.308 Winchester - best factory load

J

joeyclimbing

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I'm interested in your opinions on the sweetest factory load for a combination of target shooting and mule deer. The rifle in question is a heavy barrelled Sako AII and no doubt there is a sweet bullet for the .308, like the 165 grain is for 30.06.
Thank you
Joe
 
joeyclimbing said:
I'm interested in your opinions on the sweetest factory load for a combination of target shooting and mule deer. The rifle in question is a heavy barrelled Sako AII and no doubt there is a sweet bullet for the .308, like the 165 grain is for 30.06.
Thank you
Joe
Click to expand...

You my friend are asking an impossible to answer question.

There will be naysayers but like it or not, every rifle is an entity unto itself.

Cartridges will change with every new batch. The bullet might stay the same as will the case dimensions but the powder/primer combination can and will change from batch to batch.

The best advice anyone here can honestly give you, is to try a couple of different brands cartridges, then if you find one that shoots really well, go back and see if they have several more from the same lot.

Other than that, if you're planning on shooting more than half a dozen boxes/20 per year, look for a used reloading outfit or even a LEE entry level kit for under $150, find a load that your rifle likes and stick to it.

Another piece of good advice is to get a really good cleaning set up. Not a BoreSnake.

When your groups start to open up, they usually do after 30-40 rounds, clean the bore of carbon and copper fouling. Take a couple of fouling shots and you're good to go again.

Never go hunting with a freshly cleaned bore. You just can't normally predict where the first couple of shots will go. Most rifles settle right down after a couple of foulers down the tube.

There is a lot more but that should get you started.
 
For a factory load I vote for Hornady Superformance 165gr SST (they have Interbonds too but haven't tested them yet).
Pretty accurate and you get 30-06 power from a short-barreled 308 (20").
 
I normally reload my own for target shooting using 168 sierra match kings, but for hunting I buy factory stuff. I have been using Win. silver tips in 168gr and have found them to be very accurate in my 700 sps tac.

stretch
 
For target shooting, you want ammo loaded with a good match bullet. Not a real good choice for hunting.


For hunting, you want a good hunting bullet.

If you are not a handloader, buy a few different boxes of 180 gr hunting ammo and see which one groups the ebst.
 
For target shooting, Federal Gold Match 175gr is the Gold Standard.
For deer hunting, Nolser Trophy Grade 165gr Accubond is tough to beat in performance and accuracy.

I would be extremely surprised if the 165gr Accubond could outshoot 175gr Sierra MatchKing.

Alex
 
For commercial load the Hornady Superformance 165 gr SST is almost on par with my best reloads i cant achieve their speed but in certain rifles they will achieve sub half moa, it is a great buy and very effective for your needs... JP.
 
For a factory load the Superformance 165 gr SST is unequaled in performance and accuracy, if i did not reload ,i'd would only shoot those... Cheers. JP.
 
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