California Compliant 308 loads?

[Humboldt]

Am wondering what kind of non-lead loads are working for folks? I am currently shooting Hornady 150 grain GMX over 47.2 grains of RL15. Getting almost 2900 fps. Groups ok, but not quite as well as my Accubonds did.

 

[meta_gabbro]

168gr TTSX over 44.5gr IMR4064 at 2700fps is shaping up to be my load for all species next season. Sub-MOA out of my T3X, and should be right around 2000fps at 400yds or so.

 

[Humboldt]

Thanks, haven't tried Barnes yet. Was thinking of going with a heavier bullet but keep hearing that one should stay lighter with non-lead. Not sure what that is about unless it is case capacity/velocity. Also tempted to use the 308 for all species -- my Kimber Montana in 308 is is a hell of a lot lighter than my Remington in 300 WM.

 

[meta_gabbro]

The idea is that since copper is generally harder than lead you don't lose as much mass at initial expansion, so you can get the same amount of momentum and penetration from a lighter copper bullet. If you have a 200gr bullet spall off 40gr of jacket and nose material, a 168gr monolithic bullet that keeps 95% of it's weight will be just as effective. The downside is that since it's harder to deform, you need more velocity at impact to get expansion equal to that of a lead bullet. By going to a lighter bullet, say a 150gr copper bullet down from a 180gr lead bullet, you can bump up velocity so that you get the same degree of expansion and penetration.

The biggest issue I've found with Barnes is that everyone seems to give different minimum impact velocity requirements for expansion, and they all say they're getting their numbers from Barnes employees. I've seen as high as 1800fps to just barely get the nose to open, all the way down to 1400 for full expansion of some bullets I've heard some people say the 168gr TTSX only needs 1600fps to open, but since I don't know to what degree of expansion that will give, I'm limiting myself to ranges where impact velocity is at or above 2000 (theoretically).

Eventually I'll make the switch to the 150gr TTSX for all species for the added velocity and slightly flatter trajectory. I'm sticking to 168 for now because the 168gr SMK behaves almost identically out of my gun, so I can work up training ammo very easily.

 

[ACKLEYFAN]

For 6 years now I've been loading the 150gr TSX over 45gr of RL15 @ 2.810" COAL - In my hunting group we have 7 .308 Win rifles that shoot this load sub-MOA. 2 Rugers, 2 Winchester Model 100's, 2 Mausers that I built myself and 1 Savage. Speeds are 2830-2860fps. We've killed Black Bear, Deer and Elk without fail - holding shots within 250 yards to ensure the bullet has enough velocity to expand adequately. Good luck!