Just bought a .308 gasser. Need to develope a lead free hunting load. Would normally go straight to the Barnes TTSX, but I've got a pile of 150g E-Tips and 150g GMX. Anyone got an accuracy load they like? Thought I'd start with Varget or RL 15, but I've got other powders too.

Sounds like a fine combo you'll be working with!



This is a load I simply tossed in to test a new rifle (FN M70 Fwt) and it was a winner. I can't remember what the chrono said about it, but I would guess 2,850 +/-

I'd go with the E Tips, just because they have a better B.C.

TDN: 2850 fps is in close with my 155g lapua load.

SaumHunter: Absent some definative evidence that the GMX shoot better, I'm inclined to agree with you.

FWIW, Nosler recommends dropping maximum charges 2 grains for E Tips, so according to Nosler #6 and Hodgdon, these are the powders and loads (reduced by 2 grains) I'd try in no particular order because of my past success with them in the .308:

.308 Winchester - 150/155 Grain (Using Nosler Bullets) Reloading Data/.308 Winchester (Hodgdon Rifle Data - Maximum Loads) Reloading Data

Warning! Notes: case: Winchester; twist: 1:12"; barrel: 24"; trim: 2.005"; primer: Federal 210M; NEVER exceed maximum loads

Warning! Notes: rifle: barrel: Lilja; length: 24"; twist: 1-10"; case: Winchester; primer: Fed. 210M; maximum SAAMI overall cartridge length: 2.810"; bullets: 150 grain Nosler Solid Base Ballistic Tip (green), CT Ballistic Silvertip, Partition Spitzer & AccuBond or 155 grain Nosler Custom Competition HPBT; use maximum loads with caution

H-4895 - (39.5 - 43.5 gr)

Reloder 15 - (40 - 44 gr)

Varget - (42.5 - 46.5 gr)

Funny you say that - the 155 is actually what I ended up shooting in that rifle while I had it. Then again in my next 308, even took a nice lope with it last fall.
While the E-tip was obviously quite accurate, when the thought of stretching the distance came up - I felt I would get better expansion on deer/lopes with the 155 Scenar.

How far out do you intend to hunt this load?

TDN: I would think 500-600 yards tops. Less on deer, maybe more on pigs.

Be aware that the 150 etip has a rather inflated bc. Something to keep in mind when you think you still have gas left at 300, but really don't. They don't expand well at lower speeds either.

Kman: Do you have any real world data on the E-tip BC?

I tested them to 500.

http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA555975

I'd use them in a 300 mag at 3300fps+ out to 300 or so but most certainly not in a 308.

Kman: Thanks for the reference material. If your results are accurate, Nosler should be ashamed for publishing such garbage. 44% overstated B.C. I recall Barnes had a similar problem until Litz called B.S.

Regarding the article, its seems that one could test Litz' barrel whip hypotheis by fitting a sporter barrel with an aluminum sleeve and repeating the test. With internal consistencies what they are in factory barrels, its hard to draw any firm conclusions about whether the diminished B.C. is due to yaw induced by an irregular bore or barrel wipe. I recall Muledeer has done some testing along this line.

Thanks again.