200gr Bullets In .308win

Mumbles Marble Mouth

Mumbles Marble Mouth

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I just got a new Tikka T3x Battue and was going through some reloading data and thought, I’m only using this rifle for short range encounters while still-hunting. Maybe I should work up a load with 200gr bullets. Anyone tried this already? Performance on big game is pretty good or is it not worth the time and just stick with 180grs? I won’t be using a scope.
 
I was looking at the Sierra match Kings 200 brains for in my stag 10 and my bolt action I would love to see what they're like I use 180s right now though
 
What do you hope to gain?

Do you want it to hit harder? It probably won't, because that title usually goes to the fastest one that gives enough penetration.

It wouldn't be higher BC because at closer range it's a non issue.

Is it more penetration? That would indicate that you think a 180 doesn't have enough.

Its not likely accuracy because short range and irons just don't make that a high priority.
 
I think you'd be just fine with 180 gr. rounds, to be honest. The 200 gr. wouldn't make much of a difference over the 180 gr.
 
Unless you want to single load or change out the bolt stop and use a 30-06 mag, I'd stick with the 180's.

Unless you can load to 2.9"+ 200's just take up too much case capacity. In my experience the 180's tend to expand a little better at 308 velocities as well.
 
I've been down the road with 200s- kicked like a freakin mule and had smoke coming out of the chamber-WAY OVER PRESSURE ands cil FACTORY LOADS- 180s will do everything needed and more- I only tried one box of that cil stuff and said NEVER AGAIN-i'm an accomplished handloader and been shooting 76- did evreything but blow the action open - if u want 200s or better, go to an 06
 
Hand Skills said:
Unless you want to single load or change out the bolt stop and use a 30-06 mag, I'd stick with the 180's.

Unless you can load to 2.9"+ 200's just take up too much case capacity. In my experience the 180's tend to expand a little better at 308 velocities as well.
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I load to 2.9" OAL in my Savage short action. I use a 200gr ELD-X only because I have hundreds of them for my 300WM. The 178 ELD-X would honestly be a better bullet for a 308.
 
200 gr round nose if its accurate is a great load. I prefer it out of a 3006 but for short range the 308 will lob them in just fine.
Bullet construction will make more differnce. I tend to like heavy for caliber bullets at modest velocity. They work great and tend to not damage as much meat
 
………..:jerkit:...………

So them with the almight .358win shewt'in 250's are hokie dokie with the results
and taws'in 200's down the bawrill in a .308win have some sort awf issues?

Can anyone see where I'm think'in?
 
No really good reason to shoot more than 180's from the .308... I shoot 200 RCL's from my .358's and occasionally the 225 Partitions, but I got away from the 250 grain bullets in the small .35's, for the same reason I avoid the 200's in the small .30's... less than optimal case capacity. If I did not have any .358's, I could see myself shooting the 180 SP's or RN's in my .308 Carbines, but for now it is the 150/165 bullets that I load.
 
I load 220 Sierra RNs in 308 and every rifle I have tried it in shoots them sub moa. I have never run them over a crony, so no idea of actual velocity. They shoot reasonably flat to 200, shot a white tail with little meat damage, as one would expect bullet went clean through.
I highly doubt there is any gain to going heavier than 180. In my opinion traditional bullets like Speer and Hornady are all you need in 308 premium expensive bullets are a waist of money.
 
I would be leery of hunting with heavier than normal bullets in any chambering. Usually such bullets are made for a more powerful cartridge and may not expand properly at the velocity of the lower power cartridge. This may cause them to act worse than a fmj, plowing right through with zero expansion, at least a fmj might tumble on impact.
 
I am switching over to shooting 210gr Accubond long range in my 22" barreled T/C Prohunter in 30-06 I am currently shooting 165gr Accubonds @ 2880fps.

I have only just started load development but I am already getting 2500fps with still one gr from max RL22 powder and under 3/4" 3 shot 100 yard groups I plan on giving RL17 a try though I'm thinking I should be able to push these bullets to 2600fps.

From my understanding the Accubond long range bullets are designed to expand down to 1300fps I suggest you give the 190gr ABLR a try in your 308 they will expand at the velocities you will get from your 308.
 
t-star said:
I've been down the road with 200s- kicked like a freakin mule and had smoke coming out of the chamber-WAY OVER PRESSURE ands cil FACTORY LOADS- 180s will do everything needed and more- I only tried one box of that cil stuff and said NEVER AGAIN-i'm an accomplished handloader and been shooting 76- did evreything but blow the action open - if u want 200s or better, go to an 06
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Why would 200 grain factory loads be over pressure? I do not understand the event you describe, nor your thinking that 200 grain loads are only for the 06.
 
I have a pet load using 208 gr Amax and R17 that give me 2650 fps out of my SSG3000 24 inch barrel, this is a sub MOA load.
 
If you need something harder hitting than a 180gr Partition or TSX, you need a more potent cartridge!
A 308 is an excellent medium range cartridge with 45gr or so of propellant.
If you need more power, you need a bigger case!

Alex
 
I would think the recoil impulse would be quite a bit slower with the big heavies leaving slower, moderate 200s or modest 220s would feel good and get the job done.

The 220 grain #2180 is the real heavyweight and is suitable for the largest North American game and many African species.
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Its my opinion that 200gr in a .308 is out of its velocity/energy range. 308 does much better with a 150-175grain bullet.
 
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