Bullet Selection

[jbpmidas]

This past week, I shot my first Savage build, a .308, for the first time. WOW!!! I used a light load a friend had on hand. They consisted of 175SMK's over 38.2 grains of H335. I believe the chrono'ed around 2400. After zeroing, I shot a 3 shot group that measured .219! This was shot prone from a cheap Winchester bipod. Needless to say, I am very excited about my first build! This is to be a hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Now, I have to decide on a hunting bullet. I tried my ammo from this past year, yesterday. This was Hornady Superformance 150 SST's. My Remington VTR would consistently shoot them into 1" at 200 yards. My new Savage build shot them into 5/8" at 100 yards, but it was an almost completely vertical string. I really don't like that much vertical!

What bullet are you using for hunting? I'd like a heavier bullet, maybe 175-200. I'd like a decent BC is the reason for the heavier weight. I want to stay away from the VLD's also because I don't want the seating depth issues, either. Thank you for your sugestions!

 

[2506]

I have always had great satisfaction with 150 to 165 gr Sierra or Nosler ballistic tips for really long range deer shooting in the 308 Win. But the last few years most of my usage of my 308 on deer has been in places that 300 yards is the longest shot I would have. I have found that the Nosler 125 gr ballistic tip and 46 grs IMR 4895 which starts out right at 3000 fps is AWESOME on deer out to 300 yards. I have never shot one over that distance with this bullet. As long as you keep your impact velocity below 3000 fps and above 1400 fps or so it really drops deer in their tracks or short there of.

 

[dansig]

for the .308 I think anything bigger than 170gr is to heavy, I shoot 185gr Scenar from my .300 win mag with great accuracy.. about 2" at 500m from factory barrel.

they are great bullets but for the .308 I'd say the 167gr would be a better choice.

 

[jbpmidas]

I am hoping to find a bullet that will have a very similar trajectory to a 175 SMK load.

 

[jonbearman]

I have always liked the hornady 165 grain spire point. They are or were very accurate and hopefully they still make them,but they worked fantastic.

 

[jbpmidas]

That is the bullet I used for several years in a .30-06. Excellent performer on game! I might try the 180, but wanted something with a more consistent tip.

 

[whistlepighunter]

I would recommend the 165 grain seirra game kings. They work great out to three hundred and I have never had a deer take over three steps with them...Load them over either win 760 or varget and go hunt....If you wanna spend the money try the barnes tipped triple shocks..but you will have to play with seating depth....for budget try the 165 gks though they are great

 

[K22]

I've used the Sierra 150 gain Pro Hunter for many years in my 308. Very accurate and lethal. Good choice for deer and it won't break the bank. Shot a monster White Tail (175.5 lbs field dressed) four years ago with it, the deer walked five yards and fell over.

My rifle shoots this bullet real well with Varget and Federal 210 match primers.

 

[glo]

Go with a 168gr Barnes TTXS PN# 30878 it has a BC of .470. That bullet will hit like a 175 to 180 conventional bullet. If you use Hodgdon's new CFE 223 powder, you can get an extra 50 to 100fps at the muzzle. Then the bullet will fly more like a 190.

 

[rvn1968]

The old standard was if you can build a load better than the Federal 168 gold metal match,you were a reloading grandmaster. I think that still stands,explains the 1000 rounds in my ammo locker.

 

[ChrisNZ]

I was a bit amused by your comment in the OP- a horrible "5/8" of vertical at 100yds".
Assuming this .308 is being used on deer at under 400yds, I see no issue at all. Many guys would be thrilled if this is the best they achieve.

As for hunting projectiles, you're spoiled for choice. I use 165 HPBT Gamekings for my buddy's hunting rifle and they work nicely.

Chris-NZ

 

[jbpmidas]

I was a bit amused by your comment in the OP- a horrible "5/8" of vertical at 100yds".
Assuming this .308 is being used on deer at under 400yds, I see no issue at all. Many guys would be thrilled if this is the best they achieve.

As for hunting projectiles, you're spoiled for choice. I use 165 HPBT Gamekings for my buddy's hunting rifle and they work nicely.

Chris-NZ

Well, that does sound bad. Less than a year ago I would have been ecstatic with that grouping. However, I've gotten into F-Class shooting and I have a couple of rifles that shoot some amazing groups (my opinion again). I'm just not interested anymore if it does not shoot up to my expectations. I was absolutely amazed at how the rifle shot the 175 SMK's and I will do some more load development with them to see if I can get more velocity and keep the same accuracy. I will try the Superformance ammo again on a different front rest to see if the cheap bipod was the culprit on the vertical string. Now, if I could have taken that group and turned it 90 degrees and had a 5/8" spread and .2 vertical, that would have been more to my liking!

 

[effendude]

Are you sure the ammo is to blame for 5/8" vertical spread at 100 yards when "shot prone from cheap winchester bipod"? One group or all groups were that way? Sounds like you are asking much from hunting rig.
Scott

 

[MrMajestic]

I've used the Sierra 150 gain Pro Hunter for many years in my 308. Very accurate and lethal. Good choice for deer and it won't break the bank. Shot a monster White Tail (175.5 lbs field dressed) four years ago with it, the deer walked five yards and fell over.

My rifle shoots this bullet real well with Varget and Federal 210 match primers.

K22 hit the nail on the head! Fantastic Whitetail bullet and if it don't shoot with Varget and a match primer(and preliminary case prep) it ain't gonna shoot! Sorry if I stepped on any toes.

 

[jbpmidas]

Are you sure the ammo is to blame for 5/8" vertical spread at 100 yards when "shot prone from cheap winchester bipod"? One group or all groups were that way? Sounds like you are asking much from hunting rig.
Scott

I stated in my post right above yours that I would do some more testing with a better front rest, so no, I don't know that ammo was to blame, or the rest. It could very well have been shooter error.

Don't tell anyone I said that!

 

[calib]

This past week, I shot my first Savage build, a .308, for the first time. WOW!!! I used a light load a friend had on hand. They consisted of 175SMK's over 38.2 grains of H335. I believe the chrono'ed around 2400. After zeroing, I shot a 3 shot group that measured .219! This was shot prone from a cheap Winchester bipod. Needless to say, I am very excited about my first build! This is to be a hunting rifle, not a target rifle. Now, I have to decide on a hunting bullet. I tried my ammo from this past year, yesterday. This was Hornady Superformance 150 SST's. My Remington VTR would consistently shoot them into 1" at 200 yards. My new Savage build shot them into 5/8" at 100 yards, but it was an almost completely vertical string. I really don't like that much vertical!

What bullet are you using for hunting? I'd like a heavier bullet, maybe 175-200. I'd like a decent BC is the reason for the heavier weight. I want to stay away from the VLD's also because I don't want the seating depth issues, either. Thank you for your sugestions!

congrats on the build you are now addicted