I just got through trying some of these out this past weekend. Using trail boss powder only, Nosler 1x brass, and BR2 primers. All bullets loaded to 2.810" OAL
Noticed some substantial differences in bullet speed between bullets of the same weight but different manufacture. My rifle is a 21" rem 700 with a 1:10.75 twist Hart barrel on it.
Best acccuracy was with 180 Sierra Game King and 10.6 gr of trail boss. Average velocity was 1045fps with an ES of 30fps. Worked down to 10.0 gr was at 970fps and decided that was too slow, plus noticed some wobbling from the holes in the paper at 25yds.
10.0 gr of trail boss with a 180 Nosler Ballistic tip yielded only 740fps and really suprised me.
10.0 gr of trail boss with a 168 AMAX showed good potential as well, but like the BC of the 180 game king better.
Remember to start high and work low, probably 11.0 gr being a good starting point. Check each shot to make sure it impacted paper and didn't get stuck in the barrel. If you're going to shoot with a suppressor later, check to make sure they aren't keyholing/wobbling without the suppressor first.
Thanks Trojan 6....I'm going to try working up some loads. I found some pet loads for my Rem 700 5R 20" 11.25 twist in 168 gr Berger VLD and 168 Sierra BTHP that work for me however I plan using a AAC 762SDN6 can and looking for good results as well....
Be careful with subsonic jacketed in .308 Win. It's better to go a bit above subsonic (velocity wise) than get a jacketed bullet stuck in the barrel.
I've found it's better to go subsonic in the .308 Win with plain based lead bullets.
Strom, with that can, I'd recommend a faster burning powder with less bulk than Trail Boss. You want a powder that produces pressure earlier down the barrel before it hits the can.
Da Man, Thanks for the heads up. It's all a learning process and I realize as a newbie I have my research cut out for me. Nothing wrong in asking questions, better safe then sorry.
I have to take exception with post that warns of jacketed rounds getting stuck- I routinely use 220 and 240 gr Sierra HP BT subsonic and suppressed. Granted not specifically a .308 Win. but a 300 - 221 aka 300 Whisper aka 300 BLK but a 308 jacketed round nonetheless.
I have found that fast burning pistol powder is the ticket- my go to load in the Whisper is 8.5gr. LilGun under a 220 gr. HPBT for 1050fps out of a 16 1/2" barrel-bolt action. YMMV. Be careful of small loadings in a much larger case- I have NO recommendations based on personal experience in the 308 Win.
Thanks Gary.....THE INFO THAT TX NIMROD posted regarding Hodgdon powder seems safe but does Hodgdon recommend this loading for can use? I'm going to check with their techs and see if they can inform me regarding the use of such loadings with a suppressor...
Regarding those two loadings from Hodgdon, I checked that info out with a tech at Hodgdon and he told me those two loadings work just fine with the can I intend to use. He also said he preferred Titegroup overr Clays...works for him....
