Just purchased a Ruger America Predator in 308 and wondering if anyone has had any experience loading 170 gr flat points for it. Emailed Hornady and there reply was they should perform fine but looking for some real time experience. Would just be used for under 100 yd deer hunting.
170 Gr Flat point in 308
- Thread starter deadeye93
- Start date
duncansuds
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Weyburn, SK
Should perform fine.
Under 100y is fine for virtually any load at over 1900fps impact velocity. Go for tweaks until accurate, but really sub 4” groups are adequate.
Under 100y is fine for virtually any load at over 1900fps impact velocity. Go for tweaks until accurate, but really sub 4” groups are adequate.
Friend of mine swears by them in his 308. Won’t use anything else. Most of his shots are under 100 m. I started loading them in my 307 Winchester and found they work well. Last deer was about 140 m and went maybe 10 m on his front legs after hitting him in the spine behind the shoulder.
shackleford
CGN Regular
- Location
- S. Ontario
Isn't the 307 just a rimmed 308 case to work in lever actions ?
307 Winchester is dimensionally close but pressure is less. 308 dies are used. I misplaced my book but from what I can remember I was using Lever Revolution. Hornady lists bullet# 3060 170 fp at 37.7 to 40.4. I believe I was using 40.0 grs. 2400 fps from the Hornady manual. 308 is a slightly higher pressure round so not a good idea to use its data. Want a photo of that page just PM me with your email.
The 308 is is the caliber you have the most choices in bullet weight, shape and quality.
Why would you use the 170 flat point, which is meant for a tubular fed lever action rifle, in a bolt action rifle, unless you have a large quantity of these bullets on hand already?
Now to your question, would they work, sure, but there are probably a hundred better choices.
Why would you use the 170 flat point, which is meant for a tubular fed lever action rifle, in a bolt action rifle, unless you have a large quantity of these bullets on hand already?
Now to your question, would they work, sure, but there are probably a hundred better choices.
307’s are tube feed. Winchester and Marlin levers are chambered in 307 Winchester. The 170 fn works very well.
The OP asked about a load for his bolt action rifle in 308 WIN, when did it become 307?.
Post #5
Deer are easy to kill, if you hit them well. 308 (and 307) are over-kill. Nothing wrong with that, but it does raise the issue of meat destruction. I have seen 150gr bullets destroy a lot of meat when shot from a 308.
The 170 gr bullet is probably made with a lighter jacket and would be quite explosive in both calibers. If you have a bunch of them, by all means use them. If it was me, I would start with a START load, and work up looking for the accuracy load. Any accurate load you will find will be much more powerful than a 30-30 - which is plenty for deer.
I would use a stick powder, like 3031 or 4895 or RL15 or Varget. It ignites easily in a less than full case and at low temps (hunting). Ball powder in less than max loads can be a problem.
There is lots of 165 - 168 gr data for the 308. Use that Start data. 35gr of any of the powders I mentioned would be good.
The 170 gr bullet is probably made with a lighter jacket and would be quite explosive in both calibers. If you have a bunch of them, by all means use them. If it was me, I would start with a START load, and work up looking for the accuracy load. Any accurate load you will find will be much more powerful than a 30-30 - which is plenty for deer.
I would use a stick powder, like 3031 or 4895 or RL15 or Varget. It ignites easily in a less than full case and at low temps (hunting). Ball powder in less than max loads can be a problem.
There is lots of 165 - 168 gr data for the 308. Use that Start data. 35gr of any of the powders I mentioned would be good.
Not .308, but .300 Savage out of a 99. 170gr flat points worked really well on caribou.
Not a hot load - would have been more than a .30-30, less than a .308. Gevelot bullets, if I am not mistaken. Darn near cylindrical, wide flat point.
Not a hot load - would have been more than a .30-30, less than a .308. Gevelot bullets, if I am not mistaken. Darn near cylindrical, wide flat point.
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