Lorgar wrote:I got rid of my .308 a while ago and have forgotten the loads exactly. All were done with AR2208 and 3/4 - max load though according to ADI data. All shot in my Ruger when I had it. The one's that worked well for me were...
Hornady 150gr SST.
'Ballistic tip' style projectile. Accurate, I think about .8" group. Good BC goat tail, so good for longer shots. Priced ok.
Sierra 150gr Pro-Hunters.
Soft point. Just as accurate as the SST's in my rifle. Flat base bullet so really intended for 300m ish shooting... Slightly better weight retention than the SST? That's a bit subjective though so take that with a grain of salt. Great priced projectiles.
Nosler 180gr Accubonds.
This was actually for Sambar, not pigs. They do 125gr, 150gr and 165gr Accubonds too so you might prefer one of those weights but I used the 180gr so that's what I'll talk about.
Accubonds are top bullets. The weight retention of them is awesome. I've pulled shot Accubonds out of the back of tree stumps at 50m and they were just about a 180gr mushroom where others were less bullet and more shrapnel at that range. In that sense they're the best hunting bullets I've used.
Downside... They're terribly expensive. About $1.10 per bullet. TBH they're overkill for most Australian hunting though, IMO. That aside though if you want a good hunting bullet, they're definitely up to the task.
Nosler 150gr Ballstic Tips.
Same as above except without the bonding. Good accuracy, decent retention, good range. You don't get the mushroom souvenirs afterwards but they're half the price. Much the same as the SSTs.
If I have to pick one, I'd probably say the Pro-Hunters first, Accubonds if you're not shooting heaps and can afford the extra $ for them.
2c.
Great post, thanks Lorgar.
There's some stuff in there you don't get reading the manufactures blurb.
On the pro hunters there's some advantage in being a flat based bullet. They are heavier for their length and also tend to stabilise quicker when fired meaning they can perform better on game at closer ranges.
As I said at the start of this thread I tested a bunch of .308 bullets but none of them impressed, particularly compared to my 7-08. Simply a matter of more testing required in sure but also my .308 is a hunting gun, not a target gun like my 7-08 so 1.5moa is probably plenty good enough.
Chronos
post edited to change SST to Pro hunters