will easily shoot 1” or less at 100 yards. The present trigger is a worked over PSA two stage that breaks at 2 pounds.

Scope is a Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x42 second focal plane. This will be the first thing I replace. Went shooting with @Downeast a few days ago, and found the limitations of the Nikon quickly. He recommended a SWFA fixed power, and I’m looking hard at the 16 and 20 power options. I’d appreciate any feedback or opinions.
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I'd recommend a really good 2 stage trigger, either a Geiselle National Match or an ATC SR Gold. I have both, and they're both incredible. If money is no issue, there's also the Timney Calvin Elite, which is positively the nicest AR trigger in existence and is priced accordingly.

As for optics, right now it's really hard to beat some of Vortex's 2nd Gen PST offerings. EuroOptic is having a Vortex closeout sale, I'd recommend hitting that up.
 
I love the Super Sniper line of optics, but only the 10x. I have used one since 2002, alot.

As to other brands yes, you can do very well on a Vortex.

Its up to you, I love a fixed 10x, but I am one of the hold outs at this point.

BTW, a 18" Semi auto 1/10 in .308win or other calibers bigger then .243 is a 1k rifle,
 
I'm a noob on this topic, but when I had similar questions I was advised to get a scope with lots of elevation so I don't run out. The problem with building for 600 yards is soon enough your wanting to get out further still. With handloads sized to your magazines you can probably hit 1000 yards so plan for that.
 
JBoyette said:
I love the Super Sniper line of optics, but only the 10x. I have used one since 2002, alot.

As to other brands yes, you can do very well on a Vortex.

Its up to you, I love a fixed 10x, but I am one of the hold outs at this point.

BTW, a 18" Semi auto 1/10 in .308win or other calibers bigger then .243 is a 1k rifle,
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I figured it would do more than 600 yards, but I’ll have to work my way up. The only projectiles I have to load right now are Hornady 150 grain soft point. Need to order some 168 grain.
 
303hunter said:
I figured it would do more than 600 yards, but I’ll have to work my way up. The only projectiles I have to load right now are Hornady 150 grain soft point. Need to order some 168 grain.
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No, go heavier than 168. 175 minimum.
 
303hunter said:
I figured it would do more than 600 yards, but I’ll have to work my way up. The only projectiles I have to load right now are Hornady 150 grain soft point. Need to order some 168 grain.
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Don't waste you time with 168grn.

I have shot my share of 168SMK and it was cool in 1994, and uncool in 2004. A drag in 2014, and a waste of money now in 2021. I have gone 190 SMK, 175 TMK, 220 SMK, 178AMAX, etc. are all better then the 168smk

I will say, I had a HAMMER with 155 SMK's out of a 14.5" 1/8 .308 DPMS. I shot the sh!t out of that gun. With the 14.5" I was MOA all the way to 650yds, 2 MOA tp 900 and 3 MOA out to 1100yds. All with a SS10x BTW, I might rebuild me one soon. GREAT gun. Oh the memories of that baby.

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I've also looked at Primary Arms scopes. Had a 4-14 on a 223 awhile back, and never used it much. Definitely trying to save some money, as I'm living on a retirees budget now. Any experience with the PA FFP scopes will be appreciated.
 
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Ended up buying an Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 with IR MIL reticle. Glass is surprisingly clear, even at the edges on full power. Also have an AR Stoner 20 MOA mount on order from Midway. Trying to decide if I want to keep the present stock, it’s an EFX carbon fiber fixed length. Excellent cheek weld, but no adjustments.
 
303hunter said:
Ended up buying an Athlon Talos BTR 4-14x44 with IR MIL reticle. Glass is surprisingly clear, even at the edges on full power. Also have an AR Stoner 20 MOA mount on order from Midway. Trying to decide if I want to keep the present stock, it’s an EFX carbon fiber fixed length. Excellent cheek weld, but no adjustments.
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@303hunter I picked up another beach umbrella for the range. It's getting hot out there! One day I'm gonna put a roof on that container. Weren't you banging steel a few times at 800 too?
 
Downeast said:
@303hunter I picked up another beach umbrella for the range. It's getting hot out there! One day I'm gonna put a roof on that container. Weren't you banging steel a few times at 800 too?
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I believe so. Remember hitting 600 with the 257 Roberts, and wasn’t expecting to. I’m ready to try the AR10 again with the new scope and ammo. Got some 175 SMKs, and still need to load them.
 
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I still shoot the .308, not as much now. The biggest change that helped me was going to Berger VLD, I use them in 6.5CM also.
 
COTTON said:
I still shoot the .308, not as much now. The biggest change that helped me was going to Berger VLD, I use them in 6.5CM also.
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How much advantage do you feel the 6.5 give you over the 308? I’m starting with what I already have, but will eventually upgrade with either another upper or a bolt rifle.
 
That’s the problem with long range shooting....to many choices, scopes, caliber, rifles, semi vs bolt...pick one and stick with it. I went down that rabbit hole and it got EXPENSIVE!!!! From a 6mm br to a 300 win mag and a lot in between, all had their pluses and minuses....6 mm was the cat’s meow till the wind got up...300 was a sledgehammer but it kicked like a mule...now for me the 6.5 was the happiest medium 6.5 creed or the 260 rem even the 6.5x55 Swede is a good choice....but if you don’t reload, never mind that’s another rabbit hole....
 
THE PUNISHER said:
That’s the problem with long range shooting....to many choices, scopes, caliber, rifles, semi vs bolt...pick one and stick with it. I went down that rabbit hole and it got EXPENSIVE!!!! From a 6mm br to a 300 win mag and a lot in between, all had their pluses and minuses....6 mm was the cat’s meow till the wind got up...300 was a sledgehammer but it kicked like a mule...now for me the 6.5 was the happiest medium 6.5 creed or the 260 rem even the 6.5x55 Swede is a good choice....but if you don’t reload, never mind that’s another rabbit hole....
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I’ve been reloading for over 20 years, and enjoy the benefits, but I’ve never loaded for long range. I’ve loaded a bunch of 308, so it’ll be what I concentrate on for now. A good friend @hp468 has recently bought an excellent Tikka heavy barrel 308, and we’ll most likely work on some loads.
 
308 starts running out of juice around 750 to 850 on an average. I had my gunsmith build me a 6.5CM a long time ago, it was the first one for us both and had to order a reamer. He tried to get me to order a 260 and no I wanted a CM. He came and shot with me and when he left he said a CM was on his list, back then CM was not popular. Called him one day and asked how many CM he built, he said it was easier to say how many reamers he had worn out. I find every caliber has it's plus and minus, I still love my 308. The biggest gamechanger for me was barrel and bullet brand. I only shoot bolt guns.
 
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COTTON said:
308 starts running out of juice around 750 to 850 on an average. I had my gunsmith build me a 6.5CM a long time ago, it was the first one for us both and had to order a reamer. He tried to get me to order a 260 and no I wanted a CM. He came and shot with me and when he left he said a CM was on his list, back then CM was not popular. Called him one day and asked how many CM he built, he said it was easier to say how many reamers he had worn out. I find every caliber has it's plus and minus, I still love my 308. The biggest gamechanger for me was barrel and bullet brand. I only shoot bolt guns.
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I think it's funny people come up with these numbers of where the .308 fades away.

Palma matches are 1000yds fixed sights shooting .308win with 155grn bullets.

People been doing this since 1950's.

I have a 18" .308win that groups very well at 1000yds. I have owned 5 other precision rifles in .308 and all of them did great at 1000yds.

I agree that other calibers perform well and some have a edge over the .308win. but to say the .308win looses at X distance, one must qualify that statement.
 
I stated 308 runs out of juice on an average. Probably shot as many rounds out of a 308 as most people shooting today. It takes a little care to get it to perform at 1000yd. Your average off shelf 308 ain't no 1000yd rifle. I currently have four 308 rifles and love them all. I am not a 6.5CM fanboy but it will change your shooting really quick, makes thing easy. The last rifle I had built was a 308 and probably my most accurate rig. I still do not use it at 1000yd due to I have some amore suited for task. These new style 30 cal projectiles are very impressive. Most Sierra bullets will become transonic around 700yd, have not shot Sierra in a lot of years they probably have newer styles now.
 
303HUNTER I built a 6.5 Grendel and enjoy shooting it very much. The Grendel is enjoyable due to no recoil and in a gas gun it is easy to tame and very easy on brass. I mostly use to shoot mine late in the day because of wind. That would be an option but if you decide on another short action, LARUE is supposed to have 308 and 6.5CM. Everything is coming back in stock so a person can be a little picky and I think there will be a slow spell.
 
COTTON said:
303HUNTER I built a 6.5 Grendel and enjoy shooting it very much. The Grendel is enjoyable due to no recoil and in a gas gun it is easy to tame and very easy on brass. I mostly use to shoot mine late in the day because of wind. That would be an option but if you decide on another short action, LARUE is supposed to have 308 and 6.5CM. Everything is coming back in stock so a person can be a little picky and I think there will be a slow spell.
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I’ve also got an 18” ARP barreled 6.8 SPC upper, and have been told it can be loaded for long distance with Berger bullets.
 
6.8 is a nice round, creates a pissing match between the Grendel and SPC bunch. HAHA
 
Downeast said:
@303hunter
When you get it together we'll have to hang that other piece of plywood, get the camera set up and go toe to toe. Loser cooks the dawgs and burgers. If @COTTON and @JBoyette want to show up that will be fine too. We can do six or nine hundred. For score of course. 😈
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Sounds like a good time, I'm more than a little jealous!
 
Downeast said:
@303hunter
When you get it together we'll have to hang that other piece of plywood, get the camera set up and go toe to toe. Loser cooks the dawgs and burgers. If @COTTON and @JBoyette want to show up that will be fine too. We can do six or nine hundred. For score of course. 😈
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Sounds good my friend. I’m gonna load some 175’s tomorrow and get them sighted in within the next few days. I’ll probably end up cooking, but I don’t mind at all.
 
Downeast said:
@303hunter
When you get it together we'll have to hang that other piece of plywood, get the camera set up and go toe to toe. Loser cooks the dawgs and burgers. If @COTTON and @JBoyette want to show up that will be fine too. We can do six or nine hundred. For score of course. 😈
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We need to get @hp468 involved in this too. I hear he cooks a mean burger!
 
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