Pushing my .308 Carbine Farther

[.30US]

I bought this rifle a number of years ago and am now looking at starting to use it for hunting more than just hogs. I'd like to see how far out I can take it on paper accurately before I take it afield on game animals. I read through all of the threads that appeared pertinent in the 24 pages of this part of the forum, which was helpful, but I'm still interested in picking your brains for more specific advice. My rifle is an 18.5" Fulton Armory Titan FAR-308 (probably should have gone with the 22", but the 18.5" fit my needs at the time better). I have a 30mm Bushnell Elite 2.5-10X50mm mounted on a Larue 5/8" riser on it now. I believe the scope has about 50 MOA of elevation adjustment, as I recall. I also have a discontinued Vortex Crossfire 4-16X50mm with 100 MOA sitting unused that could be thrown on it. The Smith Ent. Vortex flash suppressor has been replaced with a JP Enterprises muzzle brake, but, otherwise, it's still pretty much the same as my old photo below. I have done some plinking around the ranch out to a few hundred yards with this rifle, but want to push it a little harder. I usually shoot a bunch of 150gr Remington UMC ammo that I bought in bulk a while back at under $8/box, but have just about turned it all into brass now. I still have a number of boxes of Black Hills 168gr BTHP around and was planning to reload most of my brass with 180gr Sierra GameKings. The SGK seems like a good compromise between BC and expansion properties at the velocities on the outer end of my range, as well as something I'll likely load in my .30-06, as well.

I'm planning to get a PRI 20 MOA Picatinny Rail to replace the Larue riser that I had sitting around when I received the rifle. The PRI is reasonably priced, which is important to me since this isn't one of my primary long range rifles, and I don't want to sink a ton of cash into something I use here and there. I'm open to competitively priced alternatives that you might suggest, too. Once I can zero with the scope I have and figure out how much usable adjustment I still have left and what my chosen round's velocity is, I will know whether the scope is going to cut it or not. I've looked at some Burris and Vortex alternatives with 60-100 MOA adjustment, and am open to alternatives here in the under $500 range, too. Unfortunately, I'm overseas right now and don't have an opportunity to develop my loads and zero for a number more months and have a hunting trip coming up shortly after I return, so I'm trying to glean as much information from the experience here as I can beforehand. Besides hogs, I'll likely hunt whitetails, occasionally, and red stag. With something as large as red stag, I was thinking of using a lot more rifle, but after watching all the Kiwis hunting them with suppressed .243s, I figure the .308 unsuppressed can do the job.

Besides alternative MOA bases and scopes, would other bullets be recommended? I'm open to any other suggestions based on your experiences. Thanks.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Sounds like your all set, only thing I would look at right now is an ammo upgrade. Fmj may fly for punching fast fat hog shoulders but it's not adequate at all for deer. I personally would look into a Barnes tsx in the 150 - 180g area.

Oh ya and ditch that *** stock!

 

[.30US]

I'll definitely look at the Barnes TSX and TTSX in comparison to the Sierra GameKings I was planning on using. I forgot about the stock; I've been wanting to put a fixed stock on it for years, but haven't gotten around to it since the CAA one that came in the package has been solid for the shooting I've done. It is on the list to change. Thanks.

 

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

I'll definitely look at the Barnes TSX and TTSX in comparison to the Sierra GameKings I was planning on using. I forgot about the stock; I've been wanting to put a fixed stock on it for years, but haven't gotten around to it since the CAA one that came in the package has been solid for the shooting I've done. It is on the list to change. Thanks.

Lol i personaly like a colapsable stock from lmt or crane etc . Game kings are great to for some reason i assumed yoy were using a fmj bullet. Sorry

 

[notajeep]

I recommend looking into the Sightron SII, they have a 1" tube with lots of reticle choices. The SIII is the 30mm tube, but they are over your price range. If your scope shopping get a free catalogue from SWFA and Sightron. I hope you spent a few dollars on black Friday or cyber monday on your upgrades. I got a Harris Bipod 20% off. Not a bad deal. Good luck

 

[.30US]

I looked at the SII, and without going to the SII Big Sky, starting around $400, none of the SII models offered any more than the 50 MOA I already have with my Bausch & Lomb. I'd rather not buy more scopes, yet, until I know how much usable adjustment I'm going to get, but I think something with more MOA is inevitable, though my Vortex may cover it. I didn't buy anything for this project, yet. I picked up a Nikon P-223 to put on my Izhmash Biathlon Basic .22WMR from SWFA. I didn't see any of the MOA bases I was looking for go on sale for this project. I did get an email from a site I'm a member of that the Burris C4 scope I was looking at for another project is going to be posted today.

 

[notajeep]

Ok, I didn't know the sii series were 50 moa. Well thats why we shop around.

 

[ssgred]

I'll definitely look at the Barnes TSX and TTSX in comparison to the Sierra GameKings I was planning on using. I forgot about the stock; I've been wanting to put a fixed stock on for year but haven't gotten around to it since the CAA one that came in the package has been solid for the shooting I've done. It is on the list to change. Thanks.

I got an opportunity to handle a DPMS LR 308 with a Magpul PRS stock a few weeks ago. I loved the adjustments and how it balanced the rifle, at $200 well worth the investment. But, it did make an already heavy rifle heavier. I wouln't want to lug it up a mountain side. That said I will be picking one up soon.

 

[704]

scope -Vortex Viper PST Rifle Scope 30mm Tube 2.5-10x 44mm Illuminated EBR-1
ammo 175 grain Sierra Game kings and match kings for practice
Choice #2 175 grain Berger Hybrid to load in your magazine

 

[.30US]

I picked up the PRI 20 MOA base when Midway had them back in stock. I need to order a mount adapter for a Harris bipod I already have, too. I'll take the Vortex Crossfire 30mm to the ranch the next time I get home and can go zero, just in case the Bushnell 4200 won't get me to where I want to be. Fortunately, both have illuminated reticles for low light since hogs are my usual game of choice. I'll be using up my factory ammo (150gr. UMC, 168gr. Black Hills Match, and 175gr. Prvi Partizan Match) until I get the GameKings loaded up.