My target loads for my .308 20" barrel is 175gr SMK, 44gr Varget and Federal 210M primers. I'm wanting to develop a deer/hog load but I want to be able to keep the same zero. What projectile should I use and do I need to switch powders? Is it possible to keep the same short range accuracy (200-300 yds) and trade range for the same accuracy?
- Thread starter HawkDriver
- Start date
Re: Hunting loads
If you are able to put it exactly where you want it you should be just fine with the 175 SMK load. Some people will argue strongly against that but a lot of game animals and 2 legged animals are taken with the 175g SMK every year.
If you are able to put it exactly where you want it you should be just fine with the 175 SMK load. Some people will argue strongly against that but a lot of game animals and 2 legged animals are taken with the 175g SMK every year.
Re: Hunting loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bear24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are able to put it exactly where you want it you should be just fine with the 175 SMK load. Some people will argue strongly against that but a lot of game animals and 2 legged animals are taken with the 175g SMK every year.</div></div>
BCPD uses 168gr GMM in their ERT rifles, Works everytime on head shots.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Bear24</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If you are able to put it exactly where you want it you should be just fine with the 175 SMK load. Some people will argue strongly against that but a lot of game animals and 2 legged animals are taken with the 175g SMK every year.</div></div>
BCPD uses 168gr GMM in their ERT rifles, Works everytime on head shots.
Re: Hunting loads
I'm just concerned with through and through wounds on deer. Not so much on hogs. I'm not wanting to headshot animals especially deer for mounting purposes. So a SMK BTHP would be good for me to keep my same load. What about moose and elk? Would it bring them down too? I'm heading to Alaska for a hunt as soon as my buddies PCS there.
I'm just concerned with through and through wounds on deer. Not so much on hogs. I'm not wanting to headshot animals especially deer for mounting purposes. So a SMK BTHP would be good for me to keep my same load. What about moose and elk? Would it bring them down too? I'm heading to Alaska for a hunt as soon as my buddies PCS there.
Re: Hunting loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Casey D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm just concerned with through and through wounds on deer. Not so much on hogs. I'm not wanting to headshot animals especially deer for mounting purposes. So a SMK BTHP would be good for me to keep my same load. What about moose and elk? Would it bring them down too? I'm heading to Alaska for a hunt as soon as my buddies PCS there. </div></div>
I only mentioned a head shot to express that a SMK will go through bone.... Certainly not a good hunting shot. SMKs have a very thin jacket, and suppossedly dont penetrate game, a through shot is the least of your worries. I would look into the Sierra gameking line of bullets.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Casey D</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm just concerned with through and through wounds on deer. Not so much on hogs. I'm not wanting to headshot animals especially deer for mounting purposes. So a SMK BTHP would be good for me to keep my same load. What about moose and elk? Would it bring them down too? I'm heading to Alaska for a hunt as soon as my buddies PCS there. </div></div>
I only mentioned a head shot to express that a SMK will go through bone.... Certainly not a good hunting shot. SMKs have a very thin jacket, and suppossedly dont penetrate game, a through shot is the least of your worries. I would look into the Sierra gameking line of bullets.
Re: Hunting loads
Barnes makes a 175g hunting bullet. You could possibly use the same charge and be close.
edt: You could also drop to a 165g Gameking. You'd be close enough out to 300.
L
Barnes makes a 175g hunting bullet. You could possibly use the same charge and be close.
edt: You could also drop to a 165g Gameking. You'd be close enough out to 300.
L
Re: Hunting loads
I rus 44.0 of varget and a 175 NCC in lapua brass for target shooting, I hunt with a 47.0 of varget and a 150 NBT. At 100 yds elevation is the same and I need .1 mil of windage right.
I rus 44.0 of varget and a 175 NCC in lapua brass for target shooting, I hunt with a 47.0 of varget and a 150 NBT. At 100 yds elevation is the same and I need .1 mil of windage right.
Re: Hunting loads
Pick one of these Bergers and have a do all load. Their hunting bullets work great on game, they have been proven.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/products/hunting-bullets/
Pick one of these Bergers and have a do all load. Their hunting bullets work great on game, they have been proven.
http://www.bergerbullets.com/products/hunting-bullets/
Re: Hunting loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I rus 44.0 of varget and a 175 NCC in lapua brass for target shooting, I hunt with a 47.0 of varget and a 150 NBT. At 100 yds elevation is the same and I need .1 mil of windage right. </div></div>
I hear that your target loads cost you about a quarter apiece......: )
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I rus 44.0 of varget and a 175 NCC in lapua brass for target shooting, I hunt with a 47.0 of varget and a 150 NBT. At 100 yds elevation is the same and I need .1 mil of windage right. </div></div>
I hear that your target loads cost you about a quarter apiece......: )
Re: Hunting loads
I run a 178 Amax 44.4 varget 2.828, Lapua, WLR out of my SPS tac(308W), it is a great load for steel and deer sized game out to 700. I dropped a speed goat this season at 500.
I run a 178 Amax 44.4 varget 2.828, Lapua, WLR out of my SPS tac(308W), it is a great load for steel and deer sized game out to 700. I dropped a speed goat this season at 500.
Re: Hunting loads
For my 300yd matches, I would occasionally substitute Sierra 180gr Game King SP Spitzers when 175SMK's were not available. They shot precisely the same, but tended to copper foul a bit faster. I am one of those who take the Sierra H/L manual's advice about not using Match bullets for hunting. In this instance, the 180 Game King shoots so well there's no good reason not to use it.
For my 300yd matches, I would occasionally substitute Sierra 180gr Game King SP Spitzers when 175SMK's were not available. They shot precisely the same, but tended to copper foul a bit faster. I am one of those who take the Sierra H/L manual's advice about not using Match bullets for hunting. In this instance, the 180 Game King shoots so well there's no good reason not to use it.
Re: Hunting loads
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Huckleberry75</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I rus 44.0 of varget and a 175 NCC in lapua brass for target shooting, I hunt with a 47.0 of varget and a 150 NBT. At 100 yds elevation is the same and I need .1 mil of windage right. </div></div>
I hear that your target loads cost you about a quarter apiece......: ) </div></div>
Only if you dont stack them
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Huckleberry75</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skog</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I rus 44.0 of varget and a 175 NCC in lapua brass for target shooting, I hunt with a 47.0 of varget and a 150 NBT. At 100 yds elevation is the same and I need .1 mil of windage right. </div></div>
I hear that your target loads cost you about a quarter apiece......: ) </div></div>
Only if you dont stack them
