308 Winchester hunting bullets for over 500 yards

[Kentuckywindage]

Are you asking a question on which bullets at 500 yards?

If so, I would say any that shoot well in your rifle and retain the manufacturers minimum velocity to function at desired max range (usually 1800 FPS). Since using the 175 MK, maybe the 180 GK will be an easy transition to load for. Sierras are usually pretty easy to get shooting and I believe they actually advertise opening velocities a little below 1800. The faster you can push the heaviest bullet will give you more range.

I have a load for a 215 Berger and it holds above 1800 FPS beyond 600 yards with the 20" barrel.

Do you care to tell what powder you use in this load?

 

[Kentuckywindage]

The old 178 Amax would also work if you could find them. I'm kind of doing the same thing but in a 7mm-08. Shooting the 162ELDX and 168ABLR. My rifle did not want to shoot at the upper end of the velocity range so I'm having to limit my distance a little bit for now. If you have enough twist you might be able to use the newer ELDM but I would just use the ELDX since they are a hunting bullet.

Thanks. The twist is 1/10. A stock Savage FCP heavy fluted barrel. Shooting at our practice spot, (hunting spot, deer doesn't seem to mind). We are usually within 1 or 2 .25 moa from being on. Of course that was 2 weeks ago. We were shooting a couple 3 times a week. Keeping dope and using Strelok or Geo Ballistics for me. From 800 to 1000 is actually where the 10 point is. Mostly 930 to 980 but I've also seen him cross over and get closer. No hunting pressure on the target side so I suspect him to be there sometime through rifle season. I did try 168 Bergers and IMR4064. They shot ok but on impact the splash from the 175 Matchking was completely different. The 175's were knocking holes in the ground and the splash was noticeably more. At 1000 the 175 MK load will not bust a water filled jug. Split it, yes. My buddies 300 WM Christensen arms Ridgeline 26inch carbon fiber will bounce it in the air. Sorry so long, just wanted an honest understanding of what I'm doing. The rifle has great accuracy with an Aries 4.5-27x50 APLR4 ffp.

 

[Old Rooster]

I would look at the berger 185 juggernaut its my favorite for long range 308 shooting

I agree.With my 22 inch barrel I get 2525 at 100 yards with 40.0 gr Tac powder when I can find them.
Don't know how they do on animals but targets die easily

 

[Canhunter35]

I've killed deer out to 500 with 168amaxs from my 308, now the 168eldm, but it's a fantastic hunting bullet. Depending on ur twist rate, but 178eldm, 180berger, are good options with less wind deflection. You can jump heavier, but then you'll drop into that 2500fps node with the 200gr bullets

 

[JMW67]

I have never had 1 complain when hit with the juggernaut from what I have seen in a 308 they act like any other of the berger bullets no experience on animals past 500 or so with this round though

 

[bamban]

I'm practicing at 800 to 1132 yards with my setup. Breaking clay pigeon's at 1000 yards.

You need to take tha hot shooting 308 Win and kick some butts in a FTR match

 

[Kentuckywindage]

You need to take tha hot shooting 308 Win and kick some butts in a FTR match

I've never competed before, but it's just a stock Savage M10. The load I'm shooting is I worked from 45.5 grains to 46.0. The largest group it shot was .475.
I'm being honest in what the gun can do. It may make a lier out of me tomorrow, but I have witnesses and video showing some of the shots. I'll try to put the target from working the loads here.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

I've killed deer out to 500 with 168amaxs from my 308, now the 168eldm, but it's a fantastic hunting bullet. Depending on ur twist rate, but 178eldm, 180berger, are good options with less wind deflection. You can jump heavier, but then you'll drop into that 2500fps node with the 200gr bullets

Thanks

 

[Shane Lindsey]

Do you care to tell what powder you use in this load?

RL 16. I have done well with H4350 as well. Both a full cases and l am loading long at a little over 3.1" COAL. Others have used RL 17 with good results, but I am not a fan of it. With temp changes groups went to pot.

To do it right with this combo, you need an intermediate action or have it modified (what I did, Wyatt's, Baney box, cut mag well, bolt release). Or you can just single feed, but I like them in the box.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

RL 16. I have done well with H4350 as well. Both a full cases and l am loading long at a little over 3.1" COAL. Others have used RL 17 with good results, but I am not a fan of it. With temp changes groups went to pot.

To do it right with this combo, you need an intermediate action or have it modified (what I did, Wyatt's, Baney box, cut mag well, bolt release). Or you can just single feed, but I like them in the box.

I've noticed temperature sensitivity in the load I'm using. Hodgdon CFE223 but, I have 10 or 12 pounds of it to use. Also have 8 lb IMR4064 and a never opened 8 lb H4350. I have consider changing powder because of temp. sensitivity. Even if just for a hunting load. My chrono says 45.5gr CFE223,Lapua brass, Sierra 175 gr Matchking, CCI primers at 2.800 COAL is at a blistering 2760 fps. 78 to 86 degrees. The 46.0 grain load showed some pressure on the primer in the summer heat.
I'm running hot but it shoots excellent with this load. Temperature being the thing I will experiment with soon as I'm completely over this crud going around. It's horrible guys. Its tuff stuff.

RL 16. I have done well with H4350 as well. Both a full cases and l am loading long at a little over 3.1" COAL. Others have used RL 17 with good results, but I am not a fan of it. With temp changes groups went to pot.

To do it right with this combo, you need an intermediate action or have it modified (what I did, Wyatt's, Baney box, cut mag well, bolt release). Or you can just single feed, but I like them in the box.

Thanks

 

[VLD Pilot]

Considering this for whitetail. At this time I'm practicing at 800 to 1132 yards with my setup. Breaking clay pigeon's at 1000 yards. Usually within .25 to .50 moa on dope in present conditions. My load is Lapua brass, 45.5 gr CFE223 powder, Sierra Matchking 175gr for practice.

I used 185 vlds in my 308 for beyond 1000 yards but not for deer. I'm guessing that cartridge would be maxed out at around 1000 yards for a deer round with the proper bullet. Accuracy wise, the 308 will work well beyond 1000 yards.

 

[Canhunter35]

I've noticed temperature sensitivity in the load I'm using. Hodgdon CFE223 but, I have 10 or 12 pounds of it to use. Also have 8 lb IMR4064 and a never opened 8 lb H4350. I have consider changing powder because of temp. sensitivity. Even if just for a hunting load. My chrono says 45.5gr CFE223,Lapua brass, Sierra 175 gr Matchking, CCI primers at 2.800 COAL is at a blistering 2760 fps. 78 to 86 degrees. The 46.0 grain load showed some pressure on the primer in the summer heat.
I'm running hot but it shoots excellent with this load. Temperature being the thing I will experiment with soon as I'm completely over this crud going around. It's horrible guys. Its tuff stuff.

Thanks

Cfe 223 and mr2000 offer the most velocity in a 308, I suppose n540 would too. 4064 is a great powder to use in a 308 but also temp sensitive
For 500yd shooting I'd take the velocity myself

 

[Shane Lindsey]

CFE was hit an miss for me.

It worked well with the lighter bullets, but not as well with the heavies. I get more velocity out of the Rl16.

The old factory Berger 200.20x they quit making was going about 2450 in my rifle with 20" barrel. Rep told me it was Varget or N140 depending on what they had on hand. That may be another option when the clouds open and the bullets start falling again...

 

[Kentuckywindage]

CFE was hit an miss for me.

It worked well with the lighter bullets, but not as well with the heavies. I get more velocity out of the Rl16.

The old factory Berger 200.20x they quit making was going about 2450 in my rifle with 20" barrel. Rep told me it was Varget or N140 depending on what they had on hand. That may be another option when the clouds open and the bullets start falling again...

Will do!
Thanks Shane.