Understanding the 308 win

[Rflshootr]

My 20" 308 Win firing 180gr Swift A-frames at 2536 fps is good on Elk out to about 450 yards.

Even at 2600, it would be better.

Input Parameters
Bullet Diameter	0.308 inches	Zero Range	100 yards
Bullet Weight	168 grains	Sight Height	1.50 in
Ballistic Coefficient	0.255	Muzzle Velocity	2600 fps
Temperature	40 F	Wind Speed	5.00 mph
Altitude	500 feet	Wind Direction	9 o'clock
Inclination	0 degrees	Berger Bullets	Copyright 2013

Range Card
Range (y)	Velocity (fps)	Energy (ft-lbs)	Elevation (inches)	Windage (inches)	TOF (s)
100​	2424​	2192​	0.00​	0.39​	0.12​
150​	2339​	2041​	-1.42​	0.88​	0.18​
200​	2255​	1897​	-4.43​	1.56​	0.25​
250​	2173​	1762​	-9.15​	2.47​	0.31​
300​	2093​	1634​	-15.71​	3.60​	0.39​
350​	2014​	1514​	-24.26​	4.97​	0.46​
400​	1938​	1401​	-34.94​	6.59​	0.53​
450​	1862​	1294​	-47.95​	8.48​	0.61​
500​	1788​	1193​	-63.46​	10.65​	0.69​

 

[Mike D Texas]

I'm glad my .308 doesn't shoot as slow as some of the speeds posted here.

 

[Rflshootr]

I'm glad my .308 doesn't shoot as slow as some of the speeds posted here.

Me too!

 

[nralifer]

I just traded back for a Remington varmint special chambered in 308. I actually purchased this gun 11 to 12 years ago it was to be my first 308. A friend traded me out of it before it ever fired it. Standing rule was if you get rid of it I want first shot at it, so long story short a decade later I have it back. So now I want to understand what this round is capable of. I don't care if it can kill elk at 1000 yards I just wanna now how other shooters enjoy theirs, like I said this is my first experience with this cartridge and I want to know what it's capable of.

I'm a reloader don't plane on running factor ammo. Basically trying to figure out is the 308 worth any effort or rebarrel to something else.

Thanks for any input as fair as use goes Texas white tails and hogs at what ever distances it's capable of shooting for that type of game.

 

[nralifer]

The length snd twist of the barrel and the length of the free bore have a lot to do with the ultimate performance potential of the rifle. Longer free bore and barrel length determine the max speeds you will be able to attain with any given bullet weight. The twist rate will determine how high a BC bullet you will be able to stabilize. For Deer and Hogs there really is nothing better. I hunted both for years with a 308Win. DRT every time. Also hunted long range African Plains Game when we started making lathe turned copper bullets. Recent experience and testing indicates to me that SRP brass is the best for extracting more speed safely.

 

[Sdupontjr]

130 ttsx and 155 lapua scenars here.

Rem brass, Fed 210M primer, 50g TAC, 130ttsx, 2.825"
Rem brass, Fed 210M primer, 47g Varget, 155 scenar, 2.800"

Both shoot tiny little holes in my Tikka T3 308. I want to get both loads chrono'd to get some velocities.

 

[nralifer]

130 ttsx and 155 lapua scenars here.

Rem brass, Fed 210M primer, 50g TAC, 130ttsx, 2.825"
Rem brass, Fed 210M primer, 47g Varget, 155 scenar, 2.800"

Both shoot tiny little holes in my Tikka T3 308. I want to get both loads chrono'd to get some velocities.

Definitely need to be chronographed for without that information how are you able to evaluate 500 yd and beyond performance and trajectories without using up hard to get primers and powder. Both are low BC bullets especially the TTSX. Varget, an excellent powder for the 308, is very difficult to find as are primers. Thanks for submitting this information.

 

[dogbuster0006]

My 308 running 168 amax, have killed a pile of deer from 25-525yds. 308 is a boring round by todays standards but it's a dependable, consistent chambering when used within the limits of whatever bullet you choose. Mine is a factory Rem700 p it'll outshoot me, 300yd pop can hits are boringly consistent. If I teach a new shooter it's the rifle I use, moving out from 300 to 1000yd, it'll teach you to read wind and doesn't beat you up. For hogs you'll probably want a little tougher bullet like the Sst, or partition, the 124gr hammer bullet will let you get some extra velocity and be flat shooting.
Let's us know what you decide.

 

[nralifer]

I just traded back for a Remington varmint special chambered in 308. I actually purchased this gun 11 to 12 years ago it was to be my first 308. A friend traded me out of it before it ever fired it. Standing rule was if you get rid of it I want first shot at it, so long story short a decade later I have it back. So now I want to understand what this round is capable of. I don't care if it can kill elk at 1000 yards I just wanna now how other shooters enjoy theirs, like I said this is my first experience with this cartridge and I want to know what it's capable of.

I'm a reloader don't plane on running factor ammo. Basically trying to figure out is the 308 worth any effort or rebarrel to something else.

Thanks for any input as fair as use goes Texas white tails and hogs at what ever distances it's capable of shooting for that type of game.

You can kill virtually any game in North America with it at reasonable distances with one shot. Superb hunting rig

 

[nralifer]

My 308 running 168 amax, have killed a pile of deer from 25-525yds. 308 is a boring round by todays standards but it's a dependable, consistent chambering when used within the limits of whatever bullet you choose. Mine is a factory Rem700 p it'll outshoot me, 300yd pop can hits are boringly consistent. If I teach a new shooter it's the rifle I use, moving out from 300 to 1000yd, it'll teach you to read wind and doesn't beat you up. For hogs you'll probably want a little tougher bullet like the Sst, or partition, the 124gr hammer bullet will let you get some extra velocity and be flat shooting.
Let's us know what you decide.

The Badlands 150 gr BD2 at 2950-3000 fps will do all that with flatter trajectory

 

[stljc2]

I just traded back for a Remington varmint special chambered in 308. I actually purchased this gun 11 to 12 years ago it was to be my first 308. A friend traded me out of it before it ever fired it. Standing rule was if you get rid of it I want first shot at it, so long story short a decade later I have it back. So now I want to understand what this round is capable of. I don't care if it can kill elk at 1000 yards I just wanna now how other shooters enjoy theirs, like I said this is my first experience with this cartridge and I want to know what it's capable of.

I'm a reloader don't plane on running factor ammo. Basically trying to figure out is the 308 worth any effort or rebarrel to something else.

Thanks for any input as fair as use goes Texas white tails and hogs at what ever distances it's capable of shooting for that type of game.

Closest I've gotten (100 yd 3 shot group) Same gun....redfield scope (not the best). Stopped developing this load cause I was working on 3 at one time and it got just a little to much for me. That and I wanted to get different glass for it before I go any further. If you want to know I used Berger Elite ....don't quite remember what the grain is off hand..sorry. N550 powder and lapua cases, WLR primers. Started with 10 thou off the lands but it wasn't quite what I wanted so increased and played with it some. You reload so you should know what to do next. The off set was intentional to keep the bull clear. I used poster board and kept covering up holes with painter tape and colored what needed to be covered to keep the bull clear. My Remmy is of 1985 vintage M700 Varminter Special and my very first nail driver. Of course I still have work to do...and will I hope this year. Hope this helps some. Oh and before I forget...I used to run Hornady factory ammo 168 gr and she loved em.....just incase you get some where and need to buy factory....

 

[69precision]

I hunt with mine out to 500 and ring steel to 1100. My Remington PSS loves federal factory 168 smk. I use the 165 game kings for hunting just because the trajectory is about the same as the smk.

 

[bamban]

308 in this is my do all rifle