Light Loads in .308?

[kevinsmith5]

I've seen some articles talkng about 110-125 gr loads in .308 Winchesters as varmint loads. Anyone ever used these in a handi?

Reason I ask is Dick's has a .308 labeled as an Ultra Varmint, I was pretty sure about the .223, but now that .308 has me thinking. If I could use it on foxes and yotes as well as longer range deer that would be a twofer.

[spikehorn]

I have one of the Dick's SG 308 ultra varmint combos and it is a shooter. out of the box it was shooting 1.5" at 100 yards with 150gr rem core lokt. and its getting better the more I shoot it. I know ultramax makes 110gr fmj remanufactured 308 win. that you can buy in bulk. I do know most people are getting better accuracy with 150gr or heavier with thier handis. Not sure how the lighter bullets would work in a handi.

[kevinsmith5]

I've got reloading data all the way down to 110 gr. Just don't know if they'd be any good at 250 yards.

[Yes, 357_SIG]

How about a 243Win?

That is the classic combination varmint + deer cartridge.
It is ideal for deer and OK for varmints.

Based upon the 308Win case, ammo is very easy to find.

Technically, the .244 / 6mm Rem is better ... if and only if you handload.

Another cartridge worthy of consideration would be the 22 - 250.
It is ideal for varmints and OK for deer.

Frankly, a 270Win would still be a better dual purpose cartridge than a 308.
It is perfect for deer and better for varmints ... very flat shooting.
Great for antelope and goats.

Amazingly, even a 30-06 affords more versatility of loads.
Check the ammo availability and the handloading data.
The 30-06 is still the King.

The real reason for the ascendancy of the 308 is that it is the "NATO" round.
The primary appeal of the 308 is availability of "cheap surplus" ammo.
The only advantage is the sorter case length which is important in semis and bolt actions.

In a single shot, you just can't beat a 270Win and / or a 30-06.

                                                                   

[Spanky]

I don't have a 308 but I load 110gr. Speer hollow points for my 30-30 handi and it'll shoot very good groups from the bench. I've shot a few groups at 3/4" at 100yds using a lead sled. I think the 30-30 and 308 have the same twist rate so I'd imagine they'd shoot just as well in the 308.



Spanky

[Yes, 357_SIG]

Dang me!

"The only advantage is the shorter case length which is important in semis and bolt actions."

Also, I should ask whether we are chasing after 50# Whitetail Deer [at point blank, belly button range] running at breakneck speed through deep east Texas Piney Woods impenetrable brush, where you need a flashlight at high noon;
...
or, 200+# Mule Deer [at 300 yards] in Rocky Mountain meadows.

Seriously, single shots are perfect platforms for 270Win and 30-06 cartridges.

                                                                                                     

[retrosub]

I tried light 30 cal bullets in my 30-06: hand-loaded 100-grain half-jacket, 110-grain spire point, 110-grain Barnes TSX, and factory loaded 125gr Rem managed recoil. Accuracy was OK, but not nearly the sub MOA I can get from 150+ grain bullets. I think it's the 1:9 twist or the short bullets, the COL required quite a jump to the lands. I even tried seating the Barnes 110s to the second groove but still not what I would call varmint accuracy.

[Sourdough]

I shoot Speer 125gr TNTs through my andi 30-06.  They do good out to 500 yards, but are very subseptiable to wind.  Don't use them on Foxes under 300 yards, it's nasty.  They shoot great, I hit what I am aiming at (2 liter soda bottle) all the way out to 500 yards.

[quickdtoo]

I get little groups with the 125gr Sierra Prohunter SPT in my 30-30AI Handi at 2865fps, it has the same 1:10" twist as the 308W Handi, 110gr bullets should work fine.

Tim

[gendoc]

i got my .308 performing perfect with 165gr nosler bt's... never thought bout anathang smaller !!
prolly cause my swift handels all the varmint stuff way-out !!.
dang, ya got me wonder'n.... i'm goan try some lite stuff now.  good excuse to shoot 

might be good for that big bull kiyot thats sneeking around here that needs a BIG hole in'um 

[kevinsmith5]

I'm mostly just trying to decide between a .223 and a .308 because they are both on sale for the same price and are essentially the same rifle except for caliber (barrel is 2" longer in the .223). With our little deer around here the .223 could be a deer rifle with 80 gr bullets. My main use for it will be varmints though.  The .308 would be better all around, but if it won't work for varmints (mainly fox and coyote) I really should get the .223....dilemmas, dilemmas.

And for the "get both" crowd, the sale isn't THAT good.....

[spikehorn]

I'm one of the get em both crowd. get the 223 now, the 308 will go on sale again closer to deer season. and if you have a Dick's score card you will get a coupon for $10 or $20 off after you buy the 223 wait for the 308 to go on sale and use the coupon. I did that with my 308 and got it for $229

[Dinny]

It's better to have and not need than to need and not have...Get the .308 Win, it will serve your needs just fine. Just don't give up after only trying one load. Eventually you will find one that your rifle likes.


Thanks, Dinny

[Sourdough]

For your situation I would go with the .223.  A .308 is just too much gun for a Fox.  The .223 will do for Foxes, Coyotes, and if you do your part, and I really mean you have to do your part it will handle the Deer.  I am one of those persons that believe bigger is better, but there is limits.  With Varmits, I draw the line.  I've blown up too many little Foxes.  Now if you just want to kill em, the .308 will do that, but I like to save the pelts.

As for small bullets doing the job, I have an experience to tell.  Four or Five years ago I went in with an old minning friend to return some equipment to the mine.  On the way in, my friend handed me a proxy, and asked if I could shoot him a Moose.  Now I was expecting to shoot either Wolves or Coyotes, since I had already shot my Moose for the year.  So when I left the house I only took a bunch of shells with Speer 125gr TNTs for my 30-06.  They vertually explode on impact.  Now my friend wants me to shoot a Moose, and I don't have loads suitable for Moose.  To make a long story short, I hit the small spot about the size of a soda bottle cap, right behind the ear on the Moose.  It fell like a ton of bricks.  125gr Speer TNT did the trick and dropped a Moose in it's tracks at 80 yards.  So a .223 will give the same accuracy so go get the Deer.   

[petemi]

I've posted this before.  I read years ago that the 168 gr. BT was the ideal bullet for the .308 and used Win. Supremes in it ever since.  I've killed fox, coyote and deer with it at over 300 yards.  It's sighted in for the 168s and I don't change it.  I don't do pelts, I just want em dead, and it does that very well.

Pete

[Handi-Fan]

If you reload you get the 308 to do what you mant with a 150gr. bullet and lighter powder charges. If not there's several over the counter lighter loads or managed recoil. Which by the same token you can do the same loading heavier loads and the appropriate bullet in the 223. I have loads for 308 using imr-4198 and imr-4064 that will do the job out to 300 yds. with no more recoil than a 243. At the lower velocity there's not as much damage to small targets and it will get the job done on deer sized game. just a thought to ponder. But if was me and I didn't have either I would get both if you can swing it.

[kevinsmith5]

I got the .223 and will be savong up for the .308.

[briannmilewis]

This other current thread has all the 223 deer bullet info you will ever need (Deer bullets in 223 Handi):

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,126312.0.html

I saved both pages.

Good luck.