Developing a 308 load EDIT: Moose pics

R

rush709

New member
Now I know this isnt really a predator hunting load (though I suppose it could be used on one, but not where I am, 308 isnt legal for coyotes) but was hoping you guys could give me a little input on my plan.

I've got a moose hunt coming up next week, but I'm away from home until a couple days before the hunt and wont have a whole lot of time to develop a maximum accuracy load for my gun. The hunt will be in a heavily wooded area, short range distances, so I can live without same hole accuracy, I'm more concerned about safety.

I'll be using Sierra 180gr SBT bullets and H-380. The load data given by Sierra for H-380 is as follows:

Starting load: 38.5gr -> 2200fps
40.7gr -> 2300fps
42.9gr -> 2400fps
45.0gr -> 2500fps
Max load: 47.2gr -> 2600fps

Because of the limited time frame (and that I dont have a whole lot of empty 308 brass), I was thinking I'd do three charges, test fire them all, pick the best of the three and use that one on the hunt. Again, this is a close range moose hunt, so even if it's not sub MOA, it's probably not going to make any practical difference to taking the animal.

Starting load seems a bit slow, so I'm thinking I'll start at 10% below max, 47.2-4.72 = 42.48 (I'll call it 42.5).

I've been reading that upping the charge by 1% is a sensible way to work up a load, though where I'll probably only be making three test loads, do you think that a 1.6% change is too big a change? 1% wouldnt take me to far from the start if I'm only doing three. A 1.6% would give me 42.5gr, 43.25gr, and 44.5gr charges, which would still keep me 2.7gr under the max. I'd be sure to watch for signs of over pressure from the start, but was wondering what you guys thought of this plan. Sound safe or should I stick with the 1%?

 
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I shoot H380 in 22/250 and love it. In .308 there are better powders. If that's what you have then you'll have to make do. I would look at some other powders but if you are limited on time I would do what you are suggesting. You might even want to get some factory loads with premium bullets. Most of them shoot moa or sub. You could shoot them instead of taking time to load. I like shooting critters with stuff I've loaded though. Just figured with your short time frame factory might be the way to go. Good Luck on Your Hunt.


http://www.6mmbr.com/308Win.html for some powder choices
 
I would go get some Remington Core Lockt in .308 and go hunting. You could probably use the extra time to get ready for your hunt. I use H4895 and IMR4166 in my .308's when you do get to the load bench. Good luck on the Moose hunt!
 
Quote:I know this isnt really a predator hunting load (though I suppose it could be used on one, but not where I am, 308 isnt legal for coyotes)

308 illegal for coyotes? Seems strange, what is the rationale behind that, I wonder?

Regards,
hm
 
I do have some factory rounds to fall back on if need be. It's just the newness to reloading factor that has me set on using a handloaded bullet on this hunt. It's something new and different to me and seems like the perfect opportunity to apply a new hobby to something.

Originally Posted By: hm1996

308 illegal for coyotes? Seems strange, what is the rationale behind that, I wonder?

Regards,
hm

I believe it's an anti poaching measure. The local authorities dont want people out coyote hunting with "large game calibers" because they think they would be more likely to poach moose (or that's what i've been told anyway). It's a foolish policy and people have tried to get it changed, but havent had any luck. Legally, you arnt even allowed to use .243 on coyote where I am. If someone wanted to poach, putting a size limit on coyote hunting guns isnt going to stop anyone... Copied this from the local hunting guidelines:

centre-fire rifle calibres up to and including a

.225 (these include .17 Rem., .22 Hornet,
.204 Ruger, .218 Bee, .222 and .223 Rem.,
.223 WSSM, .22-250 Rem., .220 Swift, .224
Weatherby Mag. and .225 Win.)
shotguns using shot size
(#2 or larger)
 
Interesting; guess that makes sense to politicians, but......
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Thanks for the education.
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Regards,
hm
 
if you can get you a pound of varget or H4895 it wont be hard to find an huntable accuracy load with either. both are fantastic powders right in the sweet spot for 308 as far as burn rate goes, and as a bonus, being part of the Extreme Lineup they're not temp sensitive. last load workup i did with both powders in my 16" LR308 i had a bunch of moa or a little better groupings.
 
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Originally Posted By: Plant.Oneif you can get you a pound of varget or H4895 it wont be hard to find an huntable accuracy load with either. both are fantastic powders right in the sweet spot for 308 as far as burn rate goes, and as a bonus, being part of the Extreme Lineup they're not temp sensitive. last load workup i did with both powders in my 16" LR308 i had a bunch of moa or a little better groupings.

Varget has been suggest so many times, that I finally broke down and called the couple local places where I can buy powder. No luck, neither Varget nor H4895 at either. Looks like it's going to be the H380.
 
I have always had great luck with IMR 4064 in my .308's.....and it always seems to be available as well.

If you have to use what you got, your methodology seems fine. I would definitely revisit it after the hunt though and round up some "better suited" powder.
 
Originally Posted By: Smokin Barrel

If you have to use what you got, your methodology seems fine. I would definitely revisit it after the hunt though and round up some "better suited" powder.

Thanks. I would like to do a bit more testing and with smaller increments. However I'm on a tight schedule and have limited brass on hand. The brass is the main limiting factor. It probably wouldnt take me much longer to do more loads with smaller increments, but I want to be sure I'm able to do a test group while reserving a few for scope adjustments, and of course hunting.
 
You're in a pretty good ballpark there. I've always had good luck w/Noslers "most accurate" loads listed:



Have a great hunt and post some pictures.

Regards,
hm
 

My experience with the .308 is limited, but I purchased a new Bergara back in the spring and have been working up some loads for it. I have been having good success with IMR-4064 and 150 gr. Barnes TSX. Shoots very nice groups.
 
I posted above to look at some H4895 and IMR 4166, but I forgot to add good old IMR4064 until I saw it above. All good forgiving .308 powders as well as the hard to find Varget which I didn't add because it's non-existent around here.
 
I'm going to order some Varget soon. I hear it's good for both .308 and 22-250, which are mostly what I shoot. Though it definitely wouldnt arrive on time for the moose hunt. Incredibly slow shipping on ground shipped items is one of the joys of living on an island...
 
Originally Posted By: hm1996You're in a pretty good ballpark there. I've always had good luck w/Noslers "most accurate" loads listed:



Have a great hunt and post some pictures.

Regards,
hm

+1

My go to!

Amazing how many of my most accurate loads are within .5g of their most accurate load!!!
 
Went and test fired the three loads. Wasn't a great day for it though. Bit dull and was getting towards the end of the afternoon. Also about 30mph of cross wind. Fired a couple factory rounds that the gun was sighted in previous with and they shot as good as they did before. All of the hand loads shot about 3 1/2" low and to the left. Though grouped ok, just way off from factory sight in. Went with the 43.25gr charge. That shot the best at about 1.5" group. That's not an amazing group, but the truck was rocking a litle from the wind and it was a bit hard to steady. Could be the wind or the loads but it will do for hunting. Adjusted scope but will adjust again tomorrow without a cross wind.
 
Update:

Successful moose hunt! Though I didnt get to try the handloads after
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We spent four long days covering ground from dusk till dawn in the rain without seeing an animal (though we saw lots of sign, just didnt happen across one). During which, my father wasnt even carrying a gun (he was mostly just along for a trip). From what we had heard about the moose numbers, we didnt think it would be that long without seeing one. The trip was nearing the end with only two more days to go, so we changed up plans a bit, he borrowed a gun from a friend and we started splitting up. On the sixth and final day, about two hours after daylight, after I got to where I was going on one hill, I heard the bang, and we had our moose! Wasnt a trophy animal, but that wasnt what we were after anyway. Nice six point bull, great eating meat. Countdown to spring bear hunt now until I get to (hopefully) try out one of the 308 bullets on something other than a target.

A few pics from the hunt:




60 years old and father dont mind throwing a quarter of moose on his back and walking miles out the bog











 


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