Best Load for .308W ?

[The Ace]

I have just bought a new SAKO Finnlight in .308W. I am thinking of using 165Gr Sierra Soft point BT. What is the best load for this rifle?

The Ace

[furbman]

I prefere the 150 gr bullets myself, and i use 50 gr. ww748 to give me 3000 fps, it shoots flat enough for anything here in the north east, and has enough energy to do its job. (about 3000 ft lbs at muzzle) and drops about 7 inches at 300 yds when sited in 0 at 200.
That load gives me MOA groups from my Model 7 and BLR. It seems to work well with Sierra, Hornady, and Nosler bullets....good luck with your new rifle..

Your going to get alot of different replys on this one. I get submoa accuracy out of 47gr Varget and 165gr gamekings and 210primers. Also had luck but lower velocity out of 46gr of 4064.

[Mark whiz]

I find that 42.5gr (military cases) or 44.0gr (Commercial cases) of 4895 works VERY well with any good 165/168gr bullet. Tried that recently with the new 168gr Barnes Triple Shock bullet and it worked GREAT, both on accuracy & killing power.

[Realwood1]

I too am a fan of the Barnes Triple Shocks - I am now loading them in my .308 Win, 30-06 and .300 Weatherby, as well as the XLC's in a 7mm Wby. Here are two loads that have been excellent out of my .308 Kimber (22" barrel).

168 grain Barnes Triple Shock - 44.5 grs. 4064, Winchester WLR primer, COL 2.815. This load groups between .77 and .95 at 100 yards at a chronographed velopcity of 2725 fps. This is a great hunting load that I will use for deer, elk ans sheep in Colorado.

168 grain Sierra Match King - 44.5 grs. Varget, Winchester WLR primer, COL 2.820. This load groups between .557 and .75 at 100 yards at 2650 fps. This is my target shooting load as it is cheaper to shoot than the Barnes and groups a bit better.

I think both of these loads could go up a grain or two for more velocity and maintain decnt pressure but I haven't tried them yet.

Good luck.

[pharaoh2]

I would agree the 168 grain bullet in any flavour of your choosing would be best. It was designed for the .308 winchester as giving the best flight of any bullet at that time, and tends to be very accurate. Good luck.

[BowhuntinCowboy]

Your best bet is to try different bullets and loads becouse every gun like something different i shot 180gr spitzer boattails and 43gr imr4064 out of my savage 110 tactical an get 1/2" goups at 300yds. so my advice and take it as you will is to test to see what shoots best.

[savage.308]

My favorite hunting load for my Savage 10 FP is a 150 gr. Barnes TSX with a powder load of 45 grs.Varget with an oal of 2.850. Sub-MOA accuracy and hammers deer like lighting.

[HighDesertWolf]

I find that hard to beleive that your COL is 2.850 and your gun has not blown its chamber, well if that works for your gun then good but I gonna tell folks DO NOT SEAT YOUR BULLET THAT FAR OUT a 308's MAXIMUM COL is 2.800 If you do seat your bullet beyond 2.800 you risk personal injury or death to yourself or bystanders DO NOT seat your bullet past 2.800 COL

[1mile50]

DO NOT SEAT YOUR BULLET THAT FAR OUT a 308's MAXIMUM COL is 2.800 If you do seat your bullet beyond 2.800 you risk personal injury or death to yourself or bystanders DO NOT seat your bullet past 2.800 COL

Please explain. Please be specific.
Myself, I have no idea what the max O.A.L is for his particular rifle, as I have no idea what his throat lead may be, I do not know the length of that projectile, and I do not know that projectile's nose profile and if the ogive's termination is accurately repeated, bullet to bullet. Myself, I would need his rifle and a box of those projectiles to make a determination as to his max O.A.L.