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Author Topic: Loading the 308 Winchester  (Read 920 times)

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Offline Prince of Wales

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« on: August 15, 2004, 11:02:15 AM »
I am looking for loads for my Savage 99 in 308 Win. I have not loaded for this rifle before. I want a middle of the road load. Not too hot and not too fast. Will prefere to use 125 gr pointed bullets (for blacktail deer). Any advise apreciated. POW
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Offline Tom W.

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2004, 11:11:56 AM »
Midway sells a Book called  "The complete reloading manual for the .308 winchester" for about $8. It gives 2788 proven and tested loads, 148 various bullet designs, using 63 different powders. They come in other calibers, also.
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Offline Leftoverdj

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« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2004, 02:53:33 PM »
Prince, I am getting superb accuracy with Rem 125 grains and 47 grains of WC 846. My lot is extremely close to H335. Try 45 grains of either and work up if you feel the need.

btw, I have my doubts about those bullets on anything but rib shots.
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Offline Prince of Wales

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« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2004, 08:23:54 AM »
Leftoverdj ,I`m a ribshooter anyway because here on POW Island we tend to be meat hunters. Beef is not really affordable. We have 5+ months to get 4 deer per household member.
 I have in mind the Nosler Bassistic Tip in 125 gr. Do you think that will hold up a bit better. I know that probably 125 grain 30 cal bullets is likely a crossover area for varmit/game. Seems like perhaps a Barnes X or other premium 125 gr bullet might be suited to small deer (average 90-100 lbs). What are your thoughts on this? POW
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Offline ricciardelli

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2004, 09:06:48 AM »
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Offline Prince of Wales

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« Reply #5 on: August 16, 2004, 02:52:24 PM »
After looking at what was available in 125 gr 30 cal bullets from Midway I think I will try the sierra 125 gr Pro-Hunter. It is highly reccomended for the 308 Win as whitetail load.

 Is there any reason to believe that 45-47 gr of the aforementioned powders WC846 & H335 will not be a good place to begin?

 Anyone have experience with worked up loads for this?
                                                                               Thanks POW
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Offline Prince of Wales

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2004, 09:34:34 AM »
In regard to the last post can anyone tell me if this combination of powders and bullet is a middle of the road load. And if so what would be the #s as far as velocity and energy? Thanks POW
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Offline jhm

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« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2004, 02:18:46 PM »
POW :  the charges stated for the H335 are in the range to get 2700 to 2800 fps with the 125 gr. I cant speak for the other powder at present, enjoy  :D    JIM
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Offline Prince of Wales

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« Reply #8 on: August 18, 2004, 06:35:44 AM »
JIm i checked with Sierra at their 800# hotline and they reccomend the following for their 125 gr Pro-Hunter
41.8 gr to 47 gr of H335 and 42.5 gr to 47 gr of 4895 POW
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Offline Selmer

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2004, 07:17:42 AM »
When dad got my brother and I .308's at the age of twelve for shooting SD whitetails, he loaded them down with 125 gr. BT and 47 gr. 4831.  It shot great out of our M110's and we didn't lose any deer with it, but we didn't hit any poorly either.  The 125 gr. BT worked great for us, go ahead and use it!
Selmer
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Offline Rmouleart

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #10 on: August 18, 2004, 09:14:39 AM »
Using Savages I have found IMR/RE19/RE15 work the best, using 150gr-180gr bullets. Never liked anything smaller than 150gr for whitetail deer, I guess just as long as the 125gr bullet is not a varmint bullet, or it may not hold up on a deers shoulder if hit, just a heads up. The 308 win really does the best with 150gr bullets on big game as far as I have seen over the years.
But I guess with the newer well construted bullets of today, things have changed, of course I hunt wooded area's, not open flat sky country, then I could see why your using such a small bullet, need to reachout and touch something far away. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.
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Offline rpseven

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #11 on: August 18, 2004, 10:20:22 AM »
Try a  Speer Grand Slam bullet with some IMR 4064. The 160gr. GS worked good in my 308.
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Offline Prince of Wales

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Loading the 308 Winchester
« Reply #12 on: August 19, 2004, 07:43:13 AM »
Yesterday when I talked to the Sierra tech rep I asked if the 125 gr Pro-Hunter was well suited to my need. That would be on Blacktail deer (90-100 lb) in open terrain. His reply was that it would be an excellent choice and went on to say that a good friend of his lives in Northern Alaska and uses that same bullet in a 308 to harvest many caribou every year and it has never failed him yet. I thought that was a pretty good endorsement.
 I do not want to get into the expense of a premium bullet. I have a Browning B-78 in 25/06 if I need anything special done. Here we have a 5+ month open season to bag 4 deer per licensed household member so hunting is not a real formal affair. More or less an everyday activity on simple terms.
 I too feel that generally speaking the 308 Win is at its best with a 150 gr bullet but on the little Blacktail it tends to be a bit excessive if not downloaded close to a 30/30 class. With a 125 gr I will get appr 3000 FPS without high pressure. We`ll see but at this point I think it is going to be something that works out for me. Thanks to all who have taken the time to offer advise and opinions. Gotta love these forums. POW
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