I borrowed this article from 6mmBR for comparative purposes only ; I'm attempting to find proven accuracy

loads for the .308 cartridge . Now what's in Your ammo boxes ?. I don't care if it's BR or Hunting rifle

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WARNING: ALWAYS start 10% below these loads and work up. Seating depths have a huge effect on case pressures--moving the bullet just .010" one way or another can push a "safe" load into the danger zone. Lot variances with powders can be extreme. Whenever you buy new powder, even the same brand, start 10% low. NEVER assume pressures will be safe if you change lots or ANY component. Case web growth is probably the most reliable indicator of over-charge. By the time you're getting stiff bolt lift or ejector marks with fresh brass you've exceeded proper pressure levels. Ambient temperatures can alter pressures considerably. Don't assume cold weather loads are safe in summer. As you approach max loads, reduce the load increments. Just 0.2 grains can make a difference.

Tips from Brad Sauve, 2004 F-TR Nat'l Champion



With my .308, I tried A LOT of different loads in the first 600 rounds, starting with 42.0-44.5 N150 for the first 200 rounds, then moving to 44.0-45.0 Varget for the next 300 rounds. I tried different bullets (Sierra 175 MKs both moly and naked, Nosler 180gr Ballistic Tips, 175gr Bergers), different cases (Lapua, Federal), primers (Rem, CCI BR, Fed Match), and, oh yes, seating depths (on the lands to 0.10" off, and several distances in between). Even after 500 rounds of testing, I still wasn't satisfied, and frankly, I was growing weary.

I finally found my "sweetheart" load on February 14, 2000 (Valentines Day), almost seven months after getting the rifle. This is the load I still shoot today and I shot all weekend at the F-Class Nationals. The break-through came when I discovered that slower velocities produced outstanding accuracy. I found that Varget pushing a 175 SMK at about 2610 fps delivered quarter-MOA groups out to 300 yards and half-minute or better groups beyond that distance. Since developing that load, I've used Lapua cases and Russian primers, but the core elements, 43.0 grains Varget with 175 MKs seated 0.018" off the lands, has not changed.

During the first few years I owned the rifle, I was crazy about cleaning. My log shows that I cleaned the barrel 80 times in the first 998 rounds. That works out to cleaning every dozen rounds! No wonder it took me so long to find the right load! Boy, have I changed my habits. I still clean the barrel, but I run a much higher round count between cleanings than before. Now, I shoot 100-200 rounds before I give the barrel a thorough cleaning. This goes with my general thinking--that some folks will benefit from added trigger time more than anything else. Spend more time shooting than loading 'perfect' ammunition or cleaning. Squeezing that last quarter-minute out of your groups won't do you any good if you can't hold one MOA or you can't read wind conditions. MORE TIPS from Brad Sauve.

44.5gr Varget, CCIBR2 primers, Lapua, Win or FC cases, 168gr SMK .012 off lands 2700 fps

Reloder® 15
Smokeless medium rifle powder

The best all-around medium speed rifle powder. It provides excellent .223 and .308 caliber performance. Selected as the powder for U.S. Military's M118 special ball long range sniper round.

* Broad caliber range
* Consistent in all temperatures
* High velocity varmint loads

I also use it in my .308

44.0 grains of Varget under 168 SMK seated .010 off the lands. 41.5grains of 4064 worked well too.

quote:

loads for the .308 cartridge . Now what's in Your ammo boxes ?. I don't care if it's BR or Hunting rifle

Anyone who uses my .308 loads will be loading for my rifle. What advantage would that be for anyone but me?

One of my .308 rifles has a 1-in-12" twist + a 20" barrel. While this rifle is VERY accurate with the following load: 48.0 grs/IMR-4320/125 gr. Sierra bullets; it WILL NOT shoot anything heaver and be accurate. Now I have a Browning A-bolt in .308 WITH the same rate of twist but has a 22" barrel and will shoot 150 grainers in very tight groups @ 100 yards.

42 grs 4895.
it's worked under 147-150 gr bullets.
in many different 308's target and hunting year round.
semi's bolt single shots.
simple load easy the only thing ever changed was the oal for the target rifles.
and all else left alone for the hunting and semi's.

Thanks guys ! ; All loads noted and I will see which if any of them my rifles prefer .

quote:

Now what's in Your ammo boxes ?. I don't care if it's a BR or Hunting rifle.

quote:

Anyone who uses my .308 loads will be loading for my rifle. What advantage would that be for anyone but me?

It was meant as a generalization of what others might be using or like , as in many cases it saves load

development = time and expense , which can be extremely useful !. As this is the AR reloading forum .

I'm surprised no one mentioned the classic 308 load? 150 grain bullet 48.4grains Win748 Mag primer. That combination has worked for me in everything from single shots to semi autos to bolt actions and pumps, just play around with the COL till the gun wants to shoot, you'll know when you see it.

Cheers

149gr. psp REM. 8208 42gr. case 1K yugo #34 2824to2856 great stuff MAX!!!
roger