Anyone using a .308 for vermin

sfcdcbutler

sfcdcbutler

New member
Recently purchased a Savage FP-10 with a 20 inch heavy barrel. Zeiss scope and Harris bipod. I plan on using it for "several" things, including varmint hunting.

Does anyone else out there reload for this round/application. I have acquired about 500 LC Match cases and have been reloading for about 20 years. Any suggestions as to where to start? I am considering the 150 grain bullet, because I want something that I can use for larger game without changing POI. But, if this is too heavy for coyote and groundhog, I can make adjustments.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
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Only down side is most varmint bullets are designed to come apart when they hit something. Big game bullets will bounce when they hit the ground at a shallow angle. You need plenty of open background behind what your shooting at.
 
I have a 10fp that hates 150's. For action packed hits on small furry things, I use speer 125gr TNT's at around 3150fps. For yotes in open country I have the best luck with a 168smk that will punch right through the dog. Plus I use that load for the range so it makes things easy. I have not done alot with .308 in the field since I will usually use a 22-250 or .223, but I have experimented for fun.
 
One of my heavy barreled Savages is a 308 and I load quite a bit for it. For LR work I use 175 Sierra MatchKings with W 748.

XXX BE AWARE!!!!! Military 7.62 brass is thicker and has less internal case capacity than .308. XXX

The only case rupture I have ever had was when I fired a load in LC brass that was specifically designed for Federal Gold Medal Match brass. It was a hot load to begin with and combined with the smaller internal capacity of the Lake City brass caused me to have a case head seperation.

Lesson learned.

Check out Sierra 165 HPBT GameKing. It is a great all around bullet. I have shot everything from ground squirrels to big mulies with it with complete success. On top of that is is superbly accurate.
 
Realize that the 308 with heavy bullets has the trajectory of 45/70...it is just awful for shooting small animals.

There is a way that you can have your cake and eat it to.

The 125g bullets at 3100 fps are extremely flat shooting and super accurate when loaded with Win 748. You could use the 125g TNT, Sierra, or Ballistic Tip. 748 is magic in the 308 with the 125-135g bullets, fast and accurate. I always start off at 48.0g work my up to 52.0g looking for extreme accuracy. Recently, I worked up a load for an old Mosburg 308, not bedded, no barrel freefloated, no trigger job, junk 3-9 and it shot 3/4" at 100 with the Sierra 125's.

When you want to deer hunt, switch over to the 130g Barnes Tripple shock that is more than adequate for any deer walking. The 125g Sierra is also a great bullet for deer.

Good luck!
 
Iused to buy the imported 7.62 Mil surp ammo, pull the FMJ ammo and seat Speer 110 grn TNT bullets I think the Vels were around 32-3300 FPS by lightening the payloads. Drpped Coyotes like a lightning bolt and just plain blew PD's Up, I mean splaatttt!!!
Man I ned to get another heavy barreled 308 I guess. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I am using the Hornady .308 Winchester 110 grain TAP rounds in my Remington 788. When last I was at the range during not-so-good shooting conditions (variable direction winds gusting to 30+mph), I was getting 2.5-2.75 inch groups at 300 yards. I am waiting for the opportunity to do some bullet testing on coyotes in a few months.

Cheers,
 
Quote:
Realize that the 308 with heavy bullets has the trajectory of 45/70...it is just awful for shooting small animals.



But it will shoot a 150 gr. bullet flatter then a .223 will shoot a 55 gr. after you're out to 500+ yards.

The 165 gr. is a very nice all-around choice for .308, and it will knock deer and elk over if you use your judgement on range. You can get some very high BC in the 165 grainers, and they pack a killing punch way out there.

Then again, shooting coyotes at 500 yards, you're going to need to have accurate range info and holdover and hope for light wind with either one of them.
 


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