Range limit on 308 for deer size game.

[308]

I hope to have a big 30 some day that is capable of 1500 yard shots or further but at this time all I have is a very good 308.
I was wondering what is the max distance some of you who have had the chance to use a 308 on deer you would shoot? I'm talking about a no wind dead solid bench type shot and of course a known distance. My rifle shoots good enough to give consistant vital hits to 700 or maybe 800, I'm just wondering is the 308 cartridge up to it? Thank you for your answers in advance:308

 

[*WyoWhisper*]

308,

I too have a 308 I use for LRH there are limits to it.
If you tell me what bullet you are using, the velocity, and where you live I can tell you the limitations of your outfit...

Mine personally is 700 yards depending on temperature....
I practice at this range as well.....

 

[*WyoWhisper*]

The 175's should work good in the 1 -12 twist I have the 12 twist myself and shoot the 175 SMK's m
My range for that is 750 yards. I limit myself to 700 unless he is REALLY BIG..( at 750 yards) then if conditions were perfect I would have a real discussion with myself ;-)

Ok here is what I ran for you..I figured Fla, Gulf coast max elevation 200ft above sea level, 80% humidity at 60 degrees ( i know a cold day )

165 noslers max range 650 yards
at 650 yards you have 1667 fps and 1018 ft lbs.
168 SMK's 600 yards max range
1668 fps and 1038 ft lbs.


The load I use in my 23.5 " K&P barrel is 46 grs of VARGET and I get 2750 with the 175 SMK's and 2770 with the 168SMK's I shoot 1/2 MOA with that load and sub MOA with 44 grs of varget..
I have found that VARGET is the least temp sensitive of all the powders I have tested.. GREAT powder for the 308....

I use my 46 gr load in summer and winter with no signs of too much pressure....

If I am PD ( prarie dog ) hunting I will take my lighter load with sub MOA accuracy and shoot 1K and beyond....

 

[Ian M]

.308
I have shot a lot of 175's and they are definitely a bit flatter and have less wind drift at long range than the 168's. Some tactical units are switching to them because of this, every little bit helps with the .308 at longer distances.

Not sure about where the end of "lethality" on deer would be for the .308 but two 165 grain Sciroccos completely penetrated through the chest of a big caribou bull at 510 yards for me this past hunting season. I expect that the .308 will be lethal on deer out to what many guys on this forum consider pretty **** far - 700-800 yards - your challenge out there will be the wind. I shot a couple of deer with 175 Matchkings this fall with perfect results, distances were 100 and 320 so not really long range - exits on both.

You may already know this, but the 165/168's have an easily remembered "wind-chart" out to 800 yards. Using a 10mph full value (3 or 9 o'clock) wind the drift in MOA is one number lower than the first digit of the distance. 10mph full value wind at 500 yards drift the bullet 4 MOA etc.. At 800 use 8, 900 = 9, and 1000 about 10. The 175's have about one minute less drop and wind drift at 1000. This data is from Black Hills Ammo and it works.

 

[Nicholas]

On powders for 308 win. Has anyone tried any Vihtavouri in 510 or 550? How temperature sensitive is it? How does it compare to Varget?

 

[308]

Thanks for all the good answers. This forum is like none other for good info.
Has anyone checked if the bc's listed for the Nosler 165 ballistic tip and the sierra MK 175's are as listed. 475 for both, I think that is right. I know that's what Nosler lists for their bullet. 308

 

[308]

WyoWhisper, thanks for your reply. I have a 26" schnieder barreled Rem 700, with a HS precision Marksman stock in 308. I'm currently using 165 nosler bts and sierra 168 mks @ 2750 to 2770 with 45 grs varget. I'm getting sub .5 moa groups with both with the best groups going to the sierra bullets. I want to try the sierra 175 mks but have not done so yet. Will my 1 in 12 twist shoot the 175s ok? I live in the north end of fl about 40 miles from the gulf. I currently only have access to a 400 yd range and nowhere to hunt longrange. But I'm always hoping to get to one day. I know that chronoing at diff temps is very important (vital) to long range hunting/shooting, but I have noticed much less velocity variation with the varget powder than the IMR type. Talk to you later.

 

[*WyoWhisper*]

SR90 I have tried VVN540 for my .308 very good results as far as accuracy but a little sensitive to temps

308 the BC for Nosler 165 bt's is listed as .475 the 175 SMK is .505 for 2800 fps and higher

Later,

Ric

 

[Dave King]

For those interested in a pleasant suprise try the Lapua 155 Scenar. The BC is reported as .507 and I've had very good results with this bullet (on steel maidens). I haven't tried it on game animals yet but that will be rectified this coming crop damage year.

I can launch these lighter bullets faster and they have a good BC so they track flatter than the 175 in trajectory and wind.

They are actually longer than the Sierra 175 so it's possible that they may not seat well in a short action 308 (I shoot long action 308's).

 

[Ian M]

Federal loads 4064 as their powder of choice for their Gold Medal match ammo. Apparently they have alternates but 4064 is their primary powder. BHA uses powder from

I keep it simple, Varget, about 45-46 for 175's and 46-47 with 168's.