.308 is a nice cartridge, first experience

[johnnydollar]

I agree about point of reference. And about the changing of the guard, if you will. Many new shooters do indeed start with an AR-15 (if they've shot a rifle before that, it was likely a .22 LR), and, yes, .308 recoil is greater than the .223. I've let guys in their 40s and 50s shoot my M1A--guys who'd never shot anything bigger than the .223 beforehand. The same guys were--almost to a man--afraid to try either my .30-'06 bolt gun or my FR-8 carbine, neither of which are hard-kicking guns.

 

[dh1633pm]

I have a Remington 700 Milspec. Its a shooter. Loves the 168's and IMR4895. Put it in a KRG and use it to shoot F-Class. Shoots better than I do. I still get beat, but its not because of the rifle anymore. I just ordered a Ruger GSR in 308. Its a great caliber.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

This morning I loaded Hornady 168 grain HP's with 42 grains H-4895, in a PMC case with CCI large rifle primer.

Last week, this load shot (5) one hole groups at 50 yards, my forest shooting hole is pretty short, distance wise, lol.

I've also got an 8lb keg of IMR-4895, I've loaded plenty of rounds with that too, works great.

 

[dh1633pm]

Everyone who shoots the 308 and uses IMR4895 always loads about 41 point something to 42 point something with good results. Was this from the SPS? Mine likes 41.2 from LC Brass with SMK's of the 168 variety.

 

[ColoradoShooter77]

Yeah, its from the SPS. Mine likes loads in the upper end of the spectrum, around 44 grains of IMR-4895 . I've been loading 44.2 grains lately and getting consistent 1/2" groups.

 

[dh1633pm]

A lot of talk about recoil 223 versus 308. Your average hunting rifle has as much recoil as the 308. It is noticeable off the bench when your shooting a lot. A heavy rifle of course doesn't have as much recoil. But what does one expect. A bigger cartridge has more recoil. The first 308 rifle that I owned was an L1A1. Not the more accurate beast. Recoil wasn't too bad. Then I moved to an M14 and on to an AR10. Now I own a Milspec and just ordered a GSR. I like the round, own two sets of dies, plus a small base die. Lots of brass and components. Its here to stay.

 

[Casefull]

It is what you are used to concerning recoil. I have stepped down from 300wm to 308 bolt guns for my hunting rifles. 308 is actually mild recoil wise.

 

[MCgunner]

When I was a kid, one could not use a rifle smaller than .25 caliber in Texas on deer. The .243 had just come out. Weren't long before the law was changed as the .243 was popular on whitetail. I shot my first deer at age 11 with my grandpa's M722 Remington in .257 Roberts. I still have that gun.

I hear LOTS and LOTS of folks using .223 in a semi auto for their kids first deer rifle. I always figured if the kid couldn't handle a .243, he shouldn't be hunting deer. JMHO, though. Recoil is something you just get used to. I've shot everything up to .375 H&H Magnum. I don't find belted magnums "scarey". Sure, they kick, but I'm an accomplished rifleman. I can ignore the gun and concentrate on trigger and sight picture. Heck, goose hunting, I shoot a 10 gauge H&R single shot with 3.5" steel Ts.

If you hunt with HUNTING rifles, you get used to recoil and .308 is NOTHING to worry about even in a little lightweight like my Remington M7. When I shot that first deer with my .257, they hadn't adopted the M16, yet, don't know that it was even out of development. .222, .222 magnum, and .22-250 were considered prairie dog calibers. You hunted DEER with a .30 caliber. My grandpa got kidded mercilessly about his "pop gun" .25 caliber.

And, think about this...I hunt doves and ducks with shotguns. I shoot a 12 on ducks. I now shoot a 20 on doves, but have shot 12s in the past. I can go through five boxes of 12 in 4 days of a good hunt. 12 gauge, even dove loads, is probably as rough as .308 in a light rifle.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Tikkas are notoriously accurate. He started out with a fine rifle. That rifle and Federal Gold Match ammo should give easy 1" groups.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Federal-Premium-Gold-Medal-Match-Rifle-Ammunition/751817.uts

^^^ Yep, nothing helps better than starting out w/ QUALITY equipment, no matter what sport you're in! FWIW, I have the stainless T3 Lite in .308 and my longest shot thus far was 230yds on a Kudu last summer in Namibia. No need for magnums on most plains game elk size and down. The Kudu bull was coming across a ridge and stopped to look at me and the tracker thinking "those fellas are outa range."

Anyway, my Tikka likes Hornady 150gr American Whitetail as an off the shelf range load. Also 150gr Sierra Game King over 39grs of 3031 punches 1" holes. Is the much loved 4895 ball or stick powder? 3031 hangs up in some meters, but my Lee runs it like a champ.

As far as recoil...
My dad handed me a Marlin 336 when I was 7 and put me in front of a target till I had a nice cloverleaf. Did my shoulder hurt a little? Uh, maybe. Do I fear any centerfire caliber? Not really. Just gotta remember not to bench shoot the CZ 550. .458 Lott is more fun to shoot standing up or off sticks

 

[dh1633pm]

I hunt with the 45-70 in an 1895G. Recoil is what the rifle was made for. 308 doesn't bother me in the least bit. You can however tell you have been out after a day at the range shooting from the bench with it. Give it up, never. The 223 has its own advantages and recoil is one of them. I will never forget the L1A1 that was my first.

 

[35 Whelen]

A few years ago I helped a co-worker sight in his new Tikka topped with a Leupold 3-9X. To say it was accurate would be a gross understatement. With Hornady factory 150gr. SST loads, it shot 100 yd. groups about the size of a mans fingernail. Handloads shot equally as well.
I think it's a combination of rifle and cartridge.

35W