Author Topic: 308 varmit rifle ? (Read 1473 times)

cridertj · « **on:** February 02, 2009, 03:01:44 PM »

Can a 308 be loaded down to be a good 300-yard varmint rifle? If so any good loads? I want to use it for coyotes, ground hogs, wild hyped up bull frogs

and what ever else may need taken care of. I know other rifles would be better but i am looking for a new rifle and a 204 is top on the list but since i already have a 308 in a encore i thought reloading for one bullet would be easier if i could load it down a little and bring the coast down a little. I would not be sealing pelts or any thing just controlling local packs.

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2009, 06:31:57 PM »

To me no .30 caliber is a varmint rifle. Mostly you are talking predators not varmints. Not the same thing. In my mind that's too much gun for the uses you say you'll put it to. You'd do better with a .223 or .22-250.

no guns here · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2009, 09:48:04 PM »

Well, for prairie dogs, it would be a bit hard on the shoulder and wallet. But, you didn't mention prairie dogs. For coyotes and other predators it would be just fine. You aren't going to shoot dozens or hundreds a day. Once or twice a day would be my guess. Just buy some lightly constructed bullets and shoot them at regular velocities. No need to "load down" if you aren't after pelts. I have rifles for these situations but if I didn't, the .308 wouldn't leave me feeling either over-gunned or under-gunned. Just choose your bullet and whack'em. Ground hogs should feel no pain after getting splatted with a soft 150 gr bullet. Coyotes will get turned inside out with one. I've smoked a couple with my .30-'06 and it was pretty much a "bang-flop" and a big mess. But it worked. No taxidermist or furrier could have saved that pelt. I'd look for the most lightly constructed .308 bullet and proceed to eliminate some 'yappers.

ngh

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2009, 03:30:02 AM »

My concern, is what happens to the bullet after it passes through.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2009, 04:48:14 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on February 03, 2009, 03:30:02 AM

My concern, is what happens to the bullet after it passes through.

I would guess probably the same thing that happens when the bullet passes through a deer.

Swampman · « **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2009, 05:04:22 AM »

I'd rather have a varmit bullet that doesn't pass through.

no guns here · « **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2009, 05:21:04 AM »

Personally, I'd rather have a bullet that doesn't exit as well. That's why I have .223's and a 6mm Rem. However, given the parameter of using a .308 as a varmint/predator rifle this will happen on most every "varmint" out there. So, in addition to carefully chosing your shots to ensure that there is adequate "backdrop" to stop a bullet that passes through; I included the "lightly constructed" verbage. As we all know the more lightly constructed bullets will be less likely to pass through the intended target. Additionally, said projectile will more likely break up on impact with the ground, brush, trees, etc instead of continuing on to cause damage somewhere else. So, careful bullet selection alongside proper shot selection should help ensure the safety of all except the target. I would have no problem using my .308 as a predator rifle. Actually, with the exception of my AR, it's probably the best I have due to it's size and weight. It's significantly lighter and shorter than my full-sized Remingtons, Rugers etc. Oops, got off topic, went into rifles again instead of cartridge. As for the .308, I wouldn't down load it at all if I were trying to make 300 yard varmint/predator rifle out of it. Now there are some 125 gr reduced recoil loads for it (Federal I think) that would make a good varmint round but you'd have to know your shots to be good at 300. Might be an option.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:35:06 PM »

Quote from: cridertj on February 02, 2009, 03:01:44 PM

Can a 308 be loaded down to be a good 300-yard varmint rifle?

In my experience, "No". The prolem is the bullets are too heavy and tend to ricochet. Where I've done most of my coyote and prairie dog hunting that is a really bad thing.

charles p · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:05:44 PM »

Perfectly good reason to add a few rifles to your cabinet.

chutesnreloads · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 05:37:34 PM »

Don't have my load data handy but you're looking for the 110 grain sierra varminter.I load mine at one grain less than hodgdon's maximum with h-4895.A very accurate load.Huge hollow cavity.Only shot them at paper though because the p.o.i. is 6 inches off from my go to loads.

trotterlg · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 07:22:57 PM »

At 110 gr they are nearly 5 times as heavy as my 17 Remington FB bullets are, plus, a 110gr .30 cal bullet has the BC of a rock. Get a rifle chambered in a proper varmint round. Larry

cridertj · « **Reply #11 on:** February 05, 2009, 03:35:24 AM »

OK point taken bad idea using the 308 so now my question is 204 or 22-250 i have not used eather on so some more help please

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 05, 2009, 03:48:33 AM »

cridertj –

As I pointed out before, heavy bullets tend to ricochet. I won’t use anything heavier than 75g for varminting in my .257 Roberts for that reason. But that is only one problem you will have.

As someone else pointed out, the Point of Impact will be very different if you go with the lightest bullets. In my Roberts the 75g bullets are easily 6” off from my 110-120g hunting loads. That means you will have to do as I do, which is rezero when switching between the two. I only do this in the fall before hunting season and then again afterwards, but it is still something of a PITA.

A couple of suggestions.

1. Get a new rifle. I recommend a .223 over the .204.
2. Good, used rifles are available – half my rifles were used, in great condition, and they all shoot as well as the ones I purchased new.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2009, 09:36:31 AM »

110 gr V Maxes explode in dogs pretty much just like they do in smaller cals my shooting buddy shot back to back 1 inch groups out of his Rem 700 with them at 300 yards, they are designed for perdetor removal and work very well for it.

All that being said I would go with a .204 or a .223 out to 300 The longer bullets of the .294 allow it to stretch the range to at least 400 I would want a 6mm after that.

prairiedog555 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2009, 11:22:32 AM »

I use my .308 Handi as well as my 7.5 Swiss FMJ loads for coyotes. Kills them dead. Since the price for them around here is down to $5-$7 they are not worth picking up.
And here in Kansas there are no ricochets where I shoot, jest dirt. Lots and lots of coyotes that do a lot of damage.
You can make some long shots with a .308. Much better at bucking the prairie wind and retained energy than my .223.

Graybeard · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2009, 05:37:49 PM »

Of the two now under consideration chose the .22-250.

trotterlg · « **Reply #16 on:** February 05, 2009, 06:19:42 PM »

Considering you started out with a 30 cal you are on the right track. Just bump down to one of the .17 CF and you will have just what you need. Larry

cridertj · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2009, 02:11:26 PM »

How would the 223 work ? will it split the diff. between 204 and 22-250

saltydog · « **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2009, 06:27:25 AM »

204 - barrel would serve you well for small varmit use. Nothing wrong with 110 Vmax for larger varmit/predator - low volume shooting - just would not be my first choice.

diggler1833 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2009, 02:53:15 AM »

.22-250 for more terminal energy on impact. .223 for better barrel life. If you keep your shots limited to 300yds or less than the .223 is more than enough gun. You would still be looking at a minimum of 450+ lb/ft of energy at that range with a more mild load and 50gr bullet. Plus you get quite a few more rounds of barrel life if you are going to be doing a lot of volume shooting.

That being said, my walking varminter rifle is a .22-250.