308 loads

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stovepipe699

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Hello everyone, I have a 700 Rem chambered in 308 win, I haven't done any handloads for it yet. I will likely use 165 boattails, and this is a hunting rifle. What powder and primer should I try? Thanks, Rob
 
I was looking for the same info. I looked through the forum and pulled a couple out but there are way more then just this. Be really cool to have a stickie for loads only.

w w w.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=507369
w w w.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=514140
 
Davie Sprocket there is a sticky for loads. 5th from top in reloading section for Hodgdon reloading data. lists for Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester. Take a look great site.
 
The standard powder for the 308 is BL-C2, it was developed specifically for the 308, and works very well. Varget is another great choice. W748 is 99.9% close to BL-C2. Lots of great choices. Try a warmer primer if using a ball powder in sub zero temps, standard bullets work great in deer, premiums help if you find yourself having to drive a bullet "through the north end of a southbound deer" scenairo. I've shot a 308 for the last 40 years, and always keep one handy as a go-to gun.
 
Any reason for choosing 165's? 180's have better BC and will be more consistent out to longer ranges. I look at it like the 168/175 argument. 168's are old news.
 
I recently developed a great load for my father's rifle that really stood out.

165 Nosler Ballistic Tip
Reloder 15
Fed 210M

BTW, I think the 165 is a great bullet weight to use in the 308.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone, I appreciate the insight. I haven't done any loads for a couple years, but I think I might already have blc2 and 4895. Might have to snag some varget and RL15 and see what the rifle likes best. As far as bullet weight, I was told guys doing longe range match shooting were using 165's in 308, and they're more than enough weight for deer. Is this misguided? Rob
 
Most guys shooting .308 in matches are using 155s or 175s.Whatever you choose make sure its a hunting bullet
that will expand quickly and kill your game quick.
 
I run IMR 4895 in mine with 165 and 168 gr bullets. Might try H4895 when my stock dwindles. Tried Varget with several different bullets, but couldn't get the velocity I was looking for.
 
Quick question what is recommended over all case length ( from tip of bullet to bottom ) I am using Lapua 155 with Winchester case for my REM 700.
I tried OAL 2.800 to 2.810 but in all case my bolt is sticking hard when try to close it. It work fine for factory load which is around 2.7.

Any recommendation on that

Thanks
 
Longshot said:
Most guys shooting .308 in matches are using 155s or 175s.Whatever you choose make sure its a hunting bullet
that will expand quickly and kill your game quick.
Click to expand...

That's just it. If you read up on it some more you will see the 175 does everything the 165 does only it continues doing it reliably after 600yards. Then again that might not be an issue for you. My standard is the 180 because it is closest to the 175, will kill any animal in North America, and if I ever get a chance to shoot really far, I won't have to start playing with my loads again.

I'm not saying the 165/168 is a bad round. Just know what your getting into.
 
The famous M852 civilian load 41.5 grains of IMR 4895 topped with a Sierra 168 HPBT for the M14.

I use it and works great. IMR 4895 (or H4895) are good all around powders that can be used in MANY different calibers. I also use IMR 4895 in .223 Rem loads.

The reality though is that there are a lot of powders that are good. First, "try what you have". I think that most of us use that as our starting point.
 
I had a look in the toybox and found varget, so I'll try it out. I may have 4895, and I have blc2, so I'm good for powder. I have 165 180 and 190 BTSP also kicking around, so I'm all set. I may try a method I read about(ladder??) where you fire one round of each powder charge into the same target, working up .2 grain at a time. Apparently you look for the best clusters, and the best charge is in the middle somewhere. Anyone tried it?
 
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