reduced load 308W

mveniot · May 10, 2008, 09:27 PM

I recently purchase a Browning micro hunter in 308 Winchester, has a 20 inch barrel. I am planning to shoot deer in tight bush situations, shots about 50 yards. Also I am not a lover of heavy recoil. I got a good deal on the firearm.

Not sure what weight of bullet vs reduced load would be best for this hunting situation. Would a 180 grain bullet work better than 150 grain in heavy bush?
What reduced load should I use? I have some once fired Winchester brass.
Thanks for your help.

Goldy · May 10, 2008, 11:03 PM

Go to http://forums.accuratereloading.com .

Do a search in reloading for Seafire and Bluedot.

I've been loading BD in .308 and 30-06 for a year now.

Super accurate, very low recoil, no filler necessary, very low SD, very economical and very little barrel heating.

I could give you a load that I use but it's better that you make the decision as this is not something the powder company has info on, but at least for me and a bunch of others, it works great.

joneb · May 11, 2008, 02:14 AM

I have had good results with Blue Dot in my bolt action .308 Win. 22" barrel 1:12 using Nosler 125 BT with Fed 210 I plan on reworking the load with magnum primers. AT 16grs I am guessing the velocity is in the 1800-1900 fps range, the load density is around 45%, the accuracy is surprising good about a 1" at 100yds reloading 002.jpg
This load has been clean and cool, it shoots low and left in my gun compared to standard loads.

stubbicatt · May 11, 2008, 09:06 AM

You guys shooting blue dot, have you noticed any shoulder setback issues? Are you neck sizing only?

Thanks.

mveniot · May 11, 2008, 12:14 PM

What do you think about using a 180 grain bullet vs a 150 grain bullet in the bush with a reduced load?

joneb · May 11, 2008, 01:55 PM

Quote:

You guys shooting blue dot, have you noticed any shoulder setback issues? Are you neck sizing only?

With my .308 win Blue Dot loads I'm using semi-retired brass and I do a partial full size on it. I have not had any shoulder set back issues.

Quote:

What do you think about using a 180 grain bullet vs a 150 grain bullet in the bush with a reduced load?

At what velocity ? I have not tried Blue Dot with heavier bullets. I think the Speer#13 manual has reduced load info in it, SR 4759 and 2400 would be other options.
There is great risk reloading with out published data

Goldy · May 13, 2008, 10:11 PM

I load a 150gr round nose Hornaday over a couple more grains than Jibjab.

16 grains is about the minimum loading for BD in a .308.
I wouldn't go any lower, especially with the heavier bullets.

The 150 grainers give me outstanding accuracy, but I also am real partial to Seirra #2110, 110 grain hollow points. My wife shot a groundhog in her garden with this bullet. At about 80 yards it turned him into jelly.

May 10, 2008, 09:27 PM	#1
mveniot Junior Member Join Date: May 4, 2008 Posts: 2	reduced load 308W I recently purchase a Browning micro hunter in 308 Winchester, has a 20 inch barrel. I am planning to shoot deer in tight bush situations, shots about 50 yards. Also I am not a lover of heavy recoil. I got a good deal on the firearm. Not sure what weight of bullet vs reduced load would be best for this hunting situation. Would a 180 grain bullet work better than 150 grain in heavy bush? What reduced load should I use? I have some once fired Winchester brass. Thanks for your help.

May 10, 2008, 11:03 PM	#2
Goldy Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 163	Go to http://forums.accuratereloading.com . Do a search in reloading for Seafire and Bluedot. I've been loading BD in .308 and 30-06 for a year now. Super accurate, very low recoil, no filler necessary, very low SD, very economical and very little barrel heating. I could give you a load that I use but it's better that you make the decision as this is not something the powder company has info on, but at least for me and a bunch of others, it works great.

May 11, 2008, 02:14 AM	#3
joneb Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2005 Location: Central , OR Posts: 1,888	I have had good results with Blue Dot in my bolt action .308 Win. 22" barrel 1:12 using Nosler 125 BT with Fed 210 I plan on reworking the load with magnum primers. AT 16grs I am guessing the velocity is in the 1800-1900 fps range, the load density is around 45%, the accuracy is surprising good about a 1" at 100yds reloading 002.jpg This load has been clean and cool, it shoots low and left in my gun compared to standard loads.

May 11, 2008, 09:06 AM	#4
stubbicatt Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2007 Posts: 1,707	You guys shooting blue dot, have you noticed any shoulder setback issues? Are you neck sizing only? Thanks.

May 11, 2008, 12:14 PM	#5
mveniot Junior Member Join Date: May 4, 2008 Posts: 2	What do you think about using a 180 grain bullet vs a 150 grain bullet in the bush with a reduced load?

May 13, 2008, 10:11 PM	#7
Goldy Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 163	I load a 150gr round nose Hornaday over a couple more grains than Jibjab. 16 grains is about the minimum loading for BD in a .308. I wouldn't go any lower, especially with the heavier bullets. The 150 grainers give me outstanding accuracy, but I also am real partial to Seirra #2110, 110 grain hollow points. My wife shot a groundhog in her garden with this bullet. At about 80 yards it turned him into jelly.