Limitations of 308 past 1000 yds = not so

[scottyd2506]

I hear a lot of talk about how limited the 308 is. Some say it's a 600 yard rifle, others say 800, some say it will go to 1000 yards, but not the best choice. although some say it's the best choice to learn with. Then move up.
Me and my friend both shoot 308's at 1000 yards, using the typical 175 SMK's, His is a Rem SPS 20 inch hvy bbl bolt gun, mine is a Ar-10 with 24 bull barrel, his 2550 fps, mine 2610 fps, his is more accurate (bolt vs auto)
These 308's sure help you learn the wind (still have much to learn even so)

10.4 inches of wind drift per 1 mph at 1000 yards. almost twice as much at my 284 w 195;s at 1000 yards (5.5 inch per mph).

One thing for sure is the 308's barrel will last a LONG time giving the shooter more practice time and more rounds to shoot w out the worry of burning out the throat too soon.

I was reading about some people shooting 308 with heavy bullets 215 Bergers at 2600 fps out of a 26 inch bbl using Re-17. I was thinking a 30 inch using H414 H4350 and get the 2600 fps. Running the numbers
the 308 with a long 30 inch 9.5 twist bbl coal 3.1.
Shooting the .691 BC 215 Bergers at 2600 would hold it's own with about any rifle well past 1000 yards. not the best, but like I said, it CAN hold it's own
308 win 215 Berger ,.691 BC, 2600 fps, 30 inch bbl, 1 mph wind

Range Velocity Enrgy Tjcty MOA MIL Wind Drift 1 mph

0 2600 3227 0 0 0 0
1000 1519 1101 -333.6 31.9 9.3 6.4 in
1500 1160 642 -996.9 63.5 18.5 16.3
1600 1111 589 -1198 71.5 20.8 18.9
1700 1069 545 -1428 80.2 23.3 21.7
1760 1047 523 -1580 85.7 24.9 23.5
1800 1033 509 -1687 89.5 26 24.8

Even at a mile away it has the power of a 357 magnum (legal handgun deer hunting caliber in most states) at the muzzle. over 1100 ft lbs at a 1000 yards

Most 308's now a days have slow 12 twist short barrels and so are limited for performance at long range.

This is probably the ultimate long range rifle that is not a barrel burner.

 

[MudRunner2005]

One of my good buddies is a former Army Ranger Sniper, and we have had this discussion several times. We are both big fans of the .308 Win. He said he has no reserves about engaging a target out to 1200 meters with a .308 Win, and has done so. He's quite the accomplished and decorated marksman, both on and off the battlefield, so I'll take his word for it.

Also a few months back Bryan Litz won a tournament (I think 1,000 yards) with a .308 Win and Berger 215 Hybrids. I shoot the 210 VLD's out of my 24" 5R Milspec with the 11.25" twist barrel, and have excellent results.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

Most of its limitations aren't due to power but velocity in trying to assure you have enough velocity to have adequate expansion on game. There's no doubt you can send it a very long ways, but proper expansion is the issue at such ranges

 

[Canadian Bushman]

A full 308 case of re-17 or h4350 is harder on the throat than you might be giving it credit for.

 

[scottyd2506]

Most of its limitations aren't due to power but velocity in trying to assure you have enough velocity to have adequate expansion on game. There's no doubt you can send it a very long ways, but proper expansion is the issue at such ranges

at 1000 yards, none of them have 3000 fps. Expansion is going to be limited on ANY rifle, and there is minimal expansion on the best soft skin bullets, at least the 308 is 30 caliber.
I'm not saying the 308 is the best choice, but it can hold it's own with the right bullets, we always compare the big 30;s and fast 6's, 6.5, 27's, 7mm's etc etc with the best high bc bullets to the 308 w 12 twist 175's,,

 

[scottyd2506]

A full 308 case of re-17 or h4350 is harder on the throat than you might be giving it credit for.

Full power 308 loads are not the bad, you have 45 grains of powder blowing through a large hole.. 308 barrels are said to be good for well over 3000-4000 rounds. compare that to a 6.5x284 at 800-1200 rounds, 7mmxs284 around 1500-2500

 

[Canadian Bushman]

Full power 308 loads are not the bad, you have 45 grains of powder blowing through a large hole.. 308 barrels are said to be good for well over 3000-4000 rounds. compare that to a 6.5x284 at 800-1200 rounds, 7mmxs284 around 1500-2500

I didnt realize they were said to be good for that long. Ill make sure and pass that on to my barrel im pulling off next week.