Starting recommendations for 308 short barrel

[S&L7x57]

Perhaps done to death but be patient with me.
I am building a lightweight 308w based on a Rem 788. Currently a 22" barrel but will be cut to 18" to fit in my travelling security.
I most likely will use the Fox copper bullets (as I want to future proof the rifle as far as possible) which come in a range of weights from 130gr to 180gr. Note: these are long bullets for their weight compared with lead.
Speed is not an issue as I will not be shooting at anything live over 200 yds and apparently Fox bullets work perfectly acceptably down to 500 m/s.
The twist rate is 10:1.
Two questions:
Would you anticipate that a 10:1 barrel would like the extremes of the bullet weight range or is it a compromise twist and there is no telling?
Given the short length of the barrel and the potentially most suitable bullet weight, what powder would you suggest?
Given lock-down (and the sad fact that my wife in undergoing chemo so I can only access very local stockists), please could you suggest alternative powders that are most likely to be generally available.
I thank you for sharing your experience.

 

[Maidment78]

I am using Barnes 110 gr ttsx sat over Vit N133 in my .308 and they are point and shoot 50-250 yards and amazing performance on fallow.

1:10 twist is fine for most, not sure about 180’s but for hunting fast and flat is my preference.

 

[25 Sharps]

@Edinburgh Rifles would be the best to speak to, personally I’d go for the 130 and whatever powder Ed recommends my guess is something relatively fast and probably double based, N530?

it may be worth listing what powders you can get locally as a start point though

 

[Selous]

The data I have to hand is with a 20 inch 308 and 130g TTSX which gave good results with both Viht N135 and N140. I got velocity up to 3125fps with N135 but preferred a steadier load with N140 giving 3035fps. Obviously this was safe in my rifle and may not be safe in yours etc. To answer your question, these powders are easy to get in the UK and will work. Both my 308 rifles are 1:10 twist and work fine with 130g bullets.
In my rifles I found the Fox bullets maxed pressure at lower velocity than the Barnes.

 

[S&L7x57]

@Edinburgh Rifles would be the best to speak to, personally I’d go for the 130 and whatever powder Ed recommends my guess is something relatively fast and probably double based, N530?

it may be worth listing what powders you can get locally as a start point though

I am talking to the only stockist of powder in my local area today and will post the choices, if any!

 

[Scapegoat]

I put together a load for my 20" Tikka .308, 42.5 gr of N140 behind Nosler BT 150g. This is slow! It barely tops 2500 fps but if you aren't going beyond 200 then it's ideal.

With a 40 yard zero it peaks at 1.3" at 125 and an inch low at 200, just over 2" low at 225 yards, so a good foxing range with no messing about. Absolute point and squirt at average stalking distances. The benefit of the low speed is that it's a joy to shoot through the light Tikka, with smooth, controllable recoil.

N 140 is pretty universally available.

 

[dropmdead]

I would suggest quickload is a fantastic tool to help you with this decision. It may also save you a few £ with future scenarios of powder and bullet purchases, and especially if you change rifle or cartridge.

 

[Malxwal]

I used to run Nosler 125gr BT over RS52 , so would opt for your 130gr Fox over that. 1 in 10 should be a fast enough twist to stabilise a long bullet.

 

[Fabnosh]

Hello

Here is what I use in my 18" .308 and they are both very consistent and accurate. Normal caveats on safe reloading techniques and method apply.

.308 win
180grn Nosler Accubonds
39.7grn IMR 3031
CCI large rifle primers
(COL 70.9)
Chrono at 2516

.308 win
165grn Sierra Game Kings
42.5grn Vhit N150
CCI large rifle primers
(COL 70.9mm)
165s chrono at 2455fps

Hope that helps

FN

 

[25 Sharps]

Hello

Here is what I use in my 18" .308 and they are both very consistent and accurate. Normal caveats on safe reloading techniques and method apply.

.308 win
180grn Nosler Accubonds
39.7grn IMR 3031
CCI large rifle primers
(COL 70.9)
Chrono at 2516

.308 win
165grn Sierra Game Kings
42.5grn Vhit N150
CCI large rifle primers
(COL 70.9mm)
165s chrono at 2455fps

Hope that helps

FN

Best for the OP not to start out with 3031 due to REACH making it unavailable

 

[25 Sharps]

I would suggest quickload is a fantastic tool to help you with this decision. It may also save you a few £ with future scenarios of powder and bullet purchases, and especially if you change rifle or cartridge.

That is why I tagged Ed @Edinburgh Rifles, he runs QL scenarios for fox bullets FOC - cheaper than investing in QL

 

[Fabnosh]

'Best for the OP not to start out with 3031 due to REACH making it unavailable '

Yes, that's a good point and not something I'd considered. The Vhit 150 load is actually the one I use the most. The load for the 180's is for when I travel hence I still have some 3031 knocking around.

FN

 

[brock and norris]

our go to powder for the 18 inch barrelled Ratel rifle we build is N135 . i used to use IMR 3031 but as pointed out now unavailable due to not being reach compliant .another really good powder is Lovex so62 (accurate 40640 ) which we have found to give excellent velocities and superb accuracy. Fabnosh is the owner of Ratel number 13 , which has more air miles i believe than Richrd Branson !!!!

 

[karamoja]

Hi Brock and Norris, out of interest what kind of velocities do you expect with the 18" barrel and N135 with the different bullet weights?
Best K

 

[Fabnosh]

Hello

The loads I listed above are not 'hot' by any stretch of the imagination but the 165 grns deliver 2455 fps and the 180 grns - which are loaded slightly more aggressively - deliver 2516 fps. Both of these are from an 18" barrel.

Hope that helps.

FN

 

[S&L7x57]

Thank you all for your help and advice.
I'm talking to Ed of Edinburgh Rifles and trying to get through to my (hopefully) powder supplier which is tricky as they aren't really open!
When I have some feed back, I'll post.

 

[S&L7x57]

It appears that I can only access three powders locally:
Vit N530
Reloader 15
IMR 4166.
The N530 looks like being a bit cheaper in cost and quantity but their WS doesn't list any recipe for 7x57 that I would like to load with the same powder if possible. It also appears to be fast burn which might be best for the 308w 18" barrel?
R15 is listed with recipes on their WS for both 308 & 7x57.
IMR4166 is a bit more expensive, uses a lot of powder and again doesn't list a recipe for 7x57 on their WS.
Any thoughts?

 

[ejg]

NZ Hunter Magazine had an article on a 16" 308 bush rifle with 130gr TSX loaded with H335 which performed close to 270 speeds. Think max at 3050fps.
Not Sure if H335 is Euro proof.
edi

 

[S&L7x57]

NZ Hunter Magazine had an article on a 16" 308 bush rifle with 130gr TSX loaded with H335 which performed close to 270 speeds. Think max at 3050fps.
Not Sure if H335 is Euro proof.
edi

But I can't get it anyway, see above.

 

[sauer]

i have a bergara b14hmr .308 and its a 24" pipe...by time put mod on its looooong!
im seriously considering chopping it down to 20" ( figure in mind for now)

am i mad ?
n140 is what use currently, would that still be suitable in 20" .308 barrel

Paul