Looking for feedback - 308 win, 125 gr deer load

[Left2lobster2020.20]

Hi there,

I already reload for quite a few calibers. Looking for thoughts on developing a load for bean field white tails in Michigan around a 125 gr bullet.

Some details about the rifle: Factory REM 700 with a Varmit contour chopped to 20”. It’s a 1:12 twist. I had it professionally bedded into a greyboe stock. I have a trigger tech trigger pack in it too.

Range would be around a maximum of 400 yards. What’s working for you all out there and any recommendations on powder and bullet specifically for the 125 gr offering.

 

[jds holler]

Seems kinda light weight to me. jd

 

[Orr89rocz]

Run the 130 barnes ttsx.

 

[CJ6]

125 Nosler with a stout load of W 748.
This WAS my mule deer combo in a factory Rem 700 VS 308.
Switched to 150 bonded later.

 

[dthomas]

Is there a specific reason you want to use such a light bullet?

 

[Loudenboomer]

I know you said 125. That will work. Hope you don't mind another opinion.
With a few exceptions deer bullets start at 150 gr. I've shot a bunch of deer with the std. 150 gr Hornady FB # 3031. The 150 Nosler ballistic tip and 150 partition also been good at .308 velocities. I usually charge them with Varget or AA2460. Keep in mind 150 and lighter get knocked around pretty good by the wind. The 165 SST and Berger are fast opening bullets that buck wind better and carry a little more energy across the Bean field. YMMV

 

[choprzrul]

124gr Hammer Hunter to 3300 fps using X-Terminator
137gr Hammer Hunter to 3100 fps using H322

 

[dk17hmr]

I'm shooting 125gr Sierra tipped gamekings in one of my 20" 308s at 3050fps with IMR 4895.

I have used h322 with 125gr nosler ballistic tips for closer to 3100+, killed several antelope with that bullet and it works great.

Maybe try Barnes 110-130gr if your a shoulder shooter, but the 125s with a plastic tip in the chest are devastating. 125s are great in 308 and 30-06 especially for deer and smaller game.

 

[ben-o]

Run the 130 barnes ttsx.

this is my favorite 308 bullet for deer, but I don’t shoot them at 400 yards. With ~3100fps muzzle velocity, you should be at or above 1800fps at 400 yards, which I think is the minimum for that bullet.

 

[HandgunHTR]

The 125 grain Nosler BTs or the 125 grain Sierra TGK will do just fine.

Just an FYI, the mono bullets recommended may have a hard time stabilizing in that slow twist barrel.

 

[philip brousseau]

Sierra now makes a 150gr. Varmint bullet in 30 cal.

 

[Steve Donlon]

I've shot 125's in my 30-06 and unless you are pretty close, the 150's are much better in the wind from what I have seen. And more accurate than a 125 gr. bullet . I always thought a 125 gr. bullet was more of a varmint bullet. But looking at the 300 BLK and all the deer they have taken with a 125gr. bullets, it's hard to argue the point.

 

[Left2lobster2020.20]

Thanks for the all the responses.

I’m mainly using this rifle for summer crop damage (does without fawns) and late anterless deer. I have a Speer 165 gr load worked up. It’s not giving me bug eyes but it gets the job done. I haven’t quite found anything that’s amazing from an accuracy perspective. I’ve tried a lot of off the shelf versions from the 155- 180gr offering. I’ve tried Accubonds, TTSX’s, Hornady from a reloading standpoint. I’ve tried a couple of different powders. I’m not an elite level reloader by any stretch. I’ve had some reloading for my 338 Fed and 30-06.

I’m really looking for something a little more forgiving on the scope doping and wanting to find something the barrel likes. Right now I’m using a 300 win mag for the crop damage and gets a little pricey but it does the trick for crop damage. I’m mainly a rib shooter but it still makes a mess of the shooters if you get too close. I figure go down the lighter end of spectrum. I’m really looking at 150 grains and below from a load work up perspective.

 

[CJ6]

Go with a bonded bullet. I did for improved bullet weight retention and less meat damage.

 

[Kermit in Va.]

125 accubonds works good...

 

[COhunter]

My wife used the 125gr accubonds with H4895 on our mule deer without a hiccup, most never took a step and were very accurate

 

[HandgunHTR]

Thanks for the all the responses.

I’m mainly using this rifle for summer crop damage (does without fawns) and late anterless deer. I have a Speer 165 gr load worked up. It’s not giving me bug eyes but it gets the job done. I haven’t quite found anything that’s amazing from an accuracy perspective. I’ve tried a lot of off the shelf versions from the 155- 180gr offering. I’ve tried Accubonds, TTSX’s, Hornady from a reloading standpoint. I’ve tried a couple of different powders. I’m not an elite level reloader by any stretch. I’ve had some reloading for my 338 Fed and 30-06.

I’m really looking for something a little more forgiving on the scope doping and wanting to find something the barrel likes. Right now I’m using a 300 win mag for the crop damage and gets a little pricey but it does the trick for crop damage. I’m mainly a rib shooter but it still makes a mess of the shooters if you get too close. I figure go down the lighter end of spectrum. I’m really looking at 150 grains and below from a load work up perspective.

Go with a bonded bullet. I did for improved bullet weight retention and less meat damage.

Here is my take when it comes to crop damage permits. For those you are killing, not hunting. The name of the game is to put them on the ground right now. Meat damage is a very distant second. You don't want them running far and especially not out of the field they are in. I don't mind doing a bit of tracking when I am hunting, but not when doing permit work. For that I want something that expands violently and puts lots of holes in all the good stuff.
For the majority of my permit killing I am using a 87 grain V-Max out of a 6X45 AR. I do occasionally use a 123 grain ELDM (Grendel) or a 147 grain ELDM (Creedmoor) out of bolt guns if the conditions are windy or I am shooting a big field.

 

[rdremsek]

Hi there,

I already reload for quite a few calibers. Looking for thoughts on developing a load for bean field white tails in Michigan around a 125 gr bullet.

Some details about the rifle: Factory REM 700 with a Varmit contour chopped to 20”. It’s a 1:12 twist. I had it professionally bedded into a greyboe stock. I have a trigger tech trigger pack in it too.

Range would be around a maximum of 400 yards. What’s working for you all out there and any recommendations on powder and bullet specifically for the 125 gr offering.

Sierra 125 grn pro hunter Spitzer flat base and varget its a deer killer and bear killer here in pa for whitetails and bear in canada and they are accurate i also shoot a 7mm08 with sierra 125grn pro hunter Spitzer flat base dead nuts accurate also shot deer and bear with it for 30 years plus drops them in there tracks also when gutting it looks like a hand grenade went off in its chest .

 

[AA Ron]

Yep!

 

[ben-o]

The 125 grain Nosler BTs or the 125 grain Sierra TGK will do just fine.

Just an FYI, the mono bullets recommended may have a hard time stabilizing in that slow twist barrel.

1:12” should be fine for pretty much any copper bullet 150gr or lighter.