Well next week i will be loading up my .308 for some rabbit and coyote hunting, my question is what would be a good load for it? Its a savage 10 FP, so far my load of 168 SMKs and IMR 4064 have produced great results, on average 1.5" groups at 300 yrd, the problem is that if I get off the 168gr bullet my groups double in size. when i first got the gun I bought some 150gr win power points and was shooting almost 2" groups at 100yrds, in my mind this is not acceptable, will it be possible for me to find a lighter bullet that shoots good, or should i just deal with the bad accuracy? I really would like to shoot a lighter bullet as they are cheaper or should i just find the cheapest 165gr bullet i can? I would really like to stay with the 4064 if possible but I also have 4350 in stock, any help would be great! I fear that the fast twist rate of my barrel is going to severely limit me on my bullet choices, its a 1 and 10 twist where most are 1 and 12, again any help would be great, sorry for the long post.
.308 varmint load?
- Thread starter matts318
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YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
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I'd try a 125 ballistic tip. Mine likes 48 grains of varget and is a 1:10 twist little model 7 that groups about under 3/4 inch with 3 shots. If they don't shoot good for you, I'd shoot them with a 168 matchking. I think it will pencil right through a yote, and would like to find out. Just be sure to hit vitals and it will do the job no doubt.
Desert Fox
Handloader
- Aug 14, 2006
- 1,965
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4350 is too slow for 308. Try Varget or Reloader 15. These are the two most commonly use powder for the 308. Blc-2 is another powder worth trying. It's a very good powder for the 308, but has some temperature issue to deal with. If you want to shoot lighter bullet, try the 155's or the 165. Nosler and Sierra make's match 155 grain bullet for the Palma crowds. Another good bullet will be the Lapua's. I like their 155 Scenar for long range work. It has a higher B.C than the heavier 190SMK. This bullet remained supersonic past 1000 yards. My load comprised of 44.8 grains of Varget, ignited by Federal 210M primer on a Federal Gold Medal brass. Goodluck :wink:
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
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My rifle likes 44.6 varget with the 155 matchking palmas and 46 grains of varget with 150 game kings. I think we are on to something! If not satisfied with varget, try 4064 but I think you probably won't need to.
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
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P.S. The above post is with my mauser 98 w/ 13.5 twist barrel.
My my model 7 likes 48 varget with 150 ballistic tip.
My my model 7 likes 48 varget with 150 ballistic tip.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,747
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If you want light and fast for good bullet blow-up... I've had great results from the:
125 Nosler B-tip, 130 Speer HP, 110 gr Hornady V-Max, 110 gr Sierra HP
One of the neat things I've noted with the 130 - 110 grain loads is the near absence of recoil.
Varget remains my powder of choice with the .308 Win.
The 150 - 155 grain bullets also work well from the .308, and pick up a little velocity advantage over the 165's & 168's.
Yes, the 168 matchking just pencils through a coyote. I know this from experience. Won't use them in that application again. There are a lot of good 165 hunting bullets that will open up, even on something as light as a yote, to a degree anyway.
Regards, Guy
125 Nosler B-tip, 130 Speer HP, 110 gr Hornady V-Max, 110 gr Sierra HP
One of the neat things I've noted with the 130 - 110 grain loads is the near absence of recoil.
Varget remains my powder of choice with the .308 Win.
The 150 - 155 grain bullets also work well from the .308, and pick up a little velocity advantage over the 165's & 168's.
Yes, the 168 matchking just pencils through a coyote. I know this from experience. Won't use them in that application again. There are a lot of good 165 hunting bullets that will open up, even on something as light as a yote, to a degree anyway.
Regards, Guy
YoteSmoker
Handloader
- Oct 3, 2006
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I have not tried the 110 v-max or sierra h.p. in my 308 but both have the same point of impact in my 30-06, both loaded with 56 grains of IMR 4064 and both had 4 holes touching out of 5. Of note, the v-max has a much higer b.c than the sierra bullet, but under 300 yards it probably won't matter much. My vote goes toward the 125 ballistic tip or 110 v-max. I might just have to try the hornady in my 308 and get back to you with the results. Let us know what works for you in the meantime!
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for all the replies guys, it seems like the 125gr B Tip was a pretty popular sugestion, problem is they cost a lot, I forgot to mention that im a college student with limited funds! They want a pretty penny for them at the store! So yall think that varget would shoot the lighter bullet better? I might be able to talk my dad into a can of it. The v-max is cheaper isnt it? and it seems like that was another popular suggestion, hopefully I can get something loaded up friday and see how they shoot, thanks for all the suggestions and keep them coming, Im open minded on this one guys!
- Thread starter
- #9
ok I got to go shoot today! I got some 110gr V-Max and put a charge of 48 grains of varget behind them, the results were at 100yrd 1 to 1 1/4 inch groups, 200yrd was on average about 2.5" with a best of 1.8", and at 300 I shot a string of 9 shots without letting the barrel cool and got a 3.3" group, with 6 of the shots being only 1.8" apart, well my gun either likes a hot barrel or i just got lucky. Well its good enough to get some rabbits and that V-Max should tear them up pretty good!
