Lightest 308 loads for rams

[fwt1712]

What are the lightest recoiling loads that will work reliably in a 308 at 500m (to be used for hunter class)? I had thought that 180gn going slow (but how slow - 2400fps??) might be the answer? Thanks Nigel.

[CB]

155Amax worked well for me once, max charge of H4895 launched it at 2700-2750. lost a few rams as expected but not like I had thought, ringers were in the 8-10% range. most lost were on rainy, headwind days so I took it in stride. well worth it for reduced bite on c-p-t as well as simplicity of shooting one load for entire match.
 Had been shooting 168's all the way out. but flinch developed half way through second 40 match of day. BAD, it was definitely over my calm threshold, 180-190's are of nature that I don't want the ram that bad anymore.
good luck

[Gringo Grizzly]

I think a 180 grain load at 2400 fps is too slow and that you'll lose too many rams with it.  

If your rams are really tough - as they are at my range near Atglen, Pa, you'd be lucky to get 80%.

I have been using a 175 gr SMK with 48 gr of H380 with pretty good results.  This is not however, what I'd call a low recoil load.  

But it will take the rams most of the time.

Achieved about 94% using a hot 168 SMK load.

To get nearly 100% - which I once achieved over an entire season, you'll need a 190 at 2500+.  
I didn't notice the recoil when I was shooting this at the time - but would now since I've been shooting the weenie 6.5's.

[dave imas]

quite a few years ago i had a 97% knockdown rate with a 175 gr sierra out of a 7tcu.  i don't think it was going any faster than 2200fps.  with the advent of vld bullets it should be easier to knock rams down with lower muzzle velocities.  most folks are not willing to pay the price in pain for a 100% knockdown rate.

[Mongo1]

.308 = rung rams.  Just my opinion based on shooting 190s and leaving them.  I suggest finding a combination that is not too bad in terms of recoil and just living with it.  A .308 probably needs 220s to be "reliable".  (As Mr. Rogers might have said:  "Boys and girls, can you spell 'flinch'?")

Dave is right.  The recoil is too much to be 100%.

[anthonyg]

I SHOOT A 308 STANDARD SILHOUETTE RIFLE 24INCH BARREL . MOST OF MY HIGH POWER SILHOUETTE SHOOTING HAS BEEN AT atglen PA. AND CENTRAL JERSEY IN JACKSON NJ. MY LOAD IS 43.6 gar OF RELOADER 15 168 GR SIERRA MOLLY COATED BULLETS AND FEDERAL210 MATCH. MUZZLE VELOCITY IS 2606 I HAVE CRONOGRAPHED THIS LOAD MANY TIMES. I HAVE NEVER HAD A RINGER WITH THIS LOAD. IF YOU DONT MOLLY YOUR BULLETS YOU CAN REDUCE YOUR LOAD TO 41 GR. OF R15 . EXPECT TO LOOSE 100FPS WHEN MOLLYING BULLETS  I DID HAVE TROUBLE WITH A 708 AT ATGLEN A FEW YEARS AGO THEY HAD JUST HAD NEW TARGETS MADE AND I THINK YOU WOULD OF NEEDED A 105 MM TO KNOCK THEM OVER.I SHOOT THE 708 AT 2400 FPS 168 GR SIERRA AND HAVE NO PROBLEMS  MOST OF THE PROBLEMS ARISE FROM SHOOTING BULLETS TO FAST    ANTHONF G

[Gringo Grizzly]

Anthony,
Good post - your 2600+ 168 SMK load takes the rams at Atglen most of the time.  When you've shot 100 of these on the full course range I'm betting you're close to the 94% range I mentioned, and most of mine were indeed shot at Atglen.  
A few years ago, we received a really well-crafted set of new rams and did a complete spec job on the stands.  
Maybe we did this TOO well (!) as we're constantly receiving reports of lost rams- although the complaints are fewer than they were a few years ago.

One of the great joys of this sport is the ram knockdown opinions.  I've used 7BR's, .260's, 6.5x55's, 7/08's, .308's and even .30'06's for hundreds of rams each.  NONE are always 100%.  It's what makes HP Rifle so much fun.

My best % was with the .30/06 with 190's, but I wouldn't recommend it! Second best is the.308 with 190's behind stout charge of H380.


Once lost a Texas State Championship in '84 after having lost 4 rams in the two day shoot. This forced a three-way shootoff which I managed to lose -but which - if the rams had fallen, wouldn't have taken place.  In this case the match was held at the Central Texas range near Waco - which we used to call - the cave of the winds - and both days of this match saw winds coming in strong behind the rams.  
That's silhouette shooting!

Also, I'd like to congratulate you on your excellent - and improved shooting of late.  There are not many master scores shot at Atglen - period - hunter rifle or standard.

Greg Buss

[anthonyg]

thanks greg its a honor hearing that from you        
                                           ANTHONY G