.308 velocity vs accuracy

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Joe Texas

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I would like to hear from those who have hunted with Sierra’s #2125 150 grain Game King and/or Hornady’s 150 grain Interlock flat based spire point in .308.

My most accurate load (1/2” @ 100) with the #2125 has a muzzle velocity of 2619. I can sacrifice some accuracy (1” @ 100) to get 2775.

Questions:
• Is 2619 fps mv enough for the Sierra bullet to perform at ranges up to 250 yards?
• Is there any real point in the extra 156 fps for deer/hogs at that limited range?
• For those that have tried both, how does the Hornady Interlock compare to the Sierra Game King?
 
I can get 2,740 fps out of my 18.7" barreled .308 with Hornady Interlocks, the bullet performs great.

But to answer your question the extra 156 fps will not be known by the dead deer or hog with a good shot even at 250 yards, it is inconsequential. Your projectile will likely be going at around 2,070fps and carrying over 1,400 ft/lbs, given the game kings I would think are a lighter jacket than the Interlocks, you should have good expansion at that velocity; now if you hit bone I cannot comment on how the Game Kings will fair, the Interlocks however will hold together pretty well. I have not tried the Game Kings so I cannot comment on those bullets.
 
A 1/2" group shooting on a bench is comforting and nice to brag about. But from field positions when hunting you'll not shoot any better with a 1/2" rifle than a 1" rifle.

I saved this graphic from one of the long range shooting forums a while back showing the probability of hitting a 10" target at 700 yards with a 1 MOA rifle compared to a .5 MOA, .3MOA, and a .1 MOA rifle. There just isn't that much difference. And this is shooting from a bench. The difference in accuracy from field positions, at less than 1/2 the range, would be even less.


how-much-does-rifle-group-size-matter11.jpg

I wouldn't trade 50 fps to go from a 1" rifle to a 1/2" rifle. The difference is small, either load will work, but the faster load will shoot a little flatter and with faster impact speeds create better bullet expansion. You'll never be able to use the accuracy.
 
Have to agree with jmr. The groups you shoot off of bags or a lead sled don't amount to much in the field. I see it every time that I go to the range, and I am guilty to an extent. We shoot off of the bench and brag about our groups but how many of us shoot from field positions or off hand? I have made it a habit now to shoot sitting, kneeling and off hand. I use my CZ 455 and burn 100-200 rounds each trip. It paid off a couple of seasons back when I got caught crossing a field. I get halfway and see a buck at the far end looking at me. There is no tree for a rest and the broom sage is waist high so I can't sit or kneel. I wrap up in the sling and dropped him on the spot off hand. Ranged it later at 118 yards. Practice, practice, practice.
 
2600 is sufficient for the Sierra GK to 250 yards. You'll be giving up a touch on wind and drop, but likely not noticeable at that distance. The Hornady flat based 150 SP will benefit from a touch more velocity, as it will shed it slightly faster than the BTSP. I've found it to be a somewhat tougher bullet than the Sierra GK or Speer BTSP at similar impact velocities. I've also found it to be an easy bullet to get top accuracy from. My old .308 load was with this bullet over 49gr BL-C2. It was lights out accurate. I've taken large whitetail with the Hornady FB both with this high- end .308 load and .300 Savage from point blank to 300 yards and it performed perfectly across all including a couple of tough bone impacts. Taken a couple with the GK and it did the job, but seemed a bit frangible for my taste.

My needs in a hunting bullet and powder and bullet versatility across several rifles have led me to load the Speer 150 Hot Core (it works better in my M1 and Swiss rifles). I'm running loads in your velocity range (2600ish) in my wife's .308 and it is a deer hammer. Likewise in my friends .300 Sav at similar speeds. The BC is a touch better than the Hornady, rivaling the Sierra GK but in a flat based slug.
 
2600 is sufficient for the Sierra GK to 250 yards. You'll be giving up a touch on wind and drop, but likely not noticeable at that distance. The Hornady flat based 150 SP will benefit from a touch more velocity, as it will shed it slightly faster than the BTSP. I've found it to be a somewhat tougher bullet than the Sierra GK or Speer BTSP at similar impact velocities. I've also found it to be an easy bullet to get top accuracy from. My old .308 load was with this bullet over 49gr BL-C2. It was lights out accurate. I've taken large whitetail with the Hornady FB both with this high- end .308 load and .300 Savage from point blank to 300 yards and it performed perfectly across all including a couple of tough bone impacts. Taken a couple with the GK and it did the job, but seemed a bit frangible for my taste.

My needs in a hunting bullet and powder and bullet versatility across several rifles have led me to load the Speer 150 Hot Core (it works better in my M1 and Swiss rifles). I'm running loads in your velocity range (2600ish) in my wife's .308 and it is a deer hammer. Likewise in my friends .300 Sav at similar speeds. The BC is a touch better than the Hornady, rivaling the Sierra GK but in a flat based slug.
Great feedback! Thanks.
 
While I agree with the observations regarding practical accuracy vs. range/bench accuracy, much of the fun and satisfaction I derive from handloading is from producing rounds that have at least the potential for maximum accuracy and performance from my rifle or handgun. I think it adds a bit of confidence also, whether or not the advantage of having a custom load is real or largely imaginary. It’s a hobby and an addiction that makes little sense if just getting the job done is the only goal.

Factory ammo will get the job done. That is enough to satisfy the majority of hunters who never told themselves the lie that rolling their own would save them money. :D Maybe they fantasize about that once in a lifetime buck. I dream of magic bullet and powder combinations. It’s a sickness. It makes no sense......and it makes me happy.

Thanks for all the great feedback!
 
I hit a sweet spot of accuracy at around 2650fps, for the .308. That means more to me than trying to wring the last 10% out of the rifle. I run most of my handloads about 85% of max.
 
2600 at the muzzle will do just fine. If you are shooting inside 500 yards, .5 or 1 moa is plenty good to put the bullet through both lungs. Dead deer for sure.

You'll give up some wind and drop if shooting far, but inside 250 in normal conditions I see no trouble with either loading.

My friends faimily and myself have killed quite a few deer, maybe 15, with the Hornady bullets loaded between 2600 and 2700 fps at the muzzle. No problems to report at all with lung shots!
 
I hit a sweet spot of accuracy at around 2650fps, for the .308. That means more to me than trying to wring the last 10% out of the rifle. I run most of my handloads about 85% of max.
That’s kinda how I was leaning. I will probably opt for more velocity with the harder Hornady Interlock. The 2775 mv load (Savage 26”) is still 2 grains under Sierra’s max with IMR 4064. I think that’s about where the point of diminishing return begins with that powder/bullet combo anyway. No reason for unnecessary recoil or wear and tear on a barrel for a few extra fps - at least not for my purposes.
 
2600 at the muzzle will do just fine. If you are shooting inside 500 yards, .5 or 1 moa is plenty good to put the bullet through both lungs. Dead deer for sure.

You'll give up some wind and drop if shooting far, but inside 250 in normal conditions I see no trouble with either loading.

My friends faimily and myself have killed quite a few deer, maybe 15, with the Hornady bullets loaded between 2600 and 2700 fps at the muzzle. No problems to report at all with lung shots!

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Hornadys.
 
Here’s some chronograph results from the loads discussed. My G2 showed less velocity than the Sierra data even though they use a Savage 26” barrel like I did.

.223 loads were from a Henry single shot.

Temp was 45-52 degrees those days. 0324B0A0-52DD-460A-BA54-682C070FBB97.png DAB4724B-26B3-4935-92C0-DEBB65D02386.png
 
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