OK so I finally did it I bought a .308 just sos I'd have one, it's not like there is anything around here big enough to hunt with a .308, I just wanted one. And I am not in any shape to be traveling to Alaska or anyplace one may actually need a 308.

Anyway, what I am interested in are loads and bullet weights, I load my .270 with 130gr, and the 7mm Mag with 150gr. I am thinking that the 308 should have 180gr bullets.

Please let me know what ya'll are doing, oh the rifle has a 22" barrel with 1 in 10 twist.

imho: take 150 grs for the .308 Win and keep the 180 grs for the .300 WM. That's my general rule and I can live with it, but I can also live with the exceptions (as the 200-220 grs for .300 WM and 180 grs for .308, but I consider them exceptions for a special purpose).
When your game is too big or too small, chose the heavy bullets. For some you need it, for the others you need their hard jacket which prevent excessive meatlosses.

try some 130grn speers and save your shoulder as the recoil is less but they work good for smaller sized deer and other critters. It sounds like you have the big stuff covered the .308 if its shorter and lighter may be a better brush gun, but dont let my .270 know that I said that please its still grumpy with me for not aiming it right yesterday.

150, 155, 165, 168 mostly every now and then a 170 from the 30-30 pile

Les, I'm just starting loading for a .308 too (Ruger Scout Rifle). My first test loads use the Hornady 165 grain SST bullet. If I ever get a chance to try them I'll let you know how they do. I had planned to shoot them yesterday but with 25-30 mph winds and tornado warnings I decided to skip the trip to the range.

Hey Les
Try 165 nosler bt or partitians with 39.3gr of IMR 3031 powder. This is not a fast load only about 2400-2500fps and it is not hard on the shoulder.

I've been using 150, and 165 gr. Sierra game kings, using Varget, or H4895. They work well on deer, and shoot pretty decent groups at the range

The 150 grain Nosler Accubond is a nice bullet . I have shot quite a few deer with it in my .308 with Varget

150gr for deer size game and 168's for long range target loads !!!

lester where i live here in oz im about 3/4 hour away from pig ,sambar,fallow deer and wild dog i also have a 308 .
i usually take two loads with me as 180 grains is a bit much for dog and most of the pigs are on the smaller side any fallow you come across will be at close range less than 50 yards and i reckon 180 would do way too much damage .

robbo



whale oil beef hooked

Welcome aboard Robbo...grab a beer and pull up a stump mate.

I don't load .308...yet...but my choice of bullets would be 130gn, 150gn and 165gn...in various bullet types. I load the 150 PowerPoint in my 30.30 and it does a great job on anything except rabbits (for some reason ). The 130gn would be my go to for pig, fallow deer and wild dog, with the 150gn as the next choice. For Sambar the 165gn would be my choice...hits hard and will put them down with authority..with the right load.

Cheers, Vince

I got a .308 last sept.
The load I've developed is 46.8 grn of AR2208 (aka varget to the north american tribe) and 150 grn sierra gamekings.
This gives a 1 inch group at 100mt at 2868 fps on a rifle with no bedding other than what it came with.
I have yet to shoot anything other than paper with it. Wait for it!
The 125 grn factory federals which ran around 3100 fps I couldnt get to group under 2 inch @100 mt.
Main targets will be Fallow, goats and any pig lucky enough top come into range. To me 150 grn is a good alrounder, but I may try the 165 grn if I start playing in F class.

Thanks fo rall the help guys.

This is how I am going to start though. No off the shelf for this rifle.

Got 100 Remington cases, and 100 Barnes Tipped Triple-Shock X 168 gr, gonna load 46 grs AA 2520 and see what happens.

Hey lester-good morning!I also load for 308,150s&165s&168s.Varget-until I try that new one-IMR 8208 XBR,had to special order it- nobody stocks it that I do buis.with!It's supposed to be the fix-all with 308,and 223!Have you fired any rounds in that new stick yet?I always start my new ones with a box of factory stuff to smooth out the lands and prove the factory warrantee.I'd hate to have one grenade on me with a reload because of some factory"flaw"in the gun.Not much legal recourse.After the factory stuff tho- it's reloads all the way!

thanks for the help the guy from brisbane ,all my shots would be less than 100 yards as a matter of fact ive come across fallow at 5-10 yards sambar at same pigs 50 and wild dog around the 50 .
unfortunately the deer were lucky all i had was a 223 and i was on a track so couldnt shoot what a bugger and we have a law down here nothin under .243 for deer anyway . plus i was a bit close to the nearest farm house eventhough i was in the scrub what i need is some silent loads for the 308 and the 223 .