Im going to by some, but not shure if I should go with the 165g or the 180g. for best acc.. I will be using IMR 4064 powder and a 26inch barrel Any suggestions?

I used to use 165's in my .308 (700 BDL VS), but the accuracy load (best 10 shot 100 yd. group = .400) was only 2410 FPS. Killed a cow Elk with a heart shot at just a touch under 500 yds, but the banana trajectory required very careful ranging (LFR) and target turrets on the scope (M8 12X Leupold). IIRC was about 55" of drop at 500 from 100 yd zero.

I use 150 TXS's at 2835 now - much better for the long shots we sometimes have to take here on the SE WY plains.

daveo-

Every gun is a rule unto itself. What may shoot well in my .308 may do poorly in yours. You'll just have to experiment, but your choice of 4064 is a sound one.

OldGuy- I am glad you got the cow elk, especially considering your choice of load -- a Partition at low initial velocity -- meant no expansion beyond 300 yards or so. Your current load with an additional 400+ fps is better suited to such a task.

There's only 15 grains difference in the two.....can't be that much to condsider...buy both and see which shoots best in your gun.

quote:

OldGuy- I am glad you got the cow elk, especially considering your choice of load -- a Partition at low initial velocity -- meant no expansion beyond 300 yards or so. Your current load with an additional 400+ fps is better suited to such a task.

Bobby,

Actually it blew the top off her heart and continued on through - she took 2 steps and fell. One of the reasons I quit using Partitions is they are so soft on the front end, and were doing excessive meat damage at closer ranges. Put one through a Bull Elk's neck (front to back) at 268 yards earlier on that trip and necropsy yielded numerous pieces of lead shrapnel throughout the path through his neck. This factor, in itself, lends itself to slower loads. I could go on about other necropsies I have done on various cartridges loaded with partitions. The worst being a 300 Wby/180 @ 3250 hitting a deer at 125 yds - massive bloodshot damage on the entrance side (entire chest wall) and a neat hole on the exit side.

Good info thanks guys, I will shooting no longer then 200y.I think I will go with the 165g for starters and see what happens. Thanks Daveo

daveo,

I'd start witht he 165's if your're looking for accuracy.

A couple reasons:

1. Many 165 gr. bullets have comaparable shape visa-via the 169 gr. target bullets that tend to shoot very well in .308 Winchester,

2. You'll get better velocity than with 180's.

You'll still have to see what the combo of IMR4064 & which bullet your rifle prefers. Others amy disagree but in both my .30/06's & .308's cartridges & rifles the 165 gr. Nosler Partitions are sterling performers.

The 308 with a 165 bullet and 4064 just works so well that it seems like they were designed together.

pick up some 180grn. 2nds from the Shooters Pro Shop-you will attest for the price they are hard to beat!

Wow thanks grizz thats a great savings on the 2nds... Im in for some of that. Daveo

quote:

Originally posted by daveo:
Im going to by some, but not shure if I should go with the 165g or the 180g. for best acc.. I will be using IMR 4064 powder and a 26inch barrel Any suggestions?

What are you Hunting?

Daveo, I strongly recomend tht the 165 grain weight be your choice, and consider the Accubond version of the Nosler line. The 180 grain partitions tend to be just a little bit tough for the .308, and the 165 nearly perfect. I have killed over 50 head of big game with the .308, and have used all the above bullet choices ( and more)in the process.

What you will be hunting of course matters, but IMR 4064 is and has been my choice for over 40 years with the .308.