itsthemann
Active Member
Been reloading a bunch for my 308. It really does shoot everything, particularly 168 ELDMs and IMR 3031. Curious to hear what everyone else loves as far as projectiles, powders, and loads for smacking steel or hunting.
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Favorite projectiles and powders for 308 win?
- Thread starter itsthemann
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LOL!!!
As you stated in your post...You just opened a big window for tons of suggestions as the 308 is super versatile in many configurations and loads for different applications!
Get ready to read lots of good information!!
As you stated in your post...You just opened a big window for tons of suggestions as the 308 is super versatile in many configurations and loads for different applications!
Get ready to read lots of good information!!
itsthemann
Active Member
100% what I wanted. Trying to have as much fun with 308 as I can before I get into the really wacky calibers.
Welcome to 308. It's my favorite cartridge and if you do it right, you won't need anything else.
I've played around a lot in the last couple years. So far, the most accurate powder has been benchmark, but it's too fast for anything and pressures out before you get good velocity. IMR 8208 XBR is also very accurate and you can get reasonable velocity, but ultimately it's still too fast for anything but lighter bullets. AR-Comp has been amazing for wringing velocity out of the cartridge--I mean better than varget or anything else I've tried, and for every projectile I've tried so far. Unfortunately, I haven't yet found the accuracy for the AR-COMP that I found with benchmark and 8208 XBR.
For projectiles, the 137 gr hammer hunters that everyone on this forum is obsessed with have been good. Easy to reload and consistently accurate. 165 gr Partitions are amazing and I trust them to kill more than the hammer hunters, but I don't trust them for accuracy as much as the hammer hunters. I'm experimenting with the new tipped hammer hunters (HHT, 138 gr) right now and so far so good. I'll probably switch over to them for whitetail this season. The most accurate projectile I've shot has been a 178 grain ELDX, surprisingly, which makes me think my barrel just likes heavier bullets. Unfortunately, my main 308 is 16 inches and I haven't figured out how to get enough velocity with those heavy bullets to really dedicate them for hunting.
For brass I use Lapua. I tried the alpha brass and while it is super uniform and seems to be a bit better in quality than the Lapua, I get more pressure signs with it. Might be because it's softer and just shows the swipes more, or I'm actually getting more pressure with it, I don't know. In either event, I don't like thinking too much about it so I stick with Lapua now.
My best load has been 137 gr hammer hunters with IMR 8202 XBR. Start low and work up
I've played around a lot in the last couple years. So far, the most accurate powder has been benchmark, but it's too fast for anything and pressures out before you get good velocity. IMR 8208 XBR is also very accurate and you can get reasonable velocity, but ultimately it's still too fast for anything but lighter bullets. AR-Comp has been amazing for wringing velocity out of the cartridge--I mean better than varget or anything else I've tried, and for every projectile I've tried so far. Unfortunately, I haven't yet found the accuracy for the AR-COMP that I found with benchmark and 8208 XBR.
For projectiles, the 137 gr hammer hunters that everyone on this forum is obsessed with have been good. Easy to reload and consistently accurate. 165 gr Partitions are amazing and I trust them to kill more than the hammer hunters, but I don't trust them for accuracy as much as the hammer hunters. I'm experimenting with the new tipped hammer hunters (HHT, 138 gr) right now and so far so good. I'll probably switch over to them for whitetail this season. The most accurate projectile I've shot has been a 178 grain ELDX, surprisingly, which makes me think my barrel just likes heavier bullets. Unfortunately, my main 308 is 16 inches and I haven't figured out how to get enough velocity with those heavy bullets to really dedicate them for hunting.
For brass I use Lapua. I tried the alpha brass and while it is super uniform and seems to be a bit better in quality than the Lapua, I get more pressure signs with it. Might be because it's softer and just shows the swipes more, or I'm actually getting more pressure with it, I don't know. In either event, I don't like thinking too much about it so I stick with Lapua now.
My best load has been 137 gr hammer hunters with IMR 8202 XBR. Start low and work up
bowhunter123456789
Well-Known Member
Been using the 168smk with imr4064 for more years than I want to admit to. The 175smk also does well with this powder.
Lately been trying the berger 155 hybrid with imr4064 and vv140. Still working on that one.
Whatever you decide on, you'll probably find that maximum accuracy comes in at something less than maximum powder charge.
Have fun and post back your results.
- Joined
- Aug 15, 2017
- Messages
- 1,302
138gr HHTs over Benchmark gets my vote. Close to 3K FPS.
Bang4theBuck
Well-Known Member
154 HHTs over varget. Not extremely fast in my 20" barrel.but crazy accurate and deadly.
Here is link to an article I wrote for mossy Oak. The 308 is indeed a very versatile round and fun to work with.
www.mossyoak.com
Loading for the 308 Winchester
"I have a hard time passing up an old classic. One of those classic rounds - the 308 Winchester- seems to be enjoying a resurgence in popularity."
www.mossyoak.com
Upsidedownjack
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2017
- Messages
- 302
Have you tryed H- BC-L(2)? This has seemed to work for me out of my AR-10
PApa Black
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 23, 2012
- Messages
- 454
8208 with 168 VLDS and 210 VLDS work great for me.
Black Hat
Well-Known Member
185 Berger Juggernaut, 44 grains Varget.
FireFlyFishing
Well-Known Member
Anything that says Varget on the keg or Sierra on the box.
