I'm wanting to build a dedicated thermal bolt gun and want to stay with easy to source and cheap brass. I have my thermal on my 22 creedmoor at the moment but seem to loose a couple pieces of brass almost every time I go out and alpha brass ain't cheap. I have everything but a barrel, brass, bullets to get one going. I'll go a short (16-18") barrel because it will have a suppressor. 4-500 yards is max on distance. Has anyone had good luck/ accuracy with these bullets? Maybe some load data? Any other thoughts on a short barreled dedicated thermal calibers with easy to source and cheap brass.
308 with a 124gr Hammer for dedicated thermal rifle
- Thread starter ddman
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SouthLoganCountyShooter
Well-Known Member
I've had really good luck with tac and 124hh.
22" tikka
47g tac lupua cci200 3240fps
47g tac starline cci200 3220fps
47g varget lupua cci200 2980fps
47g tac lupua cci450 3100fps
20" savage 110
46g varget winchester cci200 2800fps
47g varget starline cci200 2840fps
46g tac starline cci200 2936fps
47g tac lupua cci200 2990fps
20" ruger gen2
46g tac lupua cci450 2950.
Only load I ran through it so far.
22" Savage 110 storm close to same as tikka velocity.
22" tikka
47g tac lupua cci200 3240fps
47g tac starline cci200 3220fps
47g varget lupua cci200 2980fps
47g tac lupua cci450 3100fps
20" savage 110
46g varget winchester cci200 2800fps
47g varget starline cci200 2840fps
46g tac starline cci200 2936fps
47g tac lupua cci200 2990fps
20" ruger gen2
46g tac lupua cci450 2950.
Only load I ran through it so far.
22" Savage 110 storm close to same as tikka velocity.
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Don't forget about the .243
std7mag
Well-Known Member
I'm probably running the ultimate in cheap coyote rifle.
Savage Axis II with an E.R. Shaw 24" sporter in 250 Savage.
EGW base & rings.
Redfield Revenge 4-12X40 with the Accu Ranger Varmint reticle.
75gr Sierra HP Varmints over a charge of Alliant Varmint with PPU 22-250 cases necked up for a speed of 3,150 fps.
Hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a decent thermal scope.
Only way I'll go "silenced" is when I can legally do a "solvent trap".
Till then it's been daylight hunting.
Savage Axis II with an E.R. Shaw 24" sporter in 250 Savage.
EGW base & rings.
Redfield Revenge 4-12X40 with the Accu Ranger Varmint reticle.
75gr Sierra HP Varmints over a charge of Alliant Varmint with PPU 22-250 cases necked up for a speed of 3,150 fps.
Hopefully one day I'll be able to afford a decent thermal scope.
Only way I'll go "silenced" is when I can legally do a "solvent trap".
Till then it's been daylight hunting.
The 124 HH are great, the 130 Barnes are also great. The 125 Sierra Pro hunter or the 125 Nosler B-Tip would actually be my first choice for your application. Benchmark, TAC, and BLC2 are all great choices and have been available.
That Hammer with the velocities shown in Post #2 should serve well for a wide variety of game and be easy on the shoulder (about like the 270 Win).
If, on the other hand, your game is deer and hogs with odd smaller varmints, then a 6 Creedmoor will be even more fun to shoot when using lead free bullets weighing more than about 75 grains.
If, on the other hand, your game is deer and hogs with odd smaller varmints, then a 6 Creedmoor will be even more fun to shoot when using lead free bullets weighing more than about 75 grains.
Lenny Foffa
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Very Nice!! I have a Savage 110 with a Medium heavy barrel , also in 308. Bone stock. I needed a dedicated rifle for SCORE shooting" at the Bench Rest Matches. This rifle came with the Mc Millian stock, and has to remain Bone stock in order for me to shoot the match with it Its some tactical model from Savage. Shoots 115 Grn Berger Flat Base Target bullets very well. For now it has a 36X Sightron sitting on it. Here is a three-shot group then adjust to right and into the moth ball. Also another three shot group. Thats how I practice. ( Also the ridiculous 20 MOA rail was completely not needed as 300 yards is Max a my range.) You may want to try a box. Have fun with yours!!!
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westexhunt
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I've got four 22 Creedmoor's (myself and 2 sons hunt together and shoot same round so 3 scoped rifles and one thermal). Started out using alpha brass but switched to Starline 6cm small primer brass and don't worry much about loosing them occasionally. I think they were $.60 per on sale.
I have a friend that uses a 308 for his pig rifle. I'm pretty sure he loads FMJ . He wants a bullet that will hang together through the first pig and into the second .
with 308s, my family has had great Luck with 125g Ballistic tips, 125g Pro Hunter, and 125g Sierra tipped on deer and hogs, many powders work, and we start with Win 748 with amazing accuracy.
I didn't catch what you would mostly be hunting for.
Which thermal are you installing on this unit
Which thermal are you installing on this unit
Matt Tatum
Well-Known Member
I shoot the 124 hammer hunters out of a 16" 308 bolt and an auto. I used IMR 8208 xbr. Finished load was just under 3300fps and accuracy was under 1/2". Took several deer and a pile of pigs with it. Kids love the round too.
Give AA2460 a try. It's inexpensive and easy to find and works fantastic with light monos in the 308. I'm running a Barnes 130 TTSX out of a 18" at 3140 FPS. 49 grains shoots in the same hole. Extremely accurate. I bet the Hammer would be a great match with the AA2460.
