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Old January 3, 2014, 11:30 PM   #1
gedenke
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.308 Win pet load?

Just picked up a new Browning X-Bolt in .308. I'd like to know you guy's favorite pet load for the caliber. I have plenty of load data, but I'm interested in your experience with a good all around load.

Something with a good mix of efficiency, velocity/power, and accuracy, using a somewhat available powder and projectiles (if there is such a thing anymore)...nothing too fancy, just a good, affordable go-to for .308.

Oh, and I know the question will come up, so...this load will be used for general N. American hunting (deer, elk, and black bear) and casual target shooting. I do like using Barnes TSX bullets for hunting and I suppose anything cheap will do for ringing gongs and breaking clays on a hillside.

Your thoughts?
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Old January 4, 2014, 02:24 AM   #2
Tomas
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I like any 180gr bullet over 43gr of 748.
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Old January 4, 2014, 03:29 AM   #3
Pond, James Pond
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Ask me in a month.

However, I am getting close to a good load for my CZ550 Varmint.

It's looking likely to be a 155gr Amax over 40.9gr of N135. Need to work on an optimum distance to lands now.

Once I have that sorted, I'm looking at doing the same for Lapua 155gr Scenar and 170gr Lockbase bullets.

As you can guess, I just punch paper...
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Old January 4, 2014, 04:19 AM   #4
HiBC
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Re-15 is a powder to consider behind 165 to 175 gr bullets.

I have settled in on Varget and 165 to 168 gr bullets for about everything.

I hesitate to give you a charge,as that you must work up to.

Inside published max load,In my experience it shoots well with warmer loads,but,be safe.
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Old January 4, 2014, 08:56 AM   #5
Bart B.
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Any one of several stick powders in the IMR4895 to IMR4064 burning rate range has produced best accuracy.

If highest muzzle velocity is what you want, several slightly slower powders, either ball or stick, may be the way to go.
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Old January 4, 2014, 10:12 AM   #6
precision_shooter
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My best loads thus far with the available bullets and powder are
46gr Varget with 155gr Berger VLD or 155gr Hornady AMAX.

Always remember to start lower than published for powder charge weight and work up.
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Old January 4, 2014, 10:22 AM   #7
Marco Califo
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308 is too much gun for shooting pets.
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Old January 4, 2014, 03:04 PM   #8
cw308
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I use 41.5 gr. IMR 4064 under a 168 gr sierra HPBT bullet with federal brass. Winchester & Remington brass 42.0 gr.
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Old January 4, 2014, 06:48 PM   #9
Clark
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110 gr Vmax moly 44.9 gr 4895 2.815" 2900-2950 fps with 20" barrel ~ 43kpsi

This is good for sub moa groups @100y in unknown 308 rifles.
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Old January 4, 2014, 07:38 PM   #10
mnoirot64
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I have worked up a lot of loads for my .308. My go to right now is 41 grains of IMR-4895 over a Winchester larger rifle primer with a 168 grain Sierra HPBT bullet. It's been a nail driver for me and packs plenty of punch. This recipe netted me around 2525 ft/s a foot or so from the muzzle. I have worked up an initial recipe for 4064, but I have not shot it yet. Based on what I've read, it should be a solid powder once I find the best powder charge. Good luck!
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Old January 4, 2014, 10:36 PM   #11
jmr40
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46 gr of Varget with most any 165/168 gr bullet gives me around 2760 fps, 47 gr with most any 150/155 gr bullet gives me around 2850-2880 fps. 48.5 gr TAC and 130 gr TTSX's = 3050-3100 fps.

All will put 3 shots into .5-.75" I'd hunt any game in NA short of the big bears with any of these loads. I'd use a softer fast expanding bullet for deer and a premium for the big stuff. Or the 130 gr TTSX for all of them at closer ranges.

If you like TTSX's don't go above 130 gr in a 308. Heavier bullets aren't needed and don't give reliable expansion at 308 speeds. If you can't get em to leave the muzzle at 3000 fps drop down in weight till you can or shoot them in a more powerful gun.
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Old January 4, 2014, 10:41 PM   #12
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175 SMK,42.3 RL-15,CCI-GM210M primers,COL to your rifles liking
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Old January 5, 2014, 12:51 PM   #13
hdbiker
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Pet .308 load

My old Rem. 742 .308 carbine. likes 45 grains of IMR 4064 under a 165 grain Speer round nose for heavy woods hunting. My Ruger 77 .308 likes 46 grains of Win. 748 under a Hornady 150 grain PSP. hdbiker
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Old January 5, 2014, 12:51 PM   #14
gedenke
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Thanks for all the great replies, folks! I'm looking forward to trying out a few of your suggestions and working up that load that my rifle prefers.

I'm leaning towards something in 165 or 168 with Varget to start with, since I happen to have a new jug of the stuff on hand. Now if I can just get someone to trade my .300 dies and brass for .308!
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