308 Win Loads

[supergolfer18]

Spent about an hour or so reading other threads and still was wandering about which bullet to try first. I am wanting to make a long range load for target shooting and small whitetail deer hunting. What bullets should I be looking at?

Barrel: Shilen 26" 1:10 twist 308 Win
Stock: BC Medalist A2
Savage 10 Action with AccuTrigger


I have Varget and 8208 XBR powder and CCI 200 primers.

[psharon97]

155g hornady a max for long range hunting.
168g sierra matchking for long range target shooting.

[Willoughby]

for 10 twist I'd go with
178 Amax ........
175 Smk's.......

[darkker]

My 10fp loves 43gr of Win 748 behind a 175 SMK.
For hunting, I like 165gr Hot-Cor's.
I used to get excited about boat-tails for hunting stuff, but honestly don't anymore; Here is why:
Look in your tables, or get your ballistic calc out. For pure drop, the drop doesn't become large(for deer sized game) until the 700 yard range. At that point your bullet is running out of KE anyway. My set-up to be accurate at 1,000 yards is not fun to pack across sections of hills looking for deer. So I change stocks, and don't use a bi-pod. I can accurately off-hand shoot a deer reliably to 200 yards. Beyond that I don't take the shot without a rest... which I don't use for hunting.

Everything depends on WHAT you are after. I hunt with my 308, and shoot to the 1,000 yard line and beyond. But I have no illusions that they are the same thing. CAN you use one bullet for the same purpose? Sure. We all know that you can't be everything to everyone, so which realm do you want the bullet to suffer in? Some manufacturers will tell you you can do double duty(big game/target) with a bullet. But will they tell you which part of that they aren't very good at? Probably not.

[supergolfer18]

Ok that helps. I was trying to get one bullet that I could load long range for target shooting and for deer at or under 300 yards using same bullet. I was just trying to save a few dollars and only have to come up with one load but maybe will be better to stick with the 165 SST for hunting and the heavier for target shooting

Not sure how the BTHP will work on small deer at the above distance

[Deerhunter 28]

I'm having success with 44.2-44.4 grains of Varget with 178 A Max -.015 jump
I've been told A Max was not recommended for hunting deer?
Is this true?




PSE EVO 57 Lbs.
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[supergolfer18]

deerhunter: same question I had about those and the 175 BTHP bullets

[Deerhunter 28]

deerhunter: same question I had about those and the 175 BTHP bullets

I don't understand question?
I have tried 175 SMK very little and they seem to be right there with A max.
Planning to shoot them more this weekend.
SMK ogive oal varies .011 or more!
Don't like that!




PSE EVO 57 Lbs.
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[supergolfer18]

I was reffering to them being used for deer hunting

[darkker]

I think you missed my point.
If you want LONG RANGE, get a match bullet. Either a high BC 155, or a 175-class.
If you want to deer hunt, get a hunting bullet.
If shooting 500 yards and under, use a hunting bullet.
SMK's aren't built to expand, they generally pencil through. The small amount of yaw isn't enough for reliable deer kills.
CAN you do it? yes.

[supergolfer18]

darkker: ok got it

Thanks

[DougMH]

Target: 1) Berger Target 175 or higher, 2) Sierra Match King same weight
Hunting: 1) Berger Hunting 175 or higher, 2) Sierra Game King same weight

My 2 cents

[big honkin jeep]

I have had very good luck with HPBT Sierra Game Kings. They shoot more accurately for me than the Match Kings??? Go figure. I talked to one of the ballisticians at Sierra and he told me that it wasn't that uncommon and some rifles just like the ogive on the Game Kings better.
I would suggest you give em a try.

[hafejd30]

178 Amax, 43 gr IMR 4064
28" criterion barrel, 1/10 twist

Shot 11 deer with this load in the past few weeks. Only deer that ran were shot in the heart and made it less than 30 yards. Shot 1 deer at 375 yds, 1 at 543 yds and 1 at 630 yds. All dropped in their tracks.

I've shot this load to 1065 yds with very good results.

[supergolfer18]

what primers are y'all using? I have CCI 200 LR primers and am wandering if I need to switch to a BR primer

[Deerhunter 28]

I'm using Federal Match primers


PSE EVO 57 Lbs.
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[hafejd30]

Cci br.

[GaCop]

155g hornady a max for long range hunting.
168g sierra matchking for long range target shooting.

+1!

[stangfish]

Primers
Federal or CCI match

Target Boolits
Berger 155-175's
Sierra 168-175's
Amax 168-175's

Hunting Boolits (same weight class as above)
Sierra Gamekings (don't overlook the 180 for heavy game)
Nosler Balistic tip (hunting)
Hornady interbond or amax

Powder
R15 - Varget - IMR4895 - 4064

Hope that narrows it down for you.

[kschilling]

I don't mean to derail this post.....

Got a question that needs some explaining/clarification... because it's the moral and ethical thing.....

"hafejd30" - Where are you shooting deer in the middle of July?..... Let alone a total of 11?

Your profile says Michigan, the early hunt for Michigan is September..... What's up?

Am I missing a season somewhere?