what load for .308 winchester using hornady sst 165gr.

[Kraylon]

i am brand new to rifle reloading and bought some hornady sst 165gr. bullets and need to know what powder i need to pick up since i don't have any at this time. These loads will be used for hunting deer, my father has been reloading forever but i have learned that he doesn't seem to always know what is the best load and tends to stick to the same thing, he likes the sierra spitzer boat talls in 165gr. loaded with h380 at 47.7gr. i pretty much want a load that in accurate, doesn't damage alot of meat and knocks them dead.

my rifle is an Remington model 788 with a burris 3x9 scope

Any ideas

 

[dakotasin]

varget and rl-15 are outstanding 308 powders.

 

[Ky Larry]

Ramshot TAC, IMR-4320, and IMR-4064 also shoot well in .308.

 

[juk]

I use IMR 4064. Next on my list is Varget. Remember that what works well in one persons rifle won't necessarily work well in yours. You are going to have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Record your data. Pay attention to the books and you will be alright. Don't be afraid to ask your pops for any help either.

 

[evan price]

For my Rem 700 I load the 165 SST with Varget or H335.

 

[willymike]

Reloader 15 or Varget will give you excellent results in the 308. I've loaded with both and they provide almost identical performance and accuracy in my rifle.

I'm shooting 165gr Sierra Gameking and Hornady SST.

I've found the best accuracy for my rilfe to be loads of 44.9gr of Varget, or 44.5gr of RL-15. Velocities averages are almost identical: 2636 for Varget and 2672 for RL-15. Accuracy between the two bullets and loads very slighty favors the Sierra Gameking, but not by enough to fret over in a hunting load. Again, virtually identical results for all practical hunting purposes.

I'm not loading for max velocity, but looking for best accuracy and these loads provide that for my rifle (Tikka T3 Hunter). The loads are under MAX. Start with minimum loads and work up slowly watching for pressure signs. As always, consult with the powder vendors data for load development.

The loads I've listed are just an indication of the comparbility of the two powders in my firearm. Yours may perform somewhat different. Either should work great, and your choice may be determined by what is available for purchase that is in stock. You can't go wrong with either of them.

Yes, they will "knock 'em dead" quickly. I favor the Sierra for meat conservation over the SST, if taking shots up close. Otherwise, excellent results with both.

 

[Fumbler]

Varget is all I use, but I don't experiment a whole lot with my 308.

I've tried the 150gr SSTs in my T3, but had poor results. I'm sure the 165 would have been the better choice.

 

[Ky Larry]

Fumbler, +1 on the 165gr bullets in .308 Win.

 

[Slamfire]

If your rifle was a M1a I would recommend IMR 4895/H4895/AA2495. Either of these powders are capable of sub MOA with good velocities with 168 match bullets. I don't see any reason why you would not get equal performance with a 165 grain hunting bullet.

But you are using a bolt rifle. IMR 4064 is an outstanding powder with bullets in the 168, 175 and 190 grain range. However I think that if you want the maximum velocities out of a bolt rifle and excellent accuracy, try Varget.

I tested Varget with 168 Match bullets and with a 165 grain bullet, you should be able to hit a sweet spot somewhere between 42.0 grs and 44.0 grains.

My data with 168 bullet

[SIZE="3"]Pre-64 M70 
24 " Douglas Barrel 1:10 twist


168 Hornady Match  42.0 grs Varget  wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR	OAL 
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F		 					   
Ave Vel =	2602						
Std Dev =	20						
ES =	65					
High =	2633					
Low =	2568					
N =	10		 				
maybe X ring accuracy MR-31 Target

					
168 Sierra Match  43.0 grs Varget  wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL  2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
		 					 
Ave Vel =	2660				 	 	
Std Dev =	15				 	 
ES =	48				 	 
High =	2680				 	
Low =	2632				 	
N =	9		 				
V. Good Accuracy				
easy extraction					
							
168 Sierra Match  44.0 grs Varget  wtd Lot 4295 Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.8
3-Oct-05 T = 89 ° F
		 				
Ave Vel =	2709				 	 	
Std Dev =	14				 	
ES =	45				 	
High =	2735				 	
Low =	2690				 	
N =	10		 				

excellent accuracy
easy extraction[/SIZE]

 

[wyohome]

I would use 748, but that has been my go-to powder for .308 for years.

 

[kelbro]

4064 has proven the best in my 308s with 165gr bullets.

Why wouldn't you use the load that your dad is using?

 

[landon74]

+1 for H335, it produces good groups, and it meters nicely.

 

[Kraylon]

I use IMR 4064. Next on my list is Varget. Remember that what works well in one persons rifle won't necessarily work well in yours. You are going to have to start at the bottom and work your way up. Record your data. Pay attention to the books and you will be alright. Don't be afraid to ask your pops for any help either.

thanks for all the help

i ask my dad questions all the time but if i ask about anything different from what he uses he just goes on and on about how much crap it is and never really explains why
example today when i went over there so he could show me how to load rifle ammo he went on about a ten minute speach about how all hornady bullets are crap and don't weigh the same, so i sat there and weighted 30 bullets and all were 165-165.2gr

I dont use the loads that he does cause he uses a 30-06 and i use a .308 and i like to think out side the box alittle bit, so i came on here and see what other people have to says and what he has to say then i make a choose on what to do.

i ended up loading these with 47.7grs of H380 (His suggested load) since i was unable to find any of the powders that you guys suggested locally

 

[kelbro]

I remember going through a time when I thought my dad didn't know squat. Funny how he got much smarter as I got older.

 

[willymike]

Krylon, cut ole dad a little slack! As Kelbro said, he'll get a lot smarter as you get older.

By the time my dad died at 68 years old (15 years ago) he was getting really super smart. Now, I think he's a genius!

Anyway, I was afraid the shortage of available powders might come into play. Just keep on loading dad's H380 and let him help you until some of the powders mentioned herein becomes available. Better getting help from dad than no help at all.

Just a suggestion: If you can find a buddy that reloads and needs powder too, and you can find powder in stock on-line, you could split the Haz Mat fee with him to offset some of the price. That's what I do -- split the shipping and Haz Mat fee with a couple of buddies. Check on line prices with the following folks: Midway USA, Midsouth Shooters Supply, Natchez Shooters, Graf and Sons, and Powder Valley. I'll bet one of these may just have a can or two of some of the powders and bullets listed in this thread. Primers? Well, that may be another story alltogether.

Also, Psst! Don't tell ole Dad, but those Hornady bullets are really quite good. But, if it's all about accuracy, then those Sierra Gamekings are very hard to beat, and they almost always weigh the same.

I believe a lot of good guys' here have given you very good options. Have patience son, things will come together just fine!

 

[tango2echo]

Varget, and lots of it!

t2e

 

[juk]

Kraylon, some people are just set in their ways. Not saying that is a bad thing at all. He just sticks with what he knows works best for him. My scale maxes out at 100grns so I can't check the weight of my 165 sierra gamekings. I do know that they shoot consistently. I am trying to decide if I will stick with the gamekings. I really don't see a reason to change much as I am getting (consistent) 5 shot groups of 1.1" at 100. I did get very discouraged at first though. My first few load workup groups barely made it under 2". There was a huge smile on my face when I put 5 holes under an inch though. I just have to watch out. I don't want to expect benchrest accuracy out of a hunting gun.

 

[Kraylon]

i do listen to what Dad says about about a lot of things i just think sometimes he isn't always right and like to double check and when i told him about the varget powder his reply was "He has never heard of it and has no idea about modren powders" and said he hasn't bought any powder in 20+ years. Since back in the days he bought lots of 20lb kegs of powder. (A great idea!!) just an idea of what im dealing with thats why i ask you guys on here and get up to date info instead of 20-30 year old stuff and compare the info and go from there.

his newest load data book is a speer manual from the 70's

Thanks for all the powder types now it is time to hunt some of them down and get some primers, my dad was nice enough to trade me 500 new .308 brass for lunch

 

[willymike]

Well, dad showed good judgement in purchasing a lot of bulk powder. He's really shooting on the cheap if he still has a lot.

You really should get yourself a couple of new manuals and look them over. I'm suggesting the Lee 2nd edition and Lyman 49th as starters. They are fairly inexpensive and cover lots of information and loads.

Also, you can Google the poweder vendors web sites. Most have on-line data that have the most up-to-date information concerning loads.

I think you made a very good trade of lunch for 500 rounds of 308 brass. If you can't find any local powders, see if dad will split the cost with you for a pound or two from an on-line supplier. He probably will be surprised by the performance of a new powder.

Good Luck!

 

[Kraylon]

Well, dad showed good judgement in purchasing a lot of bulk powder. He's really shooting on the cheap if he still has a lot.

You really should get yourself a couple of new manuals and look them over. I'm suggesting the Lee 2nd edition and Lyman 49th as starters. They are fairly inexpensive and cover lots of information and loads.

Also, you can Google the poweder vendors web sites. Most have on-line data that have the most up-to-date information concerning loads.

I think you made a very good trade of lunch for 500 rounds of 308 brass. If you can't find any local powders, see if dad will split the cost with you for a pound or two from an on-line supplier. He probably will be surprised by the performance of a new powder.

Good Luck!

I have the lee manual that came with my loading kit, one from ramshot, sierra 14th edition, and the yearly loading megazine's load data and do look them over, but i don't know what podwer works for what. i do know that in my sig .45 i really like Vihtavuori N320 but I got lucky I bought it knowing nothing about it other then i could find load data for it, and it was the only powder that the sportsman warehouse had at the time so i bought it and loaded it up and noticed a huge differance over the W-231 that i was using.

 

[willymike]

Go ahead and do a little on-line research with the electronic load manuals from the various vendors to see what appeals to you. See what they recommend in 308.

I think to summarize all the options provided from all the good folks in this thread you need to look for the following powders, which all work well in 308 (depending on the individual rifle -- of course).

In extruded (stick) powders RL-15; Varget; IMR 4895; IMR 4064; and IMR 4320. All are great powders.

If you want to stay with a spherical powder like H380, then look for H335; H414; 760; or BLC(2). They also have a good history with the 308

The general difference between the two powder types is that the extruded powders are sometimes more tolerant of temperature extremes, but will generally not meter as well as the spherical powders through a powder measure due their shape. Some powder measures tend to cut the larger grains of stick powder, where spherical will usually flow smoothly. Probably an oversimplification in explanation, and I'm sure someone will take me to task over that, but that's my story and I'm sticking to it. You can debate powders, bullets, brass, and primers about their advantages until your blue.

Again, I've had the best luck with Varget and RL-15. Other folks have had great results with the others. You will find about as many opinions on powder preference as there are powders for sale. All our experiences are not quite the same. You got to try things out for your rifle.

I also love the Sierra Gamekings and Hornady SST in 165gr. Either will work just fine. Both are proven excellent performers on game and are very accurate. You did great on the purchase of the SSTs'.

One of the things that's so great about reloading is you can experiment around with different powders and bullets and really tailor a load that is just right for you. That's why dad has probably shot H380 all these years -- it's just right for him. He knows what it does, how it performs, and is comfortable with it. Or it could be that since he has those 20lb kegs of powder, he may as well shoot it up.

Once you find that special accurate and consistent load for your gun, you'll probably get really comfortable with that load too. It happens to all of us!

Keep asking questions! There's an army of us opinionated old guys' out here that will be more than willing to weigh in on any subject. You might even learn something between the fussing back and forth.

Hope you and dad have a good lunch and visit.

 

[rwdwrt]

My Hunting Load

This is a load i worked up for my rifle
Savage 10FP 20in Heavy Barrel bedded in a Bell & Carrelson Stock, Accu trigger and 3x9 Burris Fullfield II Scope.
165 gr Hornady SST, 45.7 gr Varget, CCI-BR2 Primers, Lapua Brass, 2.186 COAL (Comparator Measured)
This is actually right on the border line of maximum so beware
But it consistantly produces 1 in groups or less at 100yds off the bench if I do my part.
It works very well for me, havent had any deer or hogs go more than 12 yards so far. The 12 yards was accomplished by a large (300lbs+) Axis Deer.

 

[OKIE2]

another excellent 308 load

As for the new reload books when you get them compare them with your dad's old book as you call it and you will find the max loads are a lot hotter than in the new ones. this is because of liabilty and lawyers sueng every one.
as for an accurate mild load my savage 110 308 shoots 10 shot groups at 100 yds all the time in the .5 & .6 range.
the load is
168 A-max's & 39.3 grains of IMR 3031
very mild load in the 2650 FPS range-------no kick at all.
this load has been just as good in 5 other rifles of friends.
made 2 head shots on wild hogs at 150 yards downed them where they stood.

 

[ranger335v]

"this is because of liabilty and lawyers sueng every one."

Actually, it's because of better, less expensive pressure testing systems correcting for the older, less accurate methods.

 

[JDGray]

I get great results with Varget, pushing 155 & 168gr SMKs