Recommendations on Hunting Load for .308 - 165 gr SGK HPBT, Varget, 22" Barrel

[K22]

I have IMR 4064 on the shelf as well, but I think I'm going to stick with 43 grains of Varget.

I agree that even 2 MOA would probably be sufficient, but I don't think I would feel very good about shooting reloads that shoot worse than factory ammo.

Thanks for the input.

Scott

Varget and IMR 4064 shot about the same in the two 308's that I had so I do not believe there is a significant difference performance wise.

I agree, I would not be satisfied with a 2-moa rifle although in reality, where I hunted deer, it would have been more than adequate. Most hunters like to have confidence in their equipment and shooting tight groups contribute to that confidence. So, I understand and agree because honestly all my deer rifles shot at least 1 moa and most under that with tuned reloads.

Best wishes on your hunt.

 

[GotRDid]

I will post this here as a followup on this year’s success with Joe’s Winchester Model 88 in .308 Winchester.
As promised, I will take Joe hunting in Spirit as long as I’m able.
Nelson Co., KY on small plot of land belonging to a Friend. Younger than I would prefer, but lots of hunting pressure surrounding his place.

 

[Walt Krafft]

Nice deer! Congrats!!

 

[JFrank]

I haven’t done a 308 in a while but they always shoot well around 44.0 of whatever.

 

[dixiecricket]

If you are in a pinch, just run the 168SMK you already have a load for. A 100lb deer wont know the difference between a SMK and GK at 100yds.

Also, ITS 100YDS at a white tail. any load that shoots 3moa is plenty enough so you can pick the bullet you want and a starting book load, go check zero real quick, and off to hunt.

 

[Rickhem]

for deer hunting
I use 165 SST in a 20" bolt gun and a 16 " gas gun
load for me 44.0 Varget . 16" @ 2550 fps and 20"
@ 2660 fps. both @ moa @ 100 yds both using a
YHM RK can .
165 SST
44.0 Varget
2800 aol
CCI 250 M primer

This load is what I load for my .308 as well.
The 165SST over 44.0 grains of Varget, with CCI-200 primers, in a Winchester case gives me an average of 2808 fps through my 24" barrel. It groups 5 shots consistently under ¾ MOA, with some groups having all shots touching.

As was mentioned a few times here, even a 3 MOA rifle will kill every deer your shoot at within 100 yards. I hunt the woods, so my shots are all under that too, but it's a good feeling knowing you can pick a small opening for you shot if you need to.

I like that idea of loading 10 rounds, confirming that POA is also POI, and using the remaining rounds to hunt. All I'd add is to try your hunting ammo as the first shot you take at the range, and even better to do that more than just one trip. I can shoot on my property, and I have a target on the 100 yard frame for each rifle I hunt with. Every few days, I'll take out each rifle, take a single shot at that rifle's target. I end up with a group of cold bore shots, and know that my first shot hunting will go where I tell it to go.

 

[bulletpruf]

If you are in a pinch, just run the 168SMK you already have a load for. A 100lb deer wont know the difference between a SMK and GK at 100yds.

Also, ITS 100YDS at a white tail. any load that shoots 3moa is plenty enough so you can pick the bullet you want and a starting book load, go check zero real quick, and off to hunt.

I hunted with the 168 gr SMK last year with no issues, but the bullets did fragment on impact.

 

[bulletpruf]

This load is what I load for my .308 as well.
The 165SST over 44.0 grains of Varget, with CCI-200 primers, in a Winchester case gives me an average of 2808 fps through my 24" barrel. It groups 5 shots consistently under ¾ MOA, with some groups having all shots touching.

As was mentioned a few times here, even a 3 MOA rifle will kill every deer your shoot at within 100 yards. I hunt the woods, so my shots are all under that too, but it's a good feeling knowing you can pick a small opening for you shot if you need to.

I like that idea of loading 10 rounds, confirming that POA is also POI, and using the remaining rounds to hunt. All I'd add is to try your hunting ammo as the first shot you take at the range, and even better to do that more than just one trip. I can shoot on my property, and I have a target on the 100 yard frame for each rifle I hunt with. Every few days, I'll take out each rifle, take a single shot at that rifle's target. I end up with a group of cold bore shots, and know that my first shot hunting will go where I tell it to go.

I went to the range today with the 165 gr SGK and 43.0 gr of Varget and ended up with just over 1 MOA. I ended up shooting 2x 5 shot groups, so I'll need to load more this evening or tomorrow morning so I have something for the hunt tomorrow evening.

I would have preferred under 1 MOA, but this is good enough for now.

Scott

 

[Kracken McGraw]

I went to the range today with the 165 gr SGK and 43.0 gr of Varget and ended up with just over 1 MOA. I ended up shooting 2x 5 shot groups, so I'll need to load more this evening or tomorrow morning so I have something for the hunt tomorrow evening.

I would have preferred under 1 MOA, but this is good enough for now.

Scott

View attachment 1712492

You should be very confident with that load, several shots touching.

 

[GotRDid]

You should be very confident with that load, several shots touching.

…and you certainly won’t need more than one shot!

 

[Fire Dog]

I’ve loaded the 165 Game Kings {the hollow point ones} with both Varget & IMR4320 and both shot well but the 4320 was the winner with tighter groups in my 30-06.
51.1gr of IMR4320 in the 30-06 and 48.5gr of Varget. This was in a 24” barrel, Rem primers… If that helps.

 

[Frankm]

As Gary mentioned, that 165 BTHP Sierra GK is a stout bullet… especially at 308 velocities…. It was really designed around 300 mag velocities.

Friend had to shoot a buck three times with that bullet in a 308 about 5-6 years ago. All good shot placement but slow killing.

 

[JFrank]

I will post this here as a followup on this year’s success with Joe’s Winchester Model 88 in .308 Winchester.
As promised, I will take Joe hunting in Spirit as long as I’m able.
Nelson Co., KY on small plot of land belonging to a Friend. Younger than I would prefer, but lots of hunting pressure surrounding his place.

View attachment 1711330
View attachment 1711331
View attachment 1711332

Why do guys always stage the rifle and deer together ?

 

[GotRDid]

Why do guys always stage the rifle and deer together ?

If you had followed earlier posts, it was the Rifle left to me by my long time Hunting Friend and Father of one of my dearest Friends I served with in Law Enforcement.

 

[JFrank]

If you had followed earlier posts, it was the Rifle left to me by my long time Hunting Friend and Father of one of my dearest Friends I served with in Law Enforcement.

That’s what I get for not paying attention. lol
That is a nice old rifle .. nicer than mine that’s for sure.

 

[Fire Dog]

As Gary mentioned, that 165 BTHP Sierra GK is a stout bullet… especially at 308 velocities…. It was really designed around 300 mag velocities.

Friend had to shoot a buck three times with that bullet in a 308 about 5-6 years ago. All good shot placement but slow killing.

Here is what Sierra says about the 165gr Game King:

For rifles in 30 caliber, this 165 grain #2140 Hollow Point Boat Tail bullet, which is patterned after the world-famous 168 grain MatchKing bullet, was designed for shooters who desire a hunting version of that famous MatchKing. It is slightly “harder” than its 165 grain Spitzer Boat Tail counterpart and will give superior penetration and good expansion on medium game with excellent accuracy. This is a good medium-weight bullet choice for shooters of 30 caliber magnum rifles who desire a bullet that will not deform at the point. For handguns chambering 30 caliber cartridges, this 165 grain #2140 bullet is “hard” and will expand in medium to large game only when driven at a muzzle velocity of 2500 fps or more, which is achievable in the 308 Winchester cartridge in the Remington XP-100 handgun or a similar combination. It can, of course, be used for handgun silhouettes or other target purposes.

30 CAL 165 GR HPBT GAMEKING (SGK)

The Bulletsmiths®. Reloadable bullets for rifles and pistols designed for precision target shooting, hunting, and defense. Crafting a tradition of precision since 1947.

sierrabullets.com

 

[bulletpruf]

This just happened. 10 point with small drop tines. Shot offhand at 100 yards. He was moving but not fast. Double lung. He crumpled after going 50 yards.

 

[Klong]

Nice going. Looks like the weather is cooold there! Watch out for snakes!

 

[bulletpruf]

High of about 80 today. Sure doesn’t feel like deer hunting weather.

 

[Evlshnngns]

Why do guys always stage the rifle and deer together ?

Its the tool you brought for the job. I'm a fan.