One Bullet One Load

[HAWKEYESATX]

I am asking the esteemed gentlemen, and gentlewomen about what their one bullet, one powder that they would use for their .308 Winchester?
I will use this load for deer, up to elk, and black bear, and possibly moose.
Distances will be from 0 to possibly 450 yds, max 500 yds.

I am ready for everyone to impart their knowledge to me.

Hawk

 

[JD338]

Hawk
A 165 gr AB with Varget or RL15 should get you where you want to be.

JD338

 

[Hammerdown]

For a .308 Winchester, my #1 powder is Varget it works great for me. I use 46 grains of it, to charge my Lapua cases. I generally use CCI BR-2 primers. My bullets 150-165 grain get the job done.
With this powder and these bullets, it all works great for me.
Other people have used Varget for the 180 class bullets. I have yet to do this.
Wishing you all the best in your reloading adventures.
Remember to always work up your loads in your rifle.
Take care.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TXbaldhunter]

I like the 168gr Ballistic Tip in my three 308 Win's.I use a WLRM primer and Winchester cases.Powders that work for me are Varget,TAC,IMR4895 and Accurate 4064

 

[wingnut]

Cartridge          : .308 Win. (SAAMI)
Bullet             : .308, 150, Nosler E-Tip 59378
Useable Case Capaci: 45.812 grain H2O = 2.974 cm³
Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.750 inch = 69.85 mm
Barrel Length      : 22.0 inch = 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   80    36.88   2248    1683   29187   6453     88.9    1.401
-18.0   82    37.80   2304    1769   31154   6660     90.2    1.363
-16.0   84    38.72   2361    1856   33269   6861     91.4    1.326
-14.0   86    39.65   2418    1947   35546   7056     92.5    1.290
-12.0   88    40.57   2475    2039   37993   7244     93.6    1.255
-10.0   90    41.49   2532    2135   40628   7423     94.6    1.221
-08.0   92    42.41   2589    2232   43469   7593     95.5    1.187
-06.0   94    43.33   2646    2332   46534   7753     96.3    1.152
-04.0   96    44.26   2703    2434   49842   7903     97.1    1.118
-02.0   98    45.18   2760    2538   53383   8041     97.7    1.084  ! Near Maximum !
+00.0  100    46.10   2818    2644   57190   8167     98.3    1.052  ! Near Maximum !
+02.0  102    47.02   2875    2753   61305   8280     98.8    1.021  !DANGEROUS LOAD-DO NOT USE!

 

[Charlie-NY]

I will use this load for deer, up to elk, and black bear, and possibly moose.
Distances will be from 0 to possibly 450 yds, max 500 yds.

That's a TALL order for a .308 Win. :grin:

 

[HodgemanAK]

For general hunting in the .308 Winchester...I like plain old 150gr flat based Hornady Interlocks over 45gr of Varget. I've never found a rifle that didn't like it and MVs of 2850 are pretty typical.

While it wouldn't be my first choice for shooting 500 yards, or a moose for that matter...there's very little I wouldn't hunt with that load given a good shot presentation.

This load is pure vanilla ice cream.

 

[PJGunner]

I haven't loaded for the .308 for one hell of a long time now. However when I was using the cartridge a lot. I ran a stiff load of W760 under the 165 gr. Speer Hot Core. Just flat killed things dead. Frankly, I think any decent 165 gr. bullets over a top load of your favorite powder with give you what you want. Based on only one animal, I'd look long and hard at the Nosler 165 g. AB and probably never have to look back.
Paul B.

 

[RL338]

For general hunting in the .308 Winchester...I like plain old 150gr flat based Hornady Interlocks over 45gr of Varget. I've never found a rifle that didn't like it and MVs of 2850 are pretty typical.

While it wouldn't be my first choice for shooting 500 yards, or a moose for that matter...there's very little I wouldn't hunt with that load given a good shot presentation.

This load is pure vanilla ice cream.

This ^
Put down many whitetail with this combo.
If you thinking of taking a poke at 500yds at elk or moose you want to think about something in a .338 mag.

 

[HAWKEYESATX]

For general hunting in the .308 Winchester...I like plain old 150gr flat based Hornady Interlocks over 45gr of Varget. I've never found a rifle that didn't like it and MVs of 2850 are pretty typical.

While it wouldn't be my first choice for shooting 500 yards, or a moose for that matter...there's very little I wouldn't hunt with that load given a good shot presentation.

This load is pure vanilla ice cream.

This ^
Put down many whitetail with this combo.
If you thinking of taking a poke at 500yds at elk or moose you want to think about something in a .338 mag.

Nope, won't be shooting 400 - 500 yds at an elk, or moose.
If that's the only shot I get at a white tail, or mule deer, then I will take it.

Elk require more oomph, and I can usually get in way closer than than that. Same goes with deer hunting.

Thank you all so far for your awesome loads!

I look forward to more!

Hawk

Sent from my REVVLRY+ using Tapatalk

 

[SJB358]

Hawk
A 165 gr AB with Varget or RL15 should get you where you want to be.

JD338

I think I am with Jim here. Used that load a bit years back and it'd handle most all of what you wanted within reason.

 

[lhsako]

For general hunting in the .308 Winchester...I like plain old 150gr flat based Hornady Interlocks over 45gr of Varget. I've never found a rifle that didn't like it and MVs of 2850 are pretty typical.

While it wouldn't be my first choice for shooting 500 yards, or a moose for that matter...there's very little I wouldn't hunt with that load given a good shot presentation.

This load is pure vanilla ice cream.

This ^
Put down many whitetail with this combo.
If you thinking of taking a poke at 500yds at elk or moose you want to think about something in a .338 mag.

Absolutely! .308 can't deliver the energy for a quick kill at those long distances. Respect the game animal.

 

[HAWKEYESATX]

For general hunting in the .308 Winchester...I like plain old 150gr flat based Hornady Interlocks over 45gr of Varget. I've never found a rifle that didn't like it and MVs of 2850 are pretty typical.

While it wouldn't be my first choice for shooting 500 yards, or a moose for that matter...there's very little I wouldn't hunt with that load given a good shot presentation.

This load is pure vanilla ice cream.

This ^
Put down many whitetail with this combo.
If you thinking of taking a poke at 500yds at elk or moose you want to think about something in a .338 mag.

Absolutely! .308 can't deliver the energy for a quick kill at those long distances. Respect the game animal.

I wouldn’t light up an elk at those distances.
I would, however, an antelope, or a deer.

Hawk

 

[Guy Miner]

I'm with many of the others here:

Good 165 grain bullet (Ballistic Tip or Partition)
Stout dose of Varget
Should get you about 2700 - 2750 fps without much trouble and will handle game just fine.

I like the idea of that 150 grain E-Tip as well.... Those things should penetrate nicely.

Regards, Guy

 

[HAWKEYESATX]

I'm with many of the others here:

Good 165 grain bullet (Ballistic Tip or Partition)
Stout dose of Varget
Should get you about 2700 - 2750 fps without much trouble and will handle game just fine.

I like the idea of that 150 grain E-Tip as well.... Those things should penetrate nicely.

Regards, Guy

Thank you Guy!

I have been wondering about the no-lead option myself.

But, I do like the 165gr option a little more!

Hawk

Sent from my REVVLRY+ using Tapatalk

 

[baltz526]

I am asking the esteemed gentlemen, and gentlewomen about what their one bullet, one powder that they would use for their .308 Winchester?
I will use this load for deer, up to elk, and black bear, and possibly moose.
Distances will be from 0 to possibly 450 yds, max 500 yds.

I am ready for everyone to impart their knowledge to me.

Hawk

the 308 is a great 300 yard or less deer rifle. It is a good 200 yard or less Elk/Bear rifle. Moose 100 yards? A 300 win mag is a 500 yard Elk rifle. I use my 308 when all shots will be under 200 yards. Never hunted moose with it, never will. It is my Deer/Bear/Cougar tag in my pocket rifle. It shoots 180gr Speer flat base pointed soft points well.

 

[clearwater]

looked up the ballistics of 308 with 180 grain AccuBond and max velocity listed by Nolser.

2620 fps gives about 2082 ft lbs at 200 yards, 1331 at 500

compared to 300 win mag

3160 fps 3088 ft lbs at 200 yards, 2051 at 500

Also looks like the 308 gives up about 50 yard point blank range with that bullet/load

 

[wingnut]

I'm with many of the others here:

Good 165 grain bullet (Ballistic Tip or Partition)
Stout dose of Varget
Should get you about 2700 - 2750 fps without much trouble and will handle game just fine.

I like the idea of that 150 grain E-Tip as well.... Those things should penetrate nicely.

Regards, Guy

The thing about the 150g E-Tip is that it gives you the speed of a moderately loaded 150g and the penetration of near a 180g cup & core. Therefore, it punches well above its weight and as Bob Nosler said in the book BORN BALLISTIC by Gary Lewis, for big game with the E-Tip "shoot for bone."

 

[HAWKEYESATX]

Here’s my Ruger American Rifle in .308 Win!

Hawk

 

[lhsako]

Nice! I like the rail system for mounting the scope.