.308 win, 150 gr Hornady Interlock and 40 gr. H4895

Wyoredman · August 22, 2022, 01:55 PM

I am trying to decide on a medium power load for a new hunter to shoot from her .308 win with a 20" barrel.

After looking at the Hornady manual, I am kicking around loading some 150 gr Hornady Interlock bullets (#3031) in some Lake City cases with Federal 210M primers and 40 gr of H4895. The manual says around 2400 FPS (give or take)

I am thinking about this load mainly because I have the components and this little lady has an antelope tag here in Wyoming.

Can someone with Quickload or a similar program tell me if this combo will have enough energy for antelope at up to 200 yards?

Thanks in advance.

**44 AMP** · August 22, 2022, 02:24 PM

40gr H4895 and a 150gr bullet will get you somewhere between 24-2500fps from a 22" barrel.

Any 150gr bullet at that speed will have more than enough energy for antelope at any distance you can hit them properly. Don't need Quackload to know that,

you shouldn't need magnum primers, but if that's what you've got, they won't hurt anything with proper work up rules being followed.

Your load will be a couple hundred fps below top end, which should give lighter recoil which may be important to you. If the load shoots well in your rifle, you're good to go, it has more than enough energy for big game at normal hunting ranges. The key is proper bullet placement, not Ft/lbs.

good luck on your project and I hope the little lady fills her tag.

Wyoredman · August 22, 2022, 04:39 PM

Thank you! I have what I have and I didn't want to waste too many rounds trying things out. I will build a few and have her shoot them, then build the rest if they work ok. Thanks for the reassurance that 40 gr will have enough energy with he Hornady 150 gr. bullets.

**44 AMP** · August 22, 2022, 06:19 PM

A 150gr bullet at 2400fps has close to 2,000ft/lbs energy, I don't think lack of energy will be an issue, even a long range.

GeauxTide · August 22, 2022, 10:33 PM

I have used 42gr of H4895, for 2588fps from 22" 700. Amazing thing is 7fps Extreme Spread and 1/2" inch groups.

Mike / Tx · August 23, 2022, 03:35 AM

I've used H4895 in a Ruger Compact for nearly 25yrs with a bunch of them being reduced loads for grandsons. The reduced loads usedb125 and 130gr bullets and my full power loads used 150gr. I could never hope to get even mid to upper range velocities from my shorty barrel, but out further than you would think it just flat out works.

My main bullets used have been Remington CL 150's and Hornady 150gr Spire Point. Either of them with around 40-43grs shoot within 1.5" at 100yds from the short pencil barrel.

Hope it works out for you,

totaldla · August 23, 2022, 11:58 AM

Although I like the 150gr Interlock, a 125gr would get you higher velocity(less bullet drop) for the same recoil. Just a thought as Pronghorn shots can be rather long, and they are dinky critters.

Wyoredman · August 23, 2022, 01:13 PM

totaldla,

I agree. But I have the 150's on hand. Thanks!

August 22, 2022, 01:55 PM	#1
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,352	.308 win, 150 gr Hornady Interlock and 40 gr. H4895 I am trying to decide on a medium power load for a new hunter to shoot from her .308 win with a 20" barrel. After looking at the Hornady manual, I am kicking around loading some 150 gr Hornady Interlock bullets (#3031) in some Lake City cases with Federal 210M primers and 40 gr of H4895. The manual says around 2400 FPS (give or take) I am thinking about this load mainly because I have the components and this little lady has an antelope tag here in Wyoming. Can someone with Quickload or a similar program tell me if this combo will have enough energy for antelope at up to 200 yards? Thanks in advance. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

August 22, 2022, 02:24 PM	#2
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,859	40gr H4895 and a 150gr bullet will get you somewhere between 24-2500fps from a 22" barrel. Any 150gr bullet at that speed will have more than enough energy for antelope at any distance you can hit them properly. Don't need Quackload to know that, you shouldn't need magnum primers, but if that's what you've got, they won't hurt anything with proper work up rules being followed. Your load will be a couple hundred fps below top end, which should give lighter recoil which may be important to you. If the load shoots well in your rifle, you're good to go, it has more than enough energy for big game at normal hunting ranges. The key is proper bullet placement, not Ft/lbs. good luck on your project and I hope the little lady fills her tag. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 22, 2022, 06:19 PM	#4
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,859	A 150gr bullet at 2400fps has close to 2,000ft/lbs energy, I don't think lack of energy will be an issue, even a long range. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

August 22, 2022, 10:33 PM	#5
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,424	I have used 42gr of H4895, for 2588fps from 22" 700. Amazing thing is 7fps Extreme Spread and 1/2" inch groups. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

August 23, 2022, 03:35 AM	#6
Mike / Tx Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2000 Posts: 2,101	I've used H4895 in a Ruger Compact for nearly 25yrs with a bunch of them being reduced loads for grandsons. The reduced loads usedb125 and 130gr bullets and my full power loads used 150gr. I could never hope to get even mid to upper range velocities from my shorty barrel, but out further than you would think it just flat out works. My main bullets used have been Remington CL 150's and Hornady 150gr Spire Point. Either of them with around 40-43grs shoot within 1.5" at 100yds from the short pencil barrel. Hope it works out for you, __________________ LAter, Mike / TX

August 22, 2022, 04:39 PM	#3
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,352	Thank you! I have what I have and I didn't want to waste too many rounds trying things out. I will build a few and have her shoot them, then build the rest if they work ok. Thanks for the reassurance that 40 gr will have enough energy with he Hornady 150 gr. bullets. __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!

August 23, 2022, 11:58 AM	#7
totaldla Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2009 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 1,297	Although I like the 150gr Interlock, a 125gr would get you higher velocity(less bullet drop) for the same recoil. Just a thought as Pronghorn shots can be rather long, and they are dinky critters. __________________ Lee Auto Bench Prime Castor Oil Case Lube

August 23, 2022, 01:13 PM	#8
Wyoredman Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 1,352	totaldla, I agree. But I have the 150's on hand. Thanks! __________________ Go Pokes! Go Rams!