New to Group, got a .308 question

[Montana'eer]

Guys I may need to start a new post, not sure how this works, but I shot several loads with different powder yesterday. I'm going to reload the Nosler 180's today and do some single cold bore shots to put me at ease. But I thought about barrel cleaning and would like to know what everyone does. I clean about every 100 rounds or so. Do I need to clean with powder changes. Should I clean or dry patch between powders. Maybe just oil patch. Input would be appreciated

I don't clean my barrel that often. Generally when I see my groups doing some funky things I'll go ahead and clean it. My barrel seems to go about 250rds (with IMR4064) before it needs a cleaning session. It's a Rem 5R 20" barrel and cleaning it is really easy. Those barrels are reported to be easier to clean, and in my observation- they are!

I did not clean my barrel when I tried some Varget and the 169's. They grouped 'okay' but I'm shooting virgin Lapua brass. I won't make any judgement until I get a 100 of them fired and then do my brass prep / resize and go at it on the second round.

 

[bamban]

If y'all can find the old Remington UBR brass with SRP, grab them. They have the largest water capacity than any other 308 Win brass.

CCI 41, 2000MR, 168 Hybrids. 2800 FPS at high precision node. Shot bunch of that combo at 1000 yards killing paper (once on 18wx24h steel) with my M14 types. Hydrids should work well on deer size critters.

 

[Montana'eer]

May have found my load…180 gr nosler partition, Varget powder! Had a flyer though.

If they shoot well in your rifle- you can't beat partitions! Excellent bullet. I whacked my mule deer at 400yds last year with my 7mm-mag using 160gr partition. It gets it done!

 

[Montana'eer]

If y'all can find the old Remington UBR brass with SRP, grab them. They have the largest water capacity than any other 308 Win brass.

CCI 41, 2000MR, 168 Hybrids. 2800 FPS at high precision node. Shot bunch of that combo at 1000 yards killing paper (once on 18wx24h steel) with my M14 types. Hydrids should work well on deer size critters.

2800 is humming!

 

[bamban]

2800 is humming!

Yes, need the water case capacity of UBR brass, proper throat length (COL 2.93 single loading) and 2000MR. Not for everyone.

 

[436]

Vaarget is a good powder, although my rifle didn't like it. I had my best results with the 175 gr class bullets with RL15, TAC, H4895. But shoot what works best with your rifle. Good luck!

Yep, 175gr Mk and RL-15 is all I use in my Tac-gun, been my load for many many years... my M118LR clone. Funny, I've also had problems with Varget shooting up to my standards in my Tac-gun, yet it shoots great in many of my other rifles. Cheers

 

[cajun]

Yup. Works great for 168 MK and 165GameKing or Speer 165's.

My midrange .308 steel plinking load is between 43.3-44gr IMR4064 with the Sierra168MK. I loaded the same thing using Sierra 165 Game Kings and achieved the same velocity and POI. Same thing using Speer 165's.

I'm hunting with the Sierra GameKing 165gr this year. They shoot as well as this-

Just an fyi on the 165 game king. It's a tough bullet and doesnt work well below 2400 fps. Just my experience with a short barrel.

 

[Montana'eer]

Just an fyi on the 165 game king. It's a tough bullet and doesnt work well below 2400 fps. Just my experience with a short barrel.

It's a 400yd max for me with this gun and hunting. Shot a does last year right around 350-375yds and it worked great. That should be right around 2,350fps according to my dope. This is going to be 'in the cab' in buddies Razor. He's older and likes to bomb around the ranch and on oil and gas trails so the 20" barrel will be great. A few years ago trying to get my 26" barreled 7mm-mag in and out was a PITA. That's going in the rifle holder until we get to where we spot and stalk.

The .308 is an 'opportunity' rifle.

 

[okie man]

First thing I tell someone that's having trouble getting Gucci bullets too shoot well is dump them ! Grab a box of good old sierra game kings . I'd bet money in very little time I could get that 308 shooting under moa with some regular bullets and imr4064 or varget. It's a 308, you dont need a super bullet .

 

[General RE LEE]

130 grain Barnes TTSX, pass throughs, blood trails, super dead deer, no need to adjust for 300 yards just aim and shoot.

 

[dennisinaz]

The ELDX is going to be very destructive at shorter ranges. The bullet tests to come apart. It's better suited to ranges exceeding 400yds.

That's a bunch of crap.
I've shot a dozen animals with the 178 ELD-X
from 50 yards to 500. It's worked excellent in every case. Same rifle as OP, 43 grains Varget

 

[Doom2]

That's a bunch of crap.
I've shot a dozen animals with the 178 ELD-X
from 50 yards to 500. It's worked excellent in every case. Same rifle as OP, 43 grains Varget

Didn't mean to imply it would not be effective. Based on Hornady's info it tends to have only about 60% (IIRC) weight retention at that range. That may or may not be an issue.

 

[Buffalobwana]

A very effective load for 308 is 165 Game Kings over 39.5gr of IMR3031. Accuracy in both my 308's is great.

A friend gave me this load, said it's been great in all the 308's he has. I never tested any other load in 308. This one is perfect.

 

[sturner]