308 recipes

[Kentucky]

I'm in the process of building up a Savage Axis 308. I thought that I was hooked on Vargas pushing a 180 gr hornady Vmax, but thought I would siphon every bit of experience from this site as possible. The only guy I know that has modified an Axis uses a 168 gr Amax. From what I understand the Amax is not recomemded for hunting. I also read that a 1/10 twist should use a heavier bullet. Any comments would be appreciated. Any recipes you care to share will be put to heart. Thanks everyone for all the help you have given on different posts.

 

[sourdough44]

Is this for deer hunting in KY? The 'V-Max' bullet is mostly for varmints, at least in the 22 cal. I know the lighter weight 30 cal V-Maxes are rather frangible too. These wouldn't be a very suitable bullet for big game.

I would go to a common 165 grain Sierra Game King' bullet, then a powder in the H(IMR)-4895/TAC burn speed. Hornady,Speer, and others could be added as options.

In general, when one reaches to the upper limits of hunting with a smaller cartridge, premium bullets shine. Like if one was bear hunting with a 243.

You 308 is ideal for most any KY deer hunting, with a suitable game bullet. The real key then is left to shot placement.

 

[Kentucky]

Thanks sourdough but I thought that a 165 would be a little lite for a 1/10 twist. Any idea?

 

[Evan1678]

I have a 1-10 twist on my savage 10. you don't want to go heavier that 168gn bullet. I shoot 168gn sierra Matchking HPBT for target practice every other weekend and have very good luck. with my experience, the faster the twist, the lighter the bullet you want to have. 165gn is fine for 1-10 twist.

 

[Kentucky]

Thanks Evan, I must have had my head on backwards . I thought the tighter the twist the heavier the bullet. That's why I ask you folks. Thanks again

 

[Evan1678]

Thanks Evan, I must have had my head on backwards . I thought the tighter the twist the heavier the bullet. That's why I ask you folks. Thanks again

I apologize I told you wrong. I just checked with a shooter friend and he corrected me. Heavier bullets stabilize with a faster twist rate. sorry about that.

 

[Kentucky]

No harm no foul. Thanks for checking back with me. I want to make a real shooter out of this rifle on a fixed income. It won't be a record breaker but a yote killer out to 700 yrds I hope. Thanks again.

 

[Evan1678]

The load that I tested yesterday is 168gn sierra matchking hpbt with 44.3gn of Varget. The group was barely larger than a quarter. Varget is kind of hard to find though.

 

[Stu76x]

That is very close to my own recipe, 168gr berger VLD hunting with 44.5 gr 2208(varget) very consistent load 0.2-0.4 Moa, velocity is 2625 from a weatherby Mark V TRR 22" barrel.

 

[LoneTraveler]

If you read the history of the 308 Win. When it first came out Winchesters first rifles had a 1-12 twist in them and the heaviest bullet they loaded was a 200 Gr. bullet in Win. factory loads. Many Big Bear and Moose Hunters wanted 220 gr. loads. They stayed with and advocated the 30-06 with its 1-10 twist which would stabilize 220 gr. bullets.
If you have the throat cut deep enough and have an action long enough to allow the heavy bullets to be seated with the base of the bullet at the neck shoulder junction should work great. Heavy long bullets will eat powder space if you have to seat the heavy bullets to factory OACL.
My Remington Model 78 (One of the first when they hit the market) will only shoot so so groups with 180 and 150 gr. bullets. This rifle with Win. Brass, Win. LR primer and IMR 4895 and 125 gr. Sierra will shoot near one hole groups at 100 yds. Good Luck in your project.

 

[sourdough44]

.308
- 7" * for heavy VLD bullets and/or subsonic ammo.
- 8" for bullets heavier than 220 gr.
- 10" for bullets up to 220 gr.
- 10" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 12" for bullets up to 170 gr.
- 13" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 14" * for bullets up to 168gr.
- 15" * for bullets up to 150 gr.
- 17" * for bullets up to 125 gr.


Here's some info from Shilen about 308 rifling twist rates and bullets. The 1-10" rifling rate is a common rate with the 308. The vast majority of 308 shooters use 150-180 grain bullets.

 

[MudRunner2005]

.308
- 7" * for heavy VLD bullets and/or subsonic ammo.
- 8" for bullets heavier than 220 gr.
- 10" for bullets up to 220 gr.
- 10" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 12" for bullets up to 170 gr.
- 13" * Ratchet rifled 4 groove
- 14" * for bullets up to 168gr.
- 15" * for bullets up to 150 gr.
- 17" * for bullets up to 125 gr.


Here's some info from Shilen about 308 rifling twist rates and bullets. The 1-10" rifling rate is a common rate with the 308. The vast majority of 308 shooters use 150-180 grain bullets.

I shoot 185's out of a 12" twist .30-06AI, and 210's out of a .308 Win with an 11.25" twist. And have no problems with either.

 

[MR T]

My most accurate load is 168gr hornady bthp 45.5gr BL-C(2) COAL is set to fit in AI box mags. Rem700 20" barrel w/Gemtech suppressor.

 

[LNGRNG90]

My best three loadsin my Remigton 700 .308, 26" barrel 1:12" twist

Load #1:
Bullet: Sierra Matchking 168 gr BTHP
Powder: Varget, 46.0 gr
Primer: CCI 200
Brass: Winchester
O.A.L.: 2.810"
300 yard group: 3-shot 0.561"
Velocity: 2,756 fps

Load #2:
Bullet: Sierra Matchking 175 gr BTHP
Powder: IMR 4895
Primer: CCI 200
Brass: Winchester
O.A.L.: 2.800"
300 yard group: 3-shot 1.329"
Velocity: 2,636 fps