308 Reloading

[Eldis]

NEW to reloading. I do not have any equipment or anything so I'm sure I will be asking about that later. Someone I know is going to let me come to their place and see their set up. I told them I would do my best to bring my own materials to load while I am there learning. Going to be loading a 308 Sierra tgk 165 grain , Barnes TTSX 165 grain, or Hornady Interbond 165 grain. What are some good powders to pair with these? I don't know what powders are good or which ones are bad quality wise. Like I said new to all of this. Also, what kind of primers need to be used? Thanks for any help.

 

[prm]

Varget and BR2 primers. Lapua brass.

 

[deerhunter628]

Varget and whatever large rifle primers you can find.

 

[49ereric]

I’m old school and use W748 and mag primer but the powder is heat sensitive and not in favor of many these days.

 

[Windigo]

From someone who’s been there, for the tgk’s be prepared to battle finicky seating depth. Invest in an ogive comparator for sure

 

[sdupontjr]

What will you be shooting with this setup? Reason I ask is varget is a unicorn here in south louiaiana and its just about impossible to find. TAC however, can be found at just about most shops. 308, TAC and the 130 ttsx is a deadly combo. I see you have the 165 ttsx listed, but you can drive the 130's faster and they hit like a lightening stike on deer and hogs.

 

[menhaden_man]

Hodgdon Reloading Data Center – The Brand Thats True

hodgdonreloading.com

 

[Eldis]

What will you be shooting with this setup? Reason I ask is varget is a unicorn here in south louiaiana and its just about impossible to find. TAC however, can be found at just about most shops. 308, TAC and the 130 ttsx is a deadly combo. I see you have the 165 ttsx listed, but you can drive the 130's faster and they hit like a lightening stike on deer and hogs.

Mostly whitetail deer hunting. Maybe one day I’ll get a mule deer, antelope, or elk hunt lol! It will mostly be deer though. I’m in Arkansas. Powder is tough to come by here too. I have heard some people mention 125 tgk or 130 Barnes for deer. I currently hunt with a 30-06. Just personally never hunted deer with anything under a 150.

 

[sdupontjr]

Each gun will be slightly different, but if you do a search, the 130 ttsx in a 308 is a proven killer. Plus by running them close to 3000+ fps, they are very flat shooting out to 300 yards. Hey I was very skeptical until i tried them. I was alays a 150 - 165g in 308, until I loaded these. I also run the 155 lapua scenar under varget.

 

[JVS]

Varget is my preferred 308 powder but can rarely find these days. Seems like every 308 I load for like loads on the hot side. With 168 amax I am always north of 44.4 grains. Hornady brass br2 primers. At 2.82 coal.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I’m using 165 grain Accubonds with a full load of Varget. 2740 fps out of a 20” barrel.

I’m currently working up a load for 125 grain Accubonds and NBTs with Varget and Tac at around 3100 fps.

 

[prm]

If you want to shoot a mono, the 130 TTSX would be my choice. 155 Lapua Scenars will work very well too. They are great for hunting (antelope through elk) and target shooting. So many great options with the 308.

 

[axeforce6]

IMR 4064 and 168gr bullets are very accurate. Not the fastest but I doubt you’ll be making 500+ yard shots on deer in Arkansas.

 

[Eldis]

Each gun will be slightly different, but if you do a search, the 130 ttsx in a 308 is a proven killer. Plus by running them close to 3000+ fps, they are very flat shooting out to 300 yards. Hey I was very skeptical until i tried them. I was alays a 150 - 165g in 308, until I loaded these. I also run the 155 lapua scenar under varget.

I see. You are not the first person who has mentioned that. Have you used Sierra TGKs in 125gr? That’s another on that I have heard about.

 

[blackdog of vt]

I like ram shot big game for 165-180gr. Usually pretty available too. Midway has it in stock right now too.

 

[sdupontjr]

I see. You are not the first person who has mentioned that. Have you used Sierra TGKs in 125gr? That’s another on that I have heard about.

Sure haven't.

I’m currently working up a load for 125 grain Accubonds and NBTs with Varget and Tac at around 3100 fps.

I'd like to here your findings on the 125's AB. I was actually looking for these when I ran across the 130's. THus I couldn't the 125's and settled on the TTSX's

 

[N2TRKYS]

Sure haven't.

I'd like to here your findings on the 125's AB. I was actually looking for these when I ran across the 130's. THus I couldn't the 125's and settled on the TTSX's

I haven’t shot anything with them. I’m hoping to get it dialed in before the rut gets going. I’ll report back when I kill one with them.

 

[hunting1]

I loaded 125 NAB/NBT for my kids when they were starting out. They killed antelope, deer, and elk. The elk was recovered on the hide with 85 grs remaining if memory serves. They all dropped in their tracks. The NBT and NAB shoot almost identical with Varget.

 

[Eldis]

Each gun will be slightly different, but if you do a search, the 130 ttsx in a 308 is a proven killer. Plus by running them close to 3000+ fps, they are very flat shooting out to 300 yards. Hey I was very skeptical until i tried them. I was alays a 150 - 165g in 308, until I loaded these. I also run the 155 lapua scenar under varget.

You have killed whitetail out to 300 yards with this? Even when taking them close the damage is there?

 

[prm]

TTSXs at short range are fantastic!