All things .308 Win

[rookieforever33]

The only problem with having a good 308 is there aren't many cartridges that do everything better. Good thing most of us dont mind buying redundant cartridges

 

[DLB]

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

Haha me too!

 

[solarshooter]

I know I'll catch hate for this, but 308 was the most disappointing cartridge I ever owned. Didn't kill things any better or different than the 6.5CM (or the 6CM), kicked as much as a braked 7RM, not particularly accurate (maybe more of a barrel/chamber issue), worse wind and drop than many 6.5 and 7mm cartridges, loading long high BC bullets violates the short action "benefit". I don't shoot anywhere near enough to consider the long barrel life a benefit, and ammo costs far outweigh barrel costs anyway, if you're worried about having a firearm in an "end of the world" scenario, I'd rather stock a few barrels and an action wrench!

All in all I regret wasting my time and money on it, rebarreled to 284 Win which I love. 7-08/6.5cm/243 would've been the better off the shelf option.

 

[BLJ]

 

[rookieforever33]

Should change the name of this thread to "all things 308 Win, including party pooping haters"

 

[solarshooter]

do you drive a subaroo by chance?

No I drive a "dOOOly" and ride a "4fiddy" and shoot a "threeohwait" and wear one of these:

 

[solarshooter]

Should change the name of this thread to "all things 308 Win, including party pooping haters"

Friends don't let friends buy 308s

 

[IdahoBeav]

I already have have two .308 rifles, but I want to buy one of the new Ruger Hawkeye rifles with the 16.5" threaded barrel. It will be for 400 yards max. I tried to convince myself to go with .243, 6.5 CM, or 7-08, but the numbers just aren't there. A .308 with 125 gr NBTs is hard to beat if you're not reaching out more than 400 yards.

.308 125 gr NBT



6.5 CM 120 gr NBT



7-08 120 gr NBT



.243 90 gr NBT

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I know I'll catch hate for this, but 308 was the most disappointing cartridge I ever owned. Didn't kill things any better or different than the 6.5CM (or the 6CM), kicked as much as a braked 7RM, not particularly accurate (maybe more of a barrel/chamber issue), worse wind and drop than many 6.5 and 7mm cartridges, loading long high BC bullets violates the short action "benefit". I don't shoot anywhere near enough to consider the long barrel life a benefit, and ammo costs far outweigh barrel costs anyway, if you're worried about having a firearm in an "end of the world" scenario, I'd rather stock a few barrels and an action wrench!

All in all I regret wasting my time and money on it, rebarreled to 284 Win which I love. 7-08/6.5cm/243 would've been the better off the shelf option.

No I drive a "dOOOly" and ride a "4fiddy" and shoot a "threeohwait" and wear one of these:
View attachment 973246

Friends don't let friends buy 308s

 

[fishesman]

I’d say you don’t need a .308 to replace your 7-08 or .260 or 6.5 CM, but rather you need a .308 in addition to the others. Everyone should have at least one solid .308.

John

I never said I don’t have a 308. I have several. I just think the 7-08 or 260 are better deer cartridges, but I certainly wouldn’t argue with anyone that prefers a 308.

 

[fishesman]

Just wait until you learn about the mighty 243..

I discovered the 243 years ago and have probably killed more deer with it than any cartridge I’ve played with, but I’ve always felt it was a bit light. My perfect cartridge needs to work under any reasonable condition I hunt in. When I can be choosy about shots, the 243 is excellent. I use it a lot when hunting for does over plots. During the rut, when shots come quick and sometimes at odd angles, I want a little more gun. The 260 and 7-08 both fit the bill nicely. If I were really pressed, I’d probably say 7-08.

 

[fishesman]

BBBOOOOOOOO, read the room dude, this is 308 country. Who would ever want same or better performance with less recoil?

That sums it up perfectly.

 

[Tx270WT]

I guess it works

 

[Taudisio]

I already have have two .308 rifles, but I want to buy one of the new Ruger Hawkeye rifles with the 16.5" threaded barrel. It will be for 400 yards max. I tried to convince myself to go with .243, 6.5 CM, or 7-08, but the numbers just aren't there. A .308 with 125 gr NBTs is hard to beat if you're not reaching out more than 400 yards.

.308 125 gr NBT

View attachment 973275

6.5 CM 120 gr NBT

View attachment 973279

7-08 120 gr NBT

View attachment 973294

.243 90 gr NBT

View attachment 973295

Just wondering if you think you would get those MV with 16.5” barrels? I saw the 308 load is a nosler boxed ammo. I just assumed their MV was from a 22-24” test barrel. So 2850-2950 rough estimate for the 308 load? Will that get you to 400 yards at a proper impact velocity?

I haven’t done any further research into other ammo or load data, so it’s a real question.

 

[IdahoBeav]

Just wondering if you think you would get those MV with 16.5” barrels? I saw the 308 load is a nosler boxed ammo. I just assumed their MV was from a 22-24” test barrel. So 2850-2950 rough estimate for the 308 load? Will that get you to 400 yards at a proper impact velocity?

I haven’t done any further research into other ammo or load data, so it’s a real question.

The data I’m seeing online shows the 308, 7-08, and 6.5 losing about 150 fps dropping from 22” down to 16”. I’ll get an extra 1/2” on that and then will be running a 7” can.

The data on the .243 shows much higher losses.

I just looked through my Garmin, and it’s showing 3245 fps with those .308 125 gr and my 22” non-suppressed rifle.

I think I can get 3000 fps with the 16.5” and the can, but I could live with 2850.

 

[77TMK]

A competent 125-130 gr load will be in the ballpark of 2850 with a 16” barrel. When 130 gr MK319 bullets were around that’s what they would shoot from a 16”. But your barrel will decide that.

What was the reason for going with a light for caliber bullet? Versus a 155-168 gr TMK, AMAX, ELDM type?

 

[IdahoBeav]

What was the reason for going with a light for caliber bullet? Versus a 155-168 gr TMK, AMAX, ELDM type?

I'm not handloading yet, and the Nosler 125 is a factory ammo that has done very well for me in my 308s.

 

[uabeng]

Oh wow, great thread and glad I stumbled on it. Here's some of my latest tests with my 308. Clockwise - 150gr SST, 46gr varget, 2.735, 2820 fps. 168gr Nosler BT, 44gr Varget 2.800, 2630 fps. 178gr ELDX, 41.5gr Varget, mag length COL, 2480 fps. The gun seemed to have a couple fliers but loved the 178s for the day. Question for the gurus, are the speeeds acceptable for a 20" barrel with these loads or should I try to increase speed? Fyi rifle in question is a t3x roughtec with 20" barrel suppressed.

 

[Hondo64d]

Oh wow, great thread and glad I stumbled on it. Here's some of my latest tests with my 308. Clockwise - 150gr SST, 46gr varget, 2.735, 2820 fps. 168gr Nosler BT, 44gr Varget 2.800, 2630 fps. 178gr ELDX, 41.5gr Varget, mag length COL, 2480 fps. The gun seemed to have a couple fliers but loved the 178s for the day. Question for the gurus, are the speeeds acceptable for a 20" barrel with these loads or should I try to increase speed? Fyi rifle in question is a t3x roughtec with 20" barrel suppressed. View attachment 973848

From 20” barrels, I expect 155s at 2800, 168s at 2700, and 178s at 2600 or a hair more.

John

 

[Rockpicker]

From 20” barrels, I expect 155s at 2800, 168s at 2700, and 178s at 2600 or a hair more.

John

He can use another grain of Varget. I use 45.5 and it’s definitely max depending on bullet.