I have a small problem,
I have just purchased a new sako model 85 synthetic stock with stainless steel barrel action i n .308 calibre, i have a wildcat moderator. to reduce the noise level.

I have just loaded my first batch of ammunition, and have settled on 40 grains of Vihtavuori V-N 140 powder as i am getting under 1 inch groups at 100 yards. with this load.

Ammunition make up, norma cases, cci primer, hornady 150 grn sst heads,with 40 grn v-n140 powder.

I am going to be red deer hind culling in scotland later this month, has anybody used a similar bullet make up for this purpose, as i do not want to be in the position of wounding the deer if the ammunition does not have enoufgh velocity.

Regards,
mft135.

gday mate
welcome to the site! Grab a beer and sit near the fire..
Us Ozians is in the middle of summer right now so we'll move away from the fire.

You have a great load /gun combination!!
As you are getting under 1 inch group in 100 yards, you should not have any problem to place shots at the lung or heart of a deer even head shots would be a possible.

I presume 40grains of any powder will bring the projectile above 2500fps..
I found that they drop with a lot lower velocity (I am shooting subsonics) with the right placement.

So, I do think the combo is good enough.
The question is, are you?

If you're getting less than 1 inch groups at 100 yards it indicates your velocity is sufficient. I've not found slow loads out of a .308 Win. to be that accurate.

The Lee manual shows a max load of 40.8 grains of v-N140 with a 150 gr bullet in the .308. Velocity with that load is around 2560 ft/sec. That's toward the low end of the loads listed, velocity wise.

Thanks for all the reply's Guy's, it has been a great help. I will post my results with a few pictures after my trip at the endf of the month.

Regards,
mft 135

Welcome to the HuntingNut. I have never tried that powder for the .308 but Varget will give ya great velocities and is very accurate in my .308 good luck with the Red Deer
Joe

i use 44.5 grs imr4064 getting .3's with 168 bthp and cci br2 primers with r p nickel brass @100 yds have shepherd scope on it

I'm new to this site, and thought I'd see if anyone has a pet 308 load I can use for my SA M1A. Will be using mil brass and 150 gr Sierra Matchkings with CCI primers, mostly for plinkin with open sights. I have IMR 4895 and Varget on hand, but can try anything. I've heard that I should full length size because its a semi auto. Any thoughts? I see the post re; IMR 4065 and 165 gr bthp's and will try that also. I am aware that mil brass holds less water and will reduce starting loads accordingly. I have loaded pistol rounds of all cal's for 25 years, but am new to CF rifle. Sorry for the long post. rm

Welcome about Doc. If you haven't already done so, grab a beer, pull up a stump and sit awhile.

I don't load .308 myself, but there are many here that do, so take the weight off mate and someone will be along shortly. There are a number of M1A officiandos here so you will be well looked after.

Cheers, Vince

I loaded some .308 with 40grs of win748 and my springfield m14 m1a or whatever you choose to call it cycled fine.When I bumped the powder up to 45grs it did not cycle.???oh , I used 150 gr bullets and it is a brand new gun.

What is wrong with the time on this site.it says it is 8:00 and it is only 3:30.I live on the east coast

Leesczesny wrote:

What is wrong with the time on this site.it says it is 8:00 and it is only 3:30.I live on the east coast

Go to your account settings ( preferences ) and put in the correct time zone.
Joe

Had the same problem out of my M1a. they are finicky. If you want to shoot a lot of handloads(which is all i shoot) id invest in a NM piston assembly. This allows you to shoot "hot" or large bullet slow powder loads without bending your op rod. Im shooting 190SMK's at about 2650 fps all day long out of mine. Also invest in a GI ejector, ejector spring and extractor (about 25$ from sarco) You will see your brass in thrown more consistent and no shove piping fired brass if you ever use a scope. I load a lot of 308's everything from subsonics to hard cast 150 gr up to 200 gr and use them all in my M1a. I got loads to cycle all but the subs.

David

fed match large rifle, lapua brass, 168 smk, 43g rl15 also a load similiar is listed in sierra's as the accuracy load this isn't hot at all in my gun and groups @ .5" all the time

I am currently loading 165 grain bullets in front of 46 grains of 748 in my M1A. This load is giving excellent accuracy, and 748 meters well through measures.