.308 for Predator Hunting

locobombero

locobombero

New member
Just out of curiosity. I have a heavy barreled 308 that Im considering selling simply due to I dont want to lug it around due to the weight. However I was browsing my reloading manual and was looking at the velocity potential of using a light 110gr. bullet. Have anyone else here used this combo to hunt game in the range of Yotes, Javelina, Mountain Lion, Etc.? Although not fur friendly it sure looks like you could really reach out and touch something with some authority if you wanted. Almost makes me want to keep the gun just to see this kind of load work.
 
I wouldn't sell it, I would work up a real good load of 110"s for it and see how she does. The thing is that a .308 is one of the most versatile guns around in my opinion. You can load down to 110 grainers and clear up to 180 grainers for larger animals. You can hunt any Northern America big game with it and then on the flip side like you said load some 110 Grainers and really reach out and touch something.
As you can see below I too have a heavy barrled .308, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I use it for elk deer yotes rockchucks .... everything. I will walk anywhere from 3-10 miles a day on the elk hunts every year and it becomes normal weight and great exercise after awhile.
 
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Before I got a dedicated varmint rifle, I used to use 110 grain bullets in my 30/06. I didn't have a chronograph at the time so I couldn't say with certainty how fast they were going, but they did do the job on groundhogs. But, they were pretty susceptible to wind. I found I got better performance with the 125 grain bullets. I never used them, but I would try a VMax in that weight. A friend of mine has a Savage .308 in the Tactical rifle and it shoots quite accurately with that weight bullet. We used a Sierra HP and I was able to get 3 shot groups at 100 yards about 1/2" with practically no load work up. I don't like HP's though where ricochets can be a problem, that's why I would try the VMax instead.
 
Amen to the Vmax CDR I have never had a ricochet with them and we shoot chucks on the farm quite close to the houses.
 
Man you guys got me wondering if i should just keep this gun and use it as my predator rifle. I was going to sell it and get a 243 but I m thinking i may just keep it. Dang guys now Im just uncertan!!!!
 
There's no question that there are better calibers for varmint hunting than the .308 Win., but if you are shooting under 300 yards, don't need to save fur, there's little danger from ricochets at longer ranges, and muzzle blast is not a problem, it's not a severe handicap to use it. If you have no further use for a .308 Win., whether as a target rifle or as a deer rifle, sell it and get a varmint gun. But, if you use it as a deer gun or target rifle and don't want to keep one of each, then it will do the job..... within limitations, of course.
 
Not yet, I currently have 20 rounds of 110 grain V-max to sight in with, after that my 308 bull barrel will stay on my Encore untill I get a coyote with it.

t/c223encore.
 
The Hornady 110 TAP ammo works great in my 700 308, still waiting to try it in my new DPMS LR308 but I have no doubt it will do just dandy.

Keep it and give the stuff a try, you might just fall in love all over again.
 
the 110gr v-max are great on g-hogs out to 800yards out of my
700p and win stealth tac 308win rifles and I am just about to work up some loads for my TRG42 .300 win mag with them!

load,shoot and have fun Jonathan
 
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There's no question that there are better calibers for varmint hunting than the .308 Win., but if you are shooting under 300 yards, don't need to save fur, there's little danger from ricochets at longer ranges, and muzzle blast is not a problem, it's not a severe handicap to use it. If you have no further use for a .308 Win., whether as a target rifle or as a deer rifle, sell it and get a varmint gun. But, if you use it as a deer gun or target rifle and don't want to keep one of each, then it will do the job..... within limitations, of course.




Well in all honesty the rifle probally will not be used for deer sized game. The rifle is just to heavy for all the walking I do hunting game Deer and bigger here in AZ. However I do see some use for Javalina, and plenty of oportunaty for Mountain Lion should I choose. The problem is I just keep feeling that Im going to way over kill for those types of game. Decisions decisions.
 
Love my 308 for a coyote gun!! The 125 gr TNT Hp's will rock 'um! I wouldn't trade any 308 i have for anything else. IMo 308 is the most versitile gun out there. from prairie dogs to moose... thats my go too gun.
 
When I go walking with my bull barrel, I carry my rifle slinged upside down on my right shoulder (I shoot lefty) sling forward, rifle behind me, I keep my right hand on the forend and if I see anything, a quick lift and flip over and I got my rifle shouldered and ready. Reverse for righties. Thats why I do not like slings that grip, I need it to slip.

t/c223encore.
 
I have knocked yotes on thier butts at six hundred yards with the 308. it will reach out and touch them I was loading the speer 125 grn TNT Hp's to 3000 fps for it and they worked well but I did seem to get some wind drift at extreame range. But then wind drift is part of shooting.
 
Well as of today I did some wheeling and dealing with a local guy and long story short is Im light one .308 and shopping for a AR. I appreciate all the input though.
 


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