.308 Starting load

[wvbearhunter]

Varget and N-550

 

[FireFlyFishing]

I'd go light and fast with that short barrel. 130 Barnes TTSX or something similar with Hammer.
Alternatively, I'm running a 155TMK and varget in my 20" with great results.

 

[Stadoc]

I'm sorry. I don't mean to waste anyone's time. I'm just looking to see what others have had success with in short barreled .308's.

I agree. That's what I am after. I can look in the load manuals and find published velocity. I can find a trend of which powders shoot faster. Accuracy is something else. Each rifle can be very unique in what it likes but, it does seem each cartridge has it's trends. I know that if I take someone else's favorite load, I have to experiment in my own rifle and see if it performs the same.

Bottom line, no matter what I decide to load, I will check my reloading manuals and be sure that it is within published loads and I will start at the bottom and work up with charges checking for pressure signs as I go.

You don't have to apologize for anything, you asked a question and everyone responded because they want to be helpful, if not interested in your post nobody is forced to respond to it. Good luck

 

[Critter Picker]

I've had good luck with H4895 and a 165 BT in my 15" Encore.

 

[436]

You might look at {39.5gr} of IMR 3031 .308 Win, Sierra 168gr MK, not the one I use but many folks find this to bring out the accuracy potential question in a lot of .308 Win rifles. Cheers

 

[MarkInPA]

I've had good luck with H4895 and a 165 BT in my 15" Encore.

There you go... Now were talking short....15". Maybe I should pay attention to what you have to say.

Sounds like a lot are suggesting 4895 in addition to the Varget. Even have a call for 3031. Even think I here a suggestion to look into lighter all copper bullets. This is all giving me some things to consider. Thanks to all for your suggestions. Are any of these powders more temperature insensitive than the others including 4064?

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

Hope this helps. Lee Manual 2021

 

[Roughrice]

^^^ what he said, but I use 44 gr of Varget

Same here.
44gr Varget with 165-168
Also made a load with 165's and CFE223 in 16" barrel.
150 grain with TAC is good for short barrels.
125 grain gets good push with H335 and TAC also.

 

[MarkInPA]

I was looking at that reloading data from Lee. Comparing IMR 4064 and Varget, they darn near look the same when comparing charges and velocity? Just an observation.

 

[cohunt]

Varget

 

[Stadoc]

Varget

^^^this

 

[med358-boise]

IMR 4064 is not part of the Extreme line so therefore not as temperature insensitive as Varget and H4895

 

[Wolf76]

Have (3) 308s that I load for. All of them with 168 berger and 45-46 grs of varget. Speed doesn't really matter for you because of the short range. Accuracy will be super key because I'm guessing you're hunting timber. RL15 also shot great.

 

[MarkInPA]

Yes, I am hunting timber. Pennsylvania hunting. Lots of thick mountain laurel but it does open up to longer shooting, 100 yards or maybe slightly more in ravines and the lower elevations on the ridges. This is a good point too because this is where this little carbine comes in handy. Getting in and around the thick cover.

I think if I remember correctly from reading, this is what Remington was marketing for back in the 60's when they first introduced the 600. At the time the Winchester 94 and the Marlin 336 were popular as a whitetail, "woods" rifles and they came in at a cheaper price point than the bolt action rifles of the time. Remington wanted in on this market so they introduced the model 600 to compete with these lever action woods rifles even though the 600 is a bolt action. I'm not sure about the earlier versions but, the Mohawk did have some cost cutting features to keep the cost down. A beech stock and plastic trigger guard. They went through 3 iterations of the model 600. First was the model 600 with, of all things, a ventilated rib. Don't ask me. I think it was a gimmick. Then they came out with the 660 which lengthened the barrel to I believe 20 1/2" and they dropped the ventilated rib. Then came the model Mohawk 600. They went back to the 18" barrel and still kept the ventilated rib off of it. I hope I got all that right. Feel free to correct me if I got any of that wrong or you want to add to it.

From what I understand, these little guys are starting to become collector's items.