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Old December 20, 2008, 04:34 PM   #1
ken22250
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.308 winchester loads

looking for good hunting and accuracy loads for a .308 winchester.
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Old December 20, 2008, 05:29 PM   #2
velocette
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Ken;
If you want the truth, you can buy factory .308 ammo from WalMart that is inexpensive and very accurate. Look into Federal Power Shok 150 gr, SP ammo in a blue box. It is phenominally accurate, soft point and very affordable.
Today at my local range, at 100 yds, I put 10 rounds of it into about 1 1/4". This from an EEEEvil black rifle. You just don't get much better than that with factory ammo!

Roger
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Old December 20, 2008, 06:17 PM   #3
Zombie Steve
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I'm getting great results from a 168 grain Hornady A-Max bullet over IMR 4320 or Varget... CCI large rifle primers.

I can't tell you how much I like the A-Max for target. Very consistent weight and ogive.

Honestly, I haven't loaded .308 for hunting... .30-06 is a different story.


Good luck!
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Old December 20, 2008, 07:09 PM   #4
The Terminator
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If you want to load your own, I am showing 42 grains of IMR 3031 for the 308 with a 168 grain bullet.

I am also showing 37.3 grains of 3031 with a 150 grain bullet for 2545 fps, and 42,600 cu of pressure. This would probably be an excellent load to hunt with.
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Old December 20, 2008, 08:08 PM   #5
BurkGlocker
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I used 43 grains of H4895 under some 150 gr Hornady SSTs with great results as well as 42.5 gr of the same powder under some 165 gr Sierra HPBT GameKings using Winchester WLR primers in some of my surplus military brass with great accuracy as well. These loads are very accurate in my rifle, but are tailored for my use.
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Old December 20, 2008, 08:23 PM   #6
FALPhil
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Ken,

There are several loads that will meet your requirements. For powders, I suggest:

H-4895
Reloder 15
Varget
IMR-4064

Bullets between 150 and 165 grain will do great for both target and hunting. I am particularly fond of the Sierra Game King, which shoots as good as match bullets in most of my 308 rifles. I also seem to do better with Federal 210M primers. I have used Remington and Winchester brass with equal results. I have some Lake City milsurp brass that I run through my FALs because it is tougher. Never tried Lapua or Norma brass, but people tell me it is the cat's whiskers for accuracy. I don't know that it matters that much; I got a 0.4 inch group using LC92 brass with 44 grains of Varget under a 165 grain SGK out of my basic Remington 600 Mohawk.
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Old December 22, 2008, 07:08 AM   #7
fxdrider
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Sierra Game King 165 gr. SBT over 46.0 grains of Varget. Winchester cases - CCI primers. 2.80" OAL. Averages around 2700 fps out of my Tikka T3's 22" barrel. Sub-MOA accuracy. Got this recipe from the Hodgdon site http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp- it's seems safe in my gun. Always exercise caution when working up an unfamiliar load in your own gun. Start from the lower end of the manufacturers suggestion and work up from there.

Practical application: 3 deer in the freezer since November 15. Works for me.

Last edited by fxdrider; December 22, 2008 at 07:36 AM.
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Old December 22, 2008, 07:39 AM   #8
dardascastbullets
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Varget, RWS primers and whatever namebrand bullet. I shot 46.0 grains of Varget with a 168 grain boattail behind the RWS primer for years. The load had a 6.0 standard deviation and it shot well enough to win for me. The RWS primer is expensive but it was well worth it. They are packed 2,500 to a brick.
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Old December 22, 2008, 10:40 AM   #9
Al Norris
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I have a 24" Rem 700 pss. My favorite hunting/accuracy load is:

Win brass
46.5gr Varget
WLR primer
155gr SIE HPBT
OAL = 2.780

Death for muleys up here in Idaho.

For larger game:

Win brass
46.0gr Varget (slightly compressed)
WLR primer
168gr SIE HPBT
OAL = 2.800

YMMV.
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Old December 22, 2008, 11:01 AM   #10
DiscoRacing
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i use 150 grain sierra fmjbt.... 41 grain of imr4895.... very accurate....i like to go squirrel huntin with mine.
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Old December 22, 2008, 04:11 PM   #11
hardhit
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My plinking load 155 SMK 46.5 Varget fed 210 LR .10 off the lands OAL 2.303 from the octave no pressure signs in my rifle but work up half grain at a time.
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Old December 22, 2008, 08:39 PM   #12
crowbeaner
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I use 44.0 of H4895 and a Sierra 150 Prohunter in WW brass. 2800 fps. Max load so work up; it is absolutely deadly in a 742.
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