More speed out of 308

[wildcat33]

If you want to shoot copper I’d drop down to 130gr bullet. You’ll get the speed you are looking for, flatten out the trajectory and inside of 400 yards nothing you hit will know it was a lighter bullet.

I'm not married to copper. I like it. Its worked well for me (even 165gr at 308 speeds, GASP!) but I'm going to try the scenars when they come back in stock. Ill take advantage of extra speed and good BC when it knocks.

 

[grifmXC]

Some rifles inherently print lower numbers. My 300WSM is basically a spicy 30-06 and when I reload I don't get anywhere near max.

You could change bullets...Hammer bullets seem to gain a couple hundred fps over similar bullets. I see guys getting right around 3000fps with the 152gr Hammer Hunter. Steve from Hammer thinks a person could get close to 3200fps with the 151 absolute hunter and faster burning powder like Ramshot Tac

If you’re willing to change bullet I’ll second giving hammers a try. I have talked with Steve about the 151 absolute hammers and he was able to get 3150ish with Ramshot TAC. I am currently working with the 151 Absolute hammers and Alliant PP Varmint (closest ball powder I could find to TAC). From my initial pressure ladder I think I’ll end up slightly slower but should be over 3100.

-Matt


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[ktm450]

I dropped to 150‘s and get an honest 3000fps with Varget and CFE223; 22” barrel. The Varget is a printed recipe from Handloader Magazine a few years ago and I understand it’s over max in some manuals.

 

[wildcat33]

I dropped to 150‘s and get an honest 3000fps with Varget and CFE223; 22” barrel. The Varget is a printed recipe from Handloader Magazine a few years ago and I understand it’s over max in some manuals.

Out of curiosity, what brass are you using?

 

[ktm450]

Winchester and Norma

 

[orelkaddict]

The varget bottle itself says 46 grain is max with a 168 SMK. Which is more than most manuals , fyi

 

[thinhorn_AK]

I’ve switched almost completely to 150g accubonds or 130 ttsx for the 308. For years I used heavier bullets and never had troubles with the 308 but the more I learned the more I backed off the bullet weight. Same for my 30-06, I stop at 180g in those.

 

[brushape]

Get a 30-06 lol


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[marshland_max]

Get a 30-06 lol


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+1
Brushape beat me to it hahaha

 

[wildcat33]

Great reloading contribution. Hard pass tho.

 

[meta_gabbro]

My old load used to be 44gr IMR4064 with 168gr TTSX, and was going at around 2690fps. I've since switched to CFE223 with 130gr TTSX and those are cooking at anywhere from 3140 to 3200 (still working on finding a reliable node, so haven't settled on a charge yet). I had doubts about going with a lighter bullet, but these numbers are zippier than a lot of proven 270 Win loads so I don't expect any issues.

 

[deerhunter628]

I’ve switched almost completely to 150g accubonds or 130 ttsx for the 308. For years I used heavier bullets and never had troubles with the 308 but the more I learned the more I backed off the bullet weight. Same for my 30-06, I stop at 180g in those.

Would you feel comfortable using the 130 grain ttsx on elk?

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Would you feel comfortable using the 130 grain ttsx on elk?

Yes, I’d use it for that.

 

[deerhunter628]

Yes, I’d use it for that.

Nice. I bought some off Midway USA. Im planning to use them in my 16” barrel 308.

 

[grifmXC]

Nice. I bought some off Midway USA. Im planning to use them in my 16” barrel 308.

They will work well on elk within reason you just need to watch your impact velocity. Barnes’ min expansion velocity for the 130 TTSX is 1800 FPS. At that speed it looks like a tiny star on the tip of the bullet (you can find pictures on google). I would recommend at least 200 FPS faster be your min velocity 300-400 would be even better. So once you work up your load, plug the pertinent info into JBMs trajectory calculator and at whatever range your velocity drops below 2200-2000 FPS is what I would make your max range.

-Matt


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[meta_gabbro]

To Matt's point, if you're around the 3100fps mark at the muzzle with the TTSX you'll hit 2.2k around 350yds and 2k at 440 (assuming ideal behavior, sea level, and if Barnes ain't lying about BC's.). Quarter mile isn't too bad out of a .308, and Barnes has data that gets muzzle vel above 3250.

 

[nannychaser]

I’m running 46gr Varget behind a 168 amax at around 2800, 44gr behind 178 amax at 2620fps no pressure on either load

 

[Pasayten]

I've really been enjoying reloading with Hammers. Gained a couple hundred fps in every cartridge I've tried them in so far. And what a pleasure to reload with, follow Steve's instructions and twist recommendations on there site and you'll surely find something. I think he's seen good results with CFE223 and 308's. Just a thought.

 

[EastTNboy]

about to start reloading for a 20" ridgeline in 308. Will probably reload the ttsx 130grs and see how it shoots. I've got plenty of Varget, IMR 4064, 8208 BXR etc, to mess around with.

 

[longbarrel]

You could check the pressure ring expansions per Ken Waters' procedure, and may be able to go to 46 gr Varget. You might also try Alliant Varmint and AR Comp powders which are in the burning and bulk rate suitable for your case size and barrel length. Alliant's data suggest those two powders would be good.