Grouse load for .308Win

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Lexthedestroyer

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Morning gents (and/or ladies). I've been walking a lot of trails lately, and carrying my hunting rifle, I've noticed I'm seeing far more grouse than deer or bear... I've taken to carrying my 20 gauge instead on some outings, but I just KNOW that I'm going to eventually bump a massive trophy buck and knowing my luck, he'll be standing broadside at 80 yards or so... all that being said, has anyone come up with a .308 load for whacking grouse that won't scare the bejeezus out of the whole forest? From what I can gather online; light (100-120grains), slightly oversized cast with 2-3 grains of Bullseye seems to be the ticket. Just wondering if anyone has actually done it... and before anyone asks, not allowed to hunt with a pellet pistol in BC, and I'm a lousy shot with a slingshot.
 
You could pick up a hammond game getter. I have one for my rifle but was not initially impressed with the accuracy. Truthfully I probably need to play with it some more but I do like the concept.
 
Use a size #0 buck shot pellet in a unresized brass with 3.0 to 5.0 gr of any fast burning pistol powder (no H120 or 296) I use win 231 or red dot. It should goes around 8-900 fps and is quite accurate(2-3") inside 40m.
 
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Any projectile with 70% of the case volume (after bullet seated) with Trailboss. I have shot many rounds of 303 British, 7.62x39, 30 Carbine, 7.62x54R, 243 Win, and 7mm Weatherby Magnum loaded with Trailboss. The semiauto's probably won't cycle but....

Obviously you'll need to know where the impact point is with these light loads compared to your deer loads, but I'm guessing within 20 yards the point of impact will be similar.

*** standard disclaimers apply. This is not reloading advice. Read up on Trailboss from Hodgdon's website ****
 
Ive made lots of light loads in 303 british cases. (Same capacity as 308) titegroup or w231. Anywhere from 3-8gr. I've used 123gr jacketed bullets with 5-8gr and 90-220gr cast from 3-8gr. Also I've used round lead balls with down to 1gr but 3gr worked better with the iron sights.

You need low pressure and below 1100fps to make low noise. after 900 fps I found the noise picked up
 
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I just got my self a Brno 7x57r over 12 gauge for that exact purpose(moose croise ducks or caribou ptarmigan)
 
From Ken Waters Pet Loads .308 90gr cast .310 /4.5gr of Unique/999fps most accurate load........I use a Lee cast 93gr Tokarev bullet in all my .30 cals.
 
That is so interesting, never thought of something like that!! How accurate are those reduced loads? Thanks
 
I've got a bunch of .311 71 grain plated projectiles kicking around, I'm gonna load up a handful of them with 2 and 3 grains of Bullseye, see if I can them to go. I'll make sure to bring my squib rod, haha. As far as the Hammond Game Getter, anyone know where I can get one? Can't seem to find them available anywhere... I'll have to source out some Trailboss as well, because why not?
 
DGY said:
That is so interesting, never thought of something like that!! How accurate are those reduced loads? Thanks
Click to expand...

I have only messed around at the 100m range with Trailboss loads for my .260 Rem, and .270 Win. The drop in point of impact is substantial, and the group size is very open - very! Too open for any sort of grouse head and neck shot, but that group size is irrelevant at that distance anyway since grouse are going to be way way closer, like well within 30m and less, and in thick bush 20m and less.

I have never shot grouse with these rifles and reduced loads, and never tested the group size and POI drop at typical grouse hunting distances, so I can't say what the group size might be with Trailboss reduced loads at under 30m. But it would be interesting to try.

As far as I understand, Trailboss is safe to use when loaded properly for centerfire cases, as per Hodgdon's instructions. It fills the case to ensure proper primer ignition of powder, with no risk of over-charging, and has enough energy to fire the bullet through the barrel without getting stuck.

Safety first: If considering reduced loads, follow the instructions in reloading manuals, and only in reloading manuals. Improper reduced loads can be extremely dangerous to life, limb, eyes.
 
I would check out one of the cheap shorter barreled 20ga turkish folders. They're small/light/cheap enough you can bring it along with you and just pull it out whenever you see a bird
 
Check with your provincial regulations. You probably aren't allowed to hunt grouse with a centrefire.

Edit: Holy crap, that's allowed in BC?!?!?!
 
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