Heaviest pill for .308 with 1:10 twist

[kurl]

G'day,

I'm doing some research for a new rifle at the moment and one of the options is a .308 with 1:10 twist barrel.

Can someone tell me what the heaviest pills is for .308 that a 1:10 twist will handle accurately?

Thanks.

[Monty]

As a rough guide I'd say 180gr would be around max.

Usual disclaimer though, need to load test in your own rifle, some may like it some may not, etc. etc.

[Herdsman]

Care to tell us exactly what rifle we're talking about?

[Granting]

In theory 180gr might be right, but I've haven't found many .308's to really like this weight.

I suppose I consider this 30-06 or 300 win mag territory really?

150-165gr seems to commonly be the best in .308, in my experience anyway... This will vary for others no doubt.

[Fry]

I suppose I consider this 30-06 or 300 win mag territory really?

150-165gr seems to commonly be the best in .308, in my experience anyway... This will vary for others no doubt.

I dunno about that... Plenty of .308 shooters loading much heavier that 150gr and getting comp class accuracy.

[Harts]

I dunno about that... Plenty of .308 shooters loading much heavier that 150gr and getting comp class accuracy.

The heavy Berger's definitely get a good wrap.

185gr target bullets and similar.

[heeple]

With load testing there isn't any reason a 180gr shouldn't work in your rifle.

Like every other combo, it's just a matter of finding the right one.

[Varmtr]

Most hunting 180's work in 1:12 twist so a 1:10 no worrys, but what are you planning to do with the rifle. Are you planning to shoot VLD type bullets then thats different again. 180's are pretty much max weight that the 308 can push along at reasonable speeds. If heading north like in the 200 area you best of going up to 3006, 300 Win etc

[Turkle]

Can someone tell me what the heaviest pills is for .308 that a 1:10 twist will handle accurately?

Don't forget it's really about length, and not actually weight.

e.g. Just because it shoots a 180gr flat base soft point, doesn't mean it will shoot a long 180gr hollow-point boat tail.

Just an example, but you get the idea...

[ebr love]

Don't forget it's really about length, and not actually weight.

e.g. Just because it shoots a 180gr flat base soft point, doesn't mean it will shoot a long 180gr hollow-point boat tail.

He speaks the truth.

Whatever a twist can theoretically handle on paper won't apply to all bullets in practice.

Once you've got a weight in mind, proper load testing will be required and you may find you have to go down a step or two in weight.

Match style rounds in particular as mentioned above will likely be the ones that give you grief.

[Lorgar]

e.g. Just because it shoots a 180gr flat base soft point, doesn't mean it will shoot a long 180gr hollow-point boat tail.

Yup yup.

I tried 185gr Berger hunting VLD's in my 1:10 twist Ruger and it shot about 8" groups

[6mmdasher]

You guys should look up Match rifle shooting! We shoot 200's to 210 sierras with 308's with 1:10 twist, long barrels, High pressure but out to 1200 yards!

[Lorgar]

To be honest I'm not bothered with trying anything heavier again.

My .308 is for hunting and I have a 150grain load with SST's and one with Pro hunters and they both shoot under 0.8"

Just about all my shooting is 300m, no need for a 1,200m performance pill

[Warrigul]

You guys should look up Match rifle shooting! We shoot 200's to 210 sierras with 308's with 1:10 twist, long barrels, High pressure but out to 1200 yards!

And I have never seen so many stuffed cases, blown primer pockets etc etc, don't get me wrong I enjoy watching and respect match rifle competitors but I ALWAYS stand well back from the firing line.

Definate at the edge stuff and always pushing the known limits.

Keep it up.

[chickapow]

Keep it up.

Keep it up, ooooover there!

[6mmdasher]

Kurl asked the question what is the heaviest pill that he can shoot in a 308 with a 1:10 twist barrel.

200 grainers will work in a std 308 but the velocity obtained would only be around 2500 fps, no where near the 2750fps plus obtained when using long throats and 30 inch barrels in match rifles using the thinnest brass (Winchester) and pushing things to the limits.

I shot match rifle for a few years and very rarely did you see any blown primers! Why would you want to shoot anything heavier than 150 gr at Australian soft skinned game apart from Sambar and buffalo! The recoil generated by launching heavy 30 pills isn't for everyone either.

Cheers

[chacka]

Why would you want to shoot anything heavier than 150 gr at Australian soft skinned game apart from Sambar and buffalo! The recoil generated by launching heavy 30 pills isn't for everyone either.

If you've got a rifle that's purely for hunting which you'll only be firing once or twice on a trip if you find some game, that's one thing.

I know a few guys who shoot 180-2000gr pills from .308 and 30-06 sporter rifles and after doing 50-60 at the range they won't shut up about their shoulders aching