All things .308 Win

[Hondo64d]

I’ve recently been playing with the .308 again. The cartridge has enough great qualities to have its own thread, so post away!

My most recent .308 consist of an Aero Precision Solus action (which I’m really diggin’ so far), 20” Bartlein 3B 1:10 twist, AG Composite Adjustable Hunter, and Triggertech Special. All ‘smithing was done by Jon Beanland, and there is none better.

Here is a picture of my most recent “group.” It is five shots with five different charges of StaBall Match pushing 168gr TMKs. The intent was to find max charge. I never expected it to do this.



Here’s a ten shot group with no load development. A previous .308 really liked the Berger 185gr Classic Hunter pushed by 44gr Varget. With this rifle, I didn’t have any 185gr CHs on hand to try so just substituted the 185gr HVLD loaded to 2.85” OAL and this is what it produced.



Here’s a series of charges with N150 and Berger’s 168gr Classic Hunter. All are ten shots groups. As you can see, any one of those charges provides more than adequate precision so with this bullet, I just chose 45gr and rocked on.



Here’s a pretty decent sized boar taken with a 178gr ELD-x from the same rifle at 410 yards. DRT…



My 6.5 Creedmoors are 7mph guns with the 147gr ELD and my .22GTs are 6mph guns with the 88gr ELD-m, but my .308 doesn’t lag far behind, being a 5mph gun with almost any botailed bullet, and a 6mph gun with the most slippery offerings. When going with shorter barrel lengths for suppressor use, the .308 suffers less velocity loss than most. Recoil isn’t bad, and barrel life is absolutely amazing.

There’s a lot to love about the .308, and I’m really enjoying mine.

John

 

[BLJ]

No wonder you were so quick to trade those 155 TMK’s………..

 

[Hondo64d]

No wonder you were so quick to trade those 155 TMK’s………..

The 155 TMKs haven’t shot bad for me, putting ten with nearly every charge under an inch, but, admittedly, they don’t shoot as well as the 168 version.

John

 

[BLJ]

The 155 TMKs haven’t shot bad for me, putting ten with nearly every charge under an inch, but, admittedly, they don’t shoot as well as the 168 version.

John

I’m glad they’re working for you.
If the weather ever breaks here, I’m going to work something up for the 155’s.
Nice shooting.

 

[General RE LEE]

Shot my 20” Tikka CTR 308 today. There is an appreciable difference when a 178 ELDX smacks a steel plate at 600 yards vs a 108 ELDM. Guilt free shooting with the long barrel life and reasonable recoil.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I like the 308 for what it is. I like other cartridges better, but the 308 is like a basic 4WD F150. It does most things a truck needs to do good enough without much fuss.

 

[dreamingbig]

1 shot kill at 362 yards on a big Montana cow with my .308. 165 grn nosler accubond trophy grade ammo. The bullet was just under the hide on the offside elbow. You can see the bulge in the picture below.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Fireflyfishing]

Love mine. Shoots like this consistently at 6 hundo…Oh and it kills stuff too.

 

[JAC8504]

If I wasn't addicted to guns and cartridges. I'd be fine with a .22, 308 or 30-06, and a 12 ga.

 

[General RE LEE]

If I wasn't addicted to guns and cartridges. I'd be fine with a .22, 308 or 30-06, and a 12 ga.

Same. I look at ballistic numbers everyday. It's an expensive habit.

 

[NWBLKTAIL]

I just started loading for one so this is well timed. Good thread to start

 

[Bcleck90]

Picked up a .308 CTR this past summer after not owning one for awhile. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorites.

 

[General RE LEE]

View attachment 823027

Picked up a .308 CTR this past summer after not owning one for awhile. It’s quickly becoming one of my favorites.

308 absolutely hammers deer in woods environment.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

back in 308 game with hornady white box 168gr eld murders, wt buck at 175 went 15, antelope buck at 200 went drt, and big cow moose at 275 maybe 2 steps, haven't recovered one yet

how vanilla and boring 308 always seemed to me now actually turns me on lol, still not a 30 cal fan but am a fan of comfort of unlimited barrel life and .25 sd eld murders at shootable recoil in 7 lbs all up and launched at moderate velocities....it's 308 or 6.5 grendel 123's for me, off the shelf shooter here but still stretch gp hunting rigs further than many in setup and prep but most killing usually still happens in the faafo ranges of mpbr to still on fur, a few hundred rounds in on a couple 308's I picked up and enjoying shooting these footballs more each time out

 

[General RE LEE]

back in 308 game with hornady white box 168gr eld murders, wt buck at 175 went 15, antelope buck at 200 went drt, and big cow moose at 275 maybe 2 steps, haven't recovered one yet

how vanilla and boring 308 always seemed to me now actually turns me on lol, still not a 30 cal fan but am a fan of comfort of unlimited barrel life and .25 sd eld murders at shootable recoil in 7 lbs all up and launched at moderate velocities....it's 308 or 6.5 grendel 123's for me, off the shelf shooter here but still stretch gp hunting rigs further than many in setup and prep but most killing usually still happens in the faafo ranges of mpbr to still on fur, a few hundred rounds in on a couple 308's I picked up and enjoying shooting these footballs more each time out

308 smacks the chit out of steel plates too

 

[Stinky Coyote]

308 smacks the chit out of steel plates too

there's no mistaking it! with the ears on at 626 yards the other day could hear them smacks no problem....but I could make a sandwich before the sound got back to me, you get back in scope and see the splash and still wait for the sound to get back to you lol

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

308 smacks the chit out of steel plates too

Yep. The big splash and ring can sometimes make up for the increased recoil with certain shots, no doubt.

 

[Huntingfarandwide]

It seems like I have have been patiently waiting for a nice 308 forever.....until October when I won a un-fired Remington Custom North American rifle. HS Precision stock, 24" Fluted Barrel, Muzzle Crown, Bedded like a glove with a 3-shot ragged hole test target from South Dakota using factory Barnes 168s.

Got this guy with him with factory Barnes in November....have three loads right now in the blocks waiting for weather to break for a trip to the range.

I will post when completed.

 

[Stinky Coyote]

yeah even that 530 yard stag YouTube I posted in another thread, great audible on that heart shot from the 178 eldx, satisfying thwocky factor

 

[Hondo64d]

If I wasn't addicted to guns and cartridges. I'd be fine with a .22, 308 or 30-06, and a 12 ga.

Oh, I get it. Have more than I need myself but each one has its good qualities and each one his it’s downsides. I love the .22GT for its lack of recoil, inherent precision and it’s just easy to hit with. Love the 6.5 Creedmoor for pretty much the same reasons. Love the .308 for it’s overall drama free mannerisms and superb barrel life.

John