I'll start this post admitting that I am a hunter first and foremost and not into target competition or extreme long range ballistic gack, but like most others on this forum, I like a really accurate hunting load. This post is for those who want a really good flat shooting and accurate 308 win load. Try 53.5 gr of Hodgon's CFE-223 with the 130 gr Barnes TTSX. I used Hornady brass and BR-2 primers, seated to 2.810" and got the best 5 shot group I have ever gotten with this 7-2# scoped, sporter hunting rifle. My tripod fell apart on me last weekend so I wasn't able to chrony, but per Hodgdon's data it should be at least 3150 fps in my 23" barrel. I've shot quite a few 130, 150 and 165 gr loads through this rifle - and it is a very consistent 1-1.25" rifle with just about anything you put in it, with a couple of pet loads getting down less than 0.75" (3 shot groups). Yesterday, I decided that the 130 gr TTSX was it with this rifle this year and shot a very nice 5 shot group with the above load using WW brass. For some reason, this gun just seems to like Hornady brass so today I tried the same load only using Horn and was very pleased to see two straight 5 shot groups less than 0.50". Best this gun has ever done, and the consistency and repeatability is that confidence booster we all like. If you are looking for a good deer (or elk for that matter) load, give it a try. I bet it will work for you too.
