Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game The ideal eastern rifle - Kimber 308, 180 Sierras

Replaced my 308 this fall (thanks again to JCMCUBIC) with another Montana 308. I wanted a single load to hunt everything from deer to bear so decided to try 180's. I tried 180 horn and 180 Sierra Prohunter over Varget and Re 15. My rifle liked Re 15 under a 180 Sierra. For reference the orange square is 1". The top left is the 180 sierra/44 gr load. I shot that load twice after initial load development and all remain well under 1".



I was curious how expansion would be from the 22" barrel Kimber 308 at a sedate 2525-2550. I shot 2 deer in Pa 2 weeks back. A medium 8pt and a doe, both at ~ 50-60 yards. I only caught one bullet. This was from a front facing into the brisket. I found it back by the right ham. Penetrated 2 feet of deer or so. I'd say pretty text book. It retained 78% of its weight. I'd not hesitate on about anything in the east with that rifle/load combo. In fact, my previous 308 was headed to Montana for sneaking around in the timber. The Montana 308 has become one of my favorite rifles.

I wouldn't change----looks perfect.

Excellent!

I’ve yet to have a 308 MT that didn’t shoot 180’s really, really well. I run them around 2,630.

You can get a 180 in a 308 going that fast? I had no idea. Of course, in my only 308, a Springfield SOCOM M1A1 I'm lucky to get 2600 out of 150gr factory ammo. Gotta love that 16" barrel.

I haven't been without a 308 for 30 years. Currently own two. Always used 180gr Hornady SPs but have 200 RN that I need to use up.

Bullets barely clear the muzzle if you take it west of the Mississippi!

I like the Western rifle you posted as well, just keep 'em separated and make sure they know their place.

...grin...

My Montana shoots 165 grain Speer BTSP over varget under an in for 3

Nice Bill!

My 7-08 Montana fills the same role. It shoots 145 & 160 Speer GS's very well with no scope adjustment needed.

Does anyone have game experience with 180 Speer HC's out of the .308?

Nice. I like it a lot. Quite a few Kimbers hitting the Classifieds. Good reminder here that these rifles do in fact shoot well.

Killed a few deer with those 180 Pro-hunters moving 2600 out of a 760 30-06, always got an exit on broadside shots. Deer usually went 30-40 steps and fell over dead. No excessive bullet fragmentation. Also very accurate like most of Sierra's offerings.

My 84 Mt. Ascent in 308 loves Federal Fusion 180s.

I've been toying with the idea of getting a Montana. Been leaning toward the 280AI,but folks here keep making a case for the 308. I'm well heeled in both for components. Bought 250 Speer 180 RN a while back. Hardly ideal,but boy do they look cool. Nice shooting bwinters.

You need both!

I like the way you think.

I'm not really kidding. I have both........... <G>

I've been shooting 178 ELD-X's out of my 22" 308's at about 2620 fps with 44.5 gr of Varget. The 18" Ruger Predator shoots them at about 2575. Accuracy has been excellent. I have RL-15, but haven't felt any need to experiment further.

Take any game with that bullet? If so,how did it do?

If your post is to me - I posted a recovered bullet in my original post. I shot 2 deer with that load/bullet. Both performed admirably and resulted in 2 very dead deer in short order. As opposed to semi-dead deer <G>

I was actually asking about the 178 ELD X JMR40 mentioned. I should have copied his post. My bad. I am however impressed with the performance of the Pro Hunter in your pic. They have been an accurate and deadly bullet for me. Before I got all jacked up on the new premium stuff.