Reloading .308 Win

[manitou210]

Originally Posted by 260 Rem

I don’t know if I should be offering any advice on 308 loads given that I am currently having a terrible time getting accuracy out of a newly chambered Bartlein barrel that to date has failed to produce a single 1/2” group at 100M
I should try 50BMG’s recipe given his stellar results (1\3MOA @ 1000 yds tops International Benchrest Nationals results.)

I have shot a fair amount of 308 out to my hunting comfort zone of 300M so don’t worry about loading hot. I suggest you start at 41.5 gr Varget and work up in .5 gr increments.
I have almost always found a sweet spot at about 42.0 grs with both 155 and 168 gr bullets... and often, another at about 44.0 grs.
If your barrel is telling you it doesn’t like a particilar bullet, it is time try something else.

similar load use 168gr Berger hunting

[gunluvr]

Originally Posted by outdoorguy

I ve picked up a T3 compact in .308 and have been trying to get an accurate load out of it with no consistent success. I have been using fired, tumbled, chamfered, trimmed Rem brass, Fed 210 primer, 46 gr Varget , 165 Nosler ballistic tip and OAL is 2.81. Does any one have some loads that have been accurate with their 308 that you would be willing to share.
I may also switch to 150 gr accubonds as in what I have been reading that appears to be a popular one for hunting.....
Can anyone help out with some information.

Thanks All!

The load specs you posted sounds a mite hot. OAL of 2.81 would be max mag length in a T3. A 150 gr. bullet with the same 46 gr. of Varget would still be close to max load. Check your distance to lands with either bullet. You can't go longer, and shorter would decrease case capacity, raising pressure.
I think 150 gr. bullets are optimum in a 308.
Start over with minimum load and work up in .5 gr. increments. But definitely find max OAL first, and allow at least 20 thou. jump.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by gunluvr

The load specs you posted sounds a mite hot. OAL of 2.81 would be max mag length in a T3. A 150 gr. bullet with the same 46 gr. of Varget would still be close to max load. Check your distance to lands with either bullet. You can't go longer, and shorter would decrease case capacity, raising pressure.
I think 150 gr. bullets are optimum in a 308.
Start over with minimum load and work up in .5 gr. increments. But definitely find max OAL first, and allow at least 20 thou. jump.

I just happen to have a Nosler book next to me and checked because it seemed that 46 grains of Varget seemed like a lot to me as well .
In there it shows that the load is 103% compressed at 2.810
I have no idea how that would work in a Tikka magazine but I have not used a compressed load for quite some time as I found no need for it - I shoot only 155’s out of my 308’s however ......

Cat

[WhiteTailAB]

Just remembering off the top of my head

Lapua brass
Cci large rifle
48gr varget (compressed)
Barnes ttsx 130gr
OAL as far as the vanguard mag box will let you

3 shot cloverleaf out of a skinny pencil barrel. I've since sold the rifle and will be trying it out of a heavy barrel later on.

[Redneck 7]

My .308 load I’m using for my bear gun I cal er is as follows.

Remington brass
CCI Large no. 200 primers
42.6 gr of varget
165gr nosler partition seated to 2.81”

According to my notes that was 3 shots at 100 yards 5/16” group. Nice clover basically. Out of a 20” barrel 1:10 twist, shot with a 2-7x33 Leupold.

[TangoKilo]

Lapua brass
Fed 210m primers
Varget
165gr Nosler Accubond

MAGIC!!

[rem338win]

I'd grab a couple bullets, and at. 308 speeds cup and cores are admirable.

Varget, RL15 and TAC have been the best for me, both in velocity and accuracy.

I prefer TAC over any of them now.

If I wanted a do everything hunting load for a. 308 I'd probably grab 150gr TTSXs, some CCI BR2s and TAC. Use goig brass and get it going.

[Dick284]

Being that the Op was 2 years ago this November, I sure hope he found a good load by now.

I’m running 155 gr match bullets in my Palma/FTR rifle with 46 gr of Varget and have had zero problems so far, and I’m on my dozen or so loads on the same Winchester brass.


I also ran 165 gr Hornady BTSP’s in a Win 88 with 45.8 gr of Varget with zero issues and good accuracy all with R-P brass.

I’m currently running a Savage 11 in .308 for a hunter class rifle for the Lefingwell shoot, and am having stellar results with 44 gr of Varget and 175 gr RDF Noslers in Lapua LR brass.


I’ve see some new reloaders ammo at the range and I’m certain the issues aren’t with the choice of load, but with the amount of care and diligence in the loads assembly.