.308 Big Game Load? Which Nosler Bullet?

[mickey308]

Hello,

I would like to develop a big game load for my Rem 700 VS .308 rifle.
This load will be used for moose,elk,deer,black bear. I have used this rifle for tactical matches out to 600 meters and its shoots great with 168gr-175gr match bullets. Which nosler bullet would be the best to use for big game? I was looking at the AccuBond/Partition 180gr - 200gr bullets, would my 1/12 rifling stabilize the 200gr bullet? The farthest I plan to shoot game with this load would be about 250 meters.

Any information would be greatly appreciated,
Thanks in advance,
Mickey308

 

[shrpshtrjoe]

Howdy. I would use the 180gr Partition. I think it will do fine on the critters you mentioned. I personaly think the 200gr is a little heavy for the .308.
Joe

 

[JD338]

Howdy. I would use the 180gr Partition. I think it will do fine on the critters you mentioned. I personaly think the 200gr is a little heavy for the .308.
Joe

+1
I think the 180 gr AB or PT would be the best weight to go with.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

My 1:12 twist .308 stabilizes 180 grain bullets and shoots them nicely, but I've never tried 200's from it. For your purposes I'd be content with either a 165 or 180 grain Nosler Partition. They actually shoot quite well, not match grade accuracy perhaps, at least not from my rifles, but easily sub MOA. Terminal performance is quite dependable at a variety of ranges.

Don't have any on-game experience with the AccuBond, but most results I've heard about, or seen here have been favorable.

Regards, Guy

 

[FOTIS]

Cartridge : .308 Win.
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler PART SP 16331
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch or 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-15

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 83 36.00 2170 1882 33328 6918 92.5 1.456
-18.0 85 36.90 2222 1973 35556 7116 93.5 1.416
-16.0 87 37.80 2274 2066 37931 7307 94.5 1.375
-14.0 89 38.70 2325 2161 40462 7490 95.3 1.334
-12.0 91 39.60 2377 2258 43161 7664 96.2 1.295
-10.0 93 40.50 2429 2357 46038 7829 96.9 1.257
-08.0 95 41.40 2480 2458 49109 7984 97.6 1.221
-06.0 97 42.30 2531 2560 52386 8128 98.2 1.186
-04.0 100 43.20 2582 2664 55887 8261 98.7 1.152 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 102 44.10 2633 2770 59630 8382 99.1 1.120 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 104 45.00 2683 2877 63635 8490 99.4 1.089 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 106 45.90 2733 2986 67924 8586 99.7 1.058 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 108 46.80 2783 3096 72523 8668 99.9 1.029 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 110 47.70 2833 3208 77461 8736 100.0 1.001 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 112 48.60 2882 3320 82770 8789 100.0 0.974 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 114 49.50 2931 3434 88486 8836 100.0 0.948 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 104 45.00 2787 3104 75811 8161 100.0 1.015 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 104 45.00 2535 2568 51814 8448 95.1 1.186




Cartridge : .308 Win.
Bullet : .308, 180, Nosler PART SP 16331
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch or 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 22.0 inch or 558.8 mm
Powder : Hodgdon BL-C2

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 79 37.20 2170 1883 32497 6975 94.5 1.465
-18.0 81 38.13 2223 1975 34785 7165 95.5 1.424
-16.0 82 39.06 2275 2069 37210 7345 96.4 1.384
-14.0 84 39.99 2328 2165 39789 7516 97.1 1.341
-12.0 86 40.92 2380 2263 42547 7676 97.8 1.301
-10.0 88 41.85 2432 2363 45501 7825 98.4 1.261
-08.0 90 42.78 2483 2465 48666 7961 98.9 1.224
-06.0 92 43.71 2535 2568 52058 8085 99.3 1.188
-04.0 94 44.64 2586 2673 55697 8195 99.6 1.153 ! Near Maximum !
-02.0 96 45.57 2637 2779 59606 8291 99.9 1.119 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 98 46.50 2688 2887 63808 8372 100.0 1.087 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 100 47.43 2738 2996 68331 8438 100.0 1.056 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+04.0 102 48.36 2788 3106 73206 8497 100.0 1.026 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 104 49.29 2837 3218 78469 8553 100.0 0.997 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 106 50.22 2887 3331 84161 8606 100.0 0.969 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 108 51.15 2936 3445 90328 8656 100.0 0.942 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 98 46.50 2785 3099 76740 8017 100.0 1.013 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 98 46.50 2542 2583 51271 8485 97.0 1.187

 

[wildboarhunter]

Hi mickey,
I think the 165 or 180 Partition are right, in my opininon the 200 are too heavy. A friend of mine uses 165 Part from roe deer, pics to deer-size animals with great sucess. If you hunt more heavier game you should you a heavier bullet.

greetings and Waidmannsheil (german wish for a sucessful hunt)

wildboarhunter

 

[FOTIS]

Cartridge : .308 Win.
Bullet : .308, 165, Nosler PART SP 16330
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.800 inch or 71.12 mm
Barrel Length : 26.0 inch or 660.4 mm
Powder : Alliant Reloder-15

Predicted data by increasing and decreasing the given charge,
incremented in steps of 2.0% of nominal charge.
CAUTION: Figures exceed maximum and minimum recommended loads !

Step Fill. Charge Vel. Energy Pmax Pmuz Prop.Burnt B_Time
% % Grains fps ft.lbs psi psi % ms

-20.0 80 36.00 2260 1872 29406 5639 90.8 1.621
-18.0 82 36.90 2314 1961 31327 5806 91.9 1.579
-16.0 84 37.80 2367 2053 33353 5968 93.0 1.538
-14.0 86 38.70 2420 2146 35507 6123 93.9 1.498
-12.0 88 39.60 2474 2242 37800 6273 94.8 1.458
-10.0 90 40.50 2527 2339 40241 6415 95.7 1.417
-08.0 92 41.40 2579 2438 42840 6550 96.4 1.378
-06.0 94 42.30 2632 2538 45608 6678 97.1 1.339
-04.0 96 43.20 2684 2640 48557 6797 97.7 1.303
-02.0 98 44.10 2737 2744 51701 6907 98.3 1.268 ! Near Maximum !
+00.0 100 45.00 2789 2849 55055 7008 98.7 1.234 ! Near Maximum !
+02.0 102 45.90 2840 2956 58636 7100 99.1 1.201 ! Near Maximum !
+04.0 104 46.80 2892 3063 62461 7181 99.5 1.169 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+06.0 106 47.70 2943 3173 66552 7252 99.7 1.138 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+08.0 108 48.60 2993 3283 70932 7312 99.9 1.109 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
+10.0 110 49.50 3044 3395 75627 7361 100.0 1.080 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

Results caused by ± 10% powder lot-to-lot burning rate variation using nominal charge
Data for burning rate increased by 10% relative to nominal value:
+Ba 100 45.00 2905 3093 65774 6782 100.0 1.149 !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!
Data for burning rate decreased by 10% relative to nominal value:
-Ba 100 45.00 2627 2528 44744 6893 93.5 1.345

 

[Alaska]

Consider 165/168 the best all around bullet weight in the 308 Win.
For the heaviest of game like moose the 180gr Part Protected Point works very well in my 308 Win
My two favorite powders Varget and RL 15 in the 308 Win
190/200 gr bullet just seat to deep not suggested for 308 Win it takes up valuable powder space in the short cartridge.

 

[nomosendero]

I would have to try the 165 & 180 AccuBond

 

[mickey308]

Thanks to everyone for the great information.
I have purchased 1 box of the 180gr accu-bonds,1 box of the 180gr partitions to test out in my rifle. Does anyone know what brass/primers Nosler is using for their .308 win load data? I have ordered the new Nosler reloading book hope it arrives soon.

Thanks Again,
MickeyJr308

 

[JD338]

mickey308

I think you have chosen the 2 best bullets for your needs with the 308 Win. Nosler RG #6 is using Nosler brass and Federal GM210M primers.

Let me know if you need any load data on a specific powder(s) and I will look it up for you.

JD338

 

[mickey308]

Hi JD338,

Thanks for the information, I plan on using imr-4895 powder. Do you know if I can substitute Winchester/Remington brass for Nosler brass?
Is the load data in the loading manualall the same for all Nosler 180gr bullets ie ballistic tip/AccuBond/Partition?

Best Regards,
Mickey308

 

[JD338]

You can use R-P or Win brass, just remember to start low and work up.
The following load data is for the 180 gr AB and PT in the 308 Win.
IMR4895
Start 37.5 grs
MAX 41.5 grs

Maybe Pop can chim in and run this on Quick Load for you.

Let us know how she shoots.

JD338

 

[Banshee]

Why is everyone leaning toward the heavier bullet? The calculator I use show that a 150 gr bullet and a 180 gr bullet from a 308 will deliver the same energy within a few lbs at 300 yards. What makes the heavier bullet better than the lighter faster bullet?

Not wishing to be a smart ass, just wish to understand the preference since the "numbers" show them about equal.

 

[JD338]

Banshee

Wind Drift.
The heavier bullet has a higher BC, allowing it to buck the wind better.
You will also get deeper penetration with a heaver bullet.

Hope this helps.

JD338

 

[baltz526]

at 2400fps the 180gr Partition load out of my 22" barreled 308 is very accurite, but i would not choose it for anything beyond 150yds. the 150gr AccuBond i get 2775fps. i would not hesitate to use it out to 300yds. the 180gr load lists in the book at 2593fps, i get 2400fps. the 150gr load should be 2950fps according to the book.

 

[jtoews80]

There are a lot of great replies to this topic, my pet load for a 308 CZ550 Varmint is a 180 Nosler Ballistic tip on 44.0(maxload)grns of IMR4064 in a Fedral GoldMatch case with a CCI 200 primer(probably be a better load with a fed but heck I haven't got any) It gives sub moa all day, but is seriously compressed load that is difficult to get perfect OAL with because of the amount of compression. I have shot a 3-shot 1.41" group @300m(333yds) from outside edge of the two farthest holes with this load.

CC

 

[Eagleye]

Why is everyone leaning toward the heavier bullet? The calculator I use show that a 150 gr bullet and a 180 gr bullet from a 308 will deliver the same energy within a few lbs at 300 yards. What makes the heavier bullet better than the lighter faster bullet?

Not wishing to be a smart ass, just wish to understand the preference since the "numbers" show them about equal.

Banshee; It's called "sectional density" (read penetration) The heavier bullets have greater ability to penetrate deep on the bigger species of game that he will be hunting. The lighter bullet would be great for the lighter animals, but when hunting moose and bear, it's nice to have that longer, better penetrating 180 grainer working for you. One should be able to get 2650 or so with the 180 in a 308, and that makes a pretty effective round, even for moose. Regards, Eagleye.

 

[JD338]

Eagleye

Thanks for the clarification, my previous post was refering to SD but I didn't spell it out.

When the game is big and heavy, go with a heavy bullet.

JD338