.308 users, what’s your go to hunting load?

3006Sprng

Active member
Joined
Dec 7, 2024
Messages
114
Location
N.E. Alberta
What is everyone else loading in their .308win for hunting.

Currently loading

165gr hornady interlocks (flat base, no boat tail) @ 2.750” oal
44.5 grains of varget
Seeing about 2700 fps average at 0C
(32f)

Took a >350 lb black bear with this load, never recovered the bullet, pass through.
 
150 grain Barnes TSX Boat tail
46.0 Grains IMR 4064 (Top end of safe pressures in my rifle. Make sure to work up any load in your rifle.)
2940 FPS average at 70 F.

A few Mule deer, Elk out to 480 yards. and an antelope.
 
150 grain Barnes TSX Boat tail
46.0 Grains IMR 4064 (Top end of safe pressures in my rifle. Make sure to work up any load in your rifle.)
2940 FPS average at 70 F.

A few Mule deer, Elk out to 480 yards. and an antelope.
Any close range hunts with the Barnes load?
 
Any close range hunts with the Barnes load?
One deer was shot inside 50 yards. Double lung pass thru. The bullet appeared to have doubled in size with a larger exit wound. Deer got back up, ran thirty yards or so and tipped over. Most of the others were shot between one hundred to two hundred yards out. None required a difficult tracking job. Most dead right there.
 
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I have two that have worked very well for me.
165 gr Trophy Bonded Tip; 43.4 gr Varget; 2820 fps; 0.75 MOA - Elk at 181 and 243 yds, deer at 220 and 80 yds.
175 gr Terminal Ascent; 43.2 gr Varget; 2596 fps; 0.55 MOA - deer at 195 and 310 yds. Haven't taken it elk hunting with the TA load yet.
 
What is everyone else loading in their .308win for hunting.

Currently loading

165gr hornady interlocks (flat base, no boat tail) @ 2.750” oal
44.5 grains of varget
Seeing about 2700 fps average at 0C
(32f)

Took a >350 lb black bear with this load, never recovered the bullet, pass through.
150 grn noslar partition over 4350, win brass and a fed. GM match.
22" browning A-Bolt clipping along at about 2780ish. Sub MOA guns and load out to 500 and it's good enough for me.
 

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