308 Load Help

LaSouthpaw · #1 03-16-2003, 07:05 PM

I am at the very early stages of getting set up for long range shooting. I figured that I would start practicing with my 308 and then move up to something bigger at a later date. What loads are you guys using? Which bullets seem to work the best? Thanks for any info.

#2 03-16-2003, 07:17 PM

You're in luck .. i Just got done yesterday shooting out to 1150 with my 308...

My loads are 44.5 grs of varget and a 168 Nosler J4
same powder and a 168 SMK works well too...

My gun seems to shoot the J4's better

I have a 23.5" barrel and I was getting 2800 fps yesterday!!

I just weighed and sorted a bunch of Nosler J4's and SMK's. Noslers were between 167.9 and 168.2

SMK's were from 167.5 - 168.4

The J4's seems to have better consistency...

My gun has always liked varget the best and I have talked to a bunch of guys who have said the same thing about the 308 and varget...

I was busting volleyball sized rocks from 920 to 1150 .... the 308 is about outta juice at 1150 but it still make a big exposion on the sandstone rocks!!!

BountyHunter · #3 03-16-2003, 07:37 PM

We have quite a few new shooters trying 308s in the factory class, to include some of the top of line sniper/tactical rifles. Quite a few of them end up with 168 grain bullets tumbling and key holing at 1000. However, when they go up to the 175, no problem, they can make it to 1000. If I was going to try 1000, think I would start with the 175.

BH

#4 03-16-2003, 08:00 PM

I havn't had any problems with key holing or tumbling as of yet ..

If you have a 12 twist in your 308 you should be able to get the 175 to work...

the 168 really seedm to like the 12 twist though...

Ian M · #5 03-16-2003, 08:14 PM

I agree with Bounty, have pretty well switched to the 175's for shooting past 700. We shoot a steel target at 1100 and found that the 175's need less wind and seem to shoot better. Have never found any sideways looking splats on the steel with either bullet (expect that might mean keyholing).

Let's face it, the .308 is an 800 yard cartridge, accuracy starts to go rather quickly after that distance.

Like Wyo, we use Varget and have not found anything better. 44.0 - 46.0 grains is usually where the accuracy is. We load to an O.L. of 2.830" since we want the rounds to feed thru Win. and Rem. actions. Have had very good luck with Winchester brass and standard Winchester primers in our rifles. 4064 is the Federal match ammo powder loaded but Varget will usually do as well. There is also a powder called Benchmark from Hodgdon that is supposed to be excellent but we stick with Varget.

Don't forget the 155's, in Nosler, Lapua, Sierra and that slick A-Max from Hornady. I haven't used them but all the target-weenie shooters use them exclusively.

You are on the right track using the .308 Win. as your entry cartridge into long range shooting and hunting. You would be surprised how many guys buy a big honking magnum so as to get into LR shooting and then find that the game is way more difficult than they thought. Learning the skills (wind reading is the big one) is much easier with a moderate recoiling rifle than a bruiser.

If you need any info re drops, wind etc. we got 'em. Good luck.

dbhostler · #6 03-16-2003, 11:13 PM

A couple of guys in Pueblo Colorado are shooting gongs at 3000+ yds with a .308 AI and 220 Sierra MKs [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .
db

LaSouthpaw · #7 03-17-2003, 06:56 AM

Thanks for the info guys. You gave me just what I needed to get started. I have the brass, powder,primers, and a new pact scale and powder dispenser to get started. I will order some bullets today. I plan on loading some rounds while I conitue my search for a scope. How much scope do I need?
Ian, I had thought about getting a 300 RUM, but figured I could start with my 308. Glad to see that my thinking agrees with someone with more experience!!