Thread: 308 starter load suggestions?

Just getting back into reloading after many years of factory ammo use. Suggestions for getting going - likely only 100m range available initially, but loading for accuracy rather than terminal performance or economy. New Lapua 308 large primer brass.
Bergara HMR 24”, Ruger RPR 20”, both 1:10 twist, Blaser R93 test beds to start with. Likely sort brass to neck size after first firing.

My go to for 308 is adi 2208 and 168amax /eldm



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

44gns of 2206H pushing a 165 SST is nice comfortable, accurate load for my rifle.

AR BM 8208 is my favourite for now. Meters well, no weighing. Best for lighter projectiles. Under 155.

Really need more info before suggesting anything, like what is uour intended use ? What sort of animals or is this a paper/gong rifle ? Will you be shooting over a dog ? What sort of range do you want to shoot out to ? There are so many options

Originally Posted by dannyb

Really need more info before suggesting anything, like what is uour intended use ? What sort of animals or is this a paper/gong rifle ? Will you be shooting over a dog ? What sort of range do you want to shoot out to ? There are so many options

Paper punching at 100m on range. But if bullet versatile for red deer preferable but not essential. If the opportunity presents gong shooting to longer range say up to 500. Thanks for the suggestions.

2206h or 2208. 2208 gives a bit more speed with the 165+. Cfe223 gives a bit more speed again and is what I use in 308 and 8x57.

I shoot quite a few different projectiles in my 308 but if I was only allowed one it would be the 178gr eld-x.

its a .308 so just about any load should be good n accurate. personally Im using 748 winchester powder as it was cheap and can also use in .223 2206 is the same duel use and a great powder.
125-130grn loads are mild as heck to shoot and seem to be accurate enough.terminally AWESOME on wallabies. speer TNT 125grns wouldnt be a bad place to start.

Too many choices! Really appreciate the pooled experience. Next I’ll have to dig out the old Oehler chronograph..

why???? if you target shooting at hundy yards.....speed matters not a tiny little bit.

True dat, but having a versatile load that I could use longer range has its appeal. And knowing the velocity is part of the journey and adds interest. Curiosity I guess....

just PLEASE remember a wise man once said "many a good load has been ruined by a chronygraph"


another wise man said "if it works dont muck around with it"

the need for speed is well and good for Maverick and Goose.......not quite so much for rifle loading LOL.

16" Bergara. Got two loads I'm honing in on. On paper the 1 in 8 twist is waaaay too fast for light bullets, but I'm getting great accuracy and speed with 130gr hollowpoints using either BM8208 or AR2206H, right up at ~2900fps. And ~2800fps with 150gr ballistic tips and AR2206H (all the manufacturers seem to do a Soft Point in that weight class for a cheaper alternative though).

For a true "one load to rule them all" that's good for game out to 500m and gongs out to +800m, the 175gr TMK or 178 ELD-X with a case full of AR2208 would be tough to beat.

Thanks again for accumulated wisdom. I’m looking forward to returning to a long-lost pastime! And I also have a 16” Bergara takedown so interesting.