RobertN
Super Member
Yes and no. In my previous post, I also thought the 308 might be ok to 400 yards. But, it depends on bullets and type. While 308 does excellent on the 1000 yard range, it does not mean it has the energy at 400 yards to properly expand a bullet on game.
a 150gr speer BTSP has an average load of about 2550fps per the Speer loading book. With a BC of 0.412, it has 41" of drop at 400 yards.
I browsed thru my Speer book for a minute, but did not find the bullet energy info for any of their 308 loads, nor info on velocity required for expansion. Will have to look more later.
You are right on the money about time on the bench. I like to get some practice at 3 position shooting too; very seldom have aI found a bench i the field
a 150gr speer BTSP has an average load of about 2550fps per the Speer loading book. With a BC of 0.412, it has 41" of drop at 400 yards.
I browsed thru my Speer book for a minute, but did not find the bullet energy info for any of their 308 loads, nor info on velocity required for expansion. Will have to look more later.
You are right on the money about time on the bench. I like to get some practice at 3 position shooting too; very seldom have aI found a bench i the field
No reason a 308 cant be good out to 400 yds..you just need to practice those yardages before you expect to be proficient hunting at those yardages...No switch to any caliber is going to make you more accurate at those kinds of ranges, it's more of a "lifestyle change" approach to your shooting that needs to occur, not a caliber change. Yardage estimation, wind estimation, steady hold, shot timing, all those things you have to be excellent at when you shoot those yardages.
I don't think a caliber change is going to give you the results you're looking for. If you're looking for an excuse to acquire a new smokepole, then by all means I'm for it.
But you gotta do your homework as far as testing the loads and testing your skills before you take it hunting.