Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Question on a couple of .308 loads

A buddy of mine had a few recipes that worked in his 5r so we decided to try them in my 700 with 20' shilen select match 1:10 twist.

His Loads:

1) Nosler 125 green tip, 47 gr H322, Rem brass, 3180 fps
2) 155 palma, 43.8 gr benchmark, Rem brass 2766 fps
3) 165's, ?????

Most of my hunting is within 300-400 yards. He has shown me some pics of the 125's doing impressive damage at 300 yards on whitetail. So we loaded up a some to give them a try. He also had some 165's, but his dog knocked over the chrono (go figure) so we didn't get any velocity data, but groups are amazing.

3 shot group at 200 yards:

1) 125's - .625"
2) 155's - .750"
3) 165's - .730"

Considering the starting point of his rifle was damn near spot on with mine was nice. We did try to bump up the charge but noticed pressure signs, so went back to his load and pressure signs went away. But what is surprising to both of us is that no matter the pill we shoved down its throat, is ran em all with nice groups. I haven't tried to go any heaver, but in looking at his pics of the 125's damage, i see no need to. Which lead me to a few questions.

1) What is the maximun effective range of those Nosler 125 BTs? He has killed deer at 300 yards before with his 5R, but what is effective max range.
2) I have read DO's and DON'Ts as far as using 155 palma for hunting rounds.
3) Considering the sub-MOA groups at 200 yards, at what point is their normally a "shift" or is there a shift in MOA accuracy?

I have read where loads drive tacks out to 300 yards and then get squerrly and start opening up alot, But what the hell do I know, this is all new to me.

A simple answer to your question on accuracy would be to shoot them at 400. Sounds like you can do that. I test my LR stuff at 300. IME, if it shoots MOA or less there, I've not had problems/surprises further out.
Of the three bullets listed, I would pick the expanding, 125-165 first. But that`s me. You can easly check retained energy and velocity for the 125`s on any good ballistic program. I use Hornadys. Presonally 1k FP energy would be minimum. YMMV.

I think you could use the 125 BT out to 500 yds and be good for putting down deer, as long as you hit it right. The ballistic gack agrees with me. You should still have about 2000fps velocity and 1100ft/lbs of energy at 500. You're looking at 3 feet of elevation correction and nearly 2 feet of hold-off per full value 10mph wind with a 200yd zero at 500yds. I see zero issue with the 125's for you for deer.

Don’t forget about the 308 Nosler 125gr Accubond. I use them in my deer rifle but cannot speak for long range performance.

95% of my shot will be within 200-300 yards, but we do take our yearly trip to Texas where of the opportunity arises, I could be out to 700. I'm a complete newb to reloading and handloads and can only go by what I have read. I did however go through the 27 pages or so of the 308 loads that is stickied, thus the few questions.

Have yiou considered trying the Lapua Scenar 155? Very accurate bullet with a good track recored on animals. 46 grains of Varget usually does the trick.

I do plan to start getting into reloading for myself. If just my buddy had everything and wanted to see what we could do with mine. I did see those scenars and have a very close BC of the palma.