Please help with copper ammo for .308 Win Mdl 70 1:12

[SumTingWong]

So I just bought (brand new) a Win Model 70 .308. I live in California, and have to use copper only for hunting. Being inexperienced, I did not know about twist rate, etc when I made the purchase.
I was going to buy some Nosler E-Tips, but then saw the recommended twist was 1:10.
My new rifle is 1:12 twist rate.

I'm planning on hunting deer and elk, maybe smaller game too, like pigs.
I would like to use around 165 to 168 grain bullets.
I do NOT know how to reload my own ammo.

So, anyone have a recommendation for copper cartridges that will most likely work with this rifle/twist rate?

 

[howco]

Buy a box of the barnes ammo, I believe they make a few weights for 308.

 

[SumTingWong]

Thanks, but Barnes also states on their ballistics page that they recommend at least a 1:10 twist rate.

And that's for the TTSX and TSX...

 

[Frog4aday]

I can't find on the Barnes page where it states their .30 cal bullets are only recommended for a 1 in 10 twist. Your 1 in 12 twist will stabilize lead core bullets up to (and including) 180 grains and can properly stabilize a mono (copper only) bullet up to 155 grains. That being the case, this ammo would be perfect for your needs (deer and elk): Barnes VOR-TX Ammunition 308 Winchester 150 Grain TTSX Polymer Tipped Spitzer Boat Tail Lead-Free Box of 20

• Barnes #: 21540
• UPC #: 716876030859

 

[Frog4aday]

Looking at the Barnes reloading data, they show a 1:12 twist for their bullets UNTIL you get to the 175 grain LRX BT bullet, at which point they recommend a 1:11 twist, or faster. So you should be good with the Barnes options up to 165 grain/168 grain in your 1 in 12" twist Winchester Model 70.

 

[Gord0]

Check out hammer bullets. Looks like the 152 is what you want. Or maybe the 130.
https://hammerbullets.com/product/308-cal-152g-hammer-hunter/

 

[howco]

Frog posted the correct ammo. You won't know till you actually shoot and confirm at say 200yds. I've shot heavies in 7mm08 and 308 win with slow twist barrels at zero elevation with great accuracy, everything on paper or computer said it probably wouldn't work. You have to consider all of this information is guidelines. ....... every barrel will talk to you differently

 

[SumTingWong]

Thanks for the info.
Barnes website has mixed info, but I did find the .308 reload .pdf which states the test model was a 1:12 rifle. On some of their other pages, though, they state 1:10.
I sent an email to Barnes, just to be sure.

 

[elk wallow]

I don't shoot there loaded ammo but I reload with the 130gr ttsx for my daughters 308win. and they perform excellent. She has killed several deer with them and a nice bear this last week.

 

[LVJ76]

Since you dont reload here is what I reccomen

With a copper bullet like the TTSX you need an impact at high velocity to ensure the bullet expands as required for a clean and fast kill, so I would recommend to get the 130gr TTSX ammo, it's advertized at a 3,125 fps muzzle velocity so it should work good. Also, with copper bullets you don't need heavy for caliber bullets since they retain almost all the weight. With a heavier bullet like a168gr if shooting at say 400 yds you will lose velocity faster and bullet might not expand as required and cause a slow death or even a lost animal. Just my $0.02.

Hope this helps

 

[Poppadoer]

I have a tc compass.308 rifle with 1:12 twist and it shoots the Barnes tsx 150, and 130 grn.just fine.So LVJ76 gave you good advice.Happy hunting.

 

[SumTingWong]

@LVJ76: Thanks, I wasn't sure 130 or 150 would be ethical for elk, but the weight retention of copper makes sense.

I actually spoke with a Nosler tech rep yesterday, and he ran some numbers, and said the E-Tip 150 will work as well.

 

[sodakota]

Berger billets.com has a program that will accurately tell you if your load will be completely stabile, marginally or not.
There's factors other than twist rate such as altitude that are factors.

 

[tr175]

Use the Barnes 150 grain or 130 grain loaded ammo. It will kill everything up to elk for sure. those bullets were optimized for the 308. They are not the same as the components off the shelf. Performance is outstanding.