Great shooting! I did that once with my 308 HOWA 1500 mountain riffle. Heavy barrel and Vortex scope.
I haven't made any changes to it for many years since. Every time I take it out it does it's job perfectly.
Well, I keep Unique, W231 and IMR 4064 on hand at all times. Unique is perfect for shotgun and many handgun loads. W231 is also great for standard and magnum pistol loads. Imr 4064 is my riffle powder. I'm sure there are many other pet loads out there that requier other powders but, I seem to...
YEA! I have no need for a silencer on any of my hunting riffles, or any of my riffles for that mater. Of course I live in northern New Hampshire and don't see the point or need for one!
From what I have read, The Weatherby Vanguard was made my Howa many years ago and the Howa is basically the same rifle. Les expensive though because it doesn't have the Weatherby name on it!
I too bought a Howa 1500 heavy barrel Mountain rifle in 308 years ago. Still use it for all my big game hunting here in northern NH. It still shoots great groups out to 300 yards with my Vortex scope on it! I'll never get rid of it! Put a Hogue stock on it.
I have tried many bullets in the 308 over the years and settled on the 168 grain Hornady A-Max years ago. Shot it out of many brand's of rifles over the years and settled on it overall.
I too have had a 308 rifle for hunting for many, many years. I was smiten by the the 308 back in 69-70 when in the Army. I was in a special unit and we practiced and qualified at 900 meters. Scoped M-14 7.62X51 caliber 308. 900 meters in yards is 984.252. Of course we were shooting match grade...
My pet load for years now in 308 is 165 gr. Speer B.T.S.P. #2034 with 42 gr. IMR 4064 2485 F.P.S. I have tried it in many 308 rifles and shoot fantastically in all!!!!!!!