.308 target bullet

timbeech

Well-Known Member
I'm after a cheap target bullet (ie not Nosler) for my .308, using N140 powder, after something to push out to 800 yds.

is heavier better than lighter? I'm Used to 150grn BT's for deer but these are expensive for a day out plinking. Just want an idea before visiting reloading solutions tomorrow afternoon
 
There is a lot of difference between 300 yards and 800, especially with a .308. Most rifles don't have the barrel length to get the necessary velocities for 800 yards.
Sierra 155-gr Palma bullets are the closest thing to your 150-gr BTs, and you can start with the N-140 powder. 175-gr SMK is not too expensive, and works well.
You can start with the 175s or the 168 gr. It will quite a while until you need to worry about 190 or 200 or 208 as you approach 600 yards and start thinking further.
 
208 gr AMax BC.648 vs 200gr SMK BC .585

only the 215gr Berger VLD Hybrid beats it on paper

Thanks Spud, finally an answer that makes sense :) if reloading solutions haven't got these tomorrow when I go down I'll give you a call. Just need them ASAP.
 
Common knowledge, a 308 can't go over 800yds.....:stir:
308_traj-1_zpsd056935a.jpg

on the other hand my 20" palma barrelled 308 shoots fine out to 800m with 168 a-max.
Ask Brock & Norris what their little 18" 308 can do.

If one looks at F/TR they don't seem totally hell bent on heavy bullets, some seem to get on well with faster 155's too.
edi
 
My target rifle shoots Australian 155gr BTHP bullets at 2940fps or so. These get to 1000yds with no trouble at all, and cost £150 for 500

Cheap, short-range 7.62/.308 bullets? S&B 147gr BT FMJs, perhaps?
 
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A 155-gr load I posted recently for some other .308 shooter, looking for a 150-gr hunting load... UK and Euro components.

Lapua .308 is a little heavier, holds less powder, gets to pressure with less powder.

177.0 grain case, holds 55.85 grains H2O.

You don't have to load them all hot to be useful.

---- 155-gr -----------------
Duplicate the Lapua Palma Match ammunition with
155-gr Lapua Scenar BC = 0.508)
Lapua brass
45.2-gr Varget, RL-15 or N140
44.0 gr IMR-4895
Federal 210 Match or CCI BR-2 primer
2.80 inches ( regulation )
2,825 FPS in a 600mm / 24 inch barrel

45.6 gr IMR-4895 in a strong match gun, same brass and primers will get 2,900 to 3,000, depending on barrel length. I am not advising you to play around up there
 
Common knowledge, a 308 can't go over 800yds.....:stir:
308_traj-1_zpsd056935a.jpg

on the other hand my 20" palma barrelled 308 shoots fine out to 800m with 168 a-max.
Ask Brock & Norris what their little 18" 308 can do.

If one looks at F/TR they don't seem totally hell bent on heavy bullets, some seem to get on well with faster 155's too.
edi

that graph is hilarious ! (sadly , listening to some of the rubbish spouted on forums i'm sure there are some that believe it!)
 
Believe you are going to have a bit of trouble getting a 200gr bullet stable in a 308W with a twist slower than 1:9

I have been able to get good accuracy from a 1:11.3 barrel but I was driving them at over 3,400fps from a 30 Rensi. Speed can overcome a slow twist if you have the casing to allow a big enough charge.

SS
 
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Henry Kranks offer a PPU 168 grain Hollow Point Match Bullet for £24.20 per Hundred.
I remember Muir commenting he uses the 6.5mm version with great success I think.

Yorkie.
 
Believe you are going to have a bit of trouble getting a 200gr bullet stable in a 308W with a twist slower than 1:9

SS
The problem is the lack of room for powder in a case which is too small for 190 grain bullets. Couple low MV with 1:12 twist, and you may not stabilize a 200 or 208 grain bullet.

The .30-06 with a 1:10 twist shoots the 190-gr SMK, the 200s, and the 208 AMAX wonderfully, but it will work with some powders made for slower burning in larger cases, like RL-22, H1000, etc. With the .308 Win, a person already shooting 150s should start with the 155-gr. If you are shooting 165s well, load up the 168 match bullets. The move to the 175 SMK and the 178 AMax, but after that, I think you will find no advantage. You can shoot .300 H&H bullets in a .308 Win, but it won't be one. The 155s are made to shoot with 1:12 or even slower if you push them to 2,950 fps in a long barrel.
 
Common knowledge, a 308 can't go over 800yds.....:stir:
308_traj-1_zpsd056935a.jpg

on the other hand my 20" palma barrelled 308 shoots fine out to 800m with 168 a-max.
Ask Brock & Norris what their little 18" 308 can do.

If one looks at F/TR they don't seem totally hell bent on heavy bullets, some seem to get on well with faster 155's too.
edi


F/TR can't use heavier bullets (hence the TR!) they are restricted to TR spec i.e. 155gr. As a target shooter, I'm pretty happy with 155s out to 1000 yds but it does depend on how accurate you want / need to be. I've had some cracking shoots with both Sierra 2156 and Berger 155.5s (scoring possibles with high V counts) at 900 and 1000. As far as I can tell, the heavier bullets come into their own with match rifle length barrels (i.e. 32 - 35 inch) and in stronger winds. In light winds I (and many other TR shooters) have beaten many match rifle shots despite using diopter sights vs scopes and come to think of it I've even managed OK at 1100yrds with RUAG 155.

Cheers

JohnE
 
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