Developing a .308 Load for Elk *Updated*

hometownhero said:
Sticky bolt at min charge? I would be looking into what is causing that. I would also be looking to get highest speed for a 308. More speed = more energy
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My Hornady manual has the starting load for H4895 at 38gr, bolt movement is being hindered at 40gr. Might be my manual is a bit dated though.
Since more info is always better my cases are trimmed to 2.005/2.006 with no crimp.
 
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I dont believe it to be too odd but i rather think your rifle is one of the fewer tighter chambered ones, which is like my Kimber, i too found what you experienced with my load development of the Varget and 140gr HI.

I found min was accurate and anything over was noticably - warmer - inaccurate .

While todays mentality of speed kills is a worthy one I dont see how the old saying of 'moderate momentum' when used in big game terms, has been a very succesful one , if the Hunter knew his rifle scope load behaviour.. which can only be known through practise.

WL
 
WhelanLad said:
I dont believe it to be too odd but i rather think your rifle is one of the fewer tighter chambered ones, which is like my Kimber, i too found what you experienced with my load development of the Varget and 140gr HI.

I found min was accurate and anything over was noticably - warmer - inaccurate .

While todays mentality of speed kills is a worthy one I dont see how the old saying of 'moderate momentum' when used in big game terms, has been a very succesful one , if the Hunter knew his rifle scope load behaviour.. which can only be known through practise.

WL
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Thanks WhelanLad, your explanation makes sense and I'm glad I'm not the only one who has experienced this.
I'm confident the load has enough thump for the Elk hunting situations I typically encounter. Bring on September!
 
Hirsch said:
Thanks WhelanLad, your explanation makes sense and I'm glad I'm not the only one who has experienced this.
I'm confident the load has enough thump for the Elk hunting situations I typically encounter. Bring on September!
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Hirsch, Out of curiosity have you used factory ammo in your 308?
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bigbull said:
Hirsch, Out of curiosity have you used factory ammo in your 308?
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Yes I have, the usual brands like Remington, Hornady, Federal, Winchester and PRVI. For most of the brands I attempted to try as many different bullet weights/types as possible (even the reduced recoil brand from Hornady). Of all of them the Federal Power Shok in 180gr shot best.
 
Hirsch said:
Yes I have, the usual brands like Remington, Hornady, Federal, Winchester and PRVI. For most of the brands I attempted to try as many different bullet weights/types as possible (even the reduced recoil brand from Hornady). Of all of them the Federal Power Shok in 180gr shot best.
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Is the Hornady load previously mentioned the only factory load that gave you a sticky bolt?
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Yes the SuperPerformance load was the only one. Hornady claims 2,750 fps at the muzzle but I never chrono'd it to confirm. The Federal load claims 2,570 fps. I'm not sure what length of barrel either company is using but mine is 22".
 
Superformance loads are pretty hot. I notice primer deformation in my 204. It also does not shoot to stated velocity in my barrel.
I didn't notice if it was posted but what rifle do you have? Twist rate?

My personal load is 43.3 gr varget under a 180 gr nosler accubond. Mines a tikka with 1-11" twist. Guess on the speed is 2500fps. Think that's the book value. Didn't chrony it.
 
doc25 said:
Superformance loads are pretty hot. I notice primer deformation in my 204. It also does not shoot to stated velocity in my barrel.
I didn't notice if it was posted but what rifle do you have? Twist rate?

My personal load is 43.3 gr varget under a 180 gr nosler accubond. Mines a tikka with 1-11" twist. Guess on the speed is 2500fps. Think that's the book value. Didn't chrony it.
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I'm shooting a Ruger 77 Hawkeye 1-10" twist. I haven't chrono'd the SuperPerformance load yet so I'm not sure if its matching claimed velocities.
I'm still fiddling a bit with my pet load, mostly with seating depth. Iv'e gone down in steps from 2.75 to 2.70 and I have noticed a slight shrinking of groups.
 
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