Hornady 180 Gr. loads for Win 308

[cyalatte]

Just wondering if anyone else on this board has experimented with the 180 Gr. Hornady Interlocks using IMR 4895 in the Win 308? I ran a batch last year using 41 grains which was extremely accurate and took down a nice size bull moose. The only thing I figure I could improve on is the velocity, it was running a little slow. Anybody run a higher charge of powder?

Bryan

[moosecaller]

WHY fool with a good thing?? You said you have excellent accuracy, and you dropped a moose with this combination. You would NOT make any significant gains in velocity. Be happy if it works don't fool with it. If you just want to play go ahead and bump it up 100 fps. to a max load. I personally see no reason you would want to or need to for hunting purposes.

[Downwindtracker]

At this time of year,it's proven loads. The load work is done in the spring when it's not too wet to chrony or windy to shot groups. If you look at the charts the gains in flatness really hardly worth it. Don' t get me wrong,my deer rifle is a 264,but my buddy once pointed out my 264 and his 308 on the Nosler charts.

[BCWILL]

Originally Posted by cyalatte

The only thing I figure I could improve on is the velocity, it was running a little slow. Anybody run a higher charge of powder?

The book max for that powder runs about 42.5 ish so your close at 41 anyways........doubtful you'd even gain a 100 fps by maxing it out and it may or may not shoot as well...higher pressure is harder on brass, your rifle...& you 2500ish fps is about it with 180's in the Lil 308 case.

If it's More velocity you seek you'd have to step down to the lighter Bullets.
I know a few guys getting great results from the 130 grain Barnes TSX in thier 308's....or they come in 150's 165's 168's too.

But if your load works and it sounds like it does then Use

[cyalatte]

Thanks for you replies. I have to admit, this is not the time of year to be experimenting

[260_Rem]

what was the speed of the load you used before?

[cyalatte]

I didn't get the crony on it but based on the ballistic tables it was probably in the 2350 - 2400 range. Don't get me wrong, I realize that this load fully meets my standards, sometimes you just get the itch to get as much as you can out of a load that you do yourself.

[260_Rem]

should work fine at normal ranges, 250 yards and in. an extra 150 fps will get you to 300 without much problems, but the difference between a 180 @ 2400 fps & 2600 fps isnt alot, especially in a practical field situation.