What would be my best bullet weight choice for loaded ammo 20” 1-12 twist?
- Thread starter Jon Rinaldi
- Start date
So far I have run 175gr GMM and 178gr Hornady match in mine. I haven’t stretched them past 350 yet. Both seem to hover around 1/2 MOA in my rifle.
I used to push 175g SMKs at about 2600 in my 20". I'd try those or the 155g SMKs moving faster.
Deer and steel to 800
All I use to run is 175 smk for LR steel, 168 berger vld's for hunting. I switched to 168 ELD once they arrived on the market and haven't looked back... but I haven't taken the 308 hunting since obtaining a 6.5mm bore in 2012.
Shoot everything that you can get your hands on and go with what shoots well. My brothers dept. has had good luck with Black Hills Match 308 (175SMK).
Use a 168 Berger hunting or a Hornady for deer and steel.
I'm looking (hard) into light bullet loads, primarily for SR/MR distances, in an effort to flatten out the trajectory and increase MPBR distance. I suspect this could be a good strategy for shorter barreled rifles, assuming somewhat less interest in maximum LR distances.
In general...
I began with 110 V-Max in my older Savage 7.62x39 Scout Rifle, and they've been flat shooting and quite accurate at SR Distances.
I'm currently preparing tests for the 125gr Pro-Hunter and 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in .308, and will probably also test 125SMK and 135SMK, but my .308 is a heavy barrel 24".
I'm about midway through testing 95gr V-Max in my 28" .260. I'm estimating velocities in the 3400fps range, with a very flat trajectory at 300yd, and an intended application of varmint matches, where 7mm Mags have been cleaning up, but are a bit much for me to manage.
I have also used 125gr .30-'06 Reduced Recoil (Remington) Core-Lokts for deer hunting in Upstate NY forests. They have been effective at distances of up to 150yd on Whitetails, which is a pretty long shot for wooded areas. The lesser recoil in the M70 Featherweight was a welcome improvement.
I'm also trying to get some accuracy from the Savage .30-'06 Axis II, but that's been on the back burner.
I've long been a believer in 'bring enough gun' (and ammo), but also recognize that in some situations, such can be a bit of overkill. The lighter weight bullets' lesser recoil and flatter trajectory can be advantageous where extended distance is not a factor.
Greg
In general...
I began with 110 V-Max in my older Savage 7.62x39 Scout Rifle, and they've been flat shooting and quite accurate at SR Distances.
I'm currently preparing tests for the 125gr Pro-Hunter and 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in .308, and will probably also test 125SMK and 135SMK, but my .308 is a heavy barrel 24".
I'm about midway through testing 95gr V-Max in my 28" .260. I'm estimating velocities in the 3400fps range, with a very flat trajectory at 300yd, and an intended application of varmint matches, where 7mm Mags have been cleaning up, but are a bit much for me to manage.
I have also used 125gr .30-'06 Reduced Recoil (Remington) Core-Lokts for deer hunting in Upstate NY forests. They have been effective at distances of up to 150yd on Whitetails, which is a pretty long shot for wooded areas. The lesser recoil in the M70 Featherweight was a welcome improvement.
I'm also trying to get some accuracy from the Savage .30-'06 Axis II, but that's been on the back burner.
I've long been a believer in 'bring enough gun' (and ammo), but also recognize that in some situations, such can be a bit of overkill. The lighter weight bullets' lesser recoil and flatter trajectory can be advantageous where extended distance is not a factor.
Greg
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Let me know how those light weight 308 loads go. Been thinking the same thing for mid range.
Right now I shoot 178 eld m. My barrel is longer but I would think you would have excellent results as well in that weight range. If not look at sierra 2155 155s. Not the best bc but easy to tune.
Right now I shoot 178 eld m. My barrel is longer but I would think you would have excellent results as well in that weight range. If not look at sierra 2155 155s. Not the best bc but easy to tune.
155gr Sierra Tipped Match King.
Run the ballistics, it will beat the 175gr Match King from a short barrel. It will also be comfier to shoot.
Run the ballistics, it will beat the 175gr Match King from a short barrel. It will also be comfier to shoot.
2nd the 155 Sierra TMK however my loads out of 24” barrel for 600 yd BR.
I have shot 155 Berger’s at 285 FPS out of my barrel easily to 800 yards as long as wind is less than 25 mph.
For deer the Normandy 150 whitetail works good.
Spellcheck...Hornady
Loaded Accubond 150 gr with .308 Ruger Hawkeye, 22 inch, 1:10
Federal Brass 3TF
Trim 2.008
Shoulder bumped back to 1.620 (.002)
Neck Tension .002
COAL 2.800
H4895 42.5 gr (43.0 showed some flattening primer, no hard bolt lift, used final 42.5 gr)
Chrono Avg 2710 fps, Spread 22, SD 9, 10 shot group, 79 deg F
Grouped 0.6 to 0.7 moa @ 100
Out of 20 members at camp all .308 shoot accubonds (majority of members)
Federal Brass 3TF
Trim 2.008
Shoulder bumped back to 1.620 (.002)
Neck Tension .002
COAL 2.800
H4895 42.5 gr (43.0 showed some flattening primer, no hard bolt lift, used final 42.5 gr)
Chrono Avg 2710 fps, Spread 22, SD 9, 10 shot group, 79 deg F
Grouped 0.6 to 0.7 moa @ 100
Out of 20 members at camp all .308 shoot accubonds (majority of members)
I have been using factory Hornady precision hunter 178s in my 16” barrel 308 at 2505 fps average with good success.
However recently I loaded up some of the new Sierra 165 TGK with some 2000-MR behind them and found a good load at 2620 fps. Not bad for a 16” barrel and a 165 grain bullet.
Worth looking into as it has a decent BC at .530 G1 and you likely will be looking at 2700-2750 with 4” more barrel.
However recently I loaded up some of the new Sierra 165 TGK with some 2000-MR behind them and found a good load at 2620 fps. Not bad for a 16” barrel and a 165 grain bullet.
Worth looking into as it has a decent BC at .530 G1 and you likely will be looking at 2700-2750 with 4” more barrel.
I've had the best results with Hornady 178gr Bthp. Running them at 2648fps in my 20.5" .308. Very forgiving and inexpensive.
I also have some 150gr Lehigh Match solids coming to try out.
https://www.lehighdefense.com/colle...-match-solid-150gr-bullet?variant=43523011720
$34 and a .513 G1 bc should be fun and they'll be stable in a 12tw.
I also have some 150gr Lehigh Match solids coming to try out.
https://www.lehighdefense.com/colle...-match-solid-150gr-bullet?variant=43523011720
$34 and a .513 G1 bc should be fun and they'll be stable in a 12tw.
