Need a 308 target load

[olsmokey]

Picked up a Savage 12 FTR today in 308. Anyone have any acurate loads for max. 500 yrd. shooting? Plan to use it on praire rats this spring. thanks Dave

[herman]

You can try this one it shoots very well in mine and buddies savage.
Berger flat based 150 gr with IMR 4895 46.5 grs. cci br primer win case.
We found that the bullet needs to be set in the lands so you will have to try different lengths.I run mine at 2.250 measured from the olgive.
Another load I like is 43 grs of IMR 4895 and a nosler match 168 gr.But have found out sence that the 168 hornady shoots a tad better.
For varmits I would try the 110 v-max,I cannot find my notes at the moment but they shot good out to 300 yds.

[olsmokey]

Thanks Herman, Picked up some 168gr. A-Max gonna try your 43grs.of 4895. Since this barrel has a 1-12 twist [30''] how do you think it will shoot the 110 grainers? thanks Dave

[billc]

I like a 165 grain Sierria Gameking spitzer boat tail or boat tail hollow point, 41.1 gr IMR 4895, Federal large rifle primer, in Lake City military brass for my deer hunting load. Very accurate out of 6 different rifles -- semi-autos, lever actions, and bolt actions. If I was just punching paper or varmints I'd try the 168 gr Matchking in the same configuration. If I were using civilian brass I'd probably have to go up a grain or two with the powder. I try to load OAL as long as I can and get reliable feeding -- somewhere in the 20 thousand-ths off the lands range.

[herman]

I cannot find the load I used for the 110 but they shot less than an inch at 300 yds.I will check with my buddie and see what loads he uses with them.Will see him tuesday.

[youp50]

I find that WW 748 powder and 150 grain flat base bullets offer me good, consistent accuracy.

[olsmokey]

Couldn't find any Sierria bullets to try but since this is Hornady country found some 168gr. A-Max. Since this rifle has a 1-12 twist with 30'' barrel, maybe stick with the heavier bullet and slower powder 4895 or Varget. Have both on hand. What do you think? Isn't Richard the long range Guru on here? thanks Dave

[herman]

I shot a few of the 110 v-max this morning but didn't have enough to try 300 yds.These were shot with IMR 4895(46 and 47 grs) and f210 primers,at 100 yds should work very well for any varmit.

Try 43 gs of IMR4895 and 43.5 grs of varget with those 168 a-maxes.

[jims]

Pretty solid shooting.

[olsmokey]

Nice shootn. thanks, will give it a try. Hor. manual says 44g of Varget is in the red. On the Varget bottle it has 46g as max. load for 168 bullets. That seems like an awful big diff don't you think?

[herman]

Have shot 46 grs of varget but with the 30" barrel mine does better with 42.5 and 43.5 grs varget.
Shot some 155 pamela match this morning useing 46.5 grs 4895 and got 1/1/2 in group at 300.
IMR 4064,Imr 4895 and varget is the best powders so far in my tikka and savage.
The savage has a tight chamber,have shot up to 45 grs of 4064,44 grs of 4895 and 46 grs of varget without any pressure signs.Just be sure and check for pressure as you work up.

[billc]

Herman,

Can't say nothing but good on shooting like that! Since you listed IMR 4064 have you tried IMR 4320 in a 308?

[herman]

I haven't used 4320 in years except a can I had that was allmost empty and tried some in my tikka 308 and it shot very well.
My best choice for powder in a 30 cal rifle would be A 2230-C,it is a bulk powder and is slower than reg 2230.I have a partial 8lb can of 2230-S and myself and shooting buddie hasn't found one cal it shoots good in yet.
If you try the load below start a little lower and work up Not sure but think it was over max.You can see its been awhile since I shot this.

[billc]

Thanks Herman. I am going to try IMR-4320 in a 358 Win and was thinking of trying it in a 308. I reckon I will now.

Bill

[olsmokey]

Went to a gun show yesterday, found some 308 LC match brass 10 bucks a 100. Also found 8# H-4895 for 15$ @ lb. couldn't pass it up. Hornady manual lists both as nearly identical, But comparing Hod. manual against IMR manual shows useing less H-4895 for identical loads. Anyone done a comparison of the two? thanks Dave

[billc]

I've never used the H-4895 only the IMR-4895. Guys I know and shoot with swear by the one they are using. Believe the reloading manual on the difference between the two powders. The two powders should work equally well after you develope the load.

[herman]

Either will work great in the 308.What I am useing is bulk that I bought
(24 lbs) for less than 10 bucks a lb.All the bulk powders are very hard to or impossible to get now.Except you may find some of the 50 bmg powders still yet.If 2230-c ever come avaiable again I bet I don't run out again.
I have checked the powder I have now and it is IMR 4895.
There are so many powders that work great with the 308 that you can just pick one and work up a load for.
I think the lc 308 brass is the same as reg brass on the capicity but not sure.I know I have lots of LC 223 brass and it holds the same amount of water.

[herman]

Tuesday I tried the 4064 load (42.6 grs) in my savage and tikka at 300 yds.My shooting buddie was spotting for me and I was adjusting the scope as I went.Shot the tikka at the head of the ground hog and the savage f/tr at the body dot.We could see the holes in the body but couldn't see any in the head untill we went to get the targets.I used hornady 168 gr BTHP match.Thought I was missing with the tikka.But it wasn't shooting to bad either.Was a little surprised that both rifles shot the same load so well.
Going to try some 168 bergers and a-maxs next week.

[herman]

olsmokey,Hows your savage coming along?
Shot some good groups wednesday wish I could get these every day.

[jims]

Nice shooting.

[herman]

Thanks jims just get lucky sometimes.

[jims]

Herman: I have seen some of your targets, I think you make your own luck based on good rifles and good shooting techniques. I wish I had the same skill to be as "lucky"