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Post by Dutch on Mar 28, 2013 6:04:01 GMT -5
Looking for some powder/bullet/primer combos for a .308.
I'm thinking I'm going to try 150 gr bullets first.
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Post by davetm on Mar 28, 2013 6:22:38 GMT -5
I've found that Varget seemed to work the best in all of the powders I've tried. However, in one of my gun rags, an author stated his go to powder was IMR-3031. I've never tried that, but if you have it....that may be worth a look.
Dave
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 6:28:45 GMT -5
The Nosler Reloading Manual says that 45.5 grains of Reloader 12 is the most accurate load they tested. I have found some variability in their data as to what they say is the most accurate and what I find is, but generally they are fairly close. They list 45.5 grains as the maximum load. When I had a .308, I had some success with IMR 4320 (Max load they list is 48.0 grains). I usually loaded a bit down and got better accuracy with 46.5 grains. If you are loading for deer sized animals, the Sierra Game King boattail is very accurate and deadly. If for larger and tougher game, I like nosler partitions or possibly Hornady interbond bullets which have performed very well for me on game up to the size of black bear.
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Post by davetm on Mar 28, 2013 8:16:52 GMT -5
Dutch.....there you go!! So far at least Mutt and I agree. On case size and bullet weight!!!
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Post by dougell on Mar 28, 2013 8:19:20 GMT -5
Dutch,I've owned 5 different 308's.It's by far my favorite caliber and I'd never be without one.I've shot piles of different loads but my two favorites are 45gr of varget behind either a 165gr hornady flat base interlock or 165 gr accubond.With either one of those loads,there's generally meat laying there when I squeeze the trigger.Those loads should be worked up to but I've never had either shoot poorly in any rifle.
Interbonds perform well but I haven't been able to get them to shoot anywhere near as consistant as the Nosler Accubonds.I've billed 4 deer with the accubonds out of my 308.All dropped on the spot but they were also hit where that would be case with almost any bullet.They penetrate like crazy and they do expand.A few years ago,I had a wounded doe come by me on the last afternoon.She stopped facing directly away from probably 80 yards out.I only took the shot because she was wounded but ended up splitting the pelvic bone and the billet lodged under the skin,just below her neck.It was a picture perfect example of bullet performance.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 8:47:55 GMT -5
I thought you weren't getting a .308 dutch?
Anyways, use a ball powder like Winchester 760 which usually gives top shelf accuracy in .308's. But ball powder is the only reason the .308 can nip on the .30-06's heels. Ball powders do suffer velocity loss when the mercury dips well below freezing but that's life with the .308 Win.
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Post by Dutch on Mar 28, 2013 9:17:08 GMT -5
Mike, Kathy won a Ruger American at the convention last weekend! It was in 270, but I asked if it could be a 308, and he agreed.
I have 3031, and 4320, but need to go to my brothers to survey the 30 cal bullet selection. Right now, I'm probably going to have to go with whatever is over there, as it seems bullets are tough to find now.
I used to reload 150 Sierras for my '06, but not sure I have many of those left.
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Post by Dutch on Mar 28, 2013 9:38:18 GMT -5
Gal is up in Lebanon this morning, she is going to see what Shyda's has in bullets. Hopefully they will have the Sierra Game Kings in either 150 or 165.
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Post by dougell on Mar 28, 2013 9:53:16 GMT -5
I'll take a 165gr over 150gr any day of the week with a .308.I've never owned a .308 that the 150's would outshoot the 165's.
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Post by dougell on Mar 28, 2013 9:54:58 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure I have a whole box of 165 sierra boattails game kings.I'll give them to ya.I also have a box of 168 gr A-max that you can have.
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Post by Dutch on Mar 28, 2013 10:00:31 GMT -5
Thank you Doug. I'm a little worried finding components right now. Got brass coming from Muttley, and the bullets are the next thing. I used to shoot 165's out of the 06, so, I may even have limited numbers of those. They always worked very well.
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Post by dougell on Mar 28, 2013 10:01:16 GMT -5
Dutch,Just go buy a bottle of Varget and be done with it.45 gr isn't a compressed load so to speak but it fills the case to the bottom of the neck.Accuracy should be as good as you'll get and velocities will also be near the top for any powder.On top of that,Varget is an extreme powder and velocities won't fluctuate with changes in temp.
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Post by dougell on Mar 28, 2013 10:04:59 GMT -5
If I have the sierra's,I'll send them to you.I know I have the A-max's because I just spilled them all over the place the other day.
I used the 165 gr sierras in both a 30-06 and .308 for a few years.I never had an actual problem but them seemed to be a little fragile.I like exit wounds and I didn't always get one.I shot two doe with 165 gr interlocks this year and didn't get an exit wound either time which was a first.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 17:52:28 GMT -5
Mike, Kathy won a Ruger American at the convention last weekend! It was in 270, but I asked if it could be a 308, and he agreed. I have 3031, and 4320, but need to go to my brothers to survey the 30 cal bullet selection. Right now, I'm probably going to have to go with whatever is over there, as it seems bullets are tough to find now. I used to reload 150 Sierras for my '06, but not sure I have many of those left. I let my 15 year old son read your post. He is a Ruger nut but he is also a .270 nut. His only response was to your switching calibers. He said "Dutch shouldn't have done that". ;D
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Post by Dutch on Mar 28, 2013 18:25:01 GMT -5
Ya know Mike, I was thinking of you when I asked to switch to the 308. Figgered it might upset the universe a bit.
Ran into an old high school friend I used to hog hunt with at the store today. He was a 270 nut. Told him Kath won a 270 and we switched it to a 308. He laughed. he and I used to "debate" 270 vs 30-06 in study halls and lunch........ fer about 4 years.
Never got that one solved, doubt we would have solved the 270 vs 308 thing at the grocery store either. ;D
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2013 18:32:39 GMT -5
Probably not. I used to debate .30-06 vs. 270 with a friend in High school. Of course I was on the .30-06 end of the debate. Funny thing is now I use the .270 a good bit and he does his hunting with a .300 Weatherby mag. Go figure.
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Post by dougell on Mar 29, 2013 8:04:28 GMT -5
I don't debate what centerfire is better than the next because for all practical purposes,no Pa deer will ever know the difference.I like the .308 because they're easy to reload,components are a dime a dozen,recoil and muzzle blast are both moderate.Most importantly,when I squeeze the trigger,there's almost always a dead deer laying right there.It's not flashy,but it's effective.
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Post by wentzler on Mar 29, 2013 8:37:45 GMT -5
Enjoying the thread:) I was a fan of the .284 Win. for a long time. Then, I got a .308 Need say I feel like several more of ya here. Not much it won't do, nothing more for sure, I would ask it to. Got a 45-70 feel the same way about, though.....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 10:17:53 GMT -5
I don't debate what centerfire is better than the next because for all practical purposes,no Pa deer will ever know the difference.I like the .308 because they're easy to reload,components are a dime a dozen,recoil and muzzle blast are both moderate.Most importantly,when I squeeze the trigger,there's almost always a dead deer laying right there.It's not flashy,but it's effective. Sort of like debating how many angels can dance on the head of a pin. ;D People have their opinions and it is unlikely that they will change them. I like the .308, but then I like nearly any caliber. Remember I'm the guy who thinks shooting the .416 rem mag is fun. In my gun safe right now, not counting .22s, muzzys, and shotguns, are three model 99 Savages, one Remington, one Ruger, three Weatherbys, and a couple of Brownings. I like them all. At present I do not own anything in .308, but that does not mean I don't respect what it can do. Basically it can do anything the .30-06 can do with a shorter cartridge, but I just happen to prefer the old ought six. Which bullet you would use in it would depend upon what you would be trying to kill, and again, opinions differ while not being right or wrong.
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Post by dougell on Mar 29, 2013 11:03:26 GMT -5
I've killed deer with several different muzzleloaders and loads,.35 rem,7mm mag,300 wsm,30-06,.243 and .308.The end result is always a dead deer.What's important is finding the rifle you like to shoot and carry around.When I hunt deer in Pa,I generally hunt areas that are steep,thick and a fairly long walk.I want a very light bolt action that's accurate.Most of my shots are close but occassionally I poke one out to 200 yards or so.Any short action caliber will get the job done for me but the .308 always made sense so I just stuck with it and never regretted doing so.Technically,a .308 doesn't have the BC to hang with the 7mm-o8 at very longe range but to date,that's never cost me a deer and doubt it ever will.I'll always have a .308 in my safe that will get more use than any gun I own.I've been using a Kimber Montanna for the past 8 years.I bought it for my son the week he was born.I had to break it in for him and now I'm not sure if he's getting it or not lol.
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Post by johns on Mar 29, 2013 11:16:34 GMT -5
Never felt the need for reloaded cartridges for my Mod 88 Wni in .308. The 150 grain Remington Corelocts shoot so well out of the rifle it really would be a waste of time to reload and that round flattens deer.
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Post by Dutch on Mar 29, 2013 11:43:15 GMT -5
Well, with ammo shortages, I figured I have most of what is needed to create what I need, and that will save a box of loaded ammo for someone that needs it right now.
Heck, I might be using the crossbow in rifle season if things keep going the way they are. LOL
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 11:47:08 GMT -5
Unless we have a major invasion of the country I probably have enough ammo in stock to last the rest of my life for the rifles I have, however long that may be. Now handgun ammo may be a bit of a problem. I recently bought a Remington 1911 in .45ACP. I do have a set of dies for it and some reloading components, but probably not enough (L)
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Post by dougell on Mar 29, 2013 12:20:23 GMT -5
Never felt the need for reloaded cartridges for my Mod 88 Wni in .308. The 150 grain Remington Corelocts shoot so well out of the rifle it really would be a waste of time to reload and that round flattens deer. That's true but I like to shoot a lot and it's way cheaper if you reload
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2013 13:59:00 GMT -5
Talk about shortages .....I called Hogden powder yesterday and the very nice lady told me there is no shortage of anything ........the problem is hoarding and if it stopped tomorrow it would take 6 months to restock the pipeline
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