Looking for a good hunting/target load in .308

[H.Hutch]

I'm currently looking for a hunting/target load as stated in the title. I hear positives about a many different loads, but I'm wanting some of your thoughts. I really like the a-max, but I think they have change the name or something if I recall correctly. I only want to shoot and kill game out to about 500. Then target I want to see how far I can hit with it after that. I am open to any loads so let me hear them.


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[roggom]

Before I moved over to 260, I did a lot of hunting with the 308. I started with the 178 Amax, which can now be found in the 178 ELD-X. Later I moved to a 155 Lapua Scenar(very similar BC and sectional density) , this bullet makes clean kills and great on steel. Seated over some Varget, RE15, or IMR4320, it gets the job done on Deer sized game.

 

[Gunfighter14e2]

The Sierra 165 SBT will work good for both of your tasks. I've shot matches with the 2145's to 900yds an they did will. Varget, 4064, Re-15, 3031, all did well.

 

[918v]

Every rifle I tried the 178 in liked them seated up close to the lands. They shot like crap from mag length. So if you go with 178, you'll have to single feed them. I like the 168 ELD better because they shoot well from the magazine. A good load that works in every brand of brass is 43.6grs of Varget. It is mild and brass lasts for a long time. In my barrel they like to jump .050" so that translates into 2.820" OAL. It does 2700 FPS.

 

[AZgeek]

I exclusively use 178 ELD-x for both hunting and target shooting. My experience with this new bullet is they DO like to be seated within mag length. 43.3 grains of Varget with a COAL of 2.805 is just tits! Agree with 918v that 43.6 is a good overall powder charge.

 

[Temper]

I exclusively use 178 ELD-x for both hunting and target shooting. My experience with this new bullet is they DO like to be seated within mag length. 43.3 grains of Varget with a COAL of 2.805 is just tits! Agree with 918v that 43.6 is a good overall powder charge.

I ran a very similar load in my .308. I had an ES of 6 for 5 shots with Lapua Palma brass trimmed to 2.007 with Winchester SR primers, 44gr of Varget. 2750fps.

 

[ubet]

Have had no problem with 175gr smk. They will do both of what you're asking. 44.7grs is getting me around 2758fps

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[Conrad]

178 ELDX is hammering in my rifle at 2750 fps. 22" barrel. The 178 AMAX did the same at 2650 fps and crunched a few deer and hogs last year.

 

[wapiti16b]

My go to load is Berger Hybrid 168 grain , Lapua brass , FED GMM primers and IMR 8208XBR . I'm getting 2740 fps out of my 20 inch barreled FN SPR @ 5,000 feet elevation . 1/2 moa or better depending on my effort at the range , dropped a smallish 4x4 Mulie @ 473 yards ranged with G7 BR2 range finder . Bullet passed through and hit a boulder so no recovery . 1n12 twist .
I plan on trying the ELDMs in 155 & 168 in the near future .