In Dec my wonderful wife bought me a T/C Compass in 308 for Christmas because I had expressed a desire for a truck gun that I didn't have to worry about getting beat up. I had a Nikon 4x scope laying around that I put on it and spent the next couple of months rounding up loading components. I had never had a 308 so I needed everything except primers. Normally I do nearly all my shooting with a 7mm Mag and a 9.3x62 Mauser and most of that powder isn't suggested for the 308 so I had a time getting some Varget but did finally scrounge some up. Rounded up 4 or 5 different bullets and loaded up nearly 20 different loads to test at the range, I found the load:

130 gr Barnes TTSX (I know I spelled Barnes wrong on the target), 44.3 grs of Varget and a Fed LR primer. That is a 100 yard group. I got one nearly as good with a Hornady 150 gr SP and 44.5 grs of Varget. Now to load up at least 50 of each and I'm ready to test the rifle on some whitetail does this fall.

Cheers Y'All

I like the 130TTSX, so that'll work! Good to know you also have a cheaper load that works nicely as well.

Great load and excellent rifle. You will likely find it shoots factory ammo extremely well also.

A friend bought a Compass last year before deer season. It’s a shooting s.o.b.


The 130 ttsx is quite the bullet.

I’m gonna have to try that load, use 150 GameKings in my rifles.

Now it's time to confirm that load and see if its repeatable.

They kill the hell out of pigs at 300 Savage speeds.

Sounds like you have an accurate rifle. Try some other bullets, bet they’re accurate too.

I have been shooting whitetails with the 130 TSX for 8 or 9 years now. I'm using 49 grains which is Barnes max now with T/TSX back then it was 52 with TSX and the same components and pretty much the same velocity.

You're going to like the combo. Be sure and post results.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

Too complicated. Just shoot a single 3 shot group and you are good to go.

What I find incredible is that you would assume that is what I did without even knowing me. I have shot the load 4 times with consitent results which is why I can state I found my load. By the way I have been churning out handloads for over 40 years so I know a thing or 2 about testing loads.

Mac, forgive me but in context, it appeared this was the first and only group you'd shot with this load. Glad to hear you've confirmed it on multiple range session. Sounds like you're ready to kill something with your new .308.

Nope. Multiple range sessions. Shot each load multiple times. As I stated, I've been handloading for over 40 years and know not to trust a single shoot.

the 308 and varget is a marriage made in heaven

I shoot the 130 TTSX out of a M70 in 308 with TAC and getting good groups out to 300 yds. Hitting 3" high at 100 yds only drops 1 1/2" out to 300 yds. Shot it yesterday at 300 and went thru 9 wet phone books and into a piece of 2 x 6 board....got 2 recovered bullets and all pealed back and no weight loss. Might have to try that on elk this fall. Also got some 150 TTSX to load up with CFE223 to try.

Mac,
Seeing as the Ruger M77 in 308 Win is my primary big game (elk & deer) rifle. I think I will have to give the 130 TTSX a try! I have never reloaded solids for any of my elk capable rifles (308, 7x57, or 8x57), so I may have been missing out on some great alternatives.. My primary go to bullets for reloading are usually Nosler PTs or Accubonds for elk; and adding in some Hornady selections for deer. Thanks for the great post and info!
CJ

Looks like a dandy shooting load, I found out TC {S&W} quit building rifles this year. I own a Venture II, sad deal as they are a decent rifle.

What kind of speeds are most of you getting with Varget and the 130’s?

Interesting bit of history.

Early on, I hand loaded my accurized pre 64 M70 FW .308 and was getting good accuracy with 5/8 inch 100 yard groups with 150 grain bullets.

Then Hornady came out with their Light Magnum and it was as good or better, so I stopped hand loading and went hunting- never regretted the change.
Still shooting the Hornady ammo and a box of 20 lasts a few years as there is no need to waste ammo plinking on the rifle range. Also been many years since I messed with the scope sight adjustments.

Varget is very good in .308 Winny. Tac is GREAT.

How temp stable is Tac? Never used it but heard good things.

What is the velocity guess? I would hunt just about anything with that load

Barnes 130 TTSX & Varget is also a great combination for the 300 Savage.

Not trying to hijack, but what are the differences between the Compass and the Venture? I've heard good things on both. Do they have the same trigger, etc? Seems like either is a good bargain?

How many deer do you shoot each year?
One magazine full gets me through a hunting season even with a doe tag.
Good luck

Compass is cheaper plastic stock, Venture II has Hogue pillar bedded hard knock stock.
Compass has greater magazine capacity, for my Venture I bought a HWG 5 rounder. These rifles really shoot.
Trigger on mine is no creep and about 2 1/2 lbs. I believe compass is adjustable. Venture has weather shield metal [at least mine does].

Problem is Tc quit making firearms & S&W don't want them any more. Can still be found on gun racks in all calibers.

Thanks DD. Comprehensive description!

with the 130gr and varget it clocks 3345fps out of my 26" barrel

Thats impressive! How many grains if you don’t mind me asking?