.308 load development, 2 rifles

[cowboyky]

Hello all,

Apprentice reloader here, looking for a good load that my brother and I can use in both of our rifles. He has a 22" barrel 1:10, and I have a 24" barrel 1:12. We will have separate fine-tuned loads for our rifles, but would like a general-use load that can be used (as accurately/effectively as possible for targets & whitetails) for both rifles. I've done a lotta reading on twist rates etc, but would like some personal input on what might be a good recipe. Not looking for a 1000-yard competitor here, just as close to MOA as possible/practical for serving 2 rifles.

Just cooked up a batch of 150gr Barnes TSX on 45grs Varget as a starting point, hoping to test 'em out this week for comparison sake.

Thanks!

 

[Sooner44]

Hello Cowboy,

I have several 308 rifles in different brands and twist rates. I have found 165 gr over 44 gr of varget works quite well in all my rifles for hunting purposes. I load 44gr of varget for both 165 sierra SPBT gamekings and 150 gr Sierra SPBT gamekings.

You may may want to load a few at 43gr and work up to 45gr to find a load that works best. I know people will jump all over this but.... I find the 1/12 twist likes the 150gr bullets, while the 1/10 will shoot both 150 & 165 very good.

Also, consider IMR 4064 as well, this is a good powder that has a burn rate very close to Varget.

Hope this helps

Sooner

 

[cowboyky]

Thanks. Will pick up some 165s and try some varying powder charges this week, planning to have a range session soon. Excited to get started.

 

[MudRunner2005]

Try this load, it shot phenomenally in my 24" 11.25 5R .308 Win.

Hornady Match brass
44.0gr of Varget
Berger 168 VLD (you can interchange hunting and target, which adds to the versatility)
Federal 210M primer
Bullet seated to 2.200" from base to ogive with a hornady comparator

 

[Bigeclipse]

Hello Cowboy,

I have several 308 rifles in different brands and twist rates. I have found 165 gr over 44 gr of varget works quite well in all my rifles for hunting purposes. I load 44gr of varget for both 165 sierra SPBT gamekings and 150 gr Sierra SPBT gamekings.

You may may want to load a few at 43gr and work up to 45gr to find a load that works best. I know people will jump all over this but.... I find the 1/12 twist likes the 150gr bullets, while the 1/10 will shoot both 150 & 165 very good.

Also, consider IMR 4064 as well, this is a good powder that has a burn rate very close to Varget.

Hope this helps

Sooner

my remmy 3006 1:10 twist hated 150s haha but I have heard that 150s can work well in 1:10 twist. For me, I like 165+ in 10 twist 30cal barrels. never used 12 twist so cant comment on that.

 

[Unofficial Gun Addict (UGA)]

168gr VLD hunting & Varget seem to be the bullet of choice for all my 308s... 10, 11, & 12 twists. Powder in the low to mid 40s

 

[Bigeclipse]

168gr VLD hunting & Varget seem to be the bullet of choice for all my 308s... 10, 11, & 12 twists. Powder in the low to mid 40s

the 168 TTSX shot amazing out of my 3006 with IMR4064 but just a touch to slow for good expansion with the TTSX. They recommend 2200fps and I was only getting 2550 which would only allow me to shoot out to 300 yards but the accuracy was insane. It was shooting around an inch at 300 yards.

 

[baldhunter]

Varget is what I load in mine,46.5grs with 150gr bullets and 45.5grs with 165gr bullets.

 

[Rick Richard]

44 grains of IMR 4064 and 168 AMAX will shoot a ragged 5 shot hole out of my 5R 308 Milspec.

 

[BigSwede]

I've got a couple 308's and have had others. 165-168 always good with H4895 42-44gr. Varget tops too! My current go to load is lapua brass, f210m primers, 44.5 gr varget and 175 smk. It gets to 1000 with great results. Same load shoot well in a ten vsf and a win70 featherweight. Another great load was 43.6 H4895 win brass, fed 210, 168 Berger VLD but it shot great with 165sgk hollow point too. all my 308s have been factory guns with no work done. Good luck. Love the 308.
-Swede