AR 308 Hunting Loads

[USAFRet]

Hey Pal, I'm retired AF too way back in 2003, I just retired again from Border Patrol 2 years ago. My LWRC REPR 20" would shoot pretty much anything I fed it sub MOA, but it really liked the heavier bullets. I didn't hunt with it though as it was way too doggone heavy to lug around. Two years ago I built a Ghost Gun LR308 with a SOTA arms 80% lower and a complete upper to match. I put an 18" fluted Faxon barrel on it. It's not as light as your SFAR but it's not a tank either. My hog load is Lapua brass, Speer 150SSP, CCI 7.62x51 primers, 43.3gr VHT N133, velocity is 2651 shooting suppressed. It's not a long range Load but it shoots 1/2 in at 100 and kills like poison… easily out to 250, and my thermal has a laser range finder if I need to shoot farther than that.

Much appreciated Air Force. AFSC?

1C571 here. "Scope Dope"

 

[USAFRet]

Love the hog pictures. Not much of any here in mid-state NC, and that's a good thing. But, it would be nice not to have to pay for pork.

 

[ARlife4me]

That is interesting. I did not realize that they made the distinction on the 308/7.62x51. I knew about the 223/5.56 but not this. I Had to go check, my DPMS says Cal:308, thats all. My FN FAL, as expected says 7.62mm
I could have swore I shot 7.62x51 in my DPMS without problems.
EDIT: according to SAAMI, 308WIN is rated for higher pressure.

There's about 1500 to 2k max pressure increase the 308win has over the 7.62x51.

 

[asd9055]

There's about 1500 to 2k max pressure increase the 308win has over the 7.62x51.

I read a couple of conflicting numbers for max, that is why I did not specify, but both had the 308W rated higher. I guess I need to be sure my FN FAL is only loaded with 7.62NATO

 

[ARlife4me]

I have 308win AR10 barrel lengths from 12.5-26". Just started new test loads ranging from 110-185grs. Mostly fmj's for rodent/pest/vermine removal. There are a few varmint bullets and some match bullets also. Nothing to confirm yet. Built weights from 5#9oz to 10#. Wish I had better info for you. With the 26" I expecting to get near 2,750fps with 185gr.

 

[Pdyson]

Much appreciated Air Force. AFSC?

1C571 here. "Scope Dope"

I was a 2E1X4 Visual Imagery and Intrusion Detection (nuclear security systems)

 

[ARlife4me]

I read a couple of conflicting numbers for max, that is why I did not specify, but both had the 308W rated higher. I guess I need to be sure my FN FAL is only loaded with 7.62NATO

Correct! 308win is higher pressure.

 

[ARlife4me]

FAL's most likely 7.62nato, not 308win as they're military based weapons.

 

[asd9055]

FAL's most likely 7.62nato, not 308win as they're military based weapons.

It is

 

[USAFRet]

I have 308win AR10 barrel lengths from 12.5-26". Just started new test loads ranging from 110-185grs. Mostly fmj's for rodent/pest/vermine removal. There are a few varmint bullets and some match bullets also. Nothing to confirm yet. Built weights from 5#9oz to 10#. Wish I had better info for you. With the 26" I expecting to get near 2,750fps with 185gr.

Appreciate it.

 

[USAFRet]

I was a 2E1X4 Visual Imagery and Intrusion Detection (nuclear security systems)

Where were you stationed?

 

[asd9055]

Just for FYI: Back before the craziness started, I was testing the 308WIN is a bolt gun. Loaded 20 rounds varget, and 20 rounds RL15, with 168 Grn Sierra Tipped Match King. Only shot the ones with RL15. I was getting 2600 FPS with 43.5grn RL15 and Rem 9/12 Primer, Federal cases. Rifel was M70, 20" barrel.
I never finished developing this load, or trying in the DPMS

 

[Pdyson]

Where were you stationed?

Keesler, Dover, Osan ROK, Myrtle Beach, Wright Pat, Dyess. I retrained from Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems into Wide-band/SATCOM in the middle of my career but all those assignments were over seas so they sent me to Texas to bed down the brand new B1-B Bomber and oversee the installations of at least a dozen projects to install cameras and alarm sytems protecting the birds, Alert Area, the WSA perimeter, and nuclear weapons storage igloos. As a native Texan I was happy they forgot to move me and I was blessed to finished my career in Abilene Texas. I was set to retire in October 2001 but I was stop lossed after the towers fell. I served another 2 years and would still be in the Air Force today if they'd let me stay.

Where were you stationed and when did you retire? I believe your tech school was also at Keesler.

 

[USAFRet]

Keesler, Dover, Osan ROK, Myrtle Beach, Wright Pat, Dyess. I retrained from Air Traffic Control and Landing Systems into Wide-band/SATCOM in the middle of my career but all those assignments were over seas so they sent me to Texas to bed down the brand new B1-B Bomber and oversee the installations of at least a dozen projects to install cameras and alarm sytems protecting the birds, Alert Area, the WSA perimeter, and nuclear weapons storage igloos. As a native Texan I was happy they forgot to move me and I was blessed to finished my career in Abilene Texas. I was set to retire in October 2001 but I was stop lossed after the towers fell. I served another 2 years and would still be in the Air Force today if they'd let me stay.

Where were you stationed and when did you retire? I believe your tech school was also at Keesler.

You are correct sir. Joined in 88 and retired in 2008 as an E-7. Tech School at Keesler. Tyndall, Iceland, Elemendorf, Cheyenne Mountain, Schriever, Hill, Balad, Izmir Turkey and last Langley. Best assignment Elmendorf. Got to be a Military Conservation Agent on base, basically base game warden. Best job was Schriever. I was an instructor for the Air Warning Center at NORAD. Did another 14 years as a DoD contractor and moved to the private sector in 2021. Best move I ever made. Got into project management and serving as a PMO Director in healthcare.