Bergara 308 single shot load development

Well after a failed attempt to get 155gn eldm to shoot I have had some success.
Big cheers to @stug for putting me onto 125gn accubonds.
Did a small ladder test starting at 43.5 going up in .5 increments to 45.5.
I started getting pressure signs at 45.5gn but by far my best grouping was at 44gn

Attachment 124044

I'll call that done 2784fps and near enough 100ft/lbs at 400 yards.

Here is what I believe are the first signs of pressure (hard to tell in a single shot but you can see a crater starting to form around the indent left by the firing pin and a reasonably flat primer.

Attachment 124045

What powder? That group at 100m?

Imr4895 and 3 rounds @ 100yards

Hmm, o well least you will use it. Always a shame to let go of a laser

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Originally Posted by mimms2

Crater is cos your FP hole is loose.
What brand primer? I wouldn't be too concerned but if you've found a good node then roll with it.

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Huh ? Care to explain @mimms2 ?
CCI large rifle primers, What should I be looking for for pressure signs in a single shot ? The crater was more noticeable on the hotter loads, the primer was starting to look quite flat but still rounded on the edges.
Would love to find a faster accuracy node if possible.

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Originally Posted by dannyb

Huh ? Care to explain ?

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When there is plenty of clearance between the firing pin and the hole, the primer material is able to move into the hole. That’s why it’s often disregarded as an indicator of pressure. A rifle with less clearance around the pin won’t show the same sign even with hotter loads


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Originally Posted by MSL

When there is plenty of clearance between the firing pin and the hole, the primer material is able to move into the hole. That’s why it’s often disregarded as an indicator of pressure. A rifle with less clearance around the pin won’t show the same sign even with hotter loads


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Ahh makes sense.

So what should I be looking for flattening of the primer ? Do the primers in the pic above look ok apart from the cratering ?

Look fine, still rounded edge.
2784fps with a 125gr is far from max in most rifles I’ve played with. But it looks to be a great load in yours and you won’t gain exponentially by going faster so I reckon you should call it done

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Originally Posted by MSL

Look fine, still rounded edge.
2784fps with a 125gr is far from max in most rifles I’ve played with. But it looks to be a great load in yours and you won’t gain exponentially by going faster so I reckon you should call it done

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Fair enough, in reality it's unlikely to be shot past 300 yards

now buy a box of 180grn bog standard winchester soft points for any close range /bush work and be a happy camper.......trust me the terminal preformance is well worth the cost of buying factory.......I pretty much duplicate it with round nose 180grn hornadies.

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

now buy a box of 180grn bog standard winchester soft points for any close range /bush work and be a happy camper.......trust me the terminal preformance is well worth the cost of buying factory.......I pretty much duplicate it with round nose 180grn hornadies.

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Why not just load my own ?

yip you can...as I do...but so far I havent found winchester 180grn soft point projectiles as a component...and the 180grn hornadies are good n cheap and kill well.

most folk dont believe the 180s kick so softly.....

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Originally Posted by Micky Duck

yip you can...as I do...but so far I havent found winchester 180grn soft point projectiles as a component...and the 180grn hornadies are good n cheap and kill well.

most folk dont believe the 180s kick so softly.....

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Would you use the same powder for the 180grn Hornandy ? I assume for reds inside 100 yards ?

i my baikal i get 2700+ with a 165 gr,,u should be near to 3k

ps,,in lighter projectiles you might want to go with faster powder