Thinking about getting a Ruger compact which SUPPOSEDLY weighs only 5.75 lbs.

Anyone ever get 3,000 fps from a 308 Win. using 150 gr. bullets, and in a short 16.5" barrel?

Trying to make the 308 Win something it probably isn't.

Any info would be appreciated.

Will I black bear hunted with a buddy that had one of those rifles. It was very sweet handling.

I have done a LOT of hunting with a 308, and my wife killed a lot of African game with her 308.

Trust me, factory 308 is plenty enough, even from a 16.5" barrel for most anything short of maybe the big bears...

Truth is I would not be afraid to use it for them, eland or lion.

One of the last interviews WDM Bell did he stated it he was starting over again rifle now he would use the 308 for his elephant hunting.

I'm not even sure how you get 3,000 fps in a 24" barrel much less a 16.5"er. I'd figure 200 fps loss in the shorter tube.

Ruger discontinued the best 308 they ever built.
The compact magnum in 308 (not selling mine).

My wife has been using the ruger compact in 308 for about 10 years now and has had very good success from it. We tried 150 grain and did not like the results, so we switched to 180 grain and have never looked back. The 180 load had taken antelope, deer and elk with perfect results. Some people say it don't have enough power, I disagree. This year my granddaughter used the gun to take a cow elk at about 300 yards.The 180 nosler went all the way across the elk and lodged on the opposite side hide. Yep is had enough power.

The Ruger RSI has an 18 1/2" barrel and weighs maybe 6.5lbs.

Is Ruger still making the Ultra Light?
It was available in .308 and weighs about 6.5 pounds with a 20" barrel.
My son has one in .257 roberts my brother has one in 30/06

Alliant used say that with 2000-MR powder and a Federal fusion 150 grain bullet, you could get 3060 fps from a 24 in barrel. They don't presently show that load on their website like they used to, but they do show 2950 fps with a couple of different bullets. Pretty close to 3000.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/r...lletid=250&bdid=1044

I have a Browning A-bolt Hunter in 308Win with a 22" tube and I have never shot anything but 165 Speer BTSP bullets in it but I can't get any load running over 2425 ft/sec to shoot well in it. I just don't see how some folks are getting such high end velocity out of theirs and wonder what their real world accuracy is.

BTW, I had one of those Ruger M77 RSI in 308 once (bought it NIB and loved the feel and handling of it) and that was the biggest turd accuracy wise I have ever shot. It didn't matter what ammo I shot in it or what load I cooked up for it, I couldn't get under 3 1/2-4" at 50 yds.

Our family has two early tang safety RSIs in .308. With a 18.5" bbl I don't believe it's possible to safely load a 150 to 3000 fps. In fact, I have not even gotten 2700 fps - but I stick to published data. I will add that these little guys "feel" alot better with 150s below 2500 fps. That is why I have not tried the Light Magnums.

I made up some weenies with 150 PSPCLs for the kid when he was just starting out. They chrono'd 2275 fps, were very nice to shoot, and were good for just over 1" @ 100 yds. It was the gun's accuracy load. Never got to try them, he eventually shot his first with a .243, and has since claimed one of my .300 Roys.

Sam

My wife has used the Ruger Compact in 308 Win for about 10 years. We are both very pleased the the handling and accuracy. Pleanty of power. Our PH thought she had a toy and couldn't believe it was a serious rifle until she drilled a zebra that dropped on the spot, amongst others.

quote:

Originally posted by mikethebear:
Ruger discontinued the best 308 they ever built.
The compact magnum in 308 (not selling mine).

I currently own one of Ruger's compact magnum in .308 and it is going to stay in my gun safe!! Bagged two Whitetails, this past season with it, during our modern firearm season. GREAT RIFLE!!!

I have a Kimber Montana that was cut to 18.5" by the previous owner. I was going to re-barrel to 358 Win. but it shot so good I just can't bring myself to re-barrel it.

The highest velocity I've achieved with a 150gr. Nosler Partitions is 2865 fps at 10 ft. 718 ft. above sea level 68 F degrees using Ramshot TAC.

I have a new model 70 compact in 308. It weighs 7.5 pounds loaded with a scope. Has a 20 inch barrel. Worth considering.

on the 3000 FPS. I shoot 308 A LOT! and there is no freaking way your getting 3K out of a 16.5 inch tube. I run 175 SMK out of a 20 inch barrel and I get 2650 at the muzzle. In reality you will loose about 75 fps per inch. This is the figure that the Marine Corps in the Army have come up with when developing their precision rifles. I have shot the new Ruger and to be quite honest I'm not that impressed with it. With the 1 and 12 twist that the Ruger you are limited to the lower grain bullets. Where is if you're looking at a production rifle such as a Remington 700 ACC SD with the 20 inch barrel, you can have a barrell with a 1 in 10 twist and go all the way to the 175's if needed. Rugerss are very strongly, I give you that but it's hard to beat a Remington Out of box accuracy.

quote:

Originally posted by Alaskaman11:
With the 1 and 12 twist that the Ruger you are limited to the lower grain bullets.

I believe Ruger has normally used 1 in 10" twist on their .308 rifles.



It's a shame they've discontinued the Compact Magnum IMHO it's a really good looking rifle.

I didn't really expect that anyone could get 3000 fps in a 308 but I figured I'd ask. Who knows. The reloading manuals show close to 2900. So some "hot" rounds might get close to 3000.

Thanks to everyone for replying.

quote:

Originally posted by Rick R:

quote:

Originally posted by Alaskaman11:
With the 1 and 12 twist that the Ruger you are limited to the lower grain bullets.

I believe Ruger has normally used 1 in 10" twist on their .308 rifles.



It's a shame they've discontinued the Compact Magnum IMHO it's a really good looking rifle.

Not that I can shoot very well with them, but I like open sights. Too bad Ruger discontinued that rifle.

quote:

The reloading manuals show close to 2900. So some "hot" rounds might get close to 3000.

The manuals show a lot of stuff can't belive it all.

For me the threshold for 308 hunting barrel length is 18". I've found 20 to be my personal happy spot with a 308 hunter. 20-22" for sniper rigs and 18-20" for my AR-10's.

But that is just me and what I like.

Nothing wrong with finding what you like and having the barrel cut and recrowned.