.308 for 400 Yard Whitetail

[pepe]

I deer hunt with a Remington Model Seven KS in .308. 20" barrel with 1:10 twist. This year I had a 435 yard shot that I didn't make. I'm planning to start reloading to tighten my groups, and hopefully making that a reasonable shot for me in the future. What bullet would you recommend that I start with? Thanks.

 

[James Jones]

If your gonna limit your shots to 500yds then I would suggest the 155gr A-max bullet. They shoot flat out to 500yds before the lower BC startes to get obvious.

I'd get my self a big bottle of Varget as it'll work great with all bullet weights in the 308 , it meters very well , it burns clean and its not temp sensitive. You can get a little higher Velocities with Vihta Vuori's N-550 powder but the added velocity may not be worth the hassel of trying to find the powder.
Start with 47grs of the Varget and work your way up , I can get to 50grs in all of my guns with very little pressure signs and the velocity is around 3100fps. With 47-49 grs out of a 20" barrel you should be able to get close to 3000fps , that speed with the 155 A-max wil work great on deer out to 500yds.
If you plan to shoot farther then I'd step up to the heavier higher BC bullets

 

[jonoMT]

pepe, how much target shooting are you doing out to that range? In addition to working up good loads I've found I really have to try them out at the actual ranges. I've had ammo that groups great at 100 yards but not at 200/300/400 yards while other loads were still stable farther out. I've found that I need all the practice I can get out to long range. In other words, try to do as much shooting with any kind of ammo you have out as far as possible.

 

[GREYGHOSTt]

Start smart.
accurize your weapon first.
then tune your self to it.

 

[CapDog]

With the 20" barrel on my LTR I get highest velocities with IMR-4895 when using 165gr bullets. I would use any of the usual go to .308 powders like Varget, Rl-15, TAC etc and pretty much any 165gr bullet. Find a combo that will give you the best accuracy and have at it. I have had success with Hornady A-maxs, SST's and the standard Interlocks. This season I used Speer 165gr SP and BTSP's and they performed as expected. Used on on 1/4'ng towards shot at 120yds it broke the near shoulder, traveled the length of the torso and found in the opposite side hip. Weighed in at 135grs, no jacket separation and a perfect mushroom.