Looks like I'm trading into a 15" .308 win encore. A quick look at some load data seems to indicate the 15" tubes push 130 gr ~2700 fps and 150 gr ~ 2500 fps. The main quary I'll use this against is sitka blacktail deer.

Paul: Can't say from first-hand experience, but I am trying to get my mitts on some Nosler 125-grain Ballistic Tips for my .30 Herrett. Your Sitkas are about the size of our Columbian blacktails aren't they? About 140 pounds field dressed is a good buck.
Even Nosler is out of these bullets right now, though.

Bill,

I'd say they are about the same size, maybe smaller.

I think I have a partial box of 125 gr B-tips, I was looking at reduced loads in the .308 rifle and accuracy was ho-hum. A 125 gr with a boat tail doesn't have much full dia shank to it, and my rifle has a somewhat sloppy chamber. I do have some 130 gr Sierras, but think they may be a bit fragile for game.

The 130 gr Barnes triple shock seems like an interesting option. I'd imagine it's construction would make it behave more along the lines of a conventional 150-165 gr, and the less dense copper would make it a bit longer than a cup/core 130 gr, so perhaps aid alignment/accuracy. Guess I'll have to buy a box and find out!

Now I need to figure out what glass to plop on top of it. I totally got out of the scoped pistol game a few years back, so don't have anything to top it with.

Paul, You might want to try the Hornady SST. I get outstanding accuracy from my 15" Encore 30-06 using them.

If you want them to hit the ground at the shot, go 150grn Nosler BT's. I use them from my 309JDJ at 2520fps and they are great. I have taken 140-160lb whitetails at 260yds with them and it's bang/flop.
I don't think you will like the 125grn BT's but I could be wrong. I couldn't get them to stabalize in my 309JDJ. I shoot the 125's in my 30 Herrett.
Mike

I agree with Mike---forget the 125 gr BTs and use the 150 gr BTs---I,m getting 2550 fps and 1/2 inch groups from the bench with my 15 inch .308 Encore rig. The 150s work well on deer, but if you are looking for shoulder shots, the Speer 165 gr bullet works better for me ---almost as accurate in my barrel although slower at just under 2400 fps---not as flat shooting, but my longest kill so far is 225 yds, so I did not see any great disadvantage. Gene

How about the 165 Gr. Nosler BT? It's a great deer bullet. Maybe a little on the heavy side.

I'm thinking you give up too much velocity in the short barrel to jump to 165. I'd opt for a more stoutly constructed bullet than to go with more lead, but I dunno.

Thanks for the tips on the 150 b-tips, I'll have to pick up a box. I also need to find a scope.

I tried those 165 gr BTs and accuracy was a tiny bit better than the Speer, but the Speers are less expensive and seemed to expand better for me. I thought the Speers held together better after hitting bone.--- I love the accuracy of the Nosler BTs. ---Probably a tossup. Gene

At the velocity range you will be operating at, I don't think there's a better bullet out there for medium game than the 150 grain Nosler BT.

The Barnes bullets, while good performers from higher-velocity rifles, leave much to be desired at the reduced velocity of standard cartridges in a single shot pistol.

Hornady SST. Excellent accuracy. Choose a fast burning powder to get the most efficient load in that barrel.

Don Edwards wrote: "Choose a fast burning burning powder..."

Don-Those who have worked with and reloaded the single shot pistols for any significant length of time can tell you that theory doesn't hold water.

The very same powders that give best results in a .308 Win. rifle will also give you best performance in a 15" barrel.

Hodgdon's data shows for 150 gr Varget as a top performer in a 15" tube, same as for 20, 22 and 24" rifle barrels.

Ideally I'd like to find a load that will work equally as well in my rifle as the encore, but that's a tall task to ask.

Considering handgun ranges and the size of the deer you'll be hunting, you might also want to consider the Sierra #2020, 125gr FNHP. In my experience with the bullet, the profile doesn't begin to slow it down until you're beyond 150yds, so for me that's a non-issue. The accuracy, like that of all Sierra's products is supurb and the bullet's performance in game is top rate. Although it was designed to enhance the performance of the .30-30 rifle, its working velocity window puts it right in the range of your 15" .308.

Boby is right about powders producing the best velocities in rifle length barrels also producing the best velocities in 14 to 15 inch pistol barrels. With short barrels, even shorter than 12 inches, the least vilocity losses occure when using heavy bullets and slow powders.

The 165s will start out a little slower but they have better ballistic coeficients and will maintain more energy and velocity down range. If the 165 BTs are a problem or don't shoot well because of the boat tail, you might give the 165 grain Partitions a try. You get a flat base with that bullet and it will expand and penetrate just fine down range at pistol velocities...Rusty.

hey paul give sierra''s 125 spitzer a try i shoot e''m in my savage super striker and their fantastic, varget is great as is winchesters 748, question 4 u, is it true that brown bears come into the area after hearing gun shots, thinking to steal the hunter prize, thats what i read anyway,barnes tripple shock 130''s might be the best insurance come 2 think of it ,i tryed the barnes 140 x bts in my 308 ss savage and they really didn''t open as much as they do when shot out of a rifle, i''m a big fan of barnes but shoot all different make bullets . regards jjmp

This is a great post due to just trading into a new Encore 308 15" barrel. I have the 309JDJ but wanted something I might use factory if by some freak deal I wouldn't have my handloads.
I will be starting with the Nosler 150grn Ballistic Tips and Varget then I might try some Hornady SST's. They shoot great from my 7-30 Waters.
I just got a new Burris 2x7 BPlex for the 308 barrel and ordered 200pcs of Fed Gold Match brass.
Should be shooting next weekend with some handloads. Might even try some Sierra Match Kings for long range steel busting.
Good shooting.

Mike

I have the 15" encore 06 barrel but I had a muzzle brake installed by http://www.probed2000.com makes it easier to handle but with 165gr nosler bt's and 58gr of imr 4831 it's a handful a friend(USMC Sniper Vietnam) of mine found out but he maintained control and made a cup dance around.The most accurate bullet I've ever loaded and fired is the Nosler Solid Base in 165gr(lead tip) being made again for Fed Premium ammo. One of my friends bought a large quantity years ago for use in his 300 Weatherby which he uses for Elk,we buy factory blems from Nosler http://www.noslershop.com click on reloading for factory 2nds.

hi guys does anyone have a good recipie for reloading a 308 using a 125 gr nosler bt i am shooting a T/C encore 15" barrel thanks George

For the 125 grainer, start at 44 grains of Re-15 and work up a half-grain at a time.