Load Question. (.308/ 240gr HPBT )

Fearlez · November 15, 2007, 03:28 AM

I know it's late so I've might of missed something but I can find any load information on the Sierra 240gr. HPBT. I've looked for almost an hour now and can't find a single starting load with any powder. Can someone point me in the right direction for several different powders? Or even a single load?

angeldeville · November 15, 2007, 10:02 AM

That's a pretty large projectile for a .308 most .308 loads max out at a 180gr bullet.

the normally shortish barrels (18"-22")on most .308's wont stabilize that bullet very well, and it won't leave much room for powder in the case.

Are you shooting grizzlies at 30 yards?

Fearlez · November 15, 2007, 01:26 PM

Yes that is a large projectile. It also has a very high bc. With the information I can gather about the bullet I do understand that a 1/8 twist would be required. I was simply curious on the load information and ballistic charts that might be out there. Any help with that would be appreciated.

Jim Watson · November 15, 2007, 04:05 PM

I looked around a little bit and concluded that a 240 gr .308 Win has been done... but not much, the users don't talk about their loads, and they usually go to something lighter. A 190 grain bullet is considered heavy for a .308 target rifle in the US, although the British do some strange things.

Maybe you could use one of the internal ballistic software programs and a very careful workup from what the computer said.

boltgun71 · November 15, 2007, 04:27 PM

Call these guys, there the Sierra technicians on standby to answer your questions. The number is toll free. I'm sure they can help you and give you the proper starting points and recommendations. They have helped me a few times in the past.

Sierra Bulletsmiths
1.800.223.8799

Slamfire · November 15, 2007, 04:48 PM

It is hard to push a 190 above 2525 fps, in a 26" match barrel, and not blow or pierce primers in a 308.

The 308 just does not have the case capacity to really push 200 or 240 grain bullets to their maximum advantage.

That is probably why there is not any published load data with a 240. Though, I remember one Florida shooter extolling the long range virtues of the heavy bullet.

The only real use of the 308 at long range is F class or Palma. The Palma guys shoot 155's at 100, and I have no idea what F class shooters use. Probably the 175's. The 308 is not a competitive long cartridge when compared to the 6.5 or 6 mm bullets. Those rounds are dominating the long range relays.

November 15, 2007, 03:28 AM	#1
Fearlez Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2007 Posts: 8	Load Question. (.308/ 240gr HPBT ) I know it's late so I've might of missed something but I can find any load information on the Sierra 240gr. HPBT. I've looked for almost an hour now and can't find a single starting load with any powder. Can someone point me in the right direction for several different powders? Or even a single load?

November 15, 2007, 10:02 AM	#2
angeldeville Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2007 Posts: 192	That's a pretty large projectile for a .308 most .308 loads max out at a 180gr bullet. the normally shortish barrels (18"-22")on most .308's wont stabilize that bullet very well, and it won't leave much room for powder in the case. Are you shooting grizzlies at 30 yards? __________________ That's the way John Wayne woulda done it.

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November 15, 2007, 01:26 PM	#3
Fearlez Junior Member Join Date: November 3, 2007 Posts: 8	Yes that is a large projectile. It also has a very high bc. With the information I can gather about the bullet I do understand that a 1/8 twist would be required. I was simply curious on the load information and ballistic charts that might be out there. Any help with that would be appreciated.

November 15, 2007, 04:05 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	I looked around a little bit and concluded that a 240 gr .308 Win has been done... but not much, the users don't talk about their loads, and they usually go to something lighter. A 190 grain bullet is considered heavy for a .308 target rifle in the US, although the British do some strange things. Maybe you could use one of the internal ballistic software programs and a very careful workup from what the computer said.

November 15, 2007, 04:27 PM	#5
boltgun71 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2006 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 547	Call these guys, there the Sierra technicians on standby to answer your questions. The number is toll free. I'm sure they can help you and give you the proper starting points and recommendations. They have helped me a few times in the past. Sierra Bulletsmiths 1.800.223.8799

November 15, 2007, 04:48 PM	#6
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	It is hard to push a 190 above 2525 fps, in a 26" match barrel, and not blow or pierce primers in a 308. The 308 just does not have the case capacity to really push 200 or 240 grain bullets to their maximum advantage. That is probably why there is not any published load data with a 240. Though, I remember one Florida shooter extolling the long range virtues of the heavy bullet. The only real use of the 308 at long range is F class or Palma. The Palma guys shoot 155's at 100, and I have no idea what F class shooters use. Probably the 175's. The 308 is not a competitive long cartridge when compared to the 6.5 or 6 mm bullets. Those rounds are dominating the long range relays.