.308 long distance accuracy?

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virginiatech1

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ive got a rem 700 sps varmit,26" heavy barrel 1-12" twist in .308. Qustion is what would work better heavy factory loads or lighter loads. if im not mistaken a 1-12 twist normally require/likes heavy. however i shot itw/ some 168 gr sierra bthp gold match federal and then some 180 gr winchester (not sure on the specifics) @ 200 yards not any huge difference in the groupings. ive shot the same ammo through a savage axis .308 20" standard barrel 1-10 twist and about the same result im not to worried about the axis though. im open to suggestions but to save some time ive shot 165 gr rem accutips,180 gr corelocks some "match grade" black hills nosler partions. ive got rifle paired w/ a nikon prostaff 3-9x40 ive adjusted the trigger all the way in so theres no jerking or anything on my part, plus a $125 harris bipod so ive invested into a what id think should be good rifle i dont expect to shoot out to 1000 yds, 500-600 for fun every once in a while. suggestioins please
 
In the accuracy department, your 1:12 will work find up to 175/180 grn 308 bullets, for the heavier bullets I'd go to 1:10.

168 SMKs dont work past 700 yards, 175 SMKs are excellent at 1000 yards.
 
Berger 155.5's .050 off the lands with Varget gets me sub .5 MOA out of a Savage FT/R 1 :12 with 30 inch bull barrel. Lapua Palma cases (small primer) and CCI BR2 primers. Start at around 44 grains and work your way up. The magic number for me was 44.5 gr and 2790 FPS. Regular 155 SMK's shoot almost as good. I shoot them out to 800 regularly. The Palma shooters out to 1000.
 
another question out of rem (26" heavy barrel 1-12'' twist)(rem 700 sps v) would a 200 + gr. bullet over stabilize at longer distance and become loose. i also realize my questions are all hypotheticals and that each rifle likes alittle something different so thanks for the help and am still learning long range wrongs and rights . any help is good help at this point thanks
 
twists

As a general rule, the slower the twist, the lighter the slug.

Rifles all have tastes, but your 1:12-168, and 1:10-175 seems reasonable.

The 168's have a reputation of running out of steam past 600 in some rigs and not ideal for 1000yds. The 175's carry a bit better and will stay stable to 1000 if started with high enough MV. The other option is to drive 150-155 gr slugs out of long barrels with higher than normal velocity, like the Palma shooters, and dope the wind like a pro.
 
The SPS that I own will shoot the 168 and 175 SMK's very well. It also shoots the 155 Palma bullets very well, too. The 168 properly loaded will get you just a little past 900 before it goes subsonic. The 175 will get you out to around 1100. The problem with bullets above 180 in the .308 is that you just cannot get the velocity up high enough. My advice would be to stick with the 175's if you are simply planning to hole paper. If you don't reload, then try some of the American Ballistics 175 Match ammo. A friend of mine gave me a box of the stuff to try out and it shot one ragged hole groups at 100.
 
308

I shoot my Savage Mod 12 1 in 10 useing 150 Bergers over 43 gr. of IMR-4320 at .003 off the lands to a 1000 yds. all the time and have very good luck.
 
ive got the same rifle. bought it in december, and so far have only taken it to 300 yards. it shot good groups with the 168g smk. planning to eventually try some 175s as well
 
thank you all for the helpful suggestions , one other question does the fact that my rem 700 sps v has a 26 " barrel help or render its accuracy being paired w/ that a 1-12" twist
 
The general rule of thumb is that shorter barrels have a tendency to be more accurate than longer barrels, simply because of less barrel whip. That is certainly not always the case. I have another friend who recently bought the same rifle and it shoots easily under 1MOA out of the box, as did mine. The compromise with shorter barrels is less muzzle velocity. The 26" barrel you have should do just fine. It's the man behind the rifle that makes the big difference. I take it from your moniker that you're from VA. If you really want to learn the fine art of long distance shooting, contact Vern Harrison at Central Virginia Tactical.
 
virginiatech1
thank you all for the helpful suggestions , one other question does the fact that my rem 700 sps v has a 26 " barrel help or render its accuracy being paired w/ that a 1-12" twist
Click to expand...

The longer barrel adds a little weight = good for accuracy. It also adds a few FPS and perhaps shoots a little flatter (negligible). But if the contour is too "slim" it could introduce other issues that cancel out the gain in weight... like whip. Dealing with whip can be more difficult with the standard SPS stock (not being floated). However the longer barrel will also make it more likely that the 1x12 will stabilize a slightly heavier/longer projectile. It also means you have more influence—for a longer time—over the projectile as it embarks, flinching and technique then become paramount.

If you think about big bench guns that benefit from longer barrels they all have measures set up to counter the disadvantages of a longer barrel. In a rifle that you intend to hold in your hands, you don't have those per se with your SPS.

I personally love longer rifles and would prefer to learn to shoot them well. When you add everything up it's all works out sixes in my opinion.
-SS-
 
Another thing about the SPS, to get the best out of your rifle, you'll eventually have to get rid of that stock, and go with one that is free floated. I chose a Bell& Carlson Medalist A3 and it did make a big difference. The scope you have, while decent, will not be effective enough when shooting at farther distances. I chose a Vortex Viper 6.5x20 with Burris Signature rings to start with, but I think I'm going to put down the money and get a Nightforce in TPS rings. The good thing about the SPS is that you can add these things as your skill level grows and your pocketbook allows. Have fun with it.
 
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