Advice on bullet weight needed

[Grouser]

I just acquired a Husqvarna 3000 Crown Grade in 308 Win. The twist is 1 in 12 , so I'm wondering what is the most likely bullet weight that may work best for deer and moose. I want to narrow the field in factory ammo . In the past, I would buy and try several boxes of ammo and chose the one that the rifle liked best but due to the high costs today I don't want to waist the $. The rifle will be used for hunting so sub MOA is not necessary. Looking at Fed Nosler partition 150, Fed trophy copper , Barns vor-tx 168.
Thanks, J

 

[mikeyb]

The Federal 150gr load will be fine. Barnes recommends a 1:11 minimum twist for the 168gr TTSX bullet so that one may not stabilize fully in a 12-twist barrel, but every barrel/rifle is different. If you have the money to spend it might be worth testing, otherwise I would spend the money on 150-165gr lead core ammo.

 

[Potashminer]

I used a Win Model 70 push-feed in 308 Win for several decades - it shot very nice targets with Sierra 165 grain SPBT, but I ended up to load Speer HotCor 165 grain bullets. From my elderly Shooting Chrony, muzzle velocity was circa 2,800 fps - as is listed in various Speer and Nosler reloading manuals, for that weight. I took many dozens deer with that load and outfit - our son has taken many deer with it and my loads, also, and his first elk. I also got my first elk with that rifle, but I was using Federal Premium 165 grain ammo, then.

I bought that rifle new in a store in 1976 - I got that first elk in early 1990's - I doubt the rifles, bullets or ammo are still the same today as they were then.

 

[Grouser]

Thanks, I am trying Federal Premium 150grn Nosler Partitions and 165grn Federal Trophy Coper for a start --not much variety available locally.
Cheers, J

 

[I Dont Care About You]

A 150gr 30 cal hunting bullet should kill just about any game animal in N America.

 

[Suther]

Thanks, I am trying Federal Premium 150grn Nosler Partitions and 165grn Federal Trophy Coper for a start --not much variety available locally.
Cheers, J

Did you check the recommended twist of the 165 trophy copper? If the barnes 168 calls for 1:11 then the trophy copper might too?

Can't go wrong with 150gr partition though.

 

[Hollow Point]

if budget is a consideration look at the federal fusion loads.

 

[Jahnj0584]

my ruger is 1:10 and kicks ass with 180gr. sub moa 3 shot groups everytime. Norma 150gr is 2nd place, and Fusion in third.

 

[BlackRam]

Pick up a box of each type of ammo with the 150, 165 and 180 gr bullets you are interested in , and shoot them to determine which load your rifle prefers. Once found, go buy 5 more boxes so you have plenty for practice, sighting in and hunting.

The old Winchester Power Points work very well at reasonable shot distances for deer and moose, and you can hardly go wrong with the Nosler Partition. Barnes bullets can be finicky and not all rifles will shoot well, but some really like them; not much middle ground with these. Nosler AccuBonds and Federal Terminal Ascent are great performers; usually very accurate and exceptional on-game performance!