I know someone in this group has reloaded a .308 in a 110 gr or 125 grain bullet. How did it do for plinking. The reason I ask is several years ago I tore my rotator cuff and bicep in my shooting arm. I still want to use the gun but don't want to kill my shoulder. TIA

I used the 125gr serria for deer for years shot and killed well.

But I decided I liked heavier bullets as I became older.

Put one into a deer's lungs broad side they are mush on the inside.

Don't shot fur bearers with them as the off side well be gone.

Don't take hard angle shots with them on big game .

They are fun to shoot.

this would be for plinking only. I will still use a heavier load for hunting but for the range a lighter load.

I shoot 110gr Hornady V-max and Sierra Varminter in my .308w Tikka they shoot very well.

quote:

Originally posted by Nordic2:
I shoot 110gr Hornady V-max and Sierra Varminter in my .308w Tikka they shoot very well.

Ditto with the 110 gr. VMax. When we go pdog shooting everything goes along for the fun and I load both the HB .308 and .30-06 with the VMax.

Jpost--I shot 110 grain bullets in 30-06 and I could tell no difference in recoil from the 150 grain bullets.

Hi j post,

I've had rotator cuff repair too many times to mention. I've had a shotgun recoil pad installed on my .270 Win. I can shoot max loads out of it with zero shoulder issues. It might be an idea worth considering.

If you want really mild, shoot cast bullets with Unique powder.

I have become a complete recoil wimp in the last couple of years. One load I use with the .300 Savage, which is very similar in case capacity to the .308, is 22 grains of 5744 with a 130 Speer hollowpoint. I haven't chronographed it, but QuickLoad puts it around 2200 fps as I recall and it's very pleasant to shoot. Best of luck with that shoulder.

My plinking load is 150 gr. Berry bullets with 14 gr. of trail boss.

Have shot light bullets in my .308 and had reasonable accuracy, no where near the 168 grn BTHP loads though. Would definitely put a nice muzzle brake on it,and between the muzzle brake and moderate velocity light bullets it will soften it to an enjoyable recoil. I re barreled one of my .308's to 6.5 creed, easy job ,and don't have to change anything else on rifle,light bullets ,muzzle brake,soft recoil and deadly accurate fun. You can have the proper twist rate appropriate for light bullets and gain back accuracy.Could even go 6mm creed and go lighter, less recoil.
Scott

I shot the 125 and 130 in my 308 mod 99 for deer at one time, and they worked, but I prefer the 150s and 165s these days for hunting..For plinking any bullet will do, its just plinking!!

Thread it and use a suppressor for subsonic loads. As a matter of fact it will make mild loads seem like a 22 with the suppressor. Just an idea. Be Well, Packy.

Do the recoil energy math and you will see that light bullets at higher velocities do not necessarily mean lighter recoil. Powder contributes to recoil too.

I seem to remember that Remington used to offer “Managed Recoil” loads. Not sure if they are still available since the buyout.

Last year I bought a ton of the 125gr Sierra Prohunter .308dia. Was thinking they'd be fun in a 300 savage or 308.

I would load cast bullets. Email Western Powder they will send you reduced load data using AA 5744. Lots of fun.

The low powder weight charges with reduced velocity is what really works to reduce recoil. Use 5744 or 4759 or 4227 to launch at under 2000fps and you can shoot all day.

WW factory 308s with 125 gr. loads recoil about like my 25-35 if that! I bought a dozen boxes on sale, and folks have shot deer and coyotes with them, nothing over 200 yards that I recall but they killed very well indeed..Lets not get too scientific on the subject..

I agree with packrat, a muzzle brake with a thread protector works like a charm..

A recoil pad only gives the recoil a one inch head start at your shoulder!!