.308 hunting load work up

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Nature Boy

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It’s getting to be that time and I’m not going to wait till the last minute like I usually do.

So, looking for a whitetail load for my FNchester .308

I’m going to narrow it down to the 2 bullets and the 5 powders shown. Still, it’s too many choices and I’d like to narrow it even further

OZ3Samd.jpg

Help me pick one of the bullets and one of powders and I’ll start working it up
 
I am with South Prairie Jim, you got a win/win going on. I never liked Reloader Power because they don't fit on my shelf's. Doesn't mean its doesn't work well. For me and the 168 grainers, I had better luck with 4895 than the 4064 and Varget. Don't have the other two powders to even try.
 
When I got my first .308 Win., I tried duplicating the Federal Gold Medal Match load with 42.5 gr of IMR-4064, Federal 210 primer, Federal brass and a 168 gr Nosler Custom Competition BTHP bullet. It shot well enough that I have stayed with it. You might try that combo with the Ballistic Tip and see if your rifle likes it. YMMV.
 
IMR4064 and the Nosler.
I love IMR 4064. It produces unbelievable accuracy for me. Ok the bullet side, I have nothing but respect for both companies, but I know what the Nosler ballistic tips do.
 
IMR 4064 and the Nosler. Just a proven, good, known combination. Personally I go cheap and dirty, with the same IMR 4064 and a Speer 150 Hot Core, but I'm not stretching the range envelope where I hunt. Don't know much about that Berger, but I know the Nosler will anchor Bambi. I load a lot of obsolete metrics with obsolete data, and my 30-06 is fired through a Garand, so I'm a bit biased to IMR 4064 due to it's versatility in my other uses. Realistically any of your powders would be a good bet.

I've also liked VN140 in .308 back when it was first imported and they weren't quite so proud of it, but I like the much less expensive IMR 4064 just as well, so I go that route.

Based on the target games you play, I'm sure you'll be pairing with quality components, glass, and you certainly know what you're doing. Looking forward to seeing what kind of groups you wring out of whatever combo you choose.
 
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Nosler and Varget.

I've killed 30 plus deer with ballistic tips, really like that bullet and Varget is a pretty temperature stable powder. Temp stability is something I look for in a powder for hunting rounds as our temps vary wildly here at times.

I've not used a Berger on game, love their target bullets, but I'm not a fan of "fragmentation" inside a game animal. Kinda like all the meat I can get out of it and sometimes a broadside heart lung shot can't be made. The vast majority of my shots on deer have been under 300 yds with a couple Chamois pushing 450, at these distances the extra BC offered by the Bergers really isn't much of a factor.
 
When I got my first .308 Win., I tried duplicating the Federal Gold Medal Match load with 42.5 gr of IMR-4064, Federal 210 primer, Federal brass and a 168 gr Nosler Custom Competition BTHP bullet. It shot well enough that I have stayed with it. You might try that combo with the Ballistic Tip and see if your rifle likes it. YMMV.

I think I'm running 42.5gr of 4064, under both 165 SGKs or 168 SMKs depending on the application with the same zero. Very good shooting load that could probably use a little fine tuning.
 
In KY where I live, temps during gun season can vary anywhere from 25 to 75°F. Even though its the most accurate powder Ive found for my 308, IMR 4064 would not be in consideration for me because of the temp instability. Temp stability would likely dictate that I use Varget or IMR 4166 which wasnt even one of your powder options.
Ive not shot the bergers but the Nosler BTs do a good job on whitetails. Most likely I would try to work up a load for both bullets and go with whichever was most accurate in my gun.
 
It’s getting to be that time and I’m not going to wait till the last minute like I usually do.

So, looking for a whitetail load for my FNchester .308

I’m going to narrow it down to the 2 bullets and the 5 powders shown. Still, it’s too many choices and I’d like to narrow it even further

View attachment 863698

Help me pick one of the bullets and one of powders and I’ll start working it up

Last year I took 3 deer, all DRT with IMR 4064 and 168 gr. VLDs. For me in the 308 Winchester, IMR 4064 has had the best consistent performance accuracy wise in a number of different guns. That said, I would be fine with the other bullets and probably with the other powders.
 
If your going to be using one of the powder measures in the back ground N140 will meter much better than the extruded powders.
 
It’s getting to be that time and I’m not going to wait till the last minute like I usually do.

So, looking for a whitetail load for my FNchester .308

I’m going to narrow it down to the 2 bullets and the 5 powders shown. Still, it’s too many choices and I’d like to narrow it even further

View attachment 863698

Help me pick one of the bullets and one of powders and I’ll start working it up
I’d do Nosler and IMR 4064
 
I see you leave powder in those measures.
How do you feel that effects the potencies of the powder if at all ?

The Dillon hoppers have a cap on them so I don't think it has much of an effect, plus, I shoot a lot so I'm turning over the quantity frequently
 
I’m in a downsizing mode with the preparation towards moving and the one thing I’m considering is a powder measure from Harrell’s to go with my SCott Parker beam and trickler- I’m curious to how you like and use them

Edit- powder measures in general...
 
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