What loads does your FN prefer. I just got a chance to shoot mine a 400 yards with 2 different loads. The loads used were FGMM 168 gr SMK and Hornady TAP FPD 155 Amax. The groups with the Amax were a hair smaller.
I would like to find an accurate bullet/load that will work for hunting and out to 600. What factory load, handload and bullet weights does your FN prefer?
It sounds like you have the 308 win? I’m running the WSM. I can still help you out if you would like?
What your twist rate?
What stock it on your rifle?
Have you had any work done?
When you were shooting at 400 yards what was the speed at which you fired the rounds, ie one shot every… minutes?
Out of the 2 ammo brands you tried the AMAX is the better choice for hunting applications on thin skinned game such as deer which I can only assume is what we are taking about.
If you cant find the time for load work up right now I would suggest contacting HSM ammunition, Supperior ammunition, Berger bullets, custom reloads of dallas and see what they have to offer based on your needs and wants.
I dont recall were you live at but if there was any chance you lived near me I would be happy to help you work up a load for your rifle and go through your set up with you to make sure everything is as it should be.
Im in western NY
If your going to load your own, the bullet I have the most luck finding a fast load for is the Berger VLD. If you want to give the hand load a try look at the 155g Berger VLD HUNTING get your self some R15 and some BR2 primers dont skimp on the brass nosler of lapua, do a full match prep right out of the gate on the new stuff before you ever load it. Then fallow the directions laid out in the artical below.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/articles/vld-bullets-accuracy-1.php
Awesome thanks man. Yes sir we are mainly talking deer but hogs are in the plan as well, I wish I had the WSM but got a deal on this one.
The only work done on the rifle is a trigger adjustment, I shot on Thursday and adjusted the trigger last night. It is still wearing the Hogue stock for now. I shot resting on a pack.
I am unsure of the twist rate, according to FNUSA its a 1 in 12. The 1in12 is geared towards lighter loads I assume?
I fired several five round groups due to ammo concerns. I gave 5-10 seconds between rounds in the 5 shots. Several minutes between groups while I walked to the target.
Groups were measured (non precisely) around 5 inches outside to outside of furthest apart rounds. I would like to tighten them up of course and think the trigger will help.
I am getting set up to load my on .308 (already set up to load others), but would like a factory load to be able to pick up ammo when reloading time is scarce.
I am very new to precision long range, and 200 yards inside a pie plate used to be fine with me.
Thank you again, I am in Alabama and do wish I had a shooter that is familiar with this a lot closer.
Ok I see an issue right off the bat. I want you to ask your self if your going to shoot 5 shots at a deer in under a min? Your shooting to fast. My fist suggestion is to go shoot again. Shoot one round every 10 minutes no faster and then I want to hear what size groups your rifle shot this is a much better way to test a load. Shoot a dirty bore and focuse on the cold bore shot its what validates your skill as a hunter.
1-12 RH twist is best suited for bullets in the 140 to 180g weight class.
Do you have a torgue wrench, torpedo level ans a ring lapping kit? I have some you can barrow just let me know ok.
I do have a torpedo level. I certainly appreciate your offer of loaner tools, but my toolbox is like my guns. I will pick up a torque wrench and ring lapping kit.
The scope and rings are Leupold Mark 4 with the rings being steel. The base is the stock FNH unit.
I will shoot slower, thank you again.
great info, thanks for sharin. been also testing some loads for my fn tsr xp, but i shoot between 5-10 seconds per shot. will try every 10 minutes, thanks
Ya I would love to here some updates guys
I didn’t get to shoot last Monday due to the torrential down pour we had. I got a Borka torque wrench and the ring lapping kit ordered. I hope I can shoot on Sunday.
It will be next week before the tools get in and I can torque everything down properly and get the rings lapped. I also picked up a box of TAP FPD 168gr AMAX to try out.
Thats good to here let me know with the TAP loads. I never had any luck with them the AMAX bullet however is an awsome little thing when hand loaded.
Quick update, after lapping the rings, torquing rings & action the groups are still hovering around 5 inches at 394 yards. This is with the TAP 155 load, 90 degrees out and an impromptu off the hood on fleece jackets rest.
All in all I think I am for sure the weak link in the equation, when I breathe right and get a good squeeze the bullets go were they should. I would be delighted to see what this rifle and load will do off a good rest.
Thats still great shooting from what you just decribed glad to see the rifle is comming along.
Thanks man, when I get 10 rounds in that same measurement and the first one in the red I will be happy. The groups were way high, then way left, then low (still 5 shots for now). I need to get my dope dialed in better and more time to shoot.
I couldnt work on the cold bore shots because I had to sight it back in after having the scope out of the rings and it was getting late. I am still shooting too fast.
I also believe the FN is a 1 moa or close rifle, but my lack of trigger time right now is the biggest problem
I agree they are great rifles. I’m always looking for another one, in 308 win this time, but I never see any localaly. I keep waiting to here you tried some bigger bullets. I never had any luck with that TAP load myself.
You could lap your lugs now to if you want, it will help a little bit. If you dont know how to do it, I can walk you through it very simple but if you do to much it can be very dangerous!!! You may not even need to but its worth checking out.
I will research the lapping of lugs, I am unsure of the process and knowing me I better do my research or my rifle and head might end up discombobulated.
How heavy do you think I should go? I have been eyeballing the 178gr Amax bullets for home brew. I bought 500 of the Hornady 155 TAP load so I need to burn them up. I have 2 boxes of the 168 Amax TAP I need to shoot.
Following your progress…I have a FN SPR 24" in .308 and have yet to shoot her… Have the steel Leupolds on mine didnt need lapping and i have the harris bi pod and just a fixed powered 10x on it till I figure what I really want.
Shoot that thang, I think you will be pleased with the rifles accuracy. The rings were out a wee little bit, didn’t take much lapping.
I bought a cheap bipod ( Caldwell?) to see if I even like a bipod. After shooting with it a bit I took it off and shoot off my pack most of the time.
I have the Harris nice bi pod used on my ar’s works well. Haven"t had much time its only 10 days old I’ll get to it…lol I have to find a load the gun likes so I can start pumping them out during are long craptacular winter…:suicide2:
Never seen a set of rings that didnt benifit from a little lapping but oh well.
I agree but waiting on new scope first as these won’t be on this gun long…
Brownells tech section is a good resource for gun smithing. When you do lap them your looking for 80% contact no more or you could have head space issues and thats real bad.
I guess I should have read back in the thread a bit. If you have that many tap rounds no sence wasting them. When there gone if you want to switch I would try something a bit bigger the 178 amax is a good choice. Heck grab a box and do a side by side comparison of group size and see what happens just for kicks.