Thread: "Feather in my hat" 308win Featherweight load development

With the Finnbear all but sorted, I prepped up some Sako 308win brass for my crush from Connecticut my Winchester Featherweight I have lusted after one of these gorgeous rifles since first laying eyes on one when @Ryan_Songhurst showed me a 270win version (i think it was a Jack O'Conner limited edition version) for reference i totally blame you Ryan
Anyway I'd love to have one in 30-06 controlled round feed but one cannot be fussy about these things and when a beautiful 308win push feed came up for a sharp price i couldn't resist.
It took a few weeks to get the planets to align to finally get her home but finally she's in my hands and I'm even more stoked after holding it and seeing it in person.
It's no collector piece but in good used condition.
Anyway i could rabbit on for ages but this is a load development thread



I have decided to try 165gn speer btsp's over ADI2208 in Sako brass, i originally bought these for the BLR but the twist rate was marginal at best, so kept them for future to use in my Lupo 308 if i ran out of it's usual flavour.

Anyway this is not intended to be a long range hunting rifle, I have set in up with Monarch 3 2-8x32 scope for closer action.
I'm gonna try and get lucky with my load development for this and will start at SAAMI spec with the rounds seated to 2.8" COAL.
Haven't measured the lands just gonna chuck a charge ladder down range and see what comes
If it shoots under an inch with good ES with any of my ladder loads I'll call it done.....if not I'll delve into my bag of tricks and tutu a load.
I already know it likes the 168gn eldm load i shoot in the Lupo as the only group I've shot with it, it shot them into a 1" 3 shot group with a slightly higher velocity than the Lupo, whilst still maintaining a good ES of about 12fps (granted only over 3 rounds).
I spent the last couple days annealing, prepping and loading my cases so hopefully the weather is suitable tomorrow and i can get into it.