Making A Case For The 308 Winchester By Michael Eichelle

[Gardien]

Yepper. I shoot both the 165 gr SPBT and HPBT with great success for me(<.75 MOA). I even worked up a nice 180 gr SPBT load (MV = 2,735 and MOA ~0.5).

[barthmonster]

good to know. I've been trying A-max's but I have some of the 165 HPBT's too...

[bobfriday]

Michael,
Would you use the 200 gr sgk in a 20" barrel 1/11" twist? I think it wouldn't have too great of velocity to make it worth it? Would the 180 sgk be a better bet? And what kind of velocity is realistic with a 20" barrel?

[Michael Eichele]

Originally Posted by bobfriday

Michael,
Would you use the 200 gr sgk in a 20" barrel 1/11" twist? I think it wouldn't have too great of velocity to make it worth it? Would the 180 sgk be a better bet? And what kind of velocity is realistic with a 20" barrel?

To be honest, I have VERY minimal experience with 20" barrels. I can't really say. The best bet is to try it out. I think with the 200SGK, you could still get them up to 2400+ which is not fabulous but would do the job well as long as you limited your range to the point where 1500'/sec is.

The 175 LRX looks like it may be a great alternative for those who can't get the 200's up fast enough. For thinner skinned game, the 168 or 178 AMAXs are tough to beat in the 308.

M

[Rustystud]

Michael:

My experience has been with a good controlled expansion bullet 150 grain bullets are to to go to load in short barreled 308s. I have found the Swift Shirocco, Nosler Accubond and the Barnes XXX to be the best combinations. I load all with velocities between 2875- and 3019 fps in a 1:12 20 inch barrel.
If I wer to shoot 180 grainers I would recomend 24-26" barrels. for hunting guns.
Nat Lambeth

[rdsii64]

The .308 Winchester has killed everything from the Taliban to grizzly bears. Mine is a Howa 1500 Varmint supreme. When I set up this rifle, its intended purpose was a budget F class rifle. It served that purpose very well. When I developed an interest in hunting I didn't have the funds to put together a hunting rig. As A result, I went hunting with my target rifle and my match load. Since then my .308 has harvested a 250 pound pig with a 175 grain Berger VLD over 44.6 grains of N150. When I take to the hunting fields, nothing that walks on four legs is safe if I have the skill to put the bullet where it needs to go. Now I have the financial means to put together a dedicated hunting rig, all the pieces and parts are up for debate. The caliber is set in stone. It will be a .308 winchester.

[barthmonster]

I have the Savage Target F/TR rifle in .308.... I wonder if there is a way to 'lighten' the rifle up a bit. Trim the barrel & change the stock maybe? 30" is a long, heavy son of a gun. I know it's not going to be a mountain-rifle but it could be better...