220 g. Round nose .308 ?
- Thread starter R.G.
- Start date
Depends on your twist rate. Generally 220gr is too heavy to stabilize in average .308's.
My Rem 700 is a 1:12" twist and will stabilize 168gr bullets but not 178gr or heavier. They are just all over the place if I use anything heavier than 168gr.
My Rem 700 is a 1:12" twist and will stabilize 168gr bullets but not 178gr or heavier. They are just all over the place if I use anything heavier than 168gr.
I have no experience with the core loct (sp?) bullets.
That being said, I do like the Hornady interlock bullets, though I've never gone that heavy ( in a .308 ) ... but I guess it depends on your hunting situation and what sort of distances you expect to be shooting. I have used the Hornady 250 g. RN in a .358W load .. I think with 4064, but would have to check to be certain. My thoughts were that a "premium" i.e., Barnes, or one of the bonded bullets, would not provide any advantage given the lower velocities realized when using those larger and heavier projectiles. I believe some of the premiums require a minimum impact velocity in order to function the way they are designed to. One of my hunting buddies has been loading interlocks exclusively in both .308 and 30-06 for many years, and has never been disappointed with their performance on moose and deer.
That being said, I do like the Hornady interlock bullets, though I've never gone that heavy ( in a .308 ) ... but I guess it depends on your hunting situation and what sort of distances you expect to be shooting. I have used the Hornady 250 g. RN in a .358W load .. I think with 4064, but would have to check to be certain. My thoughts were that a "premium" i.e., Barnes, or one of the bonded bullets, would not provide any advantage given the lower velocities realized when using those larger and heavier projectiles. I believe some of the premiums require a minimum impact velocity in order to function the way they are designed to. One of my hunting buddies has been loading interlocks exclusively in both .308 and 30-06 for many years, and has never been disappointed with their performance on moose and deer.
Most 308s are 1:12. Savage use 1:10. 200gr RN bullets stabilize in 1:12s just fine. A 1:10 would handle a 220 for sure. Don't know about a 220.
By all means load some 220s and try them at the range. If the holes are round, you are good to go. If they are stable at 50 yards, they will be stable all the way, since bullets gain stability as they go down range.
Two things. The 220 might not expand as well as a 200 would. And a slower powder, like 4350 would get better velocity.
Experimenting is the fun art of reloading. My guess is the 220s will stabilize in a 1:12. Go for it.
By all means load some 220s and try them at the range. If the holes are round, you are good to go. If they are stable at 50 yards, they will be stable all the way, since bullets gain stability as they go down range.
Two things. The 220 might not expand as well as a 200 would. And a slower powder, like 4350 would get better velocity.
Experimenting is the fun art of reloading. My guess is the 220s will stabilize in a 1:12. Go for it.
When talking 220 grain bullets in the .308 diameter, that is where the .30-06 begins to shine over the .308 Winchester. Give it a try. Watch your chrony closely and inspect your targets to make sure the rounds are stabilizing. I have to agree with Ganderite, experimenting is the fun art of reloading.
Let us know how you make out! I'd love to do the same with my Compact. Shot my moose at 60yd with it...
Northman999
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A 1:10 twist will stabilize 220 rn for sure.
A 1:12 most likely will.
Slower powders like 4350 are often suggested for heavy bullets, but you run into space issues with the little .308 win case. IMR 4895 or BL-C2 or win 748 is what I would be trying. I have loaded 220 gr RN in 303 British (very similar case capacity) using IMR 4895, with good results.
A 1:12 most likely will.
Slower powders like 4350 are often suggested for heavy bullets, but you run into space issues with the little .308 win case. IMR 4895 or BL-C2 or win 748 is what I would be trying. I have loaded 220 gr RN in 303 British (very similar case capacity) using IMR 4895, with good results.
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Only if the OP is looking to push them at high velocity. I am getting the impression of heavier/slower bush gun. Throwing them at 2100fps is probably possible. And 1500ft/lbs(+/-) at 100yds is good for anything at short bush ranges.
Lots of opinions can be had, but just spend a few bucks, try it and report back.
It won't kill any deader than a 150 on anything from moose on down, and won't "bust brush" any better either.
I have used heavy for caliber bullets (e.g. 175 gr 7mm), shot at modest velocities (e.g. 2400 fps), with good results on deer, but I've have also used lots of 150's in the 303 at 2500 fps with no discernible difference - the shots have all been "through and through" and there was no more or less bloodshot meat than I've seen than when I used something different at 2700 fps.
It won't kill any deader than a 150 on anything from moose on down, and won't "bust brush" any better either.
I have used heavy for caliber bullets (e.g. 175 gr 7mm), shot at modest velocities (e.g. 2400 fps), with good results on deer, but I've have also used lots of 150's in the 303 at 2500 fps with no discernible difference - the shots have all been "through and through" and there was no more or less bloodshot meat than I've seen than when I used something different at 2700 fps.
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The problem I had was getting enough powder into the case, and keep the OAL short enough to fit in my mag. Using IMR 4350.
I went back to the 180g as my "heavy" .308 load, and keep the 220g for the .300 Win mag.
There were plenty of shooters at Raton this summer who shared their experience shooting 230 VLD, and Hybrid bullets out of long throated, fast twist (1-10) .308 rifles. Recoil from a bipod rest was apparently "unmanageable" at 2800fps+.
I went back to the 180g as my "heavy" .308 load, and keep the 220g for the .300 Win mag.
There were plenty of shooters at Raton this summer who shared their experience shooting 230 VLD, and Hybrid bullets out of long throated, fast twist (1-10) .308 rifles. Recoil from a bipod rest was apparently "unmanageable" at 2800fps+.
Thanks, Ted. Real world velocities...However, I only use the one powder 'cuz I'm a cheap-a$$ and that's WC-735, so 2280fps has been my best velocity. And they work fine with that. Heck, I threw them out of an SKS years ago as subsonics (just under 1100fps in NS) with a charge of 11gn of Unique. Too much money in too many powders chasing too many max velocities. I grew up. Now there's just 2 powders for everything. WC-735 for ALL the rifles, and 700X for shotgun and soon to be .45ACP. And I will get the best I can from each to give me satisfactory results. I don't compete, so I don't have to prove anything, just put meat in the freezer.
And, actually,
Ted
220 in a 308 is a waste of time of time
Velocities will be to low for that bullet to perform
As its suppose to, in 30-06, you can reach 2500fps
In some of my older manuals here, all calling for slow
Powders, 308 works best with faster powders
Like H335, H322, BL-C2,H380, all work gd with bullets
Up to 180 grains, I have a savage 110S in 308
Best bullets were 165 and lighter
In my opinion, if you want brush buster loads for 308
Use a 180gr round nose and a Dose of H380 powder
At 100
Yards I got MOA accuracy and plenty of knock down power
Velocities will be to low for that bullet to perform
As its suppose to, in 30-06, you can reach 2500fps
In some of my older manuals here, all calling for slow
Powders, 308 works best with faster powders
Like H335, H322, BL-C2,H380, all work gd with bullets
Up to 180 grains, I have a savage 110S in 308
Best bullets were 165 and lighter
In my opinion, if you want brush buster loads for 308
Use a 180gr round nose and a Dose of H380 powder
At 100
Yards I got MOA accuracy and plenty of knock down power
If you want a gd bush load for 308 with a round nose
I use the 150 designed for the 3030, with a load of
44gr of H4895, hits around 2680-2700fps, sub MOA
At 100 yrd out of my savage 110S, recoil is almost
Nothing, with the bullet having a lighter jacket
The expansion will be fast and dependable
I use the 150 designed for the 3030, with a load of
44gr of H4895, hits around 2680-2700fps, sub MOA
At 100 yrd out of my savage 110S, recoil is almost
Nothing, with the bullet having a lighter jacket
The expansion will be fast and dependable
I also meant to say that those velocities are at 100 yds. They were done back when I had access to a club that had an Ohler Ballistics Lab. At 100yds you got velocity and POI sent back to your computer (BEFORE WI-FI and Laptops) the system was a ##### to set up every time and tear down, but it was way cooler than walking 100yds every shot, and got chrono values to boot!Certainly nothing wrong with a 220 gr at 2300 fps. That's better than the 30-40 Krag or 303 Br with that bullet weight, and they have piled up a lot of game over the years.
Rock on!
Ted
