Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 308 Caliber Varmint Rifles?

I've been looking lately for another varmint rifle and find myself puzzled over what I've been finding. I primarily shoot big bore levers, so I haven't been paying much attention to the varmint offerings. My Rem 700 ADL has been doing fine for some time now, but it needs a teammate. But can anyone explain why so many varmint rifles are chambered for the 308 Win? I understand the 223 and 22-250, but these are often paired up with the 308. It's not like they are heavy barreled long range rifles, but rather sporter weight. Combining the 22's with a 243 or 222 would seem to make a lot more sense to me, or am I missing something?

No.

For the gent on the go,a 308 tends to make alotta sense.

Very few other chamberings(if ANY) have received as much R&D in the Factory Fodder Department and it can be capably fed over the counter,in ways other chamberings can only dream of.

Is that enough of a nudge to sway me to the 308? Nope. But I've a herd of them anyhow.

Logistics keep the 308 near the top of multiple niches and once you're established in enough niches,you suddenly become widely accepted.

That'd be the beauty of the 308..................

The guys I know that shoot varmit rifles in .308 usually are long range target shooters or LR hunters of some kind.
Over on the Long Range Forum, the guys with experience tell us that the .308 has two sterling qualities. They work on deer class critters to 750 yds., and you can shoot them 8000 rds. before they need a new barrel.
To really learn and stay current in the long range game(s) you need to shoot alot. There are many choice of loads and ammo, some of it very cheap, that shoot really well in the .308. How about cheap Remington UMC ammo that groups .5 MOA out of a stock varmit weight Remington .308. My own Remington VSSF shoots groups like .87 (.3 MOA) at 300 yds. or about 6 inches from a sitting position @ 540 yds. with my handloads.
So it's a cheap, poor man's target rifle that works well and fills the needs of those of use that like to hit things way out there.
.22's, on the other hand, aren't near as much fun. Their bullets blow around in the wind lots more and they don't hit near as hard as the heavier .308 slugs. E

OK, I guess that makes sense. I just didn't see it before.

The thought of scoring ammo for $99 per 1000,ain't a bad thing either.

My VSSF 308 and LTR,both do very well on that diet...................

While this may not look like fun.



Trust me...it IS.................

Stick,
Very nice picture, I can't keep myself from smiling. Yeah, that looks like fun.

I tore the 4.5-14x M1 off the LTR and went 3.5-10x M3.

Suprisingly,the supplied 168 cam,tracks the milsurp Chinkwanese Ball very nicely to the 550yd line. A guy cain't win the SuperShoot with said combo,but I'd not wanna be a Thang either.

Understand that I'm NOT a 308 Man,but she's nuttin' to sneeze at.........................

Ah, Stick. Thou art a seductive devil. And here I thought you only owned one .308, a VSFS which had only been left alone because shooting that cheap stuff was so much fun and easy. You hinted broadly, way back then, that the round did nothing for you. Further more, just as soon as you burned out the barrel of said rifle she was going to become a proper 7-08. The trouble was burning out the barrel on your then lone .308 hadn't gone as planned. It just kept shooting.
Now I see you've aquired a few more. Some people just can't be trusted. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> E

My love for the 7-08 is no secret,that passion continues. My love for the 308,is none,in comparison.

BUT,the 308's logistics alone,are very compelling,as they largely always have been. The recent transition with multiple Nations sorta getting away from the 308 as their MBR,has made it even cheaper than "usual" to feed one in milsurp style.

The practical side of me,combats the prideful side into submission,with the allure of non-corrosive boxer primed ammo at $99 per 1K.

I only load for a single 308 and it's a Rock barreled,A5 wearin',MK4 M1 10x wieldin' Bad Boy.

Push come to shove,I'll grab the heavy Lilja barreled A5 Red/White/Blue Magoo 7-08,for serious pursuits. Sure the above 308 shoots exceptionally well...but it ain't no 7-08!

Gotta Love The Seven......................

..the most fun you can have by yourself with all your clothes on <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

HBB