Howdy AR, it's been awhile. I've been seeking out and buying a few Sakos recently- .223, a couple .308's. An M-78 .22lr. I found a long sought after AII .308 fullstock (Kokotukki) on Gunbroker. Now, I'm looking forward to developing a proper load for it. I'll get some pix loaded up on imgur. It's now wearing a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5x8. What is/ are your favorite loads? I posted same ? On 24hrCF. I've loaded for 7.62/ 308 semi's, but this will be my first bolt gun.
TIA, Gary

A 185gr Lapua Mega in front of 42gr Norma 202 in a Norma .308w case.

Hodgdon CFE223 has been by far the best powder I've ever used in .308. Velocities run about 100 fps higher than with powders conventionally used in .308 without pressure signs and with very good accuracy. I shoot almost exclusively 150 grain bullets in my .308's (all but one a Sako, one Sako being a 20" L579 Mannlicher). A 165 grainer is the heaviest I've ever found need of.

For me, 150 grainers are standard fare in 308 Bolt guns.

Mono-metal,
150 gr. Barnes TTSX, CCI 200 primers, 45 Gr. H4895, 2.800 COAL.


Nosler
150 gr. Ballistic Tips, CCI 200 primers, 51 Gr. CFE 223, 2.815 COAL

and my standard go to load which has done well in every 308 I've owned

150 Gr. Accubonds (or Ballistic Tips), Fed, 210 Primers, 46 Gr. RL-15, 2.800 COAL.


Not my standard fare, but have also had good results and accuracy from
165 Gr. Sierra HPBT, Fed 210M primer, 40.6 Gr. IMR 3031, @.765 COAL


AR Platform,
165 Gr. Sierra Spitzer, 45 Gr. Vihtavouri N550, Fed 210 Primer, 2.745 COAL

Standard disclaimer: I've shot these at the range and at game in my rifles.

YMMV.

Thanks guys. I'll have some to try this weekend. Stone, I bought some CFE to try, even though I'm sitting on 50# of other powders.

Gary

Got it to the range today, ran some M1-A 168 SMK loads through it to get it on paper. @ 1" group. Now to work up some 150 gr. as recommended.

That is one fine looking rifle.

Nice rifle! I have a M78 Hornet that shoots well. Good luck with the rest of your search.

Nice AII fullstock. Got 85 Bavarian Carbine considered .308 opted for .30-06. Single set trigger capable of decent accuracy.

https://www.sako.fi/rifles/sak.../85-bavarian-carbine

Thanks guys, 416, that is an accurate carbine! That load will manage most everything! Sweet setup!

Other side...because.

Im still in the L series of Sakos, at my age I tend to like older wimmen, guns, puppies and Lone star beer..

We do get set in our ways. If Sako had stopped there before abandoning all sense of reason, I'd be showing off my new to me L-579 carbine. They didn't, they bumped the high mark one last time with the A series guns, so here we are!

GoWyo,
Can't agrue that logic! The A series were the last of the golden ones.

quote:

at my age I tend to like older wimmen, guns, puppies and Lone star beer..

And Viagra? :-)

Ran some 150 Nosler ballistic tips thru it, pushed by 49 and 50 grs of CFE. Both produced around 1.25" 5 shot groups. I'll play with it a little more but that will be certain death for creek bottom whitetails.

I like the look of your rifle, GoWyo; the wood, the action, carbine calibre, the straight fore-end cap. It even shoots well!