best Bullet for a .308 with a 20" barrel 1:12 twist

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CerealBlast

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This would be for a all around hunting load for deer and moose. Factory ammo or even load recipes are welcome. I will do some reloading for it as well. It would be nice to have a head start for reloading. Everything that I've read suggests that a 168gr bullet is the best to go with. The max range that I will shoot is 350 yards, if conditions permit. probably the average 150yds

thanks in advance for the comments :)
 
Thanks for providing info with your question.

So I need to ask you what's more important? I'm not a hunter so I would assume force at any range on a big animal is important. Why else do guys run larger caliber weapons?

If that's the case, larger is better. A 20" will net enough velocity no problem at that range.

For instance, my buddy shooting a 175 SMK at around 2730 FPS out of a 24" barrel will have WAY less force than my 208gr AMAX's at 2500 FPS out the same gun. Mine will produce over 1000 ft-lbs at 1000yards which is getting into 300WM territory shooting lighter bullets.

To make the argument more understandable, that 175 SMK is also traveling SLOWER at that distance because of lower BC.

So maybe look at it differently. What bullet do you want to run and for what reasons. If the bullet you want to shoot or required needs of the bullet is force, take a heavy projectile. If you can get away with less or need velocity, take a lighter bullet. The 20" 1:12 will run pretty much whatever you want. Don't listen to that 168 max BS with 1:12's. Both my buddies gun and mine are 1:11.25's and he's going to shoot 155's and I shoot 208's. Guys with 1:12's shoot 208's too.

Really it's up to you to determine your needs, then find what bullet you want (as a hunter) then try to develop a load for your gun. If it works out, all the power to you.
 
I have a savage 110s series J rifle
With a heavy 22" 1:12 twist
I use a variety of bullets
But from 165 and lighter , work best
I use a round nose 150 and 44gr of H4895
Also like my 130 gr hornady
Load with 40.5 gr of H322
 
Thanks for that info, one of my main things that I want from a bullet is accuracy. I want to know where it is exactly going to go when I shoot. I'm not sure exactly how often I'll get to shoot at distance but if it comes I want to know that I am able to shoot. I'm definitely novice when it comes to reloading. Maybe my question is, what grain bullet will perform best for 350 yards or less?
 
I would go with the 165/168 IB/AB's... they are accurate and retain enough mass for lethal penetration... You might also consider the same weight in a mono design such as the TSX/TTSX or GMX... Do not use the A-Max.
 
hoytcanon said:
I would go with the 165/168 IB/AB's... they are accurate and retain enough mass for lethal penetration... You might also consider the same weight in a mono design such as the TSX/TTSX or GMX... Do not use the A-Max.
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1-12" is a slow twist intended for 168-175gr match bullet, you could probably get good/excellent accuracy from a Nosler 180gr Accubond.
If a 180gr Accubond is not accurate under your hunting conditions (say it's very cold), use a lighter 165gr Accubond instead.

Nosler Accubond tend to be the best precision/killing compromise if you're looking for a true hunting bullet.

Alex
 
The Hornady 165 sst will work very well on large game at the lower velocities from the .308. They retain weight, are as accurate as the more expensive accubond but they are almost 1/3rd the cost allowing you can get that much more practice in to ensure correct bullet placement.
 
Just about anything will work on a deer. the 308 has twice the power needed.

For moose, you want to make sure you have good penetration from any angle. For that reason I use a 180 gr bullet in my 308 for everything. I have used the Nosler ballistic tip, the Sierra GameKing and the Hornady pointed soft point. The Nosler was the most accurate in my rifle, but each gun has its own preference.

I prefer to use a single load for all hunting with a rifle. It makes ammo inventory easier. The lightest I would go with a 308 is 165g, but with so many 180s to choose from, I am sure you will find one that is accurate in your rifle.
 
cdn shooter said:
The Hornady 165 sst will work very well on large game at the lower velocities from the .308. They retain weight, are as accurate as the more expensive accubond but they are almost 1/3rd the cost allowing you can get that much more practice in to ensure correct bullet placement.
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yup works every time. kills paper just as good as deer.
 
CerealBlast said:
Thanks for that info, one of my main things that I want from a bullet is accuracy. I want to know where it is exactly going to go when I shoot. I'm not sure exactly how often I'll get to shoot at distance but if it comes I want to know that I am able to shoot. I'm definitely novice when it comes to reloading. Maybe my question is, what grain bullet will perform best for 350 yards or less?
Click to expand...

I'd build a load with whatever bullet you decide, then, most importantly go shoot it lots! When you go shoot, pay most attention to where your cold bore shot goes. Do this every single time you go shooting. This is the shot that counts when you hunt. Make note of it and then adjust accordingly when hunting.

Your warm barrel zero won't matter when you crack off that first shot.
 
Any 165 grain bullet. The .308 loves 'em. And they'll kill any game you care to hunt. Partial to IMR 4064 myself, but there are lots of powders that'll do nicely.
 
I've done a fair bit of hunting with a Rem 700 LTR .308Win. It's a 1 in 12 twist, 20" tube. For a hunting load I try to go fast & flat. For deer at the ranges you stated, a Nosler 125gr Ballistic Tip or I think they make a 125gr Accubond now. With IMR 8208XBR or Hodgdon Varget.

For a bigger animal, can't go wrong with the 125's or a Sierra 150gr Gameking and the same powders. Works for me.
 
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I have an AI rifle with a 20" 1 in 12 twist barrel. I have shot everything from 155 gr to 178 gr match bullets with very good accuracy. As far as for hunting, I used Federal Vital Shock loaded with 165 gr Accubonds, before I started handloading. Accuracy with this particular projectile was also very good and last year a mule deer went down with 1 rd at 409 m and a moose at 272 m.
 
Once you have set certain parameters then you can fill in the blanks.
By checking the ballistic charts, and setting some end results, then you can start looking at a bullet when started at 3000 feet per second with a 500 yard velocity of 2000 feet per second, you need a BC of .430.
That may be a 150 grain bullet. With a 20 inch barrel, the end result is only achievable by using a bullet with a high BC like the E-tip with a .465 but only if you can find a load that will start at 2900 + fps.

For my .280 Remington using the Barnes 140 grain TTSX, I set out to exceed 3000 fps. Since Barnes suggests expansion is less reliable below 2000 fps, my limit is 475 yards . . . with a tail wind, maybe 500.

A chronograph might be your best friend; over extending yourself, your rifle and load combination can be your worst enemy.
 
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I stay away from Nosler for 1 reason and 1 reason only... a dollar a shot is way to much money for me... I prefer to go with the 165gr Sierra Game King.. Deadly accurate..3/4 inch at 200 outta a savage model 11.... with i think its 42.5gr Benchmark(have to look at my books) and a CCI BR2 primer... Penetration is great.. never did get a moose with them but a 200 pound white tail doe was running toward me kinda quarting away.. 1 shot.. entered right between the 2 front legs and exited just infront of the back left hip bringing the intestines and all with it..... Im a guessing it was about a 150yard shot... that bullet did its job and i will never stray from Sierra!!.. 42$ for 100... a hell of a lot cheaper than Nolser and just as good of performance!!!
 
Wow guys, great info. I really appreciate it. Like I said before, the furthest I will shoot is probably 350. I think most shots will be between 50 and 150. I think I'll most likely go with a 165 grain bullet and use it for all my hunting purposes. Now.... What powder works well in a semi auto?
 
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