New to 308 asking for some SAKO tips

[FCSpringer]

Hi guys thanks for letting me post. Newbie here. I will start by saying I have been reloading for some time now in 223 with my Rock River ATH and have some amazing .5 MOA pet loads for that with the 55g NBT and 64g Bonded performance. I just ordered a new Sako grey wolf in .308. It is a 1-11 twist with the 22.5" barrel. I am thinking of starting with some 165 grain AccuBond bullets. I plan to use Lake City brass Varget which I have lots of and CCI BR primers. With this gun is there anyone that has any loads that work in this gun you might share? I have been searching and am spending too many hrs reading. Hence the new thread. Sorry if it has been covered, I just cant seem to find it. Also if you have some factory nosler ammo tipped loads that like the bore would be nice. It will help me save costs and I will sure thank you. My guess any Sako with that length barrel and twist info will be a good start. Should have her in a few days. Looking forward to my first big bore and putting the Forster back to work. Thanks, FCS

 

[6mm Remington]

Welcome aboard. I have zero experience with the 308 that is, but others with vast a vast wealth of knowledge will be along soon. Watch the site "shootersproshop" on the internet for deals on blemished Accubonds and Ballistic Tipped bullets and you will be very happy! Good deals.

David

Out of the 165's you want right now, but you get the idea!!

http://www.shootersproshop.com/nosler-p ... -50ct.html

 

[DrMike]

Welcome aboard; always good to have new people posting. No secrets to share, as the .308 is a well-behaved cartridge; you should have no difficulties. Twist is somewhat slow, but shouldn't be a problem for you. Any of a number of medium burn powders will serve you well and the cartridge will work for bringing home about anything in NA. Again, welcome aboard.

 

[FCSpringer]

Thanks. Yes I buy all my bullets from shooters P shop. Just got a thousand the other day. More what I would like to know is if anyone has this gun or a hunter 85 which is the same except the stock. Which nosler or bullet is the ticket for you? or a couple? Load work up I am going to do regardless of recipe. The safe way. I just have a hunch the 165 AB will be it or very close. It will take longer to sniff some out with out experience is all. Otherwise I will buy a half dozen factory loads and try them to get a feel first. 150 ish to 180. Then try reloading from that round that looks the best. It would just be nice to avoid spending a couple c notes on factory loads just going to waist. So yes it would be great to get some advice from a Sako shooter who shoots nosler. I am a big fan of nosler.

 

[SJB358]

I would bet something around 44-46 grains of Varget with a 165 at 2.8 should work very well. Same goes for RL15. Great combination. Congrats on the rifle.

 

[FCSpringer]

Thanks, thats the plan. Unless I get some feedback from a Sako shooter. Plan to start out at the low end of Noslers load data. I have varget so I will try that. It works very well with my 223. Seems to be a popular powder. Must be why it was so hard to find LOL.

 

[Elkman]

Mine likes 43.5 gr. of RL-15 with WW cases and 168 gr. Custom Comps, the seating depth escapes me. Shoot is the high .200 and .300. The 308 is a sweetie to load for !!!

 

[DrMike]

Every rifle is a law unto itself. What works perfectly in one "Sako" may not work as perfectly in another "Sako." Small variations in chamber dimensions, throat depth, etc. contribute to differences between rifles. All loads need to be verified by starting at a safe minimum and working up to maximum charges. While I understand your rationale, you are well advised to consider what is provided in the current Nosler guide, choosing a powder that gives the greatest accuracy and focusing on that.

 

[FOTIS]

45 gr Varget win cases win primer and 165 AccuBond. Sako Finnwolf shoots those in .3" groups.

BUT since you're using military brass, which are a lot thicker, You might want to start at 37 grains and work up.

 

[FCSpringer]

Thanks Elkman and Fotis. Sounds like It will be a good place to start then with that weight. Yes DrMike, thats always how I go about it. Start low and work up as I said earlier. Especially since my cases are LC. My Cousin has the varmint 24" I believe and he is getting .5 groups and less with his and BLC2, 150g SMK's But he just shoots paper. I want an all around hunting load that the gun likes. And that once I find it will be the only round I ever load for it. I size, trim, uniform pockets, debur flash holes, consintricity with Hndy, and Sinc gauges, the whole works. Also all my cases are the same year head stamps. Almost match grade ammo. Think I will start with some nosler factory loads of a few in that size range to just get a feel. Then grab a box of bullets after that. All after I do the 50 round break in kit from David Tubb. (Final finish). Whats your guys thoughts on AccuBond vs Ballistic tip in the 308? In 223 it seems the BT's are a fragmenting round for varmints, but I see lots of photos from .308 where they seem to expand well holding together? My thought is the AcB's would be better for punch/knock down power? Thanks for the tips. DrMike, I did what you said with my 223 loads(H335 for 55g NBT's) and (CFE223 for 64g BP's) I started with varget on both at first because both listed varget on the sheets. And thats all I could find. My loads with varget for both bullets ended up exactly the same at 24.8 grains. And the same for both other powders. Go figure. Both loads shoot 5 shot groups under a dime with the varget, and most accurate powders listed LOL. Never would have thought that would be possible. So I am hoping for some good results from varget in the .308. If so, I will sell all the H335, and CFE223 I have and go varget for all 3. In a perfect world ) So I might just have about 10lbs of each for sale at cost for a lucky sole in new sealed jugs. Or trade for the stuf that ends up being the pet powder for my Sako. I have an 8 of each 335 and 223, plus 2-3 pounders of each. We shall see how it all shakes out this summer.

 

[FOTIS]

And welcome aboard!

 

[Guy Miner]

FCSpringer - with the .308, on medium sized game, deer, I've never seen a need for the AccuBond. Today's Ballistic Tip bullets are excellent at .308 velocity. I'm sticking with my 165 gr Ballistic Tips for most of my hunting with the .308 & .30-06 rifles.

Will substitute the Partition if more penetration is required.

You're on the right track with either Varget or RL-15. Both are excellent, but there are many different powders that work really well in the .308 Win.

Link to an outstanding article on loading the .308 Win: http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html

Oh, and if you ever want a higher velocity, light recoiling deer load, consider the 125 grain Ballistic Tip. Works GREAT on deer, from a SAKO 85 by the way...

Regards, Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Welcome aboard, with LC cases you may have to reduce your loads a grain below book. LC cases are usually thicker than commercial brass. Just something to think about?

 

[FCSpringer]

Got it. Yes thats the plan with LC cases. Thanks Guy, might have to have a couple options to try then.

 

[wildgene]

...well, nobody's mentioned IMR 4064, so I'll bring it up as a good substitute for Varget, w/ similar MV's, burns cleaner, & has been a lot more readily available than Varget around here...

 

[Oldtrader3]

+1 on IMR 4064 for 165 gr bullets.

 

[FCSpringer]

Thanks guys maybe down the road I will tinker some if powders come back to earth. For now I am just looking for varget info with this barrel and some bullet load ideas as far as grain, size work, dont work etc. I have about 8 lbs of varget so I am set for a long time there. Thanks for all the info some tips I will surely look at.