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What factory load for my new Remington 700 .308? |
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tmenold
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/29/2012 Location: NE Kansas Status: Offline Points: 21 |
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Posted: May/04/2012 at 22:33 |
I will eventually be handloading but am wanting a good accurate load to
do some shooting with. I just ordered (and hope to have in a week) my
new Remington 700 AAC-SD in .308 caliber and has a 1 in 10 twist. I
will be doing some long range P-Dog shooting, target shooting, and
probably this fall some Deer hunting. I don't have a lot of time to do a
bunch of testing for a reload round for the rifle at this point and am
looking for a factory load that I "hope" to be impressed with and that
won't break the bank on a per box basis. I have read some fairly good
things about the 168 gr HP-BT - Federal Premium Sierra Match King Gold
Medal. Any thoughts? Thanks for any input!!
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Swearing is a lazy man's way of trying to look intelligent!
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billyburl2
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: January/08/2009 Location: Cottonwood, AZ Status: Offline Points: 4015 |
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Federal Gold Medal is always a good place to start. It always seems to do well in all 308's. My only change to your plan would be to switch to the 175gr load, as it will be a bit better in the wind. And with all the reloading data available online for the 308, I doubt you would have to do much of a load work-up at all...
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If it is tourist season, why can't we shoot them?
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cheaptrick
MODERATOR Joined: September/27/2004 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 20844 |
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For when you start reloading..... I'd also check out Black Hills factory ammo, along with the Federal Bill recommended. Edited by cheaptrick - May/05/2012 at 06:06 |
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tmenold
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/29/2012 Location: NE Kansas Status: Offline Points: 21 |
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I think Varget is a great choice to start also! I am a fairly big fan of it. I currently us it in my 22-250 with my 55g V-Max's. I will look into the Black Hills and Federal for my .308! Thanks guys!! |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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I'll be the odd ball here, I wouldn't shoot a deer with match kings or target bullets, unless your making head shots. I'd find something with a hunting bullet in it and go from there. I've had good accuracy results with 150 nosler AB's in my sps tac which is basically the same gun. |
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
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explain please... I know "I" have shot and killed (DRT) with many match/target bullets ranging from 22-250 to 338RUM. I'm just curious to your findings or if you get your conclusion from the net somewhere. Not starting a bitching war just want more info for myself and the fellow who started this thread. |
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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I've never shot a deer or any other animal other than a head shot with a match bullet but by design they are not ment to expand as effectively as a hunting bullet. I wouldnt want a Kansas Bruiser (OP was in Kansas) to not be found because a hunting bullet failed to expand and only left two .30 cal holes in him to track down. Just my opinion not based on use. I just think I'd use a purpose built bullet to hunt with not a target bullet. |
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
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I thought a match or target bullet expanded more violently than that of a hunting bullet as the jacket is somewhat thinner and the core is softer. The hunting bullets have heaver jackets and a more solid lead base for the bullet to open but not shear apart (explode). So if what you say is true the hunting bullet would leave a 30cal hole in and out? is this correct? In "MY" test/hunting kills or what ever you would like to call it. I have noticed a 30cal accubond left a 30cal hole in and a 30cal to 40cal hole on exit, now a Berger at same FPS made a 30cal in and a baseball/golf ball sized exit. This was also true with nosler comp bullets as they are natch/target bullets. this ranges in animals from a yote to elk. I have not shot an elk but I load for a guy who has shot many of them. |
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jselsor
Optics Journeyman Joined: August/01/2011 Location: MO Status: Offline Points: 328 |
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I have always been told not to use match bullets to hunt deer with however this past season I was to busy to work up a hunting load so I went with my long range 168 grain AMAX load. It performed flawlessly. Typically the jacket is thinner on a match bullet therefore it is does not retain it's mass or can fragment. This could be a serious issue with a smaller cal bullet like a .224. But we are talking about a 30 cal bullet here weighing 150 to 178 grains. If you can't kill a deer with that much lead somthings wrong!!!
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Dont take yourself to seriously
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SVT_Tactical
MODERATOR Chief Sackscratch Joined: December/17/2009 Location: NorthCackalacky Status: Offline Points: 31233 |
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Well there you go, I've never used them in practice just reading and going by what all the bullet manufacturers say.
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"Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be" - Abraham Lincoln
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Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
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Just messing with ya, that is the a losing debait no matter what side your on. I like both and have used both and both have did what they were meant to do. Its one own preference. |
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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Well I feel like
First, a suggestion for the OP. Hornady 165gr boatail soft points, have proven to be accurate for me in a gas gun, and is my go to deer round. I got a good supply from a friend of mine on our old SWAT Team. It was their sniper round, as it was more accurate than the Federal GM 168 gr SMK, and had better terminal ballistics. I also had the same results in accuracy between the Hornady and the Federal GM. The Hornadys are cheaper too.
Second, the 175gr SMK has been determined to be a non-expanding bullit by whoever the big legal Mucky Muck is for the U.S. Military, and is therefore legal for combat use.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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A few quick things:
1. Most good barrels will shoot well with most loads, but will shoot very well with one or a few loads. Finding the one it really likes is a function of shooting as many different options as possible. 2. I have killed animals with BTHPs and with hunting bullets. In my humblest of opinions, a good hunting bullet gives you a little forgiveness that match bullets do not. All else being equal, a slightly "off" hit with a hunting bullet usually ends better than a slightly "off" hit with a match bullet. 3. In shooting "in between" bullets, I find that internal damage is better with Amax bullets than with SMKs or the like. I have taken some nice animals with Amax bullets. 4. Sierra specifically states that SMKs are not for hunting, and they recommend against it. 5. Prairie dog hunting with a 308 will get expensive, even if you reload. |
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Rancid Coolaid
MODERATOR Joined: January/19/2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9318 |
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And my favorite 308 loads are all running Varget.
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Freedom is something you take.
Respect is something you earn. Equality is something you whine about not being given. |
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Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
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P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
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BeltFed
Optics Retard Joined: February/12/2008 Location: Ky Status: Offline Points: 22287 |
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I tried Varget, but I get better results with Win. 748, but temperture is not an issue for the most part either.
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Life's concerns should be about the 120lb pack your trying to get to the top of the mountain, and not the rock in your boot.
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tmenold
Optics GrassHopper Joined: April/29/2012 Location: NE Kansas Status: Offline Points: 21 |
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WOW, a lot of good information to digest. Thanks guys! Btw, I do plan on taking this .308 with me pdog hunting, although I do not plan to shoot it a lot, thus I'm not too worried about the expense. I will be doing prob 90% of my pdog shooting with my .204, .223, and 22-250. The .308 will mainly be used on this hunt as a "change of pace" gun.
Anybody have any thoughts how my 1/10 twist is gonna compare to the 1/12 twist .308's? If my research is correct.... most of Remington's .308's are 1/12. The description says that I should be able to shoot a heavier bullet more accurately. By the information i've gathered, I will probably start reloading with a bullet in the 150-168gr range. I like to keep things simple and would like to develop a load/round that is as accurate as possible but is a catch all round (i.e. possible a Hornady Amax bullet that will be impressive at the range, will put on a nice show when connecting with Mr. Pdog, and also be fatal on the whitetails. If it would be best to do a couple different loads the is OK also. Thanks again for all the good info!! ;-) |
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Bigdaddy0381
MODERATOR Georgia peach Joined: February/27/2007 Location: Georgia Status: Offline Points: 13682 |
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The 308 on P-Dogs might be disappointing. as it will just poke a hole thru even with match/target bullets. You need something to blast them with like the other you mentioned. sure it will kill them but not in the "SPLAT" way the others will. If you can load a really light bullet in it you may get the splat if the bullet dose not spin apart for the 1-10 twist. You should be able to shoot a 20ogr bullet from the 308 with that twist. I wouldn't go higher than a 175-180.
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P&Z Firearms , Pro gun cleanings and gun repair and wood refinishing.
Ecclesiastes 10:2 |
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Bitterroot Bulls
Optics Master Extraordinaire Joined: May/07/2009 Location: Montana Status: Offline Points: 3416 |
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Here is some fodder for the target bullets/hunting bullets debate.
Target bullets are not designed to expand more violently than game bullets. They weren't designed with consideration to terminal performance at all (excluding frangibles of course). They were designed to shoot to where the last one went.
The result is they are kind of unpredictable. They expand violently sometimes, and don't expand at all other times.
The exception is Berger "Hunting" VLD bullets. They perform consistently on game, as has been independendtly tested. The catch is, they were designed for accuracy and BC, but just happened to work well on game.
This past year my buddy shot an antelope twice with 175 Matchkings from a tactical setup. They went in and out the same size. The critter laid down, and he shot it in the neck, where that one fragmented completely, blowing out a big hole on the entrance side, and failing to completely penetrate the neck! Antelope have tiny necks, too.
Game bullets are designed for consistent performance, and in my experience, they deliver it.
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-Matt
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powderburn
Optics Journeyman Joined: April/09/2010 Status: Offline Points: 345 |
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For your intended use I would probably start with a box of federal blue box 150gr. and then try some of the other std offerings from remington,winchester,etc. for the game you mentioned std C&C bullets are more than adequate and if they shoot good in your rifle which is very likely why buy premium ammo for $40 a box when you can get the std fodder at walmart for $15-20. My stevens 200 which cost < $200 shoots federal blue box ammo to about 1 moa stock out of the box.
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