Bullet suggestion

B

bungiex88

New member
Im handloading for a 308 1.12 twist. I've experimented with nosler accubond 165 gr and after 200 bullets of tweaking I think it is time to switch to a different bullet just not getting the consistency I'm looking for. I'm primarily using this gun for pa whitetail from 0 to 500 yards what's a good bullet I can try out. I'm basically looking for input on bullets people have used on deer with very good success in the this range with a 308.
 
What load you using? What rifle? 1 in 12 is odd for a .30 calibre. Is the rifle bedded?
The .308 loves 165's, but you might want to try a different brand. Say a Sierra Game king. And IMR4064.
500 is way too far for deer with any bullet. Do not expect target accuracy out of any hunting rifle either. A consistent 2" or 3" at 100 is good enough.
 
It is bedded and free floated. My expectations were a little high I might just keep what I'm doing the best I got with a single load was 1/4 groups at 100 once but average 1/2 most the time with the ocasional 1 inch at 100 yards. I was hoping to reach the accuracy of my 6mm which holds 1/4 groups with my hand loads same powder and with a 100 gr serra gameking out front. The rifle is a rem700 sps varmint heavy barrel.
 
I have an R700 Varmint 1-12" H/B and my hands down go to accuracy target bullet out to 600 yds is the 168 SMK . A close second is either the 155 SMK or 155 Nosler CC. Win 748 , 2000MR and Benchmark are a few of my fav powders.
 
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With a 1.12 twist I would try 150gr bullets next. Sounds like the 165's might be a little heavy to stabilize with your twist. If you are fond of the accubonds, give them another shot ( pun intended) in the 150gr. version. Or you can try the 165gr accubonds with another powder.
 
You might want to try the 165 gr. Speer Hot-Core. They shoot fairly tight groups in my .308. Frankly, If I understood your original post, you're getting groups in the .25 to .50" with occasional 1.0" groups I'd just stop right there. My most accurate .308 Win. is a Winchester M70 Youth Ranger with 22" barrel. It's been restocked in a cheapie Ramline stock and has shot groups as small as .375" although .50 to .75 is more the norm. Longest shot I ever made on a deer was 427 long paces with a 150 gr. Sierra Pro-hunter. Dunno the velocity as no such thing as Chronographs for the masses or laser rangefinders either. Back in 1973 as I recall.
Your 1 in 12" twist is just fine for 165 gr. bullets. About the only exception I can think of would be the Barnes TSX and they tend to ne longer than other 176 gr. bullets. That would go with the other 165 gr. or heavier monumental bullets.
Paul B.
 
Do you realize what it takes for a .308 caliber bullet to print groups as small as a 1/4"? Same hole POI basically. There is nothing wrong with that load and the deviations you are seeing is/are the shooter. Not the bullet. God Bless
 
You are shooting a hunting bullet, not a target bullet. That is more than acceptable accuracy and an excellent bullet choice. Your load develop is over, stop whining and go hunting ;)
 
Oops, sorry guys, I re-read the original post and realized the op is looking for a hunting bullet, my suggested smk's are for target...
 
I use Hornady 165 grain boat tailed soft points out of my varmint synthetic Remington over a max listed load of Reloader 15. Great accuracy and good bullet performance in the game, too. Can consistently keep groups well under 1 MOA. Been using that load for 20 years and haven't gone hungry yet.

Its a 1:12 inch twist, and I can get up to 180 grain soft nose to group well.
Didn't go beyond that weight because of the twist and the limited powder capacity of the case. I think 165 grain is an ideal weight for shooting longer ranges in the 308. The 150 grain soft nose groups well too, but it tears up the meat when shooting close up.
 
OK sounds good. Now another question is how low of grain could I go with 1 12 twist I was thinking of coming up with a varmint load for it something a little more cheaper to shoot if a want to disenagrat a ground pig in the summer time. Or will the 1 12 twist be good to the lowest grains they make 308 bullets in.
 
The lightest weight I have tried is Nosler 125 grain ballistic tips, and they were accurate with my rifle. Havent tried anything lighter, but I will bet some here have.
 
If you want cheaper cast them that is what I do and I use my casts for everything includeing deer and elk. Lee has a nice 155 grain mold that once gas checked and lubed runs 160 grains.
 
For Deer from 50 to 500 yds. In a 308. That is easy. Nosler Ballistic Tip 165 Gr.

That is the original plastic tip that forced ALL the rest of the manufactures to go to it.
It opens easy for those 500 yd. shots and opens like a bomb on the close shots. You can get plenty of penetration and expansion.
If it was a smaller caliber I would pass but 308 diameter is perfect. If it were for Elk I would not recommend it either.
The tip also gives tight grouping for superior accuracy. Drop em with BT
 
I've always read where the Nosler BT was volatile at close range. I have shot no less than 25 or so deer with them out of a 30/06 in both 150 and, 165 grain loads, pushing near or at max manual loads, with R19 and R15 and never saw that. YMMV. God Bless
 
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