.308

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MM
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.308

Post by MM »

I have been thinking about what to load for my two .308 rifles, and since I do not have a long history of loading for this caliber I thought I would solicit some advice. Rifle one is my 12 gauge/.308 BBF 97 that I mostly use for coyote calling. I was using factory loads with a 110 Vmax bullet but switched to a load using the Barnes 110 TTSX. I think I want to stick with the Barnes because I may use this to kill the occasional whitetail or pig. So far have shot coyote, one deer, one alligator,and one pig and it worked well but would like any advice.
The second rifle is a Merkel K3 Stutzen. I hastily sighted it in with some old Remington Factory 150gr.Corelokt rounds so I am open to any ideas. I think I want to stay all copper but as far as bullet weight I am open to whatever kills game the best. I cannot see using this for long range shots and expect to use it on deer and an occasional pig. so far I cannot decide what bullet between 130-180 grs. to use. Thanks in advance for any help.
Matt

canalrifle
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Re: .308

Post by canalrifle »

2 loads that have performed well for me are:

Nosler 165 ballistic tip, 43.0 I 4895, Federal 210m primer, Remington Peters case

Siera 165 Boat tail, 43.5 ww 748, Federal 220m primer, Remington specters case

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Re: .308

Post by Grumulkin »

I've done quite a bit of 308 Winchester shooting but I don't think ever with Barnes bullets. For what it's worth, here are some loads. I go with the one most consistently accurate for everything. A 168 grain bullet will kill a deer and a coyote as will a 110 grain bullet.

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SPEEDY
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Re: .308

Post by SPEEDY »

I will throw this out there again, I'm using the 168gn Zmax (Amax) bullet and its killing like lightning on Pigs and fallow Deer.
I'd also strongly recommend the 168gn or 150gn Nosler BT as a bullet that can do it all, I personally prefer 168gn pills.
Another good choice for those light animinals is the 125gn ir 150gn SST, even the 125gn Nosler BT would do.
IMO the Barnes pills are a waste of money and not as effective on anything other then shooting big for calibre game with lighter side bullets.
I'm soft and I don't care. :dance:

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Re: .308

Post by Corjack »

I am thinking you might like the 130 TTSX.
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7x57
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Re: .308

Post by 7x57 »

My r8 308 does have a preference for heavier bullets and essentially it's my back up barrel for larger game. Barnes TSX and TTSX shot very well in 168 gr with exceptional accuracy. Powder was ADI 2208 (Varget).

MM
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Re: .308

Post by MM »

Thanks everybody that helped. In my BBF 97 I am going to stick with the 110 grn. TTSX Barnes bullet. For my stutzen I am going to try the 130 TTSX and the 168 TTSX. If the Barnes bullets don't work I am going to try the Hornady GMX. I will be interested to see what Bob Stokes comes up with when he gets his Blaser Stutzen.

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Re: .308

Post by Scotch_egg »

My R93 doesn’t like the light weight bullets. I tried the 123gr factory Sako and 125gr SST home loaded. I had bought some 139gr GS Customs but I’m not going to bother after trying 165gr Sierra Game king. They are sub MOA and hit like a hammer.

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SPEEDY
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Re: .308

Post by SPEEDY »

I'd never use a 168gn Barnes in a 308win, the whole idea of the TSX TTSX was so you could go down a bullet weight for faster, flatter shooting and the enhanced weight retention made it work like heavier bullet on game.
I don't know how that notion got hijacked by the bigger is better crowd, the barnes do their best work at highest velocity, the heavy for calibre ones have a bad habbit of simply not working or acting like a FMJ.
The TTSX is definitely better then the TSX when it comes to that problem, but I would definitely choose a simple Nosler BT over a Barnes TTSX in a 168gn pill in a 308win.
Just my 2c, but based on seeing others I hunt with making that same choice.
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Re: .308

Post by Blasernovice »

I agree with speedy, 168gr TTSX is too heavy for the 308. USe the 130gr or 110gr TTSX and you will be fine.

7x57
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Re: .308

Post by 7x57 »

Scotch_egg wrote:My R93 doesn’t like the light weight bullets. I tried the 123gr factory Sako and 125gr SST home loaded. I had bought some 139gr GS Customs but I’m not going to bother after trying 165gr Sierra Game king. They are sub MOA and hit like a hammer.
I agree. Gamekings work a treat in my Blaser and my sons shorter barrelled 308. Extremely accurate. I also went down the GSCustom a couple of years ago in two different calibres. Extraordinary accuracy but priced themselves out for me. I used the Barnes on a Sambar trip as a back up so didn't get to use it. For other game where I am the Sierras do just fine.

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SPEEDY
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Re: .308

Post by SPEEDY »

I'd use the 165gn gamekings on anything smaller then Buff, if they shoot good for you then theres no need for anything else.
I'm soft and I don't care. :dance:

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Re: .308

Post by Scotch_egg »

I have just checked the BC out for the 165gr game king. .4 is not to be sniffed at. I’ll not be taking anything beyond 400 with this rifle and it’s 18” barrel.

I am tempted to give the lighter bullets a go again. The Muntjac I took with them was bang flop as though hit by lightening.

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SPEEDY
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Re: .308

Post by SPEEDY »

The 168gn Nosler BT is .490 and thats pretty damn good too.
I'd love to give the new 220gn Nosler BT RN a try too. I don't need it and it won't do anything for me that a 168gn won't but it would be fun to test out.
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Re: .308

Post by Gun Barrel Ecologist »

Aren’t they the ones designed for the .300 Blackout?

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