Pet Loads for a Winchester Mod.100 in .308?

LawrenceN

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I'm in the process of trying to work up the most accurate load I can for my Mod.100. I plan to take it out for deer this year and thus far I have a load that's OK for minute-of-deer accuracy, but I'd like to tighten it up some. I'm looking for bullet/powder combinations for 150-165 gr. bullets, so if any of my fellow CGNer's have pet loads that you'd wish to share, I'd appreciate it. Here's where I stand at present; my best group so far (1-7/8" @ 100 yds.) was 165 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips on top of 47.5 gr. H380. Now I know that the Mod.100's are not renown for their accuracy and for all I know, that's considered a "good" group for that rifle. Also, where we hunt we have a maximum shooting distance in one place of about 160 yds. and most of the terrain only allows for shots from 40-80 yds., so I don't need 200 yd.+ accuracy. I am personally happy if I can shoot consistent 1"-1-1/4" groups at 100 yds. with any particular firearm so as you can see, I'm not quite there yet. So, anyone have some good input they'd care to share? Thanks in advance.
 

Thanks Manitou, but I already checked their site for load data. For instance, I loaded the 165 Ballistic Tip with 44 gr. of Varget (mid range) and the loads were stringing vertically. I always look at the bullet manufacturers web sites to see what they recommend, but the reason I've put this thread out there is nothing beats practical experience. Nosler doesn't even list H380 as a powder for the 165 gr. bullets and yet that has given me the best results so far. Folks look at company data, but sometimes forget to consider which rifle was used for testing? What was the barrel length? What is the rate of twist? Hence, I'm asking fellow Mod.100 owners what has worked best for them, or is 1-7/8" groups the best I can expect?
 
I find that with a semi it is important to find the powder charge that shoots best. This will vary from rifle to rifle.

H380 would be a good choice in a bolt rifle, but for a semi shooting 165s I would suggest a step faster. 748, BLC2, 4895,

I would load 38 to 42 gr in 0.5 gr increments, 5 of each and see what grouped best. Let it cool well between strings, and try to plot where the first 3 shots go, in case groups open with heat.
 
Thanks Ganderite. I always like your posts. I've been doing some reading up on the Mod.100's on the net and it seems they like heavier bullets like 180 gr., or so the forums that I've looked at seem to suggest. Personally, I find that a little heavy for whitetail and I prefer 150 gr. or 165 gr. max to keep the meat spoilage to a minimum. I was almost out of IMR 4895, but I just got some in so I'm going to work up some loads and see what it does with both the 150 and 180 gr. I don't expect "tack driver" accuracy out of it but I do want to wring the maximum performance that I can out of 'er.
 
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