Re: New Tactical 308
At my conditions, altitude and velocity data on my rifles:
260 w/ 140 Berger VLD 2830fps = 23.2 mil drop from my 100 yard zero, 4.1 mil drift in a 10mph 90* cross wind with 308 ft lbs of energy at 1760 yards, time of flight 3.32 seconds.
243 w/ 105 Berger VLD 2950fps= 24.7 mil drop from my 100 yard zero, 4.6 mil drift in a 10mph 90* cross wind with 210 ft lbs of energy at 1760 yards, time of flight 3.46 seconds.
308 w/175 SMK at 2650fps= 35.8 mil drop from my 100 yard zero, 5.8 mil drift in a 10mph 90* cross wind with 284 ft lbs of energy at 1760 yards, time of flight 4.08 seconds.
308 w/ 155 Lapua Scenar at 2850fps = 31.8 mil drop from my 100 yard zero, 5.7 mil drift in a 10mph 90* cross wind with 260 ft lbs of energy at 1760 yards, time of flight 3.89 seconds.
What does this mean? Significantly less drop/drift with both my 243 and 260 and a shorter amount of time for the bullet to be effected while energy on target is more or less a wash. Now how about the best bullet a 308 can launch and yet still be mag friendly while maintaining a reasonable muzzle velocity.
308 w/ 180 JLK long boattail VLD at 2625fps=29.5 mil drop from my 100 yard zero, 4.7 mil drift in a 10mph 90* cross wind with 350 ft lbs of energy at 1760 yards, time of flight 3.71 seconds.
So it does depend on what bullet you shoot as the 180 grain JLK LB-VLD improves the 308’s performance immensely, but I’d still have an advantage with the 260 or 243 if I were to ever shoot one mile compared to my 308’s. But let’s face it, one mile is well beyond the effective range for any of the above as all are well into subsonic territory. You really need a purpose built rifle to shoot that distance for true consistency along with a good spotter, both the man and the optic to make it easier.
Don’t get the wrong idea, I love my 308’s! Every time I shoot them I am reminded of that. They are very easy to load for and live very well inside 800 yards, teaching you just how much you don’t know for the remaining 200 to get to a full 1000. At least at the conditions I shoot in... But if I am serious about hitting the steel targets at 1000 it just isn’t my first choice. After purchasing the factory varmint 243 and loading it with Berger’s and A-Max bullets it just felt like cheating compared to the 308’s and 223’s I had been using up to that point.
If you want a 308 get a 308.
The varmint, pss and 5r are all good choices and the tactical is a great hunting rifle and great compromise for someone not wanting to shoot 1000 yard targets all the time while being better balanced, lighter in weight and quick in tight cover. The varmint and tactical will require stock replacement to get the most out of them while the pss (think it’s just called the police now) and 5r come with a decent stock from the factory. I know little about Savage and nothing about Weatherby other than you used to be able to send them three grand years ago and a few years later they would send you money back to you and let you keep the rifle, might be dating myself there...
