.308 bullet weights

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.22-250x

.22-250x

Active Member
Now I've fallen down the rabbit hole... I've just purchased an AI axsr in .308, I've not loaded for .308 before and looking which bullets would be adequate to use. The barrel is 24 inch and is a 1 in 10 twist rate. I've searched the Internet and forums to what is recommended, I've looked at 155 grain as I have a few tubs of N135, some say 155 grain is too light, some say its perfect ect ect. I'm just curious as to what some of you have used and found to be successful, granted no two rifles are the same, but I've no previous experience with .308 and its wide range of bullets available. It will primarily be for targets, out to a 1000 yards, with the possibility of a few Roe to be taken. Thank you
 
On deer is just use 150 grain as it will do everything nicely.

As i say at range you want to up the wait to retain the velocity as long as possible hence the heavier rounds.

Also tend to be a bit more aero as the weight goes up
 
I’m using 175gn Sierra HPBT in my Tikka Ace Target which is 24” barrel and 1 in 10 twist as-well and they are preforming pretty well. Was shooting out to 1000 yards with them and spot on for elevation, though admittedly I was struggling with windage on that day, but it was pretty heavy winds.
 
tackb said:
Mine is a 22” 1-10” and will shoot lighter stuff but really shines with 168gr +

Currently playing with 190gr subsonic
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How's your accuracy with the subsonic loads? Had a play around with a mates 300blk, no better then 2 MOA at 100 yards, I fancied playing around with the .308 but that put me off it
 
Should have said in my previous post, that I have only used them for targets. I haven’t used for deer as I have another rifle I use for stalking in the mighty 6.5CM 🤣. Other forums are saying some folk have used the 175gn HPBT for live quarry, though Sierra don’t recommend them for hunting.

If it was me I would probably use the HPBT or another match bullet for targets and work up another load for a suitable hunting bullet for deer.
 
Stalker-of-the-deer said:
To get a 155 to 1000 it will have to be a pokey load, most target rifles have 30" barrels to get a 155 there.

Id be looking at more 168 grain SMK or along them lines
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Apparently, the 168 gr SMK was designed specifically for 300 yard competition, the boat tail design makes it a poorer choice for getting to 1000 than the 155s. The original 155s (2155) handle the transonic zone without destabilising so are a good choice for informal 1000 yard shooting.
 
.22-250x said:
How's your accuracy with the subsonic loads? Had a play around with a mates 300blk, no better then 2 MOA at 100 yards, I fancied playing around with the .308 but that put me off it
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Pretty good to be fair!

I used the 190gr Hornady sub bullet and trail boss as I stock piled some before the reach nonsense
 
.22-250x said:
How's your accuracy with the subsonic loads? Had a play around with a mates 300blk, no better then 2 MOA at 100 yards, I fancied playing around with the .308 but that put me off it
Click to expand...

2 moa at 100 yds is a 2'' group , are you hoping to hunt mice because anything you shoot at 100yds from a rabbit to a fox will be bigger than 2'' ?

most 270 shooters are happy with a 4'' group !
 
155 is popular as from memory thats what the weight limit in TR is hence why they are launching them out of 30" barrels to get the velocity.

Hornady do some good products aswell
 
I had a 26 inch Select Match Grade barrel on a Tikka M55 by PRS.
Barrel was 1 in 14 twist and shot 155gr SMK and 155gr Lapua Scenars out to 1000 yards.
Vit N140 , Lapua brass, 210M Federal primers. .25 moa achieved
 
6.5-06 TIKKA said:
I had a 26 inch Select Match Grade barrel on a Tikka M55 by PRS.
Barrel was 1 in 14 twist and shot 155gr SMK and 155gr Lapua Scenars out to 1000 yards.
Vit N140 , Lapua brass, 210M Federal primers. .25 moa achieved
Click to expand...
What charge weight of powder did you use?
 
I used 42 gr N140 as it was a Match Reamer and tolerances were tight....whole rifle cost a fortune to be set up correctly at PRS.
Single digit 10 shot spread.
Hope this helps
 
.22-250x said:
Now I've fallen down the rabbit hole... I've just purchased an AI axsr in .308, I've not loaded for .308 before and looking which bullets would be adequate to use. The barrel is 24 inch and is a 1 in 10 twist rate. I've searched the Internet and forums to what is recommended, I've looked at 155 grain as I have a few tubs of N135, some say 155 grain is too light, some say its perfect ect ect. I'm just curious as to what some of you have used and found to be successful, granted no two rifles are the same, but I've no previous experience with .308 and its wide range of bullets available. It will primarily be for targets, out to a 1000 yards, with the possibility of a few Roe to be taken. Thank you
Click to expand...
In my experience .308 comes alive with heavier bullets. I use 180gr Hornady SST bullets with 43.6gr N150 in my low-budget homage to an L42A1 that uses an L39A1 with a 1-4x20 Leupold scope. It generates 2579fps and here's a five shot group I shot earlier this month at 900yds. One of my buddies gets even better results with 200gr Hornady ELDX bullets with 45.5gr N550 in his .308 Sig SSG3000.
 

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I used 168gr A max to 1200 yards in a 20 in barrel 1 in 10 twist.
It also works very well on deer.

1 in 10 twist is great in a .308 you can go from 110 gr to probably 200gr with ease.
Pick what you fancy and go for it.
 
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