What factory load for my new Remington 700 .308?

I will eventually be handloading but am wanting a good accurate load to do some shooting with. I just ordered (and hope to have in a week) my new Remington 700 AAC-SD in .308 caliber and has a 1 in 10 twist. I will be doing some long range P-Dog shooting, target shooting, and probably this fall some Deer hunting. I don't have a lot of time to do a bunch of testing for a reload round for the rifle at this point and am looking for a factory load that I "hope" to be impressed with and that won't break the bank on a per box basis. I have read some fairly good things about the 168 gr HP-BT - Federal Premium Sierra Match King Gold Medal. Any thoughts? Thanks for any input!!

Federal Gold Medal is always a good place to start. It always seems to do well in all 308's. My only change to your plan would be to switch to the 175gr load, as it will be a bit better in the wind. And with all the reloading data available online for the 308, I doubt you would have to do much of a load work-up at all...

Edited by cheaptrick - May/05/2012 at 06:06

cheaptrick wrote: For when you start reloading..... I'd also check out Black Hills factory ammo, along with the Federal Bill recommended.

I think Varget is a great choice to start also!  I am a fairly big fan of it.  I currently us it in my 22-250 with my 55g V-Max's.  I will look into the Black Hills and Federal for my .308!  Thanks guys!!

I'll be the odd ball here, I wouldn't shoot a deer with match kings or target bullets, unless your making head shots.  I'd find something with a hunting bullet in it and go from there.  I've had good accuracy results with 150 nosler AB's in my sps tac which is basically the same gun.

SVT_Tactical wrote: I'll be the odd ball here, I wouldn't shoot a deer with match kings or target bullets, unless your making head shots.  I'd find something with a hunting bullet in it and go from there.  I've had good accuracy results with 150 nosler AB's in my sps tac which is basically the same gun.

explain please...
 
I know "I" have shot and killed (DRT) with many match/target bullets ranging from 22-250 to 338RUM. I'm just curious to your findings or if you get your conclusion from the net somewhere. Not starting a bitching war just want more info for myself and the fellow who started this thread.

I've never shot a deer or any other animal other than a head shot with a match bullet but by design they are not ment to expand as effectively as a hunting bullet.  I wouldnt want a Kansas Bruiser (OP was in Kansas) to not be found because a hunting bullet failed to expand and only left two .30 cal holes in him to track down.  Just my opinion not based on use.   I just think I'd use a purpose built bullet to hunt with not a target bullet.

SVT_Tactical wrote: I've never shot a deer or any other animal other than a head shot with a match bullet but by design they are not ment to expand as effectively as a hunting bullet.  I wouldnt want a Kansas Bruiser (OP was in Kansas) to not be found because a hunting bullet failed to expand and only left two .30 cal holes in him to track down.  Just my opinion not based on use.   I just think I'd use a purpose built bullet to hunt with not a target bullet.

 I thought a match or target bullet expanded more violently than that of a hunting bullet as the jacket is somewhat thinner and the core is softer. The hunting bullets have heaver jackets and a more solid lead base for the bullet to open but not shear apart (explode). So if what you say is true the hunting bullet would leave a 30cal hole in and out? is this correct? In "MY" test/hunting kills or what ever you would like to call it. I have noticed a 30cal accubond left a 30cal hole in and a 30cal to 40cal hole on exit, now a Berger at same FPS made a 30cal in and a baseball/golf ball sized exit. This was also true with nosler comp bullets as they are natch/target bullets. this ranges in animals from a yote to elk. I have not shot an elk but I load for a guy who has shot many of them.

I have always been told not to use match bullets to hunt deer with however this past season I was to busy to work up a hunting load so I went with my long range 168 grain AMAX load. It performed flawlessly. Typically the jacket is thinner on a match bullet therefore it is does not retain it's mass or can fragment. This could be a serious issue with a smaller cal bullet like a .224. But we are talking about a 30 cal bullet here weighing 150 to 178 grains. If you can't kill a deer with that much lead somthings wrong!!!

Well there you go, I've never used them in practice just reading and going by what all the bullet manufacturers say.

SVT_Tactical wrote: Well there you go, I've never used them in practice just reading and going by what all the bullet manufacturers say.

Just messing with ya, that is the a losing debait no matter what side your on. I like both and have used both and both have did what they were meant to do. Its one own preference.

Well I feel like

A few quick things:

And my favorite 308 loads are all running Varget.

Rancid Coolaid wrote: And my favorite 308 loads are all running Varget.

my go to 308 powder.

I tried Varget, but I get better results with Win. 748, but temperture is not an issue for the most part either.

WOW, a lot of good information to digest.  Thanks guys!  Btw, I do plan on taking this .308 with me pdog hunting, although I do not plan to shoot it a lot, thus I'm not too worried about the expense.  I will be doing prob 90% of my pdog shooting with my .204, .223, and 22-250.  The .308 will mainly be used on this hunt as a "change of pace" gun. 

Anybody have any thoughts how my 1/10 twist is gonna compare to the 1/12 twist .308's?  If my research is correct....  most of Remington's .308's are 1/12.  The description says that I should be able to shoot a heavier bullet more accurately.  By the information i've gathered, I will probably start reloading with a bullet in the 150-168gr range.  I like to keep things simple and would like to develop a load/round that is as accurate as possible but is a catch all round (i.e. possible a Hornady Amax bullet that will be impressive at the range, will put on a nice show when connecting with Mr. Pdog, and also be fatal on the whitetails.  If it would be best to do a couple different loads the is OK also. 

Thanks again for all the good info!!  ;-)

The 308 on P-Dogs might be disappointing. as it will just poke a hole thru even with match/target bullets. You need something to blast them with like the other you mentioned. sure it will kill them but not in the "SPLAT" way the others will. If you can load a really light bullet in it you may get the splat if the bullet dose not spin apart for the 1-10 twist. You should be able to shoot a 20ogr bullet from the 308 with that twist. I wouldn't go higher than a 175-180. 

Here is some fodder for the target bullets/hunting bullets debate.

For your intended use I would probably start with a box of federal blue box 150gr. and then try some of the other std offerings from remington,winchester,etc. for the game you mentioned std C&C bullets are more than adequate and if they shoot good in your rifle which is very likely why buy premium ammo for $40 a box when you can get the std fodder at walmart for $15-20. My stevens 200 which cost < $200 shoots federal blue box ammo to about 1 moa stock out of the box.

http://georgia-arms.com/308win-1.aspx
 
 
here ya go. give them a call or email and you ammo needs will be filled.

I'll second RC with the Amaxs. They let you go 1 bullet mode. 1:10 twist will give you the option to go heavier on bullet selection. The draw back? With light bullets like Vmaxs you'll spin them apart with the velocity most push to. Litz recommends a stablity factor of 2-3 above or below that things can get squerrelly. I've seen guys run 208 amaxs at 1.3 an still be pounding the 10 ring a 1K but odds are against it.   I run 178s and 208s excusively out of mine.   YMMV.