Light .308 Load

[Steve S.]

. I have a friend that manages an LGS that I have known for over thirty years; he has always impressed me as a very knowledgeable and experienced reloaded (especially of the .308 class calibers). He has always pushed me to try his pet .308 deer load in my rifles so I did yesterday at the range. His preference is a 150 grain bullet over 41 grains of Varget; he professed great accuracy in all of his .308’s, lighter (less sharp) recoil and plenty of killing ability for deer sized game. I loaded 40 rounds to his specs (he was not picky about brass or primer brand) - 150 grain Hornady GMX bullet, WW brass, WW LRP and 41 grains of Varget. My Winchester 70 WE very much likes WW PP 150 factory loads at 1/2” for 100 yard groups (very good for factory fodder); the Varget load shot exactly the same group size at 100 yards (but about an 1” lower and 1” to the right) - recoil was noticeably less sharp. Then I switched to my Kimber 84M CC; this rifle is an acceptable 1” rifle that has taken many deer but it has a violent recoil at the bench due to it’s light weight. First 5 round 100 yard group was a cluster low and to the right of about a 1/4 to 1/2” configuration - the recoil was much more pleasant - I was impressed. I do not have a chrony but my math tells me that it is a 2,550 to 2,600 fps load (or there abouts). I understand what caused this load to shoot low but to the right in both rifles perplexes me however, the load stood up to his accuracy and lowered recoil claims. This will be my new and improved deer load for the Kimber. Good shooting.

 

[z7]

I haven’t tried any but h4895 has published low recoil load data for most calibers

 

[Slamfire]

I posted two pictures of light 308 Win load, a load that I have used very successfully in NRA Competition at the 200 yard line. I am sure I used it one day in the 300 rapids, a day with very low winds.

Wanted: paper punching load for Spanish mauser
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...load-for-spanish-mauser.834128/#post-10789316


The 308 Win will shoot some bug eyed groups with a 150 or 168 going just at 2500 fps. I can recommend light loads with IMR 3031, and with any of the 4895 series, that is IMR 4895, H4895, and AA2495.

308Win Ruger M77 MKII
26 " Barrel 1:10 twist

168 Nosler 39.0 grs IMR3031 wtd Lot FE23B LC72 CCI#34
27-Nov-06 T = 60 ° F OAL 2.80"

Ave Vel = 2513
Std Dev = 15
ES = 51
High= 2534
Low = 2483
N = 10
excellent accuracy nice rounded primers note, the LC72 brass was on fifth reloading, fifth sizing


308Win M70 26" Kreiger Barrel, four groove, 1:10 twist

168 Nosler 39.0 grs AA2495, CAVIM 90 cases WLR
18 Aug 2002 T = 90 °F

Ave Vel = 2532
Std Dev = 20
ES = 84
Low = 2491
High = 2575
N = 19

 

[rsrocket1]

.I understand what caused this load to shoot low but to the right in both rifles perplexes me however, the load stood up to his accuracy and lowered recoil claims. This will be my new and improved deer load for the Kimber. Good shooting.

You probably don't know the real reason for the shots to be both low and to the left. A 45.5g charge of Varget would give you a MV of about 2760 fps and a line of bore drop of 2.4" at 100 yards. A 41g charge of Varget would give you about 2500 fps MV and a bullet drop of 3.0" at 100 yards or less than 1/2 inch.

Barrel harmonics are such that the "whipping" of the barrel is both vertical and horizontal direction as well as longitudinal waves back and forth along the barrel. When the bullet exits at a different time, the muzzle is pointing in a different direction so sometimes a lower charge can send the group to the left, right, up or down. The good thing about .308 is the groups tend to migrate around the bullseye but they still stay pretty darn tight (at least with my .308)

 

[horsey300]

I'd add that the gmx and low velocity equal less range than other offerings so watch the range in relation to impact velocity. Otherwise, I'd add that other than harmoics, does the gun shoot right with less recoil, or do you push left with more recoil?

 

[SamT1]

That is the beauty of 308. It’s an easy caliber to find accurate loads and many times a load that is accurate in one gun is in all of them.
Plus with the hornady bullet you can probably sub a sst and get the same results. Possibly not even a POI shift.

 

[Newtosavage]

As soon as I read the load data, I wasn't surprised at the outcome. When I gave my brother a .308 for his 50th birthday, I sent along a box of 50 handloads - with 150 grain Sierras and 42 grains of Varget. Stupid accurate load and just fine for killing any deer within the practical range of his 4x scout scope.

 

[Newtosavage]

Incidentally, my favorite bullets for reduced .308 loads are 160-grain Hornady FTX's They are incredibly accurate bullets and designed to expand at lower velocities. If you also load for .30-30, then you are all set.

 

[joneb]

I fell into a 308 Win spl. load with a Nosler 125 gr BT and 16 gr of Blue Dot with F-210 primers and a col of 2.750", this load was sub moa in a my Howa sporter w/a 22" 1:12 barrel.
The elevation and windage needed some significant correction from a standard loading.