Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

[crbrta]

This is my first hunting season with my new GAP LR308 and I'm looking for some suggestions on facory hunting loads. The rifle is incredible and seems to perfer the Federal 175s and HSM Amax in 178. I've gotten several .6 to .5 moa groups out of it over the last few months. I love the performance of the Amax on paper and steel but I've heard very mixed reviews about their performance on game.

I live in Texas and hunt mainly whitetail and hogs. I know the SMK and Amax aren't designed for hunting so I'm looking for some suggestions that I could keep sub moa out to 600-700 if there are any. I tried some Berger VLDs from HSM in 168 and 185 but had feeding issues with both. I don't know if it was the length or what but I haven't had any feeding issues with the SMK or Amax rounds. What about BH match in 180 Nosler AB? Anyone had any experience with these or have a favorite factory load for hunting I could try? I'd appreciate any insight and oh yea, here's a pic of my new rig:

 

[lukeva22]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

I have a factory LR-308 with 24in barrel that really likes 165gr hpbt sierra gameking bullets over 43gr of reloader 15 at mag length in remington brass. It shoots very tiny groups.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

the amax destroys stuff...i wouldnt discount it as a hunting bullet as well.

 

[spr1]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

Nosler 168gr Btip. It shoots very well from my guns and absolutely slams deer size game.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

you can always look to the Barnes TTSX in 168 Grains or the Hornady 165 GR Interbond, or 165 GR Nosler Accubond - they are all great hunting bullets. I use them in my DPMS 308 AP4 with great deer take down results.

 

[ORD]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

Another vote for the Barnes TTSX (Tipped Triple Shock X) bullets. I have run the 168gr TTSX bullets with great results in my 308 semis and they perform well under a variety of hunting conditions...especially on WV Whitetail. If you want to go with a little heavier bullet to get you up closer to the 178gr A-Max, Barnes makes a 180gr version of the TTSX, but I have not tried them.

Finally, I don't want to turn this into a debate on whether "match" bullets are suitable, ethical, etc. for use as "hunting" bullets, but I will tell you that plenty of deer and other game have been taken down in 1 shot with SMKs and A-Max bullets with no trouble at all (including out of my rifles). If you have faith in your abilities as a hunter and you are confident you can put a shot on a deer's (or Hog's) vitals, then I wouldn't hesitate to shoot either species with a "match" bullet!

 

[BCP]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

AMAX works for hunting as long as whatever you are shooting doesn't have really thick hide. Otherwise I'd use a 180 nosler ballistic tip.

 

[jwb47]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ORD</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another vote for the Barnes TTSX (Tipped Triple Shock X) bullets. I have run the 168gr TTSX bullets with great results in my 308 semis and they perform well under a variety of hunting conditions...especially on WV Whitetail. If you want to go with a little heavier bullet to get you up closer to the 178gr A-Max, Barnes makes a 180gr version of the TTSX, but I have not tried them.

Finally, I don't want to turn this into a debate on whether "match" bullets are suitable, ethical, etc. for use as "hunting" bullets, but I will tell you that plenty of deer and other game have been taken down in 1 shot with SMKs and A-Max bullets with no trouble at all (including out of my rifles). If you have faith in your abilities as a hunter and you are confident you can put a shot on a deer's (or Hog's) vitals, then I wouldn't hesitate to shoot either species with a "match" bullet! </div></div>

any issues on length with the barnes ttsx bullets . I noticed they are longer than hornady 168 boat tail hollow points ? I dont want to hijack the thread but it is relevant to reloading this bullet for hunting.

 

[ORD]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

No issues with them loading into the AR-10 and LR-308 mags. I don't have my load data in front of me to give you a powder charge starting point rec., but I am certain that I load them to a OAL of 2.80" and they fit/feed fine from the AR-10 mags and LR20 PMAGs I run in my POF/DPMS rifles.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

for all my semi 308's I load to 2.8 COAL. You will notice that most manufactures load to around 2.775 or close to that. I load 43.5 grains of 748 and that gets me to 2650 fps in my GAP SASS with a 20" Bartlein barrel.

 

[lwrkeysfisher]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

+1 for the Barnes 168gr TTSX. I only ran them in my Rock River LAR-8 which was picky, and it liked them just fine.

 

[Texar2]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

I have killed hogs and deer with the 175gr smk. The most i have seen a deer run afterwards was about 80 yards. I like being able to place the bullet where I want it with confidence.

 

[crbrta]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

I appreciate all the insight. I definitely won’t discount the amax and I feel much better about trying them out on some hogs after hearing the feedback. I guess what I was reading about was bigger animals and higher velocity rounds. Truth be told I would rather use the Amax after the last few sessions at the range but I had heard some mixed reports on their performance up close. We hunt mainly senderos so there are shot opportunities from 30 feet to 600-700 + yards. I definitely don’t mind doing a little experimentation on some hogs, but I don’t want to be second guessing my choice if I had a nice 150+ in front of me! I ordered a box of 165 & 180 Nosler AB. Should get back to the range Thurs or Fri to try them out. Then I’ll try the Barnes TTSX. I know all bullets can kill but I’m looking for something that will create a good wound channel so if I do my part and still have to track them it’s not hard to follow if I have to follow. No one likes to track in south Texas! It’s painful! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Texar2]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

Also, great looking rifle! Looks perfect for south Texas.

 

[TXTransplant]

Re: Hunting Load for my GAP LR308

I've killed both those animals with .223. I think you're not going to have a problem with anything you try. At those distances it will be way more about shot placement than bullet performance.

If you double lung a deer with an SMK at 600 yards he'll drop a lot faster than if you hit him in the midsection (and miss his liver, etc) with a barnes round.