Advice on Barnes bullets for 308 reloading

[mashburn82]

I purchased a ruger 308 model 6903 and will be getting into reloading. I reload 9mm but 308 is new to me.

What I am looking for is a bullet with distance to take down an elk. I know a well placed bullet of any kind can get a job done, but I would like to get the right one for if it's not well placed, as well as for distance.

My barrel is 1:10 twist.

There is a Barnes 175 grain LRX that I can buy right now, but the twist is for 1:11 or faster. So would I be looking at a problem? Or should I keep an eye open for their 200 grain or something else entirely?

 

[El Matador]

You shouldn't have a problem stabilizing those bullets since a 1:10 twist is faster than a 1:11. Barnes LRX is a fine bullet for elk as long as you have enough velocity at impact for them to expand properly. Barnes says they'll expand at 1600 fps, which would give you about 900 yards of range from your 308, but I don't like to push the limits when it comes to elk. They are tough. I'd personally rather have at least 2000 fps impact velocity for elk, which means 400-500 yards would be the furthest I'd shoot.

 

[JLT]

That bullet should be fine in a 1:10" twist and it should be up to your intended task, too.

 

[mills braswell]

You'll be fine in my opinion. If you can buy those bullets right now I would get a bunch of them if possible if that's what you want to shoot.

 

[FNSafari]

Generally speaking lots of writers and users recommend using a slightly lighter bullet than if you were to use a lead jacket bullet. Copper or gilding metal bullets are longer than the same weight lead jacket bullet because the material they are made of is lighter than the lead core which is the majority of the weight of such a bullet. Also non toxic bullets need velocity and resistance to open well and transmit shock to your quarry. A 200 gr lead bullet is useable in a 308 win but you are beginning to run out of powder room to drive it as fast as may be prudent. I would stick with a 165/180 non toxic bullet and shoot it as fast as is safe assuming good accuracy. I would hold my shooting distance to what you know you and your rifle can place a bullet in the vital area of an elk. Don’t get caught up in the Uber long range shooting imo. The 308 win is fine for elk but don’t push it. If you want more power step up to a 30/06 or a 300 win mag.
You owe it to your game to be able to put a killing shot into it on your first trigger pull. Your twist rate is fine. JMO

 

[mashburn82]

Generally speaking lots of writers and users recommend using a slightly lighter bullet than if you were to use a lead jacket bullet. Copper or gilding metal bullets are longer than the same weight lead jacket bullet because the material they are made of is lighter than the lead core which is the majority of the weight of such a bullet. Also non toxic bullets need velocity and resistance to open well and transmit shock to your quarry. A 200 gr lead bullet is useable in a 308 win but you are beginning to run out of powder room to drive it as fast as may be prudent. I would stick with a 165/180 non toxic bullet and shoot it as fast as is safe assuming good accuracy. I would hold my shooting distance to what you know you and your rifle can place a bullet in the vital area of an elk. Don’t get caught up in the Uber long range shooting imo. The 308 win is fine for elk but don’t push it. If you want more power step up to a 30/06 or a 300 win mag.
You owe it to your game to be able to put a killing shot into it on your first trigger pull. Your twist rate is fine. JMO

Agreed. I like to put down whatever I shoot. I hate to see it suffer. And also hate to track. So that's why I go after bullets that make a hard hit.

 

[mashburn82]

You shouldn't have a problem stabilizing those bullets since a 1:10 twist is faster than a 1:11. Barnes LRX is a fine bullet for elk as long as you have enough velocity at impact for them to expand properly. Barnes says they'll expand at 1600 fps, which would give you about 900 yards of range from your 308, but I don't like to push the limits when it comes to elk. They are tough. I'd personally rather have at least 2000 fps impact velocity for elk, which means 400-500 yards would be the furthest I'd shoot.

Thank you. I was wondering if I was reading that backwards with the twist rate. I used to do the same with gauge thickness.

 

[JFrank]

I have read and had discussion on these 175 being cold weather and altitude sensitive in a 1-11 twist, the author was very adamant suggesting they would be only marginally stable.

Has anyone experienced such as that?

 

[milboltnut]

In the 06 IMR 4350 with 180 bullet works the best for me. See what it lists for powder.

 

[mashburn82]

I have read and had discussion on these 175 being cold weather and altitude sensitive in a 1-11 twist, the author was very adamant suggesting they would be only marginally stable.

Has anyone experienced such as that?

I'm interested in knowing the truth to that as well.

 

[JFrank]

I may be in the best position to test it out as I own a 308 1-11 twist also have access to hunting or shooting above 3,000 ft also colder than a well diggers A$$ out back.
If I can find those bullet that is..

 

[mashburn82]

I may be in the best position to test it out as I own a 308 1-11 twist also have access to hunting or shooting above 3,000 ft also colder than a well diggers A$$ out back.
If I can find those bullet that is..

I'm getting mine on midway USA