.308/7.62 ammo selection

[mark5pt56]

So, looking to reduce inventory of ammo type in a couple calibers. I'm looking for a hunting round that is accurate to match a "match round"(FGMM/or BHI), perform well on deer and eastern sized bear(2-600 lbs) and also be a good barrier round.

Anyone have any good data on stuff they've tried?

Realistically, 800 yards max on the .308 and 600 for the 5.56

I would like to stay at the 165-175 grain range in .308 and 62-77 on the 5.56, have 1n7 twist 5.56 guns.

Right now, going to work on the .308 and the 5.56 next(5.56 not for "hunting")

Mark

[Detmongo]

for the 08 you could look into hornaday a-max. i've seen a few deer and one bear (about 350 lbs.) hit with them. all one shot kills, it does tear them up a bit. don't know how it will work on barriers.

[Detmongo]

sorry mark,
just thought about this, if you are going to handload look into barnes X bullets. they have a few different types so you have to figure witch will work for you.

[Gutshot John]

I don't have any personal data, but in asking the EXACT same question here and also to a few sniper associates (who also hunt) one round kept getting mentioned, not necessarily as a first choice since everyone had favorites, but often as their second or third...

Hornady .308 TAP LE Barrier 165gr.

I should have some data on my gun in the next few weeks.

[JStor]

I'd take a look at the 165 grain Sierra HP. It is nearly as accurate as their 168 gr. Match bullet in some rifles, and it is designed to be used for hunting. That means it is a harder bullet than a regular match bullet and will retain weight while penetrating better. Sierra also indicates it is a tougher bullet than their 165 gr. Gameking which is a soft point. Test with Varget or Winchester 748. Reloder 15 is another good powder for these.

[mark5pt56]

I'd take a look at the 165 grain Sierra HP. It is nearly as accurate as their 168 gr. Match bullet in some rifles, and it is designed to be used for hunting. That means it is a harder bullet than a regular match bullet and will retain weight while penetrating better. Sierra also indicates it is a tougher bullet than their 165 gr. Gameking which is a soft point. Test with Varget or Winchester 748. Reloder 15 is another good powder for these.

I need to find some of these factory loaded and maybe get the components thereafter and make pratice rounds. Are those Shp's in a factory loading?

I was looking at the interbond, but it's not loaded in .308, just the 30-06

I'll have to pick up some various 165's and test them out for accuracy out of a few sticks. I would like to keep whatever in the below $30 per box, closer to 20 if I can.

I did shoot my son's 150 grn fusions in one HB stick and they were 3/4" 5 shot. I would have got the 165's but they didn't have them when I needed them for the season. I did notice they where one load mentioned in Doc's thread

[Bimmer]

I was looking at the interbond, but it's not loaded in .308, just the 30-06


AFAIK, Hornady's SST is also bonded, and it IS available in .308/7.62...

Bimmer

[JStor]

Sorry...I did the posting before I realized you were looking for factory only ammunition. About the only thing you can do is "test" a variety as each barrel is an individual when it comes to loads. Good luck to you.

[mark5pt56]

Well, ordered this to start, will pick up some Fusions in .223 and .308 and start testing them for accuracy. Any insite on which .308 may be the best overall in regards to on target performance?(balance of hunting/target/long range target) I would like the accuracy to be sub moa, moa being the threshold. If the better on target performer happens to be moa and a lesser sub-moa, I will take the performance. Obviously, the accuracy test would be with the "match guns" All .308's are bolt guns and 5.56 are gas -and 5.56 chambered in 1n7".

Mark

.308 Hornady LE IBTAP BARRIER 165gr. SP Ammo (80995)
5.56 Hornady TAP 75gr. BTHP T2 Ammo (8126N)
.223 Federal LE Tactical TRU 64gr. SP Ammo (T223L)
.223 Hornady LEO 62gr. TAP Barrier Ammo (83285)
.308 Hornady TAP FPD 168gr. Ammo (80968)
.308 Hornady LE TAP 168gr. BTHP Ammo (80975)
.308 Hornady LE A-MAX Match TAP 168gr. Ammo (80965)

[DocGKR]

While fragmenting loads are great for lighter game and varmints you want to eliminate, non-fragmenting, deep penetrating rounds are preferred by many folks when hunting game one wants to ingest...

For .308, look at the barrier blind ammo in this thread: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19878

For 5.56 mm, look at the barrier blind loads here: https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19881

[mark5pt56]

The above stuff isn't in yet, but I found Fed prem w/165 accubond, Winchester 168 ballistic silvertips and some fed 165 fusions. I'll go tomorrow and freeze me arse off. :cool:

[mark5pt56]

Well, So far tested the Fed 165 accubond and the W BST.

Fed 165 accubond averaged 2625 for 10 shots, 35 degrees. Accuracy was good, three groups at 100, .75 .75 .64, 300 yard was .90 moa(2.70") Did 5 shots each time, rifle is 700 w/20" barrel, Surefire FH AICS stage 2. ( counted all shots, even the 300 yard with 10mph cross wind-you could see the slight horizontal spread)

Wnichester was erratic, had flyers in each group, unexplained ones.

Fusions were about 2 moa-no go.

Waiting on Black Hills Gold 180 Accubond and have the Hornady IB barrier(165) (IB-Interbond). I hope to hit the range soon.

Mark