125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

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125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by Member-Deleted » 07 May 2019, 12:54 pm

I was disappointed with my Howa 308 - shooting a variety of 150gr factory and hand loads had mediocre accuracy and a fair kick through the light weight Hogue rubber stock. I was debating whether to get a Boyd stock and bed the action etc. or just move it on and downsize. i was even looking at the Grendel. Then my favourite gun store had the Sierra 125gr Pro-hunter on sale and I thought "why not". I made up a few different loads and tested them on the weekend. All gave me sub-MOA 3 shot groups with much less perceived recoil.

the best load was also the smallest charge - 45 grains of AR2206H in an ADI case, CCI primer. i didn't chrono but the ADI manual suggest's i'd be getting 2800 fps at the muzzle. I keep to shots under 300m [most 150m or less] so performance past 300m is not an issue, and the trajectory up to 300m is pretty flat, for a 308.

i'll be using these on largish pigs (no deer in my neck of the woods) and other lighter skinned ferals if the opportunity presents while i'm out in the paddock. I read they're a stout little bullet that shouldn't blow up at those speeds. Anyone use them? i know i could go heavier [150 or 165s] and i've read some people say the 308 does well with the heavier bullets but if these will do the business on a pig i won't need to.

the worst and best groups photos should be rotated 90 degrees clockwise. ignore the 4th hole - not a flyer - it was my first fouling shot with a 150gr round i had in my box.
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by SCJ429 » 07 May 2019, 6:23 pm

Sierra make some great projectiles and if it is working for you, why not. Probably not the ideal weight for large pigs but if you take high percentage shots at moderate ranges it should work well. Are you going to try any other pills around the 125 weight?
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 07 May 2019, 6:35 pm

Have you tried any of the 168g zmax shoot real good with 2208. My go to for pigs rabits and foxes lol.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by JimTom » 07 May 2019, 6:56 pm

AZZA'S HJ47 wrote:Have you tried any of the 168g zmax shoot real good with 2208. My go to for pigs rabits and foxes lol.


I have a box of those to try once I exhaust my supplies of 178ELDX. I currently load AR2208 with the 178gr however was going to give AR2206H a go with the 168gr Zmax.
On that recommendation I shall try AR2208 too.
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 07 May 2019, 7:04 pm

42g of 2208 with the 168g zmax have shot some great groups at 300 amd its also at the lower end of the powder charge side of things.

One thing that helped me with my 1500 was to bed the front lug and also the rear of the reciever. This made a massive improvement as to when i first shot the rifle.
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by JimTom » 07 May 2019, 7:08 pm

Nice mate thanks for the info. I tend to load at the lighter end of the spectrum aso.
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by Blr243 » 07 May 2019, 7:54 pm

No recoil and accurate. Done deal Keep it simple
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by TassieTiger » 07 May 2019, 7:58 pm

No recoil? Booolrrrriiinnnngggg
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by SCJ429 » 07 May 2019, 8:09 pm

I think he means less recoil which is easier to manage.
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by AZZA'S HJ47 » 07 May 2019, 8:27 pm

My load isnt intentionally on the lower end its just what i have found to shoot well. I have 150s for that lol
Sako Varmint 243,Marlin 917, Lithgow La101 .22 , 1917 BSA 303 (ted), Finnish Vkt 1944 M39,T3X Super Varmint 223, Marlin 1895 SBL 45-70 Howa 1500 308, BSA CF2 222, 1911 9mm, Adler 12G, Sako 7mm rem Mag,Ruger m77 mk1 22-250AI, Rem 700 17 Rem, BSA No 5 303
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by bigfellascott » 07 May 2019, 9:38 pm

SCJ429 wrote:Sierra make some great projectiles and if it is working for you, why not. Probably not the ideal weight for large pigs but if you take high percentage shots at moderate ranges it should work well. Are you going to try any other pills around the 125 weight?


The 130gn Speers work well on pigs (this one felt like a grenade went off inside it it was that mushy and busted up) I shot it through the shoulder/spine area at around 150m shooting from the top of a mountain, it was a bang flop shot so was happy with that. :thumbsup:

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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by JimTom » 08 May 2019, 6:34 am

bigfellascott wrote:
SCJ429 wrote:Sierra make some great projectiles and if it is working for you, why not. Probably not the ideal weight for large pigs but if you take high percentage shots at moderate ranges it should work well. Are you going to try any other pills around the 125 weight?


The 130gn Speers work well on pigs (this one felt like a grenade went off inside it it was that mushy and busted up) I shot it through the shoulder/spine area at around 150m shooting from the top of a mountain, it was a bang flop shot so was happy with that. :thumbsup:

Image



Nice one mate. I used the 130gr Hp Speers and found they worked well at ranges of 150m and beyond. Found them to be a bit frangible when used at closer range shots on pigs. Understandable considering the speed they’re doing and they’re a hollow point.
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by Member-Deleted » 08 May 2019, 6:35 am

thanks for the input fellas. i haven't tried any other 125 grain projs but might give the SSTs a try since a few on here swear by them. the 130 Speers look promising - I do like the 70gr Speers in my 223 - I haven't gone heavier than 150s through the 308 - i might be missing out on a whole new level but I think I've stumbled onto the right mix for my 1500, accurate and easy doing.
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Re: 125gr Sierra Pro Hunter for 308

Post by straightshooter » 08 May 2019, 7:39 am

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It is easy to become dumbfounded with the diversity of opinions on calibers and loads.
Over the years I have used a 308 shooting Hornady 123 .311 soft point projectiles on numerous pigs of various sizes without failures when the shot was accurately placed.
They were bought long ago in bulk and were cheap.
Accuracy, measured my way, is acceptable but unlikely to impress any armchair experts.
"Anything is possible if you don't know what you are talking about."
"There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking." Sir Joshua Reynolds
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