Improving the 308 Win performance

[RiverShooter]

This thread would be dedicated to ways to improve the performance of the 308 Win or the 7.62x51 mm cartridge without wildcatting the case. Experienced and innovative reloaders should find this interesting and are encouraged to participate. The 308Win is so versatile, inherently accurate and commonly used, and yet its performance in terms of MV, trajectory and speed is a bit mediocre. I am sure it can out perform the 3006. To start with I offer up my favorite hunting load I have used for the past 6/7 years in the 308Win. The 150 gr BD or BD2 with 49 gr of Leverevolution going 2920 fps from a 1:10, 20"Douglas barrel in a short action rifle. The same load from a 24" Bartlein 1:9 twist barrel goes 3050 fps. This load would be a pretty decent long range Elk load to 900 yds or so.

 

[RiverShooter]

Just go to a 300 WSM instead of getting hurt!!

 

[BEEMAN]

I'm the guy from Manitoba that was referred to I think. With CCI 450's out of my 6.5x47 I've never had an ignition problem. Lots of shooting in below freezing temperatures. Killed my biggest whitetail in -35C or -31F. So for me I've shot from 60-70F in the fall down to -31F. Lapua brass, CCI 450, with H4350.

 

[Mike D Texas]

Just go to a 300 WSM instead of getting hurt!!

Ain't nobody getting hurt. Some people aren't afraid to experiment and push the limits though.

 

[nralifer]

Just go to a 300 WSM instead of getting hurt!!

Don't worry. I have been shooting a high performance 308 Win for years. I have yet to see any dangerous outcome. It is a phenomenally efficient cartridge with that performs extremely well with good SRP brass, tough high BC copper bullets, and high energy powder. Makes a light compact and powerful hunting rifle whose components are widely available. More bang for the buck, which is important these days.

 

[xsn10s]

People push well past the 300 wsm limits. I've even seen some factory loads that looked waaaaaaaay to hot.

 

[xsn10s]

I can understand why some say just choose a larger cartridge. But that has downsides also. The main one is cost. A new rifle, rings, mounts, and scope. If you reload then add dies and components. And then range time building up a load. If you start out with an existing rifle like say a 308 Win then you already have a base line of knowledge on that rifle.

 

[nralifer]

I'd love to see a .6 BC .308 bullet that weighs 150 grains. Usually a .6 BC .308 bullet starts around 200+ grains

Agreed. The 150 gr .308 BD2 has a G1=0.515 which is about the highest you can find in an expanding copper or lead core bullet of that weight and caliber. The 175 gr .308BD2 has a G1=0.6. Swift, Sierra, Hornady, Nosler and Bergers in the same weight category all have lower BCs and are all lead core.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Agreed. The 150 gr .308 BD2 has a G1=0.515 which is about the highest you can find in an expanding copper or lead core bullet of that weight and caliber. The 175 gr .308BD2 has a G1=0.6. Swift, Sierra, Hornady, Nosler and Bergers in the same weight category all have lower BCs and are all lead core.

Sierra offers the 168 TMK at I believe .535 which for a .308 caliber lead base bullet in that weight range is very impressive. I use them exclusively in my .308 for deer. At 2880 fps, they are pretty impressive on deer out to around 550 which is as far as I care to kill a deer at with them. Very good bullet performance and very accurate in my rifle.

 

[Kimber7man]

I don't even have a .308 in the stable right now, but I still have some ammo loaded up in Lapua brass with the 155 scenar, for when I want to use one again.

 

[Wachsmann]

I almost forgot about this vid I seen a long time ago. Here is a normal length 308Win with a 168VLD Berger taking a cow elk at 875yards. Also get a pass through on the shot. So even if it was 900yards it probably would of still past through the elk. I know they don't always end this way but it still can be done with the small 308 win. .

 

[VLD Pilot]

I almost forgot about this vid I seen a long time ago. Here is a normal length 308Win with a 168VLD Berger taking a cow elk at 875yards. Also get a pass through on the shot. So even if it was 900yards it probably would of still past through the elk. I know they don't always end this way but it still can be done with the small 308 win. .

Saw that video years ago. I think that small elk is more of a deer size animal. Large deer but not nearly representative of a true Elk size animal. Not by any means understating the ability of a 308 with 168s. That may very well have been plenty of medicine for a larger Elk BUT it may not have as well. I think 600 yards is a safe bet for the 168 on a large normal size Elk with a 308 IMO. My reason for saying that is only for me in my case. That's due to owning many other better rifles in better cartridge sizes for elk. I'd simply take a 300WM or 300PRC using 215-230 grain bullets. For the guy that only has a 308 Win, maybe a different story.

 

[nralifer]

Saw that video years ago. I think that small elk is more of a deer size animal. Large deer but not nearly representative of a true Elk size animal. Not by any means understating the ability of a 308 with 168s. That may very well have been plenty of medicine for a larger Elk BUT it may not have as well. I think 600 yards is a safe bet for the 168 on a large normal size Elk with a 308 IMO. My reason for saying that is only for me in my case. That's due to owning many other better rifles in better cartridge sizes for elk. I'd simply take a 300WM or 300PRC using 215-230 grain bullets. For the guy that only has a 308 Win, maybe a different story.

Fact is that the 150 BD2 bullet has a higher BC than the 168 Berger and from a 26" barrel, LVR and SRP brass can be shot at 3150 fps without any pressure problems. It will out perform the 168 Berger at 875 yds. So if the Berger can do it so will the 150 BD2.

 

[VLD Pilot]

Fact is that the 150 BD2 bullet has a higher BC than the 168 Berger and from a 26" barrel, LVR and SRP brass can be shot at 3150 fps without any pressure problems. It will out perform the 168 Berger at 875 yds. So if the Berger can do it so will the 150 BD2.

I'd have more confidence in the solid at those ranges than I would a Berger HVLD on an elk