.308 and 30-06 bullet choices

[SnkBit]

I'm trying to decide on what bullets to load for these two rifles. Both are primarily for long range target practice with occasional hunting use. For the .308 I've been looking at everything from 155 scenars and 175 SMK's to 208 Amax's. The Amax's seem impossible to acquire so they are probably off the list. As for the 30-06, I have no idea what bullet to load. Should I use the same bullets in both rifles to simplify purchasing, or should I use the lighter 155's in the .308 to take advantage of the limited case capacity while using the heavies in the 06? How heavy in the 06? 175, 190, 210?

 

[captnmo]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

Tell us about the rifles you plan on shooting them out of. Twist rate, barrel length, etc.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

The .308 is a 26" 1-12 remmy 700 in an A4 and the 06 is a 24" 1-10 remmy 700 with rock bbl and badger thruster brake in an AICS.

 

[Falar]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

I would definitely go with 208gr A-max in both guns but especially in the '06. RL22/VV N560/Norma MRP/H4831SC will push them at very good speeds in '06.

 

[herr.baer]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

I run the 200gr Sierra Match King from my .06 with a 1 in 10 twist and it is a very stable load.

 

[vman]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

In the .308 i would run the 155 or the 175.
In the .30-06 i would run the 175 or the 208.

Just my 0.02

 

[Kaisersose]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

Here is some good 30-06 data.

Of course Montana marine is the resident expert.

I have run the 190 smk in both.

My browning like the 4350 with the 190s

My Rock barrels have always seemed to like 4064 or Varget and the 168 smk.

I to have never been able to find the 208 amax

 

[bohem]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

Another couple bullets to look at in the -06 would be:

210 LRBT Berger
210 VLD Berger

The LRBT is only about 1% lower in BC than the 208 Amax, it is not particularly seating depth sensitive (unlike the 210 VLD) and both Bergers are extremely good bullets for repeatability.

H4821sc, RL22, RL17 are the powders that I'd look at (in that order) for the 210 class in the 30-06.

The 308 I would look hard at the 175 SMK, 178 Amax, 185 Berger VLD, 185 Berger BT

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

For both, the 175gr MatchKing will work OK to 1000yd. For hunting, the 180gr SPBT Spitzer GameKing will be a virtual ballistic twin. Both should perform well given your barrel lenths and twists.

In a pinchs, I had to substitute the 180 SGK's for a match load and found they worked very well with essentially the same components recipe. The Gameking appears to copper foul faster. It probably has a softer jacket.

Greg

 

[Timo Turl]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

178 AMAX. Good for hunting and target.

 

[SnkBit]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

I've seen a lot of development with the 208 Amax's and would love to try them, but whats the fun in it if you can't buy more when you need them. If I can find a decent quantity (500), I'd be willing to buy them. The 190 SMK's are easy to come by, but I don't see many touting their performance. It looks like the 175 SMK's will win out on the choice for the .308. Now the question is, should I take advantage of some heavier pills in the 06 or shoot the 175's in both for simplicity?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

Why more than 175? What will it buy that the 175 does not already deliver quite adequately?

 

[Falar]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Greg Langelius *</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why more than 175? What will it buy that the 175 does not already deliver quite adequately? </div></div>

Extended range, wind resistance, and even more ooomph on the target at longer ranges.

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

Potential Stupid Question Alert.

Greg, are the 175's and 180's interchangeable for load data also?

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

Sierra says (in my admittedly older load manual) that they are. I would take that with about 3/10 of a grain of salt.

 

[former naval person]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

For dual usage in both calibers and for hunting as well as target...check out the 178 AMAX. JMHO

 

[gunsnjeeps]

Re: .308 and 30-06 bullet choices

I know Berger makes a 175 that is listed for both target and hunting. I'll have to try the AMAX, too. I don't hunt, never got the opportunity before and now it seems to be a pay for a hunt club offer, but keep a good amount of deer sized rounds available. If something will shoot well at 600 and act as a hunting round it's worth a try.