All things .308 Win

[General RE LEE]

there's probably 1 or 2 other things you don't do with your 308 though...

better be haha

I understand a man loving his rifle, but hopefully not that much. Also, shame if they all they got girth wise is a thirty caliber.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I still need to punch a tag with this one. It’s a hoot to shoot. 18” M1A

 

[BLJ]

Been looking at the numbers for the .308 TMK bullets. If impact velocity is your thing, the 155gr TMK is where it’s at. Assuming MVs of 2850 for the 155, 2750 for the 168 and 2650 for the 175, the 168 and 175 don’t catch the 155 in velocity until after 1000 yards, well past the range for my desired impact velocity for critters.

As far as wind drift, given the same velocity parameters, all three are 5mph guns out to 600 yards. I’ll probably pick the one that groups the best and rock on.

John

 

[sierracharlie338]

I still need to punch a tag with this one. It’s a hoot to shoot. 18” M1A
View attachment 824435

Hell yeah

 

[bradmacmt]

Brad, you have killed some amazing bulls over the years, nothing but respect for you getting it done via backpack solo hunts.

Kind of you to say Chip!

 

[General RE LEE]

I’m taking 308 to range Thursday. Shoot some 168 ELDM handloads.

 

[rhagenw1988]

@bradmacmt do you have a preference load/bullet choice using a 308 for elk? Are you shooting them at distance or any sharp angles?

 

[General RE LEE]

I still need to punch a tag with this one. It’s a hoot to shoot. 18” M1A
View attachment 824435

I want one

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I want one

Highly recommend! They’re fun and accurate.

They have the same sights as a Garand. They work great. Gas piston system. You do have to be careful with stout loads and the op rod, but an adjustable gas plug alleviates most of those problems.

I have a 22” in a Sage chassis as well. It’s a pig, but very accurate. It’s what the troops were using in Afghanistan when they had to pull the M14s out of moth balls because the 556 didn’t have the range.


There are some downsides:
They are hard on brass. Maybe 5 loadings per case?
If you are going to scope your rifle, you have to get a specific base that mounts to the side of the action. The good bases are usually $350+. You will need a cheek riser!
If you clean your rifle, you need to get an Otis type of system that cleans from the breach and you pull to the muzzle. Otherwise you have to stick a cleaning rod down the muzzle. Not ideal. I find I’m going more toward the don’t scrub your barrel method and like the results. You do have to keep the gas system clean though no matter what.

Many guys traditionally run 168 SMKs. Definitely the old go to for the old comp shooters. I run 165 Sierra GK HPBT in mine. They’re cheap (good since it’s an auto loader and you can go through some ammo), accurate, no feeding issues, and they kill stuff! I haven’t tried TMKs yet, but imagine the 155 TMK would be a great fit. The original military ball ammo was 147 FMJ. The OG sights are calibrated for those ballistics. IMR 4895 and 4064 are the old go to powders that were used.

There is a M14 forum where you can get all the info you like and probably a used rifle off the classifieds.

It’s been awhile since I’ve shot either of these rifles. I’m going to the range tomorrow. I think I’ll bring one with me after reminiscing!

 

[NealS02]

Nice to have place to discuss the .308! I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I’d rather ask this to a group of .308 fans than a general discussion where I won’t get an answer, be told to get a 6.5 CM (which I have) instead, or just told I’m a fudd for appreciating the .308 for what it is.

I’m torn between putting a decent stock and trigger on R700 sps or going with custom action, prefit barrel, and nice stock with nice trigger. I carried M24/R700 in the Army and I am so sentimental for the 700 that I am leaning that direction even though it seems like a bad idea. 1 MOA accuracy is okay with me. The MRC Junction has my attention too. Any advice?

 

[Hondo64d]

Nice to have place to discuss the .308! I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I’d rather ask this to a group of .308 fans than a general discussion where I won’t get an answer, be told to get a 6.5 CM (which I have) instead, or just told I’m a fudd for appreciating the .308 for what it is.

I’m torn between putting a decent stock and trigger on R700 sps or going with custom action, prefit barrel, and nice stock with nice trigger. I carried M24/R700 in the Army and I am so sentimental for the 700 that I am leaning that direction even though it seems like a bad idea. 1 MOA accuracy is okay with me. The MRC Junction has my attention too. Any advice?

My first several customs were on trued up 700s, and for that time, they were nice actions. Nowadays, with what you’d spend on a 700 and blueprinting, you could pay for a custom action. I currently have rifles with an Aero Precision Solus, Kelbly Atlas, Shilen DGR, and Zermatt Origin actions. I would pick any one of them over a trued 700. With what you can get a Solus Obsidian for ($750 at Northland Shooters Supply), they are an absolute marvel…

John

 

[Manny1608]

Anybody on here have a Fierce chambered in 308? Recently picked one up and was wondering what factory ammo works best.

 

[bradmacmt]

@bradmacmt do you have a preference load/bullet choice using a 308 for elk? Are you shooting them at distance or any sharp angles?

I've used the 308 on quite a number of elk, with a variety of different bullets, at ranges from 50 to a bit over 300 yards. Bullets include 165 Speer Hotcore, 165 Sierra Gameking, 165 Hornady BTSP, 165 Nosler Accubond, and 150 Barnes TTSX. I've used other bullets, but those are the ones I've used on elk. All those were loaded with Varget, though over 30 years ago I was using different powders. I don't remember any bad angles, and try to avoid those no matter what I'm shooting, but I'm confident any quartering-away shot is well within the 308's capabilities with any of the bullets listed.

The 308 is famously easy on bullets given its sedate velocities - one more of its reliable attributes.

 

[General RE LEE]

No pics but range day shooting 168 ELDMs was great. I've been working on my form to manage recoil and with a bipod off the bench, I was able to keep target in scope view at 600 yards on 8x.

308 is a great cartridge to work on form and wind calls and 168s are about a perfect weight for the 308.

 

[saltfork]

No pics but range day shooting 168 ELDMs was great. I've been working on my form to manage recoil and with a bipod off the bench, I was able to keep target in scope view at 600 yards on 8x.

308 is a great cartridge to work on form and wind calls and 168s are about a perfect weight for the 308.

I've been shooting the 168 A Max the last couple of seasons. My rifle really likes them and they're hell on game. When my supply runs out, I'll probably switch to the ELDM.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

For some reason I struggle with Hornady bullets. Sierra bullets seem to speak my language. There’s something about a 168 SMK in a .308 win.

 

[MallardSX2]

I actually had to send this 308 back to Browning to try and figure out why it was grouping so poorly. I was able to hunt with it this year but only because my max shot is about 100 yards. I was getting 3-6” groups at 100 out of it.

Just got it back yesterday.

 

[sierracharlie338]

For some reason I struggle with Hornady bullets. Sierra bullets seem to speak my language. There’s something about a 168 SMK in a .308 win.
View attachment 828127

I’ve owned 4 308s (not a lot by some standards) but the 168 SMK was always a more accurate bullet but only marginally, both being sub MOA. However, the Hornady have always been better terminally.

 

[SURVEYOR]

I want to put together a long action Tikka CTR .308. I want to shoot Berger 200 Hybrids out of it and I need the long action mag. I know the new KRG Echo will handle a long action. I wonder how the 200 Hybrids will do out of a 20" barrel? Anyone tried them?

I shot a doe last year at about 100 yards with my cz 308 loaded with 215 hybrids and it was a softball size exit.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I’ve owned 4 308s (not a lot by some standards) but the 168 SMK was always a more accurate bullet but only marginally, both being sub MOA. However, the Hornady have always been better terminally.

No debate there! The 168 SMK is a dog ballistically too. I’m hunting with the TMK which is much better in every way…other than cost.