.308 pistol load ?
- Thread starter brucel
- Start date
I would venture to guess that it would depend on what velocity level you would achieve. I only have a Contender with a 30-30 barrel and I just run full power factory level loads through it. Never have run them through the chronograph though. You'll just have to try different loads and see how they perform.
I looked in three different manuals and found nothing. The 50th anniversary Lyman manual had data for a 130 gr. bullet (Hornady) and velocity ranging from a max of 2385 FPS to 2829 FPS depending on the powder used. Firearm used was an Encore with 15" barrel Data is on page 498.
Paul B.
I looked in three different manuals and found nothing. The 50th anniversary Lyman manual had data for a 130 gr. bullet (Hornady) and velocity ranging from a max of 2385 FPS to 2829 FPS depending on the powder used. Firearm used was an Encore with 15" barrel Data is on page 498.
Paul B.
- Nov 4, 2004
- 25,186
- 8,464
Use the 308 Win rifle data for your Encore pistol.
IMR4895, Varget and TAC would be good powders and the last two should get you to 2900 fps in the 15" barrel. Should be pretty effective on deer.
JD338
IMR4895, Varget and TAC would be good powders and the last two should get you to 2900 fps in the 15" barrel. Should be pretty effective on deer.
JD338
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- Thread starter
- #4
Thanks - I don't (yet) have the new Lyman book. I will definitely get it now.
Since I have Varget and 4895 on hand, I will look at those loads, too - but I can feel a need for a LOT of trigger-time. My previous heaviest recoil handgun is a Blackhawk in .41 mag and methinks that a .308 will exceed that by a tad.
Since I have Varget and 4895 on hand, I will look at those loads, too - but I can feel a need for a LOT of trigger-time. My previous heaviest recoil handgun is a Blackhawk in .41 mag and methinks that a .308 will exceed that by a tad.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,747
- 5,828
If you go to Hodgdon's online Reloading Data Center, you'll find 308 Win data, with a mere 15" barrel in their pistol section. 
It's showing 2800+ fps with the 125 grain bullet, with at least a couple of different powders.
Cool stuff eh?
It's showing 2800+ fps with the 125 grain bullet, with at least a couple of different powders.
Cool stuff eh?
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,224
- 2,184
125 or the 150 NBT's will work fine for deer sized game.
Just use the rifle data. Several powders work good, including Varget
Just use the rifle data. Several powders work good, including Varget
Nannyhammer
Beginner
- Feb 20, 2016
- 46
- 27
I've had good luck with 748 and the 125 grain AB in a 20" barrel. Have killed deer and coyotes from in your face to 150 yards without issue.
Divernhunter
Handloader
- Apr 1, 2009
- 813
- 173
win748 or Benchmark worked great for me in my Encore pistol
xphunter
Handloader
- Sep 15, 2005
- 1,224
- 2,184
I run a 14.5" center-grip XP-100 in 308 Winchester. Even with Hornady factory TAP ammo, using the 168 grain A-Max.
Even with factory ammunition, my MV is 2445 fps. Even at 450 yards, my impact velocity is 1774 fps, which is plenty fast to kill deer/antelope class animals
Even with factory ammunition, my MV is 2445 fps. Even at 450 yards, my impact velocity is 1774 fps, which is plenty fast to kill deer/antelope class animals
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