Is the .308 Win 7.62 X 51 still a Long Range Hunting Cartridge?

[Greatgrandad]

Like I said, that video showed a neck shot (even if the end didn't show the neck wound, the DRT is a clear spinal shot) - the wind drift was a lot more than 2 MOA. I shoot every day at LR in CO and several times per week when I am in AZ, and just that tree blowing told me it was more than 2 MOA.

I love my .308 but there are other cartridges that have less wind drift.

FWIW, I was the three-time undefeated US Army Alaska champ; shot twice in the I Corp (western US) championships and finished second and first. I didn't win those by failing to read the wind.

As for your drift claim, there is no way a 155 gr bullet drifts 4.5" at 600 yards - a Berger VLD at 2870 drifts 4.4 MOA - that is 26+ inches. My 28N launching 195 Bergers drifts 2.2 MOA.

Lets not get hung up on one video posted for entertainment.

As for your calcs on wind drift at 600 yards, you need to double check your figures. I am pushing those 155's at 3,000 fps in my 26" and according to my ballistic apps at my altitude, they are 4.5" and 4.75" at 600 yrds.
There is no way a 10 mph wind is blowing that load 26+ inches at 600. My apps show 25.6" at 1,000 yards

 

[Hondo64d]

A 155 Berger and AMAX loaded in my 26" @ 3,000 fps. Data at my altitude.

I just ain't seeing it. Even at a 15,000' DA, a 155gr VLD launched at 3000fps drifts 13" in a 10mph full value wind at 600 yards.

John

 

[Greatgrandad]

I just ain't seeing it. Even at a 15,000' DA, a 155gr VLD launched at 3000fps drifts 13" in a 10mph full value wind at 600 yards.

John

Using the numbers from my ballistic apps.

 

[bigngreen]

While that's true… you're intruding deeply into the powder column and really limiting your case capacity, so your velocity is going to inevitably suffer compared to cartridges intended to shoot bullets that heavy. .308 with anything heavier than 180gr is kinda like chunking a rock. Never really gets going.

A little throating action and problem solved. The more BC the less I need it to get going, I don't start to go sub sonic till 1500+ yards. It'll do the exact same to an elk as a 300 Win with the same bullet just not quite as far but still pretty dang far.

 

[Hondo64d]

Using the numbers from my ballistic apps.

Your ap or your inputs are incorrect.

John

 

[Greatgrandad]

Your ap or your inputs are incorrect.

John

You may be right. I have the correct inputs, and I ran it with other loads and calibers, and it is giving me strange numbers that are not matching my saved loads. I ran a couple of other online apps like Berger, and they show 18" drift at 600 with my inputs.

My apologies to every one for the bad data. I will be contacting the producer to learn what is going wrong with the product.

 

[LRNut]

Lets not get hung up on one video posted for entertainment.

As for your calcs on wind drift at 600 yards, you need to double check your figures. I am pushing those 155's at 3,000 fps in my 26" and according to my ballistic apps at my altitude, they are 4.5" and 4.75" at 600 yrds.
There is no way a 10 mph wind is blowing that load 26+ inches at 600. My apps show 25.6" at 1,000 yards

I used JBM Ballistics. I shoot my Edge, my Lapua's, my 300 RUMs and my 28Ns at 903 yards every day. In a 10 mph wind, I am holding 2 or 3 MOA depending on the direction (90 or 270). I zero at 500 to minimize spin, but it matters at 900.

 

[Greatgrandad]

I used JBM Ballistics.
View attachment 642237

I agree. I am using a rather higher end product on my phone, will not name them here, so I am puzzled why it has begun to give me erroneous data that hasn't occurred before. Now, it is not only rendering bad wind drifts, but other strange outputs. I am currently texting them to learn more.

Again, apologies for the bad data posted.

 

[liber]

Stick with me on this. The 308 is better now than before the Creedmoor mind virus took over.

So the 308 mind virus took over before the man bun virus?

 

[riflelooney]

Most guys dont have the capability of the cartridge and bullet... some do....most dont. .308 with a 178 eldm @ 2650..... in field conditions.......I have shot one for alot of years at alot of things.... very little has walked away out to 750 yards............. enuff said.

 

[Creoleboy]

I know that today's Military has dropped the 7.62 X 51/ .308 Win as a Sniper round. Yet it has been a proven performer for more than half a century. Every critter in CONUS has been dropped with the lowly 30-30, so is the .308 Win still viable?

Just was wondering, who told you that Army and Marines had stop using 308 for there work…asking for a friend?

 

[liber]

Just was wondering, who told you that Army and Marines had stop using 308 for there work…asking for a friend?

He said the Military has dropped it, that sure doesn't mean they're throwing out all of it in favor of another caliber. All branches are still using it. The question is, what will they deploy from this day moving forward?

 

[bamban]

The MK22 comes with 3 barrels; 7.62x51, 300NM, 338NM, and five magasines for each

These are with a 7.62x51 barrel. Taken last yrar, November.

 

[h_1ag]

I mean if we think of "olden days" a black powder 45-70, 45-90, 50-110, etc out of a sharps rifle with quality sights and a skilled marksman was put to great effect as a bonafide long range hunting rifle and cartridge. Hardly means it's be wise to choose such a set up today as being the best tool for the job.

The .308 echoes that in many ways. Absolutely it's an awesome and versatile round, and has been used to great effect for long range sniping, competition, and hunting.

There are also MUCH better tools for the job.

So yes absolutely the .308/7.62x51 is still a long range hunting and shooting round. It is also outperformed for that task by literally dozens of other options.

A little throating action and problem solved. The more BC the less I need it to get going, I don't start to go sub sonic till 1500+ yards. It'll do the exact same to an elk as a 300 Win with the same bullet just not quite as far but still pretty dang far.

So you have to build a custom rifle and hand load it to get .308 to perform- got it.

Even still: you need approx 2,600fps MV to launch a 220gr Berger fast enough to stay supersonic out to 1,500yds (unless your elevation is the moon).
One of the largest/fastest factory .308 ammo is Hornady Superperformance 178gr, which as MV 2,780 (26" barrel). Norma Bondstrike 180gr is 2,625. Nosler Accubond 200 is only 2,550.

What are the load specs you're using to launch a bullet that's 25% heavier but only 5% slower (vs Hornady's)? 34" barrel from Mt Everest? The pressure to push that load has got to be near 70k psi.