Improving the 308 Win performance

[bamban]

That's great news. You opened up the use of the 150 BD2 in the M1A platform and demonstrated it's equivalency to a bolt gun. PM me some time. I would like to discuss something with you. It is all good.

Tidbit history.

When the 2000MR came out, I came across the engineer at St Marks in charge of the powder development. I asked him what rifle platform he used to test the powder. He was so open to answer the question. There was a precision node at 49.4 with 168 SMKs and LC running through his rear lugged heavy barreled Supermatch. Being a former high power shooter himself, he was quite familiar with the mentioned components.

We used that load on a handful of M1As, except using 168 Hybrids. They all shot with the combo, mine using larger case capacity Remington UBR SRP, I end up with 50 grains. One of my buddies still shoot the load at 1000 yard matches.

I might caution M1A owners, the hunting rifle M1a I used to test the 150 BD2s is set up for high pressure loads, gas system optimized for a suppressor. Op rod runs back just enough to cycle and lock back. Spent brass just land maybe not even 2 feet away.

 

[USAFRet]

Tidbit history.

When the 2000MR came out, I came across the engineer at St Marks in charge of the powder development. I asked him what rifle platform he used to test the powder. He was so open to answer the question. There was a precision node at 49.4 with 168 SMKs and LC running through his rear lugged heavy barreled Supermatch. Being a former high power shooter himself, he was quite familiar with the mentioned components.

We adapted that load on a handful of M1As, except using 168 Hybrids. They all shot with the combo, mine using larger case capacity Remington UBR SRP, I end up with 50 grains. One of my buddies still shoot the load at 1000 yard matches.

I might caution M1A owners, the hunting rifle M1a I used to test the 150 BD2s is set up for high pressure loads, gas system optimized for a suppressor. Op rod runs back just enough to cycle and lock back. Spent brass just land maybe not even 2 feet away.

"I might caution M1A owners, the hunting rifle M1a I used to test the 150 BD2s is set up for high pressure loads, gas system optimized for a suppressor. Op rod runs back just enough to cycle and lock back. Spent brass just land maybe not even 2 feet away."

The one I want!

 

[JAYgs8163]

For Deer...step down to Sierra 125 grain Game Changer Bullet. Plenty of bullet, less recoil,more velocity! I use TAC Powder.

A lot of bullets in that weight class that offer the same results. Trying to find a happy median that holds velocity and energy out to 700-900 yards is what I'm looking for though. I think with the 150BD 2 I've found it, excellent BC and running in 3050 FPS area from my 18" bolt gun will yield this.

 

[3chester]

After watching this, 308 Winchester best of performance, does make a guy wonder, what if 338 Federal had come along, 50 years earlier than it did? There'd probably be a few more old Winchester 88's around, that be out there on Elk hunts! Just a Sierra 2610, 215gr SBT, 50.7 gr 2000MR powder, with 3,227 ft lb energy.

 

[JAYgs8163]

After watching this, 308 Winchester best of performance, does make a guy wonder, what if 338 Federal had come along, 50 years earlier than it did? There'd probably be a few more old Winchester 88's around, that be out there on Elk hunts! Just a Sierra 2610, 215gr SBT with 3,227 ft lb energy.

358 Winchester anybody maybe with some added freebore?

 

[bamban]

After watching this, 308 Winchester best of performance, does make a guy wonder, what if 338 Federal had come along, 50 years earlier than it did? There'd probably be a few more old Winchester 88's around, that be out there on Elk hunts! Just a Sierra 2610, 215gr SBT, 50.7 gr 2000MR powder, with 3,227 ft lb energy.

Before the plandemic my buddy from Slidell came up to rebarrel his rifle. We (he ran the lathe, while I supervised) spun up a 338 Federal barrel for my his M1A.

His handloads run close to the same velocity you do. He uses the 338Fed to bust hogs in the marsh lands around NOLA.

 

[nralifer]

A lot of bullets in that weight class that offer the same results. Trying to find a happy median that holds velocity and energy out to 700-900 yards is what I'm looking for though. I think with the 150BD 2 I've found it, excellent BC and running in 3050 FPS area from my 18" bolt gun will yield this.

After watching this, 308 Winchester best of performance, does make a guy wonder, what if 338 Federal had come along, 50 years earlier than it did? There'd probably be a few more old Winchester 88's around, that be out there on Elk hunts! Just a Sierra 2610, 215gr SBT, 50.7 gr 2000MR powder, with 3,227 ft lb energy.

After watching this, 308 Winchester best of performance, does make a guy wonder, what if 338 Federal had come along, 50 years earlier than it did? There'd probably be a few more old Winchester 88's around, that be out there on Elk hunts! Just a Sierra 2610, 215gr SBT, 50.7 gr 2000MR powder, with 3,227 ft lb energy.

Ironic that I started using LVR in the 308 by keying off published data for that powder in the 338 Fed. We make a 200 gr BD2 in .338 that definitely would work in the 338 Fed with LVR.

 

[JAYgs8163]

I've now compiled everything needed to build another lefty 308 for myself. Just finished my son-in-laws, now onto mine. Components acquired over the last 2 years below:

Manners EH1 with front rail and flush cups.
Kelbly Atlas SA Tactical with trigger hanger.
Proof Sendero CF 18" (10 twist") 5/8-24 threaded.
Trigger Tech Special.
Grayboe M5 hunter bottom metal.
Accurate Mag-no binder plate allows 2.99 COAL.
Surefire Supressor SOCOM 300 with SFMB 762 QD attachment.

 

[Maol]

Never got a

After watching this, 308 Winchester best of performance, does make a guy wonder, what if 338 Federal had come along, 50 years earlier than it did? There'd probably be a few more old Winchester 88's around, that be out there on Elk hunts! Just a Sierra 2610, 215gr SBT, 50.7 gr 2000MR powder, with 3,227 ft lb energy.

Never have taken the chance to hunt Elk with my 308 M88, but I am pretty sure I would with the right bullet within in it's operating range. Love that old rifle and the .308. The way things are going it may just happen. The .338 Federal sure would have been a sweet version.

 

[LRNut]

Been in Mexico dorado fishing; not sure I saw or commented on this thread before, but every time someone mentions 900 yards, they ought to comment on the wind drift in a 1 mph wind. My guess is the OP's load is going to drift at least 5 inches in a 1 mph wind at 900 yards; forget about the energy - the wind is a killer.

 

[Maol]

Just bought 200 of the Peterson 308 Match or I'd give this a whirl. On sale tonight, Starline 75.00/100.

 

[JAYgs8163]

Just bought 200 of the Peterson 308 Match or I'd give this a whirl. On sale tonight, Starline 75.00/100.

Yup. Bought 250 a few weeks ago for $150 from them

 

[Maol]

Yup. Bought 250 a few weeks ago for $150 from them

Hell of a deal!

 

[nralifer]

I've now compiled everything needed to build another lefty 308 for myself. Just finished my son-in-laws, now onto mine. Components acquired over the last 2 years below:

Manners EH1 with front rail and flush cups.
Kelbly Atlas SA Tactical with trigger hanger.
Proof Sendero CF 18" (10 twist") 5/8-24 threaded.
Trigger Tech Special.
Grayboe M5 hunter bottom metal.
Accurate Mag-no binder plate allows 2.99 COAL.
Surefire Supressor SOCOM 300 with SFMB 762 QD attachment.

Because of your long internal length magazine you are all set to use the Badlands 308 BD2 150 and 175 gr bullets and kill virtually any big game in North America and in any jurisdiction including California, for what that is worth.