Re: Loads For .308 Winchester
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MP15</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My .308 deer hunting load recently worked up using OCW method -
Shooting out of a Savage 10PC - .308 w/ 20" barrel, 1 in 10 twist.
Hornady 150 gr. SST
46.3 gr Varget
Hornady match brass
CCI large rifle primers
COAL: 2.735
FPS - Average 2750
Group size @ 100 yds - 3/4"
Elevation 1250
Temp. 75 F
Humidity 65%
BP - 28.85
Calm - no wind.
Same day using above but with 45.7 gr. Varget
FPS - Average 2700
Group size @ 100 yds - 5/8"
Also tried 46.0 gr Varget, but group opened up considerably...... Will be running a 5 shot round robin style test of 45.7, 46.0, 46.3 again to rule out shooter error.
46.3 gr Varget showed no signs of pressure, primer problems or sticky bolt lift either. FPS gains were not there. Averaged right around 2750 also. Group went high and spread out.
All shots over a Pro Chrono chronograph at 12 feet.
I also shot some factory Hornady loads from the same rifle - 150 Gr SST's and some 165 Gr SST's on a different day - roughly same enviromental conditions. Both factory loads chrono'd at an average of 2750 FPS.
After more testing I settled on 46.5 Gr. Varget for the 150 Gr. SST's. Average speed over the chrono still stayed around 2750, but group settled down and shrank in size. Will load up a batch at 46.5 and see what happens.
Shot out to 550 yds (6/30). From a 100 yd zero, up 3.75 mils, DING dead center on some steel. On paper was able to shoot a group just under 5.5 inches @ 550 yds. </div></div>
I know you get some bigger bodied deer up there, but to save yourself some $$ switch from the SST's to the 155 AMAX. AMAX drop deer absolutely dead in their tracks. Just put it in the boiler room and they'll never take another step.
I've dropped several rutting bucks from 65 to 225yds which on the hoof weighed in from 190 to over 250lbs (Scaled only went to 250 and it bottomed out well beyond it) and they just dropped to the ground.
